System and method for interrogating and locating a transponder relative to a zone-of-interest

• US 7,573,369 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATR Electronics, Inc., Southwest Research Institute
• Original Assignee: ATR Electronics, Inc., Southwest Research Institute
• Inventors: Moryl, James A., Hayles, Ralph E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang; Son M
• Application Number:
  US11/470,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20070069886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/10.32, 340/572.9, 340/539.1, 340/539.15, 340/539.32, 342165-174, 342 11- 13, 342/42, 342/45, 342/373, 342/375, 343/786, 343907-910, 343/841, 343/911
• US Class Current: 340/10.32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/78 discriminating between different kinds of targets, e.g. IFF-radar, i.e. identification of friend or foe G01S13/75, G01S13/79 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/02 Waveguide horns
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/062 for focusing

Abstract

A directional warning system and a method of warning of friendly forces. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a plurality of feed horns located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening and arranged relative thereto based on a zone-of-interest with which the directional warning system may be associated.

Claims

1. A method of warning of friendly forces, comprising:

projecting a plurality of beams from a directional warning system including;

a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof,

a Luneberg lens located within said conductive shield, and

a plurality of feed horns located proximate a portion of said Luneberg lens that is distal from said opening and arranged relative thereto based on a zone-of-interest with which said directional warning system may be associated; and

generating a warning based on a number of said beams received.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of beams differ from one another to allow said plurality of beams to be discriminated.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said generating is carried out in a receiver located proximate a zone-of-interest.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said generating comprises:

transmitting responses to said beams with a transponder located proximate a zone-of-interest; and

generating said warning based on a number of said responses.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of beams intersect based on a zone-of-interest.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising disabling a weapon based on said number.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of beams has a 3 decibel width of about 7°

.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of beams has a null-to-null width of about 14°

.