RF receiver sensing by harmonic generation

• US 7,864,107 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Lehtola, Gary E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barker; Matthew M
• Application Number:
  US12/483,444
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 342/146
• US Class Current: 342/146
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/08 Systems for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S13/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/41 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section

Abstract

The system includes a transmitter, at least one detection system receiver, a modulated signal source, and a directional receive antenna. The transmitter emits a high power illuminating signal at a receive frequency of a target RF receiver to be detected. The high power illuminating signal is sufficient to cause the target RF receiver to generate harmonic emissions. At least one detection system receiver is used for detecting at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver. The modulated signal source is operatively associated with the transmitter to modulate the illuminating signal and for use as a reference to the detection system receiver such that the turn around time of the harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver can be measured. A directional receive antenna is operatively associated with the detection system receiver for determining the angle to the target RF receiver.

Claims

1. A radio frequency (RF) receiver detection and locating system, comprising:

a) a transmitter for emitting a high power illuminating signal at a predetermined receive frequency of a target RF receiver to be detected, said high power being sufficient to cause the target RF receiver to generate harmonic emissions;

b) at least one detection system receiver configured to detect at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver;

c) a modulated signal source operatively associated with said transmitter to modulate said illuminating signal and for use as a reference to said at least one detection system receiver such that the turn around time of said at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver can be measured;

d) a directional receive antenna operatively associated with said at least one detection system receiver for determining the angle to said target RF receiver; and

,

e) a target RF receiver database for receiving an output of said at least one detection system receiver, said target RF receiver database including compiled information that characterizes potential target RF receivers, thus providing said predetermined receive frequency,

wherein said at least one detection system receiver receives data to determine if there is a change in the environmental signature of an area for determining the presence of a target RF receiver by comparing the received data to data received in a previous scan of said area.

2. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 1, wherein said at least one detection system receiver comprises a single detection system receiver.

3. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 1, wherein said at least one detection system receiver comprises a plurality of detection system receivers.

4. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 1, wherein said target RF receiver comprises an improvised explosive device (IED).

5. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 1, wherein said target RF receiver comprises a portable radio receiver.

6. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 1, further comprising a transmit antenna operatively connected to said transmitter.

7. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 1, further comprising a directional transmit antenna operatively connected to said transmitter.

8. A method for detecting and locating a target RF receiver, comprising the steps of:

a) emitting a high power illuminating signal at a predetermined receive frequency of a target RF receiver to be detected, said high power being sufficient to cause the target RF receiver to generate harmonic emissions;

b) detecting at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver utilizing at least one detection system receiver;

c) modulating said illuminating signal and providing a reference to said at least one detection system receiver such that the turn around time of said at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver can be measured;

d) determining the angle to said target RF receiver utilizing a directional receive antenna; and

,

e) utilizing a target RF receiver database for receiving an output of said at least one detection system receiver, said target RF receiver database including compiled information that characterizes potential target RF receivers, thus providing said predetermined receive frequency,

wherein said step of detecting at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver comprises receiving data to determine if there is a change in the environmental signature of an area for determining the presence of a target RF receiver by comparing the received data to data received in a previous scan of said area.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of detecting at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver comprises determining the presence and position of an IED.

10. An improvised explosive device (IED) detection and locating system, comprising:

a) a transmitter for emitting a high power illuminating signal at a predetermined receive frequency of a target IED to be detected, said high power being sufficient to cause the target IED to generate harmonic emissions;

b) at least one detection system receiver configured to detect at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target IED;

c) a modulated signal source operatively associated with said transmitter to modulate said illuminating signal and for use as a reference to said at least one detection system receiver such that the turn around time of said at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target IED can be measured;

d) a directional receive antenna operatively associated with said at least one IED for determining the angle to said IED; and

,

e) a target IED database for receiving an output of said at least one detection system receiver, said target IED database including compiled information that characterizes potential target IED'"'"'s, thus providing said predetermined receive frequency,

wherein said at least one detection system receiver receives data to determine if there is a change in the environmental signature of an area for determining the presence of an IED by comparing the received data to data received in a previous scan of said area.

11. The improvised explosive device (IED) detection system of claim 10, wherein said at least one detection system receiver comprises a single detection system receiver.

12. The improvised explosive device (IED) detection system of claim 10, wherein said at least one detection system receiver comprises a plurality of detection system receivers.

13. The improvised explosive device (IED) detection system of claim 10, wherein said target IED comprises a portable radio receiver.

14. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 10, further comprising a transmit antenna operatively connected to said transmitter.

15. The RF receiver detection and locating system of claim 10, further comprising a directional transmit antenna operatively connected to said transmitter.