Active imaging using satellite communication system

• US 7,911,372 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2009
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KinetX, Inc.
• Original Assignee: KinetX, Inc.
• Inventors: Nelson, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brainard; Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US12/612,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20100045512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 342/25
• US Class Current: 342/25.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/003 Bistatic radar systems; Multistatic radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/0209 Systems with very large relative bandwidth, i.e. larger than 10 %, e.g. baseband, pulse, carrier-free, ultrawideband
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations

Abstract

An active imaging system uses communication satellites to identify the location and physical attributes of a target. A transmitter emits a time-synchronized signal directed to a target. The transmitter radiates L-band RF signals. The transmitter can be positioned on an airborne or ground platform. A constellation of communication satellites receives and time stamps the time-synchronized signal reflected from the target to form an active image of the target. The constellation of communication satellites have multiple roles other than active imaging, such as providing voice and data communications. The time-synchronized signal reflected from the target can be received by multiple satellites within the constellation of communication satellites or by multiple antenna disposed on one satellite within the constellation of communication satellites.

Claims

1. An active imaging system using communication satellites, comprising:

a transmitter emitting an imaging signal directed to a target, wherein the imaging signal includes a first time stamp; and

a constellation of communication satellites configured to receiving and time stamping the imaging signal reflected from the target to form an active image of the target, wherein;

the imaging signal is time-synchronized to each satellite in the constellation of communication satellites; and

each satellite in the constellation of communication satellites has at least one antenna configured to operate in at least one of a first mode for receiving voice and data communications and a second mode for receiving imaging signals reflected from the target; and

the antenna of a first satellite in the constellation of communication satellites is configured to operate in the first mode while the antenna of a second satellite in the constellation of communication satellites is configured to operate in the second mode.

2. The active imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging signal is an L-band RF signal.

3. The active imaging system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is positioned on an airborne or space-borne platform.

4. The active imaging system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is positioned on a ground platform.

5. The active imaging system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is disposed on a satellite in the constellation of communication satellites.

6. The active imaging system of claim 1, wherein the location and identity of the target can be determined by the active imaging system.

7. The active imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging signal reflected from the target is received by multiple satellites within the constellation of communication satellites.

8. The active imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging signal reflected from the target is received by multiple antenna disposed on one satellite within the constellation of communication satellites.

9. A method of active imaging of a target using communication satellites, comprising:

emitting an imaging signal from a transmitter directed to a target, wherein the imaging signal includes a first time stamp; and

receiving and time stamping with a second time stamp the imaging signal reflected from the target through a constellation of communication satellites to form an active image of the target;

wherein;

the imaging signal is time-synchronized to each satellite in the constellation of communication satellites; and

each satellite in the constellation of communication satellites has at least one antenna, wherein;

the antenna is configured to operate in at least one of a first mode for receiving voice and data communications and a second mode for receiving imaging signals reflected from the target; and

the antenna of a first satellite in the constellation of communication satellites is configured to operate in the first mode while the antenna of a second satellite in the constellation of communication satellites is configured to operate in the second mode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein emitting an imaging signal includes emitting an L band RF signal.

11. The method of claim 9, further including positioning the transmitter on an airborne or space-borne platform.

12. The method of claim 9, further including providing multiple roles for the constellation of communication satellites other than active imaging.

13. The method of claim 9, further including locating and identifying the target.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the imaging signal reflected from the target is received by multiple satellites within the constellation of communication satellites.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the imaging signal reflected from the target is received by multiple antenna disposed on one satellite within the constellation of communication satellites.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitter is positioned on a ground platform.