Automatic dependant surveillance systems and methods

• US 8,072,374 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2008
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zane Hovey
• Original Assignee: Zane Hovey
• Inventors: Hovey, Zane
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Dao
• Application Number:
  US12/313,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20090146875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.28, 342/357.31, 342/357.46, 342/357.51, 342/455, 342/456, 701/213, 701/215
• US Class Current: 342/357.31
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/04 Anti-collision systems

Abstract

A communications system including an automated dependant surveillance-broadcast system and a global positioning system integrated into a single unit. A radio frequency receiver receives analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a selected transmission frequency and converts that information into digital form. A global positioning system receiver receives global positioning information including timing information. A processing subsystem decodes the digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information in response to the timing information received by the global positioning system receiver.

Claims

1. A communications system including an automated dependent surveillance-broadcast system and a global positioning system integrated into a single unit comprising:

a radio frequency receiver for receiving analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a selected transmission frequency and converting said information into digitized automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast information;

a global positioning system receiver for receiving global positioning information including timing information; and

a processing subsystem for decoding the digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information in response to the timing information provided by the global positioning system receiver, wherein the radio frequency receiver comprises;

analog processing circuitry for receiving the analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a selected transmission frequency and down-converting said analog information to an intermediate center frequency;

circuitry for splitting the analog information into first and second sub-channels;

circuitry for up-shifting the first sub-channel from the intermediate center frequency by a selected amount and for down-shifting the second sub-channel from the intermediate frequency by the selected amount;

a first filter tuned to the frequency of the first sub-channel for generating a logic one output; and

a second filter tuned to the frequency of the second sub-channel for generating a logic zero output.

2. The integrated communications system of claim 1, wherein the selected amount is approximately one-half of a total channel bandwidth of said analog information.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected transmission frequency is in a range between 900 MHz to 1100 MHz.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processing subsystem is further operable to decode Mode A, C, and S information.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing subsystem is further operable to decode Mode A, C, and S information.

3. An automated dependent surveillance-broadcast receiving system with an integral global positioning receiver comprising:

a first radio frequency receiver for receiving first analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a first selected transmission frequency and converting said first analog information into first digitized automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast information;

a second radio frequency receiver for receiving second analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a second selected transmission frequency and converting said second analog information into second digitized automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast information;

a global positioning system receiver for receiving global positioning information including timing information; and

a processing subsystem for decoding at least one the first and second digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information in response to the timing information provided by the global positioning system receiver.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second radio frequency receivers operate in response to a common local oscillator.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the processing subsystem is operable to decode automated dependant surveillance-broadcast information received in a selected one of modulated in a selected one of continuous phase shift key modulation and pulse position modulation.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the first radio receiver comprises:

a down converter for down-converting analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information received at the first selected transmission frequency to an intermediate center frequency;

circuitry for up-shifting a first sub-channel from the intermediate center frequency by approximately half an overall channel bandwidth and for down-shifting a second sub-channel from the intermediate frequency by half the overall channel bandwidth;

a first filter tuned to the frequency of the first sub-channel for generating a logic one output; and

a second filter tuned to the frequency of the second sub-channel for generating a logic zero output.

7. The system of claim 3, further comprising an antenna port for receiving analog frequency signals from an antenna for distribution to at least one of the first and second radio frequency receivers.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the antenna is integral with the system.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein the processing subsystem is further operable to decode Mode A, C, and S information, received by a selected one of the first and second radio frequency receivers, for use in passive collision warning.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising an integral pressure altimeter for use in passive collision warning.

11. The system of claim 3, further comprising power supply circuitry operable from a selected one of an integral battery and an auxiliary power source.

12. An airborne communication and surveillance system, comprising:

First means for receiving a first analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a first frequency and converting said analog information to a first digitized signal;

Second means for receiving a second analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a second frequency and converting said second analog information to a second digitized signal;

Third means for receiving global positioning information including timing information; and

Fourth means for decoding at least one of the first digitized signal and the second digitized signal in response to the timing information.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first means and the second means operate in response to common oscillating means.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the fourth means are operable to decode Mode A, C, and S information.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising pressure altimeter means.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are in the range between 900 MHz to 1100 MHz.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the fourth means are operable to decode Mode A, C, and S information.