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Method for determining a direction to a signal-emitting object

  • US 9,625,562 B2
  • Filed: 07/03/2012
  • Issued: 04/18/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for determining a direction (44) to a signal-emitting object via a platform comprising at least two antennas separated by a known distance, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) receiving, with each of said at least two antennas (31, 32), one or more signals from said signal-emitting object at first positions (41a);

    (b) automatically determining, via at least one processing unit, a first phase relation of said one or more signals between said at least two antennas (31, 32);

    (c) receiving, with each of said at least two antennas (31, 32), one or more signals from said signal-emitting object at at least second positions (41b);

    (d) automatically determining, via the at least one processing unit, at least a second phase relation of said one or more signals between said at least two antennas (31, 32);

    (e) automatically detecting, via the at least one processing unit and a position determination unit, a change in orientation of said platform;

    (f) automatically determining, via the at least one processing unit, one or more corresponding changes in one or more positions (43) of each of said at least two antennas (31, 32) of said at least two antennas (31, 32), said one or more corresponding changes in said one or more positions (43) of each of said at least two antennas (31, 32) is based on said detected change in orientation of said platform; and

    (g) automatically, determining, via the at least one processing unit, a direction (44) to said signal-emitting object based on said first phase relation, said at least second phase relation, and said one or more changes in said one or more positions (43) of each of said at least two antennas (31, 32),wherein;

    said at least two antennas (31, 32) define a long base interferometer (LBI);

    said at least two antennas (31, 32) are mounted on said platform (30);

    said platform (30) is an airborne vehicle;

    said change in orientation of said platform (30) is at least one of a roll or a turn of said airborne vehicle;

    said at least one of a roll or a turn occurs in a direction perpendicular to a travelling movement of said airborne vehicle; and

    said method further comprises the step of repeating said steps (a)-(g) at least until ambiguities have been resolved with a desired degree of accuracy.

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