Sonar sensor array signal distribution system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A signal distribution system for a sonar sensor array comprising:
- a coaxial transmission line having an outer conductor and an inner conductor separated by an internal field region;
a plurality of taps affixed to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line along a length of the coaxial transmission line,each of the taps having at least one field coupling portion extending through an opening in the outer conductor into the internal field region of the coaxial transmission line to interface with electromagnetic wave energy propagating within the coaxial transmission line;
a capacitively-coupled probe configured to inject electromagnetic wave energy into the internal field region; and
an inductively-coupled probe configured to extract electromagnetic wave energy from the internal field region.
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Abstract
A system and method for signal distribution within a sensor array uses a coaxial transmission line. Taps are affixed to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line and include field coupling portions extending into the internal field region of the coaxial transmission line. Electromagnetic energy propagating within the transmission line can be extracted to power the sensors. Sensor signals can be modulated onto radio frequency signals and propagated along the transmission line to distribute the sensor signals.
238 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A signal distribution system for a sonar sensor array comprising:
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a coaxial transmission line having an outer conductor and an inner conductor separated by an internal field region; a plurality of taps affixed to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line along a length of the coaxial transmission line, each of the taps having at least one field coupling portion extending through an opening in the outer conductor into the internal field region of the coaxial transmission line to interface with electromagnetic wave energy propagating within the coaxial transmission line; a capacitively-coupled probe configured to inject electromagnetic wave energy into the internal field region; and an inductively-coupled probe configured to extract electromagnetic wave energy from the internal field region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A signal distribution system for a sonar sensor array comprising:
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a means for confining a transverse electric and magnetic mode electromagnetic wave within a watertight, elongate wave-propagating region; plural means for interfacing to the elongate wave propagating region and coupling to at least one electromagnetic wave therein to extract power therefrom and to inject a signal thereto; and a plurality of sensors disposed external to the means for confining, each sensor powered by a corresponding one of the plural means for interfacing and each sensor outputting a signal to the corresponding one of the plural means for interfacing. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of installing a sonar array on a platform comprising:
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installing a waveguide on a surface of the platform; inserting a center wire into the waveguide to form a coaxial transmission line; cutting a plurality of holes into the waveguide; installing a plurality of electromagnetic field coupling taps into the holes; and sealing the plurality of holes to make the waveguide a watertight enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of distributing signals within a sonar array, comprising
propagating a first electromagnetic wave at a first frequency along a coaxial transmission line; -
inductively coupling to the first electromagnetic wave at a plurality of extraction points distributed along the coaxial transmission line to supply power for a plurality of sensors; capacitively injecting a plurality of second electromagnetic waves into the coaxial transmission line at a plurality of injection points distributed along the coaxial transmission line, the plurality of second electromagnetic waves comprising a plurality of sensor signals from the sensors; and receiving the plurality of second electromagnetic waves at a receiver to extract the plurality of sensor signals. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A signal distribution system for a sonar sensor array comprising:
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a coaxial transmission line having an outer conductor and an inner conductor separated by an internal field region; and a plurality of taps affixed to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line along a length of the coaxial transmission line, each of the taps having at least one field coupling portion extending through an opening in the outer conductor into the internal field region of the coaxial transmission line to interface with electromagnetic wave energy propagating within the coaxial transmission line, wherein the system is installed on a platform selected from the group of platforms consisting of a submarine, a ship, a sonobuoy, a shore station, a ground vehicle, and an aircraft.
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Specification