Programmable reference beacons
US10859667B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S19/11
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Search and rescue (SAR) systems utilizing Earth-orbiting satellites are provided. In one implementation, a SAR system comprises a plurality of reference beacons, each having a known geographical location, and a ground-based station. The ground-based station includes one or more antennas for communicating with the reference beacons via a plurality of Earth orbiting satellites. The ground-based station is configured to receive reference signals from each of the reference beacons and calculate estimates of the locations of the reference beacons from the received reference signals. Also, the ground-based station is configured to calculate system calibration factors based on the location estimates and known geographical locations of the reference beacons. The ground-based station is further configured to receive distress signals from at least one distress beacon via the Earth-orbiting satellites and calibrate the distress signals based on the system calibration factors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.