Rapid azimuthal determination of radio signals

US4062015A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• John Litva · Hamilton, CA
• Everett E. Stevens · Metcalfe, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 1976
• Grant date: Dec 6, 1977
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S3/20
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods are known for finding the bearing of an incoming radio signal. The system disclosed, which enables accurate bearings of radio signals to be obtained rapidly, employs a rosette array of directional Beverage antennas. The antennas are rapidly scanned to find which one is receiving the largest amplitude signal; this gives an approximate bearing. This signal is then compared with the signals of two adjacent antennas in the array and the results of these comparisons provide a measure of the amount and direction that the true bearing differs from the approximate bearing.