Distributed phased array antenna system
US5896105A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S5/0027
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An array of individual and autonomous modules are deployed in a region to be surveilled. Each module, contained in an air dropable bomblet, includes a GPS system for determining the exact location of the deployed module. The module also includes an rf receiver and transmitter, as well as an atomic clock circuit for providing highly precise time and clocking signals, with operation of the module circuitry being governed by a control computer. The computers of the modules are individually programmed such that the modules of the array collectively operate as a distributed phased array antenna system, but without any hardwired interconnection between the modules. In another embodiment a single receiver is utilized and the apparatus operates on the frequency set of the GPS system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.