Active retrodirective antenna array with a virtual beacon
US8767192B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/2647
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An active retrodirective antenna array is provisioned with a virtual beacon for use with uncooperative targets. An RF pilot signal is imposed onto an optical carrier beam and directed at a target. The scattered optical carrier beam is optically detected by a plurality of the retrodirective array nodes to extract the RF pilot signal. Each recovered RF pilot-signal is phase-conjugated with a phase reference signal, amplified and retransmitted towards the target where the RF beams add-in phase at the virtual beacon. The array may be used to complete an RF communication link with the target, to transfer microwave power from orbiting solar power stations to a target or as a directed energy weapon to prosecute the target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.