Method for acquiring and tracking an in-flight target
US9507019B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2013 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q19/13
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for acquiring and tracking an in-flight or airborne target using an antenna is provided. In the acquisition process, the antenna is rotated to collect RF power data. The location of peak RF power is determined and the antenna is pointed to that location. The antenna may then undergo a search pattern on either side of that location to detect a specified drop in RF power and a modem on which to lock. In the tracking process, an algorithm allows the antenna to track the target in a pure RF mode, a GPS-based open loop pointing mode or a hybrid mode. The tracking may automatically switch between the pure RF mode and the hybrid mode, depending upon whether GPS data is available from the target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.