A multi-channel digital transceiver (400) receives uplink radio frequency signals and converts these signals to digital intermediate frequency signals. Digital signal processing, including a digital converter module (426), is employed to select digital intermediate frequency signals received at a plurality of antennas (412) and to convert these signals to baseband signals. The baseband signals are processed to recover a communication channel therefrom. Downlink baseband signals are also processed and digital signal processing within the digital converter module (426) up converters and modulates the downlink baseband signals to digital intermediate frequency signals. The digital intermediate frequency signals are converted to analog radio frequency signals, amplified and radiated from transmit antennas (420).

Multi-channel digital transceiver and method

A point-to-multipoint or two-way communications system is provided by a nodal transmitter located in a node with a plurality of nodal antennas radiating different polarization signals about the node. The system includes subscriber stations with directional antennas adapted to receive signals radiated from the nodal transmitter. The system may additionally include capability for transmitting and radiating subscriber signals to the nodal transmitter location for two-way communications.

Low power, short range point-to-multipoint communications system

An apparatus is provided for use in a multi-channel digital transmitter and receiver. A filtering process is accomplished by conditioning portions of a digitized signal during digital signal processing by integrating, taking the difference of, and multiplying portions of the digitized signal. The filtering process may be used in conjunction with a receiving process to generate a digitized channel signal (166, 168, 170, 172) by conditioning (132, 134, 136, 138) the digitized signal (128) and subsequently Fourier transforming (148) the conditioned portions of the digitized signal. Alternatively, the filtering process may be used in conjunction with a transmitting process by inverse Fourier transforming (324) a plurality of digitized information signals (300, 302, 304, 306) to be transmitted, generating a composite digitized signal (352), and subsequently conditioning the composite digitized signal (358).

A multi-channel digital transmitter and receiver

The invention relates to a flight management system for manned or unmanned aircraft having to face an emergency situation such as hijacking of the aircraft, medical emergencies, situations of failures affecting the propulsion, pressurization or communication functions for example. It provides for a device and process for automatically or semi-automatically generating a flight plan compatible with international regulations and their national or local adaptations with possibilities of optimization according to navigation parameters.

Device and method of automated construction of emergency flight path for aircraft

A receiver (100), transmitter (200) and transceiver (400) in accordance with the present invention overcome the disadvantages of applying adaptive antenna array technology to multi-channel communication systems. Multi-channel radio frequency (RF) signals received via an adaptive antenna array (102) are converted from an analog form to a digital form prior to splitting and processing to recover communication channels contained therein. A number of digital communication signals are digitally combined into a multi-channel digital signal and converted from the digital form to an analog radio frequency form prior to transmission from the adaptive antenna array.

Multi-channel transceiver having an adaptive antenna array and method

A system and method are provided to measure relatively short distances between one or more moveable objects and with respect to an environment. The transponders may be affixed to other moveable objects and/or may be affixed in position within the environment. The transponders detect the query signal and respond with an acoustic response signal. A synchronized clock system establishes common timing between the transponders and the moveable objects such that the start time at which the acoustic response signal is sent is known. The moveable object detects a receipt time when the acoustic response signal is received. Knowing the start time and the receipt time, a transit time for the acoustic signal can be determined whereby a separation vector may be calculated. The system may be used to determine and transmit a table that contains the relative positions of all moveable objects in the environment.

System and method for measuring short distances

A waterway shield system comprises a plurality of autonomous underwater nodes wherein each underwater node comprises acoustic detectors which may comprise horizontal and/or vertical acoustic arrays which may be directly mounted thereto or extend outwardly therefrom. Each underwater node comprises an acoustic modem for transmitting high resolution acoustic data to a gateway node that provides a connection to a surface system and a network of other underwater nodes in other waterways. The data from the underwater nodes may be utilized to produce acoustic attribute data for hulls of ships in the waterways. An acoustic database is provided that compiles the predetermined acoustic attribute data for a variety of ships and other entities thereby providing previously stored identifying means. The acoustic database is utilized in conjunction with one or more databases of other physical attributes of ships or other objects to thereby provide an automated identification process.

Waterway shielding system and method

A method and apparatus for monitoring the resonant frequency and absorption level at resonance of an absorption type resonant cavity which involves providing a voltage controlled oscillator, applying to the control input of the voltage controlled oscillator a control signal having a main component V m and a dither component V d , splitting the output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator into a portion directed along a test path and a portion directed along a reference path, the reference path including an attenuator controlled by a voltage signal V k , directing the signal in the test path through the resonant cavity, splitting the signal emerging from the resonant cavity into a portion directed along a frequency detection path and a portion directed along a level detecting path, using the signal directed along the frequency detection path for generating a signal for changing the amplitude of V m until the center frequency of the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator is at the resonant frequency f r of the cavity, and using the signal directed along the level detection path for changing V k until the level of the signal in the reference path is equal to the depth of the null of the signal in the level detection path.

Microwave test apparatus and method

A circuit for mixing first and second rf signals to produce an output signal containing a beat frequency comprises a pair of switches each of which has a four diode bridge controlled by the first rf signal. The first rf signal is coupled to a balanced current divider with common mode signal rejection. Load resistors coupled to the bridges provide matched termination of the first rf signal irrespective of the conductive state of the bridges. The value of the resistors and the characteristic impedance of the drive circuit is related to the characteristics of the diodes utilized to maximize the dynamic range of the mixer. Circuitry is provided for coupling all diodes of each bridge in series with respect to the average dc component of the first rf signal and to properly terminate the average dc component. The two diode bridges are conductive and nonconductive in opposing half cycles of the first rf signal. A hybrid has its summing port coupled to the switch port of one bridge and its difference port coupled to the switch port of the other bridge. The second rf signal is coupled to input port of the hybrid which includes a balun for balancing and rejecting common mode signals from the second rf signal. The beat frequency is provided at the output port of the hybrid which also includes a balun for rejecting common mode signals. The desired and filtered frequency components of the second rf signal are properly terminated.

Doubly balanced mixer with optimized dynamic range

A circularly polarized microwave radio antenna which is constructed so that its phase center can be very easily and very accurately positioned with respect to a marker point over which the antenna is placed is disclosed. The antenna includes a ground plane, antenna elements in a common plane parallel thereto and supported by a perpendicular center post, separate feed lines for each element and a combining network all positioned symmetrically about an axial bore in the center post so that the phase center of the antenna is on the axis of the center post at the intersection with the upper surface of the ground plane. A graduated rod may be positioned in the bore to align the antenna with the marker point. The antenna is especially useful in microwave radio interferometry systems for measuring relative position vectors between survey marks on the ground using radio frequency signals transmitted from earth orbiting satellites but may be used in any application where accurate positioning of an antenna's phase center relative to a reference point is desired or required. The antenna can be easily reproduced with substantially identical electrical and mechanical characteristics.

Donald H. Steinbrecher

Papers

System and method for measuring short distances

Waterway shielding system and method

Microwave test apparatus and method

Doubly balanced mixer with optimized dynamic range

Circularly polarized antenna for satellite positioning systems