Distributed radio signal targeting device
OwnerMurray Craig, John Shawinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that allow for the detection, identification and direction finding of search and rescue beacons in a variety of environments. The techniques may be used to identify a line of bearing (LOB) to 121.5 MHz rescue beacons found in aircraft (ELTs), marine beacons (EPIRBs), and personal locator beacons (PLBs). Multiple lines of bearing may be used to geo-locate a target emitter if so desired. The methods may utilize, for example, a handheld device that is designed for search and rescue activity. Additionally, this device may be able to decode a 406 MHz frequency beacon that communicates with the satellite system that is controlled by COSPAS SARSAT. This constellation of rescue satellites coordinates the location of 406 MHz rescue beacons.
Claims8
A portable direction finding system, comprising:
- a housing;
- an antenna and boom assembly attached to the housing, the antenna and boom assembly and comprising a phased-array antenna including two dipole elements, wherein the phased-array antenna receives 121.5 MHz signals;
- a receiver assembly within the housing, the receiver assembly including a radio frequency module and a digital signal processing module (a DSP module), wherein a signal from the antenna and boom assembly and boom assembly is received by an RF module;
- an electronic compass within the housing, the electronic compass in communication with the digital signal processing module and providing a direction in which the portable direction finding system is pointed;
- a display on the housing to indicate the direction from the electronic compass;
- and
- a handle on the housing.
A method of directing finding, comprising:
- surveying an area of interest to identify rescue beacons in the area using a portable direction finder, wherein the rescue beacons include emitters of a signal, and the portable direction finder includes:
- a housing;
- an antenna and boom assembly attached to the housing, the antenna and boom assembly and comprising a phased-array antenna including two dipole elements, wherein the phased-array antenna receives 121.5 MHz signals;
- a receiver assembly within the housing, the receiver assembly including a radio frequency module and a digital signal processing module processing (DSP) module, wherein the signal from the antenna and boom assembly is received by an RF module;
- an electronic compass within the housing, the electronic compass in communication with the digital signal processing module processing module and providing a direction in which the portable direction finder is pointed;
- a display on the housing to indicate the direction from the electronic compass;
- and
- a handle on the housing;
- selecting a target emitter for the direction determination;
- identifying a target azimuth of the target emitter based on peak signal strength of the signal, wherein a DSP module provides the signal strengths allowing a user to determine the peak signal strength;
- determining a first line of bearing to the target emitter, from a first location, based on the target azimuth;
- displaying the first line of bearing to the user;
- determining a second line of bearing after moving left or right of the first location;
- displaying the second line of bearing to the user;
- and
- determining an intersection between the first line of bearing and the second line of bearing, wherein the intersection is a latitude and longitude with high probability of detection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.