Adaptable low frequency receive antenna and method

A low frequency (LF) or very low frequency (VLF) receive antenna, comprising:

• at least one ferrite core;
• a loop including a signal line having at least one set of signal windings wrapped around the at least one ferrite core;
• an electronics cavity;
• a power supply;
• an analog pre-amplifier disposed in the electronics cavity and having inputs connected to the loop;
• a digitizer disposed in the electronics cavity and connected to a first output of the analog pre-amplifier;
• a signal driver disposed in the electronics cavity and connected to a second output of the analog pre-amplifier;
• and
• an auxiliary processor disposed in the electronics cavity, wherein the output of the digitizer is connected to an input of the auxiliary processor and an output of the auxiliary processor is connected to the signal driver to provide a processed digital output as the output of the digitizer,
• wherein the signal driver is configured to provide a substantially simultaneous output of an analog signal of the second output of the analog pre-amplifier and a digital signal of the processed digital output, and
• wherein the analog pre-amplifier, digitizer, and mode switch are connected to the power supply.

A method of operating a low frequency (LF) or very low frequency (VLF) receive antenna, comprising:

• receiving an analog signal on the LF/VLF receive antenna having at least one ferrite core and a plurality of signal windings wrapped around the at least one ferrite core;
• amplifying the analog signal in a pre-amplifier disposed in an electronics cavity of the LV/VLF receive antenna;
• digitizing the amplified analog signal with a digitizer disposed in the electronics cavity of the LV/VLF receive antenna to produce a digital signal;
• processing the digital signal with an auxiliary processor disposed in the electronics cavity of the LV/VLF receive antenna to produce a processed digital output having a reduced bandwidth;
• and
• driving an output of the amplified analog signal and/or the processed digital output with drivers disposed in the electronics cavity of the LV/VLF receive antenna.