US 4,467,327 A · Active millimeter wave simulator for missile seeker evaluations

Abstract

An active millimeter wave simulator for missile seeker evaluations wherein a missile seeker generates seeker signals and transmits them in the direction of an array of active antenna elements. Range timing signals are delayed in a time delay circuit to simulate a range between the missile seeker and a target. The seeker signals as received by the active antenna elements are supplied to a millimeter wave spectrum analyzer for determination of their frequency. A computer receives the determined frequency and controls a millimeter wave source to generate simulated target response signals with that same frequency but delayed in accordance with the time delay signal. The computer controls a master target control circuit to select a triad of antennas in the antenna array and to generate a phase center in the triad generating the target response signals. The millimeter wave spectrum analyzer further determines the frequency of the target response signals. The computer compares the frequencies of the target response signals and the missile seeker signals and controls the millimeter wave source to ensure correspondence between those frequencies.

Claims11

Dependent claims

In a passive simulator adapted for active mode missile seeker target tracking evaluations in real time wherein a missile seeker generates seeker signals having characteristic frequencies and a seeker timer signal associated with the seeker signals, an improvement comprising:

means for delaying said seeker timer signal to simulate a range between the missile and said target;
means for generating target response signals simulating the reflections of said seeker signals from said target;
means for determining the characteristic frequencies of said seeker signals and for generating an output signal corresponding thereto;
and
means responsive to said delayed seeker timer signal and said output signal for controlling said generating means to generate said target response signals having frequencies corresponding to the frequencies of said seeker signals and amplitudes corresponding to said simulated range from said missile to said target.

2 more elements

means for selectively delaying said seeker timer signals to simulate the range between the missile and the target;
means for generating target response signals having characteristic frequencies simulating reflections of said seeker signals from said target;
means for determining the difference between the characteristic frequencies of said seeker signals and said target response signals and for generating an output signal associated with said determined differences;
control means responsive to said delay seeker timer signal and said output signal from said generating means to generate said target response signals having frequencies corresponding to the frequencies of said seeker signals and amplitudes corresponding to said simulated range from said missile to said target;
and
means for supporting said missile seeker in the path of said target response signals and for reflecting from said simulator any target response signals not received by said missile seeker.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Active millimeter wave simulator for missile seeker evaluations

Life of this patent

Active millimeter wave simulator for missile seeker evaluations

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11