Reference beacon identification using transmission sequence characteristics
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorLayne D. Lommen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for encoding information in a reference beacon signal for use in a time-difference-of-arrival/frequency-difference-of-arrival (TDOA/FDOA) geolocation system. Information is encoded in the reference beacon signal using variations in the times and frequencies of sequential reference signal transmissions. The encoded information may include an identifier associated with the transmitter of the reference beacon signal. A geolocation system receiving the reference beacon signal can thus differentiate it from non-cooperative target emissions as well as from other reference beacon signals.
Claims20
A method of transmitting transmitter identification information, compnsing:
- sequentially transmitting a plurality of signal segments, each signal segment being characterized by a frequency parameter and a time parameter, wherein at least one of the frequency and the time parameters of each signal segment is determined in accordance with the transmitter identification information,
- wherein a difference in the frequency parameters of adjacent signal segments is indicative of a portion of the transmitter identification information,
- wherein the time parameter of each signal segment includes a start time of the signal segment, and
- wherein the start time of a signal segment relative to the other signal segments is indicative of a position of the signal segment within the plurality of signal segments.
A method of transmitting transmitter identification information, comprising:
- sequentially transmitting a plurality of signal segments, each signal segment being characterized by a frequency parameter and a time parameter, wherein at least one of the frequency and the time parameters of each signal segment is determined in accordance with the transmitter identification information,
- wherein the time parameter of each signal segment is indicative of a portion of the transmitter identification information,
- wherein the frequency parameter of each signal segment includes a frequency of the signal segment, and
- wherein the frequency of a signal segment is indicative of a position of the signal segment within the plurality of signal segments.
An apparatus for transmitting transmitter identification information, comprising:
- means for sequentially transmitting a plurality of signal segments, each signal segment being characterized by a frequency parameter and a time parameter, wherein at least one of the frequency and the time parameters of each signal segment is determined in accordance with the transmitter identification information,
- wherein a difference in the frequency parameters of adjacent signal segments is indicative of a portion of the reference beacon identifier, wherein the time parameter of each signal segment includes a start time of the signal segment, and
- wherein the start time of a signal segment relative to the other signal segments is indicative of a position of the signal segment within the plurality of signal segments.
An apparatus for transmitting transmitter identification information, compnsing:
- means for sequentially transmitting a plurality of signal segments, each signal segment being characterized by a frequency parameter and a time parameter, wherein at least one of the frequency and the time parameters of each signal segment is determined in accordance with the transmitter identification information,
- wherein the time parameter of each signal segment is indicative of a portion of the transmitter identification information,
- wherein the frequency parameter of each signal segment includes a frequency of the signal segment, and
- wherein the frequency of a signal segment is indicative of a position of the signal segment within the plurality of signal segments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.