Abstract:
The arrangement comprises N signal channels each responsive to a different one of N signals where N is an integer greater than one. Each of the N signal channels includes a sampling circuit to sample the associated one of the N signals by a different one of N phase clocks with each of the N phase clocks sampling a different one of the N signals at a predetermined different time uniformly spaced over a given time interval. A delay means is coupled to each of the sampling circuits to time align the outputs of each of the sampling circuits so that all sampled signal pulses are time shifted consistent with the associated sampling clock phases. A correlator is coupled to the output of each of the delay means to correlate the samples of the N signals with a reference signal. The output of the correlators are integrated to provide the indication of the time of arrival of the N signals.
Abstract:
A data link for an automatic aircraft carrier landing system is described which an aircraft is guided to the carrier by pitch and bank information from the carrier so as to indicate to the pilot of the aircraft whether he is within a prescribed flight path for landing or whether he should be waved off for another approach. The information transmitted from the carrier is received by a microelectronic data link receiver having an internal clock which is synchronized with the incoming information to determine if that particular aircraft is being addressed and if so, what the nature of this information is so that it may be stored and presented to the pilot at a later time for appropriate action.
Abstract:
A digital communication system for the transmission of digital data with a modulated carrier uses a modulation locked loop and pseudo-random code to develop synchronization signals for the digital data signals and to ensure a high level of communication reliability.
Abstract:
An aircraft collision avoidance system and method involves transmitting a stable reference frequency from a synchronous satellite to aircraft in a region being monitored. Each aircraft in the region receives the reference frequency and transmits a carrier, modulated with the received reference frequency, to other aircraft in a collision avoidance zone. At the other aircraft, an indication of impending collision is provided by measuring the rate of change of the carrier Doppler frequency shift received thereby from the first named aircraft. Sync pulses periodically modulate the reference frequency transmitted from the satellite for aircraft ranging and data control purposes. To limit the collision warning zone relative to each aircraft, the receiver thereof is deactivated at a predetermined time after each sync pulse is received from the satellite.
Abstract:
A method of and system for locating a position in which a plurality of frequency standard devices are synchronized or phase compared at the same initial location. Two of three frequency standard devices, in a two-dimensional embodiment, are placed at transmitting stations on a known baseline. The third device is at a (third) receiving station, which receives signals from the two transmitting stations. At each transmitting station, means are provided for producing and transmitting a different radio frequency carrier signal of fixed frequency and of fixed phase, phase modulated by a periodic modulating signal in the form of a time signal produced under the control of its frequency standard device. At the receiving station, means are provided for producing a reference signal corresponding to the periodic modulating signals and two radio frequency signals related in frequency, to the radio frequency carrier signals transmitted. The time reference signal is compared at the receiving station with the periodic modulating signals recovered from the radio frequency carriers to determine respective time differences representing coarse position data. The phase relationships between each of the received radio frequency carrier signals or of signals derived therefrom by mixer means and respective ones of the two radio frequency signals produced at the receiving station are determined, representing fine position data. Methods and systems for locating a position in three dimensions are also described. The fine ranges, distances within given lanes, are respectively added by a computer or an internal computing circuit to respective coarse ranges, each of which represents the total number of lanes to the full lane closest to respective ones of the transmitting stations, the totals being the distances between the receiving station and each of the transmitting stations.
Abstract:
A time-sharing cyclic time slot system in which DME range measuring functions, collision avoidance functions, clock synchronization functions and/or data telemetry functions are all combined into an integrated repeating time sharing cycle in a non-interfering manner to achieve either general navigation and traffic control, or else stationkeeping, by the orderly exchange of pulse signals between participating ground stations and/or aircraft, and in which the cost of the system is minimized by using already existing ground and/or airborne VORTAC/TACAN/VOR/DME equipment and tuning the airborne transmitters and receivers in an agile manner to the various frequencies assigned for the performance of the above functions.
Abstract translation:其中DME范围测量功能,防碰撞功能,时钟同步功能和/或数据遥测功能的分时循环时隙系统都以非干扰的方式被组合成集成的重复时间共享周期,以实现通用导航和 通过参与地面站和/或飞机之间的脉冲信号的有序交换,并且通过使用已经存在的地面和/或机载的VORTAC / TACAN / VOR / DME设备来最小化系统的成本,从而实现交通控制或其他驻车 并以敏捷的方式将机载发射机和接收机调谐到为执行上述功能而分配的各种频率。
Abstract:
Improvements in means for synchronizing remotely positioned timing devices including means to provide multiple error correction factors which are functions of the time error or time difference between the time keeping means in spaced systems or units being synchronized, said means being particularly useful in group synchronization by providing time convergence to a common synchronizing base. The use of multiple error correction factors restricts or limits relative timing errors between systems or units especially when in the process of changing from one reference time base location to another, and it provides means to bring timing devices at remote locations into closer synchronization on a continuing basis. The present means provide correction factors which are directly proportional to the synchronizing error including those cases where the correction versus error proportion is other than in a one-to-one relationship. This is especially advantageous in situations where there is a ground or master station responsibility that is shared on a rotating, shifting or location basis with other stations that are or may be synchronized but on a different time schedule or time base. Partial corrections in such situations can cause convergence of the synchronizing operation on a global or regional basis to a common time synchronization base and on a continuous and uninterrupted basis. The present means are also able to provide time synchronization of remotely located timing devices or units with or without the need to designate specific units or stations, or sets of units or stations, as masters and slaves. This means that the need for master or central accurately synchronized time references or stations which has characterized prior art time synchronized systems is no longer necessary.
Abstract:
A collision avoidance system ground station has its clock phase synchronized with a master clock through the use of a line-ofsight radio link. Multiple two-way synchronization rangings are exchanged between the ground station and the master clock. A digital counter at the ground station obtains the average deviation of the ground station clock with respect to the master clock and applies this average deviation to calibrate or synchronize the ground station clock with the master clock. Subsequently, further multiple two-way synchronization rangings are exchanged between the ground station clock and the master clock. A digital counter at the master clock now obtains the average deviation of the master clock with respect to the ground station clock as a check of the validity of the ground station clock calibration.
Abstract:
A receiver is described for processing tone ranging signals from a time dissemination satellite such as TIMATION II. The receiver derives either receiver-station time (clock synchronization) or position location of the receiver-station with respect to the satellite with significant accuracy. The receiver generates a set of range tones as duplicates of those received from a satellite. They are developed as frequency coherent from a phase lock loop synchronized to the signal carrier frequency. A second loop, having a frequency synthesizer locked to the carrier loop, a mixer, a narrow band amplifier and a phase detector mix the locally generated range tones with a local oscillator signal which is frequency coherent with the carrier. This mixer output is then mixed with the receiver modulation to null out error between the received and local range tones. An output signal consisting of the lowest range tone signal is representative of the tone modulation from the satellite. Coherent processing by mixing at the front-end of the detector amplifier in the preferred embodiment allows for automatic calibration of non-zero receiver propagation delays, and the use of narrow band IF amplifiers thereby effecting high levels of unwanted signal rejection. The use of synthesized range tones allows for continuous time-delay or ranging measurements even though the satellite range tones are not continuously transmitted.
Abstract:
The modulation of a radio signal transmitted from a satellite is correlated with a similar waveform generated by a stable oscillator at the receiver. The phase of the latter is varied in a direction to correlate it with the transmitted modulation, and a change in phase is used as a measure of the distance travelled by the transmitted signal. If the transmitted carrier is momentarily not received, the phase of the receiver waveform is not changed until communication is restored, and thereupon phase lock is restored and the phase change determined for the distance measurement.