CA1119705A - Method and arrangement for lateral determination with two-channel direction finders - Google Patents
Method and arrangement for lateral determination with two-channel direction findersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1119705A CA1119705A CA000296999A CA296999A CA1119705A CA 1119705 A CA1119705 A CA 1119705A CA 000296999 A CA000296999 A CA 000296999A CA 296999 A CA296999 A CA 296999A CA 1119705 A CA1119705 A CA 1119705A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- channel
- finder
- cathode
- fed
- voltages
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
- G01S3/02—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
- G01S3/04—Details
- G01S3/12—Means for determining sense of direction, e.g. by combining signals from directional antenna or goniometer search coil with those from non-directional antenna
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
- G01S3/02—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
- G01S3/14—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
- Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure Disclosed is a method for lateral (azimuth) determination with radio direction finders according to a two-channel principle, with a crossed directional-antenna system, an auxiliary antenna, and cathode-ray-tube indicator. In a cyclically repeated three-step switching sequence, both channels of a two-channel receiver are acted upon. In a first switching step for the purpose of balancing the brightness control and phase response, the channels are acted upon by the sum of the two direction-finder voltages of the crossed directional-antenna system. In the second switching step, the auxiliary antenna voltage is fed to the one channel of the two-channel receiver, while the sum of the direction-finder voltages of the crossed directional-antenna system is fed to the other channel thereof, the phase difference between the output voltages from the two channels being determined and being stored as a reference for the brightness control of the cathode-ray tube. In the third switching step, one direction-finder voltage is fed, through one channel of the two-channel receiver, to vertical deflecting plates of the cathode-ray tube, while the other direction-finder voltage is fed, through the other channel, to horizontal deflection plates of the said cathode-ray tube. The sum of the two direction-finder voltages is used, after a phase shift in accordance with the stored reference, for azimuth-true brightening of the cathode-ray tube. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
Description
7C~5 rhis invention relates to a method for lateral ~azimuth) determina-tion with radio direction-finders according to the two-channel principle, with a crossed direcitonal-antenna system, with an auxiliary antenna3 and with cathode-ray-tube indicator. The invention also relates to an arrangement for the execution of the method.
Watson-Watt direction-finders containJ of necessity, three antenna outputs: a N-S, an E-W and an auxiliary-antenna output. The N-S and E-W out-puts are supplied by the two direction-finding components in accordance with the sine and cosine of the a~imuth. The phase of the omnidirectional voltage of the non-directional auxiliary antenna is required as a reference for lateral determination.
It is already known to use a two-channel receiver for treating the signals from the three outputs and to cause to be indicated alternately the (still ambiguous) direction-finding result and lateral identification, the said lateral identification being achieved by brightening the X and Y co-ordinates of the quadrant in which the direction-finding angle lies ~see West German Patent 1,080,158~.
The disadvantage of continuous switching over between direction-finding indication and ]ateral determination is eliminated by using a third channel for lateral determination, the auxiliary-antenna voltage being fed, through this channel, to the cathode-ray indicating tube in such a manner that a clear direction-finding indication appears, in the correct quadrant, in the form of a radial line. ALthough it has hitherto been impossible, even with the three-chalmel system, to avoid changing over in order to balance the chan-nels as regards amplification and phase response, progress in the field of switching technology has now made it possible to replace manual balancing with automatic balancing, with the result that frequency changes and changes in input level have no visible effect on the indication, and the direction-finding value, together with the lateral identification, appear much more quickly on the indicator.
~,~
'7~)~
It is the purpose of the invention to achieve the same speed and quality of direction-finding indication and lateral identification with only two receiving channels as has hitherto been obtained with the three-channel system mentioned above.
According to the invention, this purpose is achieved in that in a cyclically repeated three-step switching sequence, both channels of a two-channel receiver are acted upon, in a first switching step, for the purpose of balancing the brightness control and phase response, by the sum of the two direction-finder voltages of the crossed directional-antenna system; in that, in a second switching step, the auxiliary-antenna voltage is fed to the one channel, and the sum of the direction-finder voltages of the crossed direc-tional-antenna system is fed to the other channel, the phase difference bet-ween the output voltages from the two channels being determined and being stored as a reference for the brightness control of the cathode-ray tube; in that, in a third switching step, one direction-finder voltage is fed, through one channel of the two-channel receiver, to the vertical deflection plates of the cathode-ray tube, while the other direction-finder voltage is fed, through the other channel, to the horizontal deflection plates of the said cathode-ray tube; and in that the sum of the two direction-finder voltages is used, after a phase shift according to the stored reference, Eor azimuth-true brightening of the cathode-ray tube.
According to one advantageous arrangement for the execution of the method according to the invention, a switching device with three double swit-ches is provided at the input to, and output from, the two-channel receiver;
in that, in the first switching step, the first double switches of the two switching devices are closed and the outputs from the two-channel receiver are connected to a balance detector; in that, in the second switching step, the second double switches are connected through and both outputs from the two-channel receiver are applied to a phase detector which, through a storage device, controls an adjustable phase shifter; in that, in the third switching ()s step, the third double switches are closed; and in that the swn of the output voltages of the two channels, produced in a summing element, may be fed, through the said phase shifter, to an electrode in the cathode-ray tube used to control brightness.
The advantages of the invention consist in that the cost is substan-tially reduced by eliminating the third channel, although ~he quality of the direction indication and lateral identification are equal to that obtained with the three channel system; and that the time consumed in balancing the channels (the first switching step~ 9 and in scanning the auxiliary voltage for lateral identification ~the second switching s~ep) is the same as that taken in the three-channel system for balancing the channels only since, in the case of the invention only two channels have to be compared and balanced, whereas, in the three-channel system, three channels must be so compared and balanced.
The invention is based upon the consideration that the ground-wave phase required as a reference in lateral determination is usually not subjec-ted to sharp fluctuations, as compared with the direction-finder voltages in the same wave. For lateral determination it is therefore sufficient to scan the reference phase only at the beginning of each measurement, or at relative-ly long intervals. As a result of this, basically the same boundary condi-tions apply as in scanning for automatic channel balancing, and the two may therefore be very satisfactorily combined. The switching sequence is there-fore even simpler than in the three-channel system, since is this case, as already mentioned, only two channels need be compared with each other.
The sequence is as fol]ows:
1. Tuning for frequency and/or amplification to the signal of which the direction is to be found.
Watson-Watt direction-finders containJ of necessity, three antenna outputs: a N-S, an E-W and an auxiliary-antenna output. The N-S and E-W out-puts are supplied by the two direction-finding components in accordance with the sine and cosine of the a~imuth. The phase of the omnidirectional voltage of the non-directional auxiliary antenna is required as a reference for lateral determination.
It is already known to use a two-channel receiver for treating the signals from the three outputs and to cause to be indicated alternately the (still ambiguous) direction-finding result and lateral identification, the said lateral identification being achieved by brightening the X and Y co-ordinates of the quadrant in which the direction-finding angle lies ~see West German Patent 1,080,158~.
The disadvantage of continuous switching over between direction-finding indication and ]ateral determination is eliminated by using a third channel for lateral determination, the auxiliary-antenna voltage being fed, through this channel, to the cathode-ray indicating tube in such a manner that a clear direction-finding indication appears, in the correct quadrant, in the form of a radial line. ALthough it has hitherto been impossible, even with the three-chalmel system, to avoid changing over in order to balance the chan-nels as regards amplification and phase response, progress in the field of switching technology has now made it possible to replace manual balancing with automatic balancing, with the result that frequency changes and changes in input level have no visible effect on the indication, and the direction-finding value, together with the lateral identification, appear much more quickly on the indicator.
~,~
'7~)~
It is the purpose of the invention to achieve the same speed and quality of direction-finding indication and lateral identification with only two receiving channels as has hitherto been obtained with the three-channel system mentioned above.
According to the invention, this purpose is achieved in that in a cyclically repeated three-step switching sequence, both channels of a two-channel receiver are acted upon, in a first switching step, for the purpose of balancing the brightness control and phase response, by the sum of the two direction-finder voltages of the crossed directional-antenna system; in that, in a second switching step, the auxiliary-antenna voltage is fed to the one channel, and the sum of the direction-finder voltages of the crossed direc-tional-antenna system is fed to the other channel, the phase difference bet-ween the output voltages from the two channels being determined and being stored as a reference for the brightness control of the cathode-ray tube; in that, in a third switching step, one direction-finder voltage is fed, through one channel of the two-channel receiver, to the vertical deflection plates of the cathode-ray tube, while the other direction-finder voltage is fed, through the other channel, to the horizontal deflection plates of the said cathode-ray tube; and in that the sum of the two direction-finder voltages is used, after a phase shift according to the stored reference, Eor azimuth-true brightening of the cathode-ray tube.
According to one advantageous arrangement for the execution of the method according to the invention, a switching device with three double swit-ches is provided at the input to, and output from, the two-channel receiver;
in that, in the first switching step, the first double switches of the two switching devices are closed and the outputs from the two-channel receiver are connected to a balance detector; in that, in the second switching step, the second double switches are connected through and both outputs from the two-channel receiver are applied to a phase detector which, through a storage device, controls an adjustable phase shifter; in that, in the third switching ()s step, the third double switches are closed; and in that the swn of the output voltages of the two channels, produced in a summing element, may be fed, through the said phase shifter, to an electrode in the cathode-ray tube used to control brightness.
The advantages of the invention consist in that the cost is substan-tially reduced by eliminating the third channel, although ~he quality of the direction indication and lateral identification are equal to that obtained with the three channel system; and that the time consumed in balancing the channels (the first switching step~ 9 and in scanning the auxiliary voltage for lateral identification ~the second switching s~ep) is the same as that taken in the three-channel system for balancing the channels only since, in the case of the invention only two channels have to be compared and balanced, whereas, in the three-channel system, three channels must be so compared and balanced.
The invention is based upon the consideration that the ground-wave phase required as a reference in lateral determination is usually not subjec-ted to sharp fluctuations, as compared with the direction-finder voltages in the same wave. For lateral determination it is therefore sufficient to scan the reference phase only at the beginning of each measurement, or at relative-ly long intervals. As a result of this, basically the same boundary condi-tions apply as in scanning for automatic channel balancing, and the two may therefore be very satisfactorily combined. The switching sequence is there-fore even simpler than in the three-channel system, since is this case, as already mentioned, only two channels need be compared with each other.
The sequence is as fol]ows:
1. Tuning for frequency and/or amplification to the signal of which the direction is to be found.
2. Applying to the two channels the sum of the direction-finder volt-ages, and balancing the channels for amplification and phase response.
3. Applying to the one channel the omni-directional voltage of the ~11970S
auxiliary antenna and, to the other channel, the sum of the direction-finder voltages for lateral identification.
auxiliary antenna and, to the other channel, the sum of the direction-finder voltages for lateral identification.
4. Applying, to the vertical deflecting plates of the indicating tube, one direction-finder voltage, through the one channel and, to the horizontal plates, the other voltage, through the other channel, for the purpose of indi-cating the direction-finder angle.
An example of an arrangement for the execution of the method accord-ing tG the invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter, in con-junction with the drawing attached hereto.
The figure shows connections 13 to 15 for the E-W, N-S and auxiliary-antenna voltages. The sum of the N-S and E-W voltages is formed in a summing element 6. These four voltages may be fed, through a switching device 2 hav-ing three double switches 3 to 5, to the inputs of a two-channel receiver 1.
A further switching device 2', also having three double switches 3' to 5', is provided at the output from the two-channel receiver.
In the course of a cyclically repeated switching sequence comprising three switching steps, double switches 3 and 3' are first of all closed. The output of summing element 6 is thus applied to the inputs of the two-channel receiver, so that the sum of the direction-finder voltages acts upon the two inputs. At the same time, the outputs from the two-channel receiver are con-nected to a balancing detector 8 which is coupled back, in turn, through se-parate control lines, for the purpose of balancing, to the two receiver chan-nels.
In the second switching step, double switches 4,4' are connected through in each cycle, the auxiliary-antenna voltage HA being fed to channel l and the sum of the direction-finder voltages to channel 2. The outputs from the two-channel receiver are connected to a phase detector 9. The phase dif-ference, detected thereby, between the reference phase of the auxiliary-antenna voltage and the phase of the direction-finder voltages, is stored in an analogue memory 10. The latter controls the setting of an adjustable phase shifter 11.
In the third switching step, double switches 5,5' are closed. This connects the N-S direction-finder voltage to channel 1 and the E-W direction-finder voltage to channel 2. The output from channel 1 is connected to the vertical deflecting plates of an indicating tube 12, while the output from channel 2 is fed to the horizontal deflecting plates thereof. At the same time, a summing element 7, located at the output from the two-channel receiver, forms the sum of the direction-finder voltages which have been amplified and, if necessary, have had their frequency transposed down. This sum, after a phase shift ~ in phase shifter ll, corresponding to the stored phase differ-ence between the reference phase and the phase of the direction-finder volt-ages, is fed to an electrode in indicating tube 12 which serves to control the brightness.
It remains to be pointed out that summing elements 6,7 first rotate the phases of the two input voltages through 90 in relation to each other, and then compare them. The resulting vector sum provides an output voltage of constant amplitude but variable phase which rotates with the target of which the bearing is to be found. In contrast to this, the output voltage from the auxiliary antenna, regardless of the azimuth angle of the target, is always displaced through 90 in relation to the N-S or E-W voltage, so that it may serve as a fixed reference phase.
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:
An example of an arrangement for the execution of the method accord-ing tG the invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter, in con-junction with the drawing attached hereto.
The figure shows connections 13 to 15 for the E-W, N-S and auxiliary-antenna voltages. The sum of the N-S and E-W voltages is formed in a summing element 6. These four voltages may be fed, through a switching device 2 hav-ing three double switches 3 to 5, to the inputs of a two-channel receiver 1.
A further switching device 2', also having three double switches 3' to 5', is provided at the output from the two-channel receiver.
In the course of a cyclically repeated switching sequence comprising three switching steps, double switches 3 and 3' are first of all closed. The output of summing element 6 is thus applied to the inputs of the two-channel receiver, so that the sum of the direction-finder voltages acts upon the two inputs. At the same time, the outputs from the two-channel receiver are con-nected to a balancing detector 8 which is coupled back, in turn, through se-parate control lines, for the purpose of balancing, to the two receiver chan-nels.
In the second switching step, double switches 4,4' are connected through in each cycle, the auxiliary-antenna voltage HA being fed to channel l and the sum of the direction-finder voltages to channel 2. The outputs from the two-channel receiver are connected to a phase detector 9. The phase dif-ference, detected thereby, between the reference phase of the auxiliary-antenna voltage and the phase of the direction-finder voltages, is stored in an analogue memory 10. The latter controls the setting of an adjustable phase shifter 11.
In the third switching step, double switches 5,5' are closed. This connects the N-S direction-finder voltage to channel 1 and the E-W direction-finder voltage to channel 2. The output from channel 1 is connected to the vertical deflecting plates of an indicating tube 12, while the output from channel 2 is fed to the horizontal deflecting plates thereof. At the same time, a summing element 7, located at the output from the two-channel receiver, forms the sum of the direction-finder voltages which have been amplified and, if necessary, have had their frequency transposed down. This sum, after a phase shift ~ in phase shifter ll, corresponding to the stored phase differ-ence between the reference phase and the phase of the direction-finder volt-ages, is fed to an electrode in indicating tube 12 which serves to control the brightness.
It remains to be pointed out that summing elements 6,7 first rotate the phases of the two input voltages through 90 in relation to each other, and then compare them. The resulting vector sum provides an output voltage of constant amplitude but variable phase which rotates with the target of which the bearing is to be found. In contrast to this, the output voltage from the auxiliary antenna, regardless of the azimuth angle of the target, is always displaced through 90 in relation to the N-S or E-W voltage, so that it may serve as a fixed reference phase.
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:
Claims (2)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method for lateral determination with radio direction finders according to a two-channel principle, with a crossed directional-antenna sys-tem, an auxiliary antenna, and cathode-ray-tube indicator, characterized in that, in a cyclically repeated three-step switching sequence, both channels of a two-channel receiver are acted upon, in a first switching step for the purpose of balancing the brightness control and phase response, by the sum of the two direction-finder voltages of the crossed directional-antenna sys-tem; in that, in the second switching step, the auxiliary antenna voltage is fed to the one channel of the two-channel receiver, while the sum of the direction-finder voltages of the crossed directional-antenna system is fed to the other channel thereof, the phase difference between the output voltages from the two channels being determined and being stored as a reference for the brightness control of the cathode-ray tube; in that, in the third switching step, one direction-finder voltage is fed, through one channel of the two channel receiver, to vertical deflection plates of the cathode-ray tube, while the other direction-finder voltage is fed, through the other channel, to horizontal deflection plates of the said cathode-ray tube; and in that the sum of the two direction-finder voltages is used, after a phase shift in accordance with the stored reference, for azimuth-true brightening of the cathode-ray tube.
2. An arrangement for the execution of the method according to claim 1, characterized in that switching devices with three double switches are provided at the input to and output from the two-channel receiver; in that in the first switching step, the first double switches of the two switching devices are closed and the outputs from the two-channel receiver are connected to a balance detector; in that, in the second switching step, the second double switches are connected through and both outputs from the two-channel receiver are applied to a phase detector which, through a storage device, controls an adjustable phase shifter; in that, in the third switching step, the third double switches are closed; and in that the sum of the output voltages from the two channels, produced in a summing element, are fed, through the phase shifter to an electrode in the cathode-ray tube used to control brightness.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP2706663.3 | 1977-02-17 | ||
| DE19772706663 DE2706663C2 (en) | 1977-02-17 | 1977-02-17 | Radio direction finder based on the double channel principle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1119705A true CA1119705A (en) | 1982-03-09 |
Family
ID=6001394
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000296999A Expired CA1119705A (en) | 1977-02-17 | 1978-02-16 | Method and arrangement for lateral determination with two-channel direction finders |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1119705A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2706663C2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111580041B (en) * | 2020-04-17 | 2022-04-15 | 北京理工大学 | Weak target double-channel single-pulse angle measurement method based on reference signal |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1766666C3 (en) * | 1968-07-01 | 1978-03-09 | Klaus Dipl.-Ing. Dr. 2083 Halstenbek Pfaff | Multi-channel direction finder with storage facilities |
| NO130410B (en) * | 1970-12-23 | 1974-08-26 | Standard Tel Kabelfab As |
-
1977
- 1977-02-17 DE DE19772706663 patent/DE2706663C2/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-02-16 CA CA000296999A patent/CA1119705A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2706663A1 (en) | 1978-08-24 |
| DE2706663C2 (en) | 1984-08-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |