US2412986A - Beacon system - Google Patents

Beacon system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2412986A
US2412986A US582051A US58205145A US2412986A US 2412986 A US2412986 A US 2412986A US 582051 A US582051 A US 582051A US 58205145 A US58205145 A US 58205145A US 2412986 A US2412986 A US 2412986A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
course
antennae
carrier
source
band
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 - Lifetime
Application number
US582051A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Himmel Leon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STC PLC
Federal Telephone and Radio Corp
Original Assignee
Standard Telephone and Cables PLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Standard Telephone and Cables PLC filed Critical Standard Telephone and Cables PLC
Priority to US582051A priority Critical patent/US2412986A/en
Priority to GB7318/46A priority patent/GB609191A/en
Priority to ES172833A priority patent/ES172833A1/es
Priority to FR925023D priority patent/FR925023A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2412986A publication Critical patent/US2412986A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G01S1/02—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves

Definitions

  • This invention relates to directive radio systems and more particularly to such systems for use in guiding beacons, localizing, radio ranging and the like.
  • the invention is in the nature of an improvement on the type of system shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,293,694 to A. Alford, granted August 25, 1942, although in certain of its aspects the invention is capable of use in other types of directive radio systems.
  • a principal object of the invention is to provide an improved course localizing arrangement by means of radiation patterns and wherein the possibility of course identification is materially increased.
  • Another object is to provide a course defining or localizing system using a radiation pattern of the snif-table lobe type, wherein the individual lobes are identified by respective modulation frequencies and the chances of relative error in following the course are reduced by applying the identfying modulations to a common modulator.
  • Another object is :t provide a course dening or localizing system employing an vantenna array comprising a so-called carrier antenna and a plurality of side-band antennae spaced therefrom, and wherein the side-band antennae are keyed at a predetermined rate so that the respective side-band radiation patterns ⁇ are modulated at identifying audio frequencies. In this way, the possibility of error resulting from a dissimilarity in separate modulation tubes is avoided.
  • a feature of the invention relates to a directive radio system employing a radiation pattern of the shiftable lobe type for defining an oncourse region, wherein the shifting of the lobe is controlled by a switching device which also acts to apply lobe identifying modulations to a common modulator .to control the off-course eld pattern.
  • Fig. 1 shows in schematic form a course localizing or guiding system embodying principles of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a, schematic representation of a typical receiver and indicator arrangement that may be used with the system of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 1 of the drawing there are shown three directive antennae, I, 2 and 3, which may be in the form of vertical dipoles, and each -of which may be tuned by the associated adjustable transmission line sections 4, 5 and 6.
  • Antenna I which may be termed the carrier antenna is located between the antennae 2 and 3 which may be termed side-band antennae.
  • Antenna I is fed with radiant energy from the high frequency carrier source 'I over one diagonal of a hybrid bridge arrangement 8.
  • source 1 is connected to one end of said diagonal through a suitable carrier power amplifier 9, and the other end of said diagonal is connected to the source 1.through another power amplifier I 0 which is arranged -to be modulated at audio frequency as described hereinbelow.
  • Energy from the two amplifiers is applied Energy from source 'I is also supplied to the side-band antennae 2 and 3 over respective transmission lines II, I2, which are fed from the opposite diagonal of .the bridger through a switching device or link relay I3, arranged to be operated at any desired keying rate so as alternately to reverse the relative phase of the energy feeding antennae 2 and 3.
  • the carrier is substantially balanced out at the lower terminal of bridge 8 so that only the side-band energy reaches antennae 2 and 3.
  • the antennae 2 and 3 are fed at 180 degrees phase opposition by reason of the transposition I4.
  • the eiect of the carrierantenna and the al- Iternating phase reversal of the side-band antennae coupling is to provide a field pattern in the general shape of a directed beam which osclllates to either side of a common symmetry line which defines the course or directivity path to be marked.
  • each lobe is identified by a corresponding low or audio frequency signal which may be in ,the form of an audio frequency modulation.
  • the switching relay I3 in addition to the normal switching contacts (not shown) for controlling the energy supplied lines I I and I 2, is also provided with a moving contact arm I5 and a cooperating pair of fixed contacts I 6, I1.
  • 'Contacts I6 and I'I are 3. supplied with respective low or audio frequency signals, e. g., 90 and 150 C. P. S., through respective filters I8, i9, which in turn are supplied with 90 and 150 C. P. S. signals from a common low frequency oscillation source 20.
  • Source may be of any well-known kind which is capable of generating simultaneously with the requisite stability, the 90 and 150 C. P. S. signals. If desired, Ithe source 20 may .take the form of twoA oscillators of 120 and 30 C. P. S. which are mixed in a suitable common mixer tube or device to produce the upper and lower beat frequencies of 150 and 90 C. P. S. Whichever method is used to produce the audio frequency signals, these signals should be so adjusted that they are of substantially the same amplitude when applied to contacts I6 and l1.
  • Contact arm l5 is connected to amplifier l0 so as to subject the carrier passing through the amplier to an amplitude modulation in any wellknown manner.
  • the net result is that the radiation pattern as seen from one side will be a modulated high frequency envelope having superimposed on it a square wave of frequency controlled bythe relay f3.
  • a square wave modulated with one frequency e. g., 90 C. S.
  • a square wave modulated with the other frequency e. g., 150 C. P. S.
  • any Well-known form of radio receiver may be used aboard the moving craft which is to be guided. It may consistof a radio receiver 2l whereby the two audio frequency modulations of 90 and 150 C. P. S. may be detected and amplified and applied to the control elements of the wellknown crossed pointer indicator 22.
  • the output of the receiver is shunted by a condenser 23, e. g., 1000 mfd., so as to provide a steady indication b-y the indicator needle.
  • the overall effect therefore, will be the same as if the two audio frequencies were on simultaneously. It will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to an equal timed switching of the antennae 2 and 3.
  • the switching may be effected in accordance with conventional AN practise so that when the craft is on course, a Vcontinuous'signal is produced in the aural signal device 24.
  • the signal When the craft is to one side of the course the signal will be keyed at the characteristic A rate, while at the other ide of the craft the signal will be keyed at the characteristic N rate.
  • the audio frequencyr modulators may be applied to amplifier 9 instead of to amplifier id.
  • a directive radiant pattern system comprising means to develop in space a field pattern having off-course side-band lobes and an oncourse carrier lobe dening a desired course, means to phase reverse said side-band lobes at predetermined rates, and means to modulate the energy in said lobes at respective but different low frequencies and in timed relation with the phase reversal.
  • a system according' to claim l in which the means to modulate said energy comprises a single modulator upon which both the low frequency modulating voltages are impressed.
  • a directive radiant pattern system comprising a set of three antennae, a high frequency carrier source, means to apply carrier energy from said source to one antenna, means to excite the other antennae in phase opposition under control of the carrier energy, means to control the latter excitation alternately, and means to modulate at a plurality of distinctive low frequencies the excitation of said other antennae.
  • a directive radiant pattern system comprising a first radiator, a pair of radiators spaced from the first radiator on opposite sides thereof, said pair of radiators being arranged for excitation in phase opposition, a common source of high frequency energy for all said radiators, a four-armed bridge network, means connecting said pair of radiators in phase opposition to an apex of said network, means connecting the opposite apex of said network to the first radiator, means connecting said source cophasally to the other two apexes of said network, means to modulate at distinctive low frequencies the energy supplied to one of said other apexes, and means for rendering the excitation of said pair of radiators alternately effective in identifying a course line defined by the overlapping eld patterns from all said radiators.
  • a directive radiant, pattern system of the type having a central radiant acting member, other radiant acting members spaced from the central member to pro-duce overlapping fields having distinctive signal characteristics in each of two directions to define a path in space, a carrier source, a hybrid bridge network having two diagonals, means connecting the end of one diagonal to the said central member, connecting means between the other end of said one diagonal and said other members to excite said other members in phase opposition, a switching device in said connecting means for rendering said other members alternately effective in identifying a course line defined by the overlapping field patterns from all said members, a pair of amplifiers connected to said source, one amplifier being connected to one end of the second diagonal of the bridge, the other lamplifier being connected to the opposite end of said second diagonal, and means to modulate one of said amplifiers alternately by distinctive low frequency signals.
  • a directive radiant pattern system of the type having a central radiator and side-band radiators which are excited from a common carrier 'source through a hybrid bridge network to produce overlapping elds having distinctive signal characteristics ⁇ in each of two directions dening a path in space, characterizedby the novel ⁇ features that the opposite ends of onediagonal of said bridge are connected through respective 5 power amplifiers to the carrier source, and means are provided for modulating one of said ampliers by a plurality of distinctive low frequency signals in alternating succession.
  • a directive radiant pattern system in which the central radiator is connected to one end of the other diagonal of the bridge and the other end of said other diagonal is connected through a switching relay to said side-band radiators.
  • an antenna array comprising a carrier antenna, a pair of side-band antennae spaced from the car* rier antenna, a source of carrier energy, a pluralty of paths connected to said Isource each including a separate carrier amplifier, a hybrid bridge network connecting said amplifiers to said antenna array, a switching device also connected to said network for rendering the side-band antennae alternately effective at a predetermined succession, means to develop two low frequency signals of substantially the same amplitude, and means for applying said low frequency signals to one of said ampliers alternately under control of said switching means to modulate the output of said amplier.
  • a system as claimed in claim 8 in which said switching means is keyed in accordance with predetermined distinctive code signals which produce a continuous signal along the course to be marked but which produce individual code ⁇ signals on opposite sides of the course, and said 10W frequency signals identify the respective sides of the course.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
US582051A 1945-03-10 1945-03-10 Beacon system Expired - Lifetime US2412986A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US582051A US2412986A (en) 1945-03-10 1945-03-10 Beacon system
GB7318/46A GB609191A (en) 1945-03-10 1946-03-08 Radio beacon system
ES172833A ES172833A1 (es) 1945-03-10 1946-03-08 Mejoras en sistemas de radiofaros
FR925023D FR925023A (fr) 1945-03-10 1946-03-09 Perfectionnements aux systèmes directifs radioélectriques

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US582051A US2412986A (en) 1945-03-10 1945-03-10 Beacon system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2412986A true US2412986A (en) 1946-12-24

Family

ID=24327632

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US582051A Expired - Lifetime US2412986A (en) 1945-03-10 1945-03-10 Beacon system

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US2412986A (fr)
ES (1) ES172833A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR925023A (fr)
GB (1) GB609191A (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2509230A (en) * 1946-02-28 1950-05-30 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Beacon system
US2602161A (en) * 1947-01-25 1952-07-01 Sperry Corp Modulation system for craft guidance
US3482247A (en) * 1968-07-24 1969-12-02 Cubic Ind Corp Instrument landing system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2509230A (en) * 1946-02-28 1950-05-30 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Beacon system
US2602161A (en) * 1947-01-25 1952-07-01 Sperry Corp Modulation system for craft guidance
US3482247A (en) * 1968-07-24 1969-12-02 Cubic Ind Corp Instrument landing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB609191A (en) 1948-09-27
FR925023A (fr) 1947-08-22
ES172833A1 (es) 1946-04-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2395966A (en) Plan position indicator system
US3181159A (en) Omnidirectional bearing system
US2411518A (en) Electromagnetic wave transmission system
US2116667A (en) Radio beacon and blind landing system
US2288815A (en) Omnidirectional radio range
US2840812A (en) Frequency measurement device
US2412986A (en) Beacon system
US1933248A (en) Radio direction finding
GB613452A (en) Improvements in or relating to radio direction finders
US2212238A (en) Ultra short wave course beacon
US2357439A (en) Radio communication by means of polarization modulation
US2589236A (en) Radio direction finding system
US2094333A (en) Radio beacon system
US2141281A (en) Wave transmission
US2602161A (en) Modulation system for craft guidance
US2293694A (en) Directive radio system for guiding arrangements
GB605459A (en) Multiple-course radio beacon
US2565485A (en) Radio navigation system
US2471648A (en) Equisignal radio beacon system
GB503471A (en) Improvements in or relating to navigation aiding radio receiving systems
US2420605A (en) Frequency modulated rotating radio beacon
US1867264A (en) Signal indicating system
US2400127A (en) Radio beacon
US2536496A (en) Radio system, based on echo pulse principle and utilizing a modified omnidirectionalreceiver, for aiding aircraft landing
US2402378A (en) Radio beacon system