Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – With particular circuit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-24
2001-11-20
Gregory, Bernarr E. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
With particular circuit
C342S059000, C342S082000, C342S089000, C342S195000, C343S876000, C343S893000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320533
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to radar transmission and receiving systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a digital interface which allows multiple transmitters and receivers to interface with more than one antenna.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With radar systems becoming extremely complex and often having multiple antenna for transmitting and receiving RF (radio frequency) signals, there is a need to allow a transmitter or a receiver to be selectively coupled to multiple antennas. This is especially important when space is limited.
In addition, there is a need to provide a switching means for allowing multiple transmitters operating at different frequencies to be coupled to multiple antennas.
For example, on board a battle ship or destroyer, the military may having multiple antenna for transmitting and receiving RF signals but have limited space for the electrical components, i.e. transmitters and receivers required to transmit and receive the signals. This, in turn, necessitates that a reliable switching network be provided that will allow, for example, a transmitter to be switch from one antenna to another antenna or even a third antenna. Similarly, the switching network should allow a receiver to be selectively coupled to multiple antenna.
There is also a need to provide a means to allow a user to monitor the switching elements of the switching network by providing status information relative to the operation of the switching elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a highly effective and efficient electronics switching interface which has five radio frequency (RF) switches for routing RF signals from multiple input terminals to one output terminal and for routing RF signals from one input terminal to multiple output terminals.
The electronics switching interface comprises a buffer decoder which receives first, second and third control signals and then decodes the signals to selectively turn on the five RF switches.
Each of the five RF switches has a pair of switch drivers connected to the switch. The decoded output signals from the buffer decoder are logic one and logic zero signals which are supplied to the five pair of switch drivers for the RF switches. When a logic one is provided by the buffer decoder to the switch drivers for any one of the five RF switches, the switch drivers for the RF switch set the RF switch to an ON position. When a logic zero is provided by the buffer decoder to the switch drivers for any one of the five RF switches, the switch drivers for the RF switch set the RF switch to an OFF position.
A window comparator, connected to each pair of switch drivers, monitors the output signals from the switch drivers for each of the five RF switches. Whenever one of the two output signals from the switch drivers is within a preset voltage range the window comparator for each pair of switch drivers provides a logic one and a logic zero which are supplied to a bit decode circuit. The bit decode circuit then decodes the signals from each of the five window comparators, providing a three bit status signal which indicates that the switch drivers for each RF switch are operating normally by providing a positive voltage signal within the preset voltage range to the RF switch.
When, however, both output signals from any one of the five window comparators have the same state logic state, the bit decode circuit will provide at its output a three bit logic one error signal which indicates that one of the switch drivers is operating in an open circuit condition or a short circuit condition.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3028591 (1962-04-01), Mattingly
patent: 3048824 (1962-08-01), Thompson
patent: 3840875 (1974-10-01), Neal
patent: 4885589 (1989-12-01), Edward et al.
Ryken Marvin L.
Sailer Paul H.
Gregory Bernarr E.
Kalmbaugh David
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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