USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Hughes Aircraft Company

Charles E Hendrix

Marko Afendykiw

John M Boyle

Barnet Krinsky

Dennis J Eggert

A two-dimensional, long baseline (D) direction finding interferometer (12) is provided for obtaining unambiguous spatial position of an object. The interferometer comprises four antenna receiving means, (A1, A2, A3, A4) which are arranged in a two-dimensional, planar fashion. Three of the antenna means (A1, A2, A3) are positioned on two orthogonal axes (D, D.sub.2). The remaining antenna (A4) means is positioned on a third axis (D.sup.1) which is arranged asymmetrically and nonorthogonally to the orthogonal axes, whereby the unambiguous spatial position of the object is determined.

Direction finding interferometer

A radar system for determining the position of a target using a radio frency source of opportunity. The system uses an interferometer antenna and cross-correlation techniques to measure the time delay in receiving a reflected signal from the target as compared to receiving a direct signal from the signal source. Thereby, the distance from the RF source via the target to the antenna is determined. Additionally, the system uses a plurality of interferometer antennas and cross-correlation techniques to measure the relative phase difference between the signals received by the antennas. Thereby the angle of arrival of the reflected signals from the target is determined. Combining the range and angular information locates the target.

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Pacific Palisades, CA, United States of America

Charles E Hendrix