Texas Instruments Corporation

Eugene A Robinson

Jerry L Setliff

John P Volpi

Claude Andrew Sharpe

Douglas B Weiner

William K Myers

Hatcher E Chalkley

Julio E Valella

Michael D Smith

James W Iseli

Michael L Brobston

Kuen-Yu Liu

A point-to-multipoint communication system wherein the base station broadcasts the same frequency band signals over multiple sectors of given node. The base station includes a plurality of channel receivers (ch.,-ch. n) for each sector and a plurality of antennas,and,selectively coupled to said channel receivers. The subsector antennas have these radiation centers offset from each other to present different coverage over the node.

Point to multipoint communication system with subsectored upstream antennas

Airborne navigation and communication systems are disclosed including a VOR/LOC (VHR Omnirange/Localizer) receiver and a communication transceiver each with separate control and display panels. Each panel includes a ten push-button press keys numbered 0-9, a function controller for operating mode selection and general control, a pair of digital displays (5 digits each) for displaying keyboard channel selection including an active channel and a standby channel and additional data, three function press keys--one for switching a standby channel into the active channel or vice versa or resetting the timer or changing the digital bearing display from 'TO' to 'FROM', a second key for either recalling a channel or backing up to a digit for correction during data entry, and a third key for storing frequency in memory locations or entering data. The panels are connected to a data processor and the data processor is connected to a plurality of circuits corresponding to the panel functions whereby the panel commands are received by the data processor and the data processor stores the panel's information in electronically alterable ROMs, or controls the operation of the plurality of circuits or both in response to the panel commands and generates return signals for display and output to other instruments.

Microcomputer based keyboard command entry concept for VHF communication

A navigational aid and autopilot in which informational data pertaining to the physical operating conditions of the craft, the external characteristics relevant to the operation of the craft, and a chart mapping a selected portion of the surface of the earth in which the craft is operating are combined into a single communication correlating such data in a manner assisting an operator of the craft in the performance of his duties. The navigational aid measures external physical conditions such as radio transmissions, radar soundings, sonar soundings, and the like, as well as the physical state of the craft such as fuel flow, list of the craft, and speed of the motor. By monitoring these characteristics in association with an electronic chart, the system correlates and combines the total informational content in a comprehensive form so as to relieve the operator pilot of the necessity of integrating and correlating data from a plurality of different sources. The autopilot operation accepts two types of data command, the first being a destination, the second being a bearing and time duration. Through the use of a position determining means, such as a Loran-C receiver, the system controls the craft and its movement to the destination. With the help of the external physical condition monitors, the system provides course direction so that the craft will not collide with another boat nor run aground. The autopilot additionally plots the course for the craft.

Navigational aid autopilot

A Loran C receiver is disclosed which has a scanned type keyboard including data entry, primary function and special function keys. The primary function keys include an automatic key for selecting automatic operation. A microprocessor is controlled by the keyboard, a timing means, a real time interrupt, a counter, a groundwave phase and envelope sample strobe generator, a delayed phase channel sample strobe generator and a latches and multiplexer. The timing means orients the microprocessor as to time and triggers the counter. The counter provides the proper count to the groundwave phase and envelope strobe generator and delayed phase channel sample strobe generator for producing a plurality of sampling signals for the latches and multiplexer. The real time interrupt produces a data ready or cycle done signal for the microprocessor. The latches of the latches and multiplexer sample at selected time intervals digitized phase indicating outputs representative of the RF signals received by the receiver from master and secondary stations of a GRI. The multiplexer multiplexes the digitized phase information into the microprocessor in response to a command from the microprocessor. The command is given after receipt of the data ready (cycle done) signal. The microprocessor then processes the digitized phase information for GRI searching, coarse envelope and cycle identification of the master and secondary stations of the GRI and determining sequentially for display at regular intervals the time differences between the master station and each slave station.

Loran C receiver

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Eugene A Robinson