Locator for source of electromagnetic radiation having unknown structure

Abstract

Apparatus for determining the position of a source of electromagnetic radiation relative to a remote object is disclosed. A multicomponent radiating means of unknown orientation is provided having components centered about the origin of the source. A plurality of electrical signals are applied to the components of the multicomponent source to generate a plurality of electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic fields are multiplied and thus are distinguishable from one another. A multicomponent receiving means is disposed on the remote object. The multicomponent receiving means is provided with at least three orthogonal components for detecting and measuring components of the electromagnetic fields transmitted from the source. The source and receiving means are adapted for operation at a separation distance sufficient to insure that the far-field components of the electromagnetic fields received by the receiving means are substantially greater in magnitude than the near-field components of the fields received by the receiving means. Analyzing means is associated with the receiver for converting the received components of the electromagnetic fields into source position relative to the remote object, and the relative orientation of the remote object, without a priori knowledge of the orientation of the sensor or the relative orientation of its components. The analyzing means operates open-loop with respect to the source and determines source position orientation with at least one ambiguous combination of orientation or position.