Technique for accurate estimate of large antenna inertial two dimensional orientation using relative gps spatial phase

Abstract

A radar antenna has a reflector and maximum gain along its boresight. The reflector has a periphery, typically circular, rectangular or elliptical. A plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signal receiving antennas are rigidly, mechanically attached to the reflector near its periphery. The plurality of GPS satellite signal receiving antennas are connected pairwise to a phase comparator for comparing a plurality of first phase differences induced by a first GPS satellite signal received concurrently between the plurality of GPS satellite signal receiving antennas. A Phase comparator measures the phase difference of the signal received at GPS satellite signal receiving antennas pairwise thus performing a differential phase measurement. This differential phase measurement is supplied to a computer for identifying an ambiguous boresight position using the phase differences measured by the phase comparator. The position of the GPS satellites is known with respect to the geo-location of the antenna. Thus, the boresight angle is derived from the phase difference of the carrier signal from the GPS satellite being received and the mechanical alignment information between the GPS satellite receiving antennas and radar antenna boresight stored during calibration/manufacture of the radar antenna. The ambiguity in the computed boresight position is resolved by making differential phase readings using the same GPS antennas from a second GPS satellite signal supplied by a second satellite.