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Distributed antenna system and methodSystem and methods are disclosed for employing one or more radiators having non-unique phase centers mounted to a body with respect to a plurality of transmitters to determine location characteristics of the body such as the position and/or attitude of the body. The one or more radiators may consist of a single, continuous element or of two or more discrete radiation elements whose received signals are combined. In a preferred embodiment, the location characteristics are determined using carrier phase measurements whereby phase center information may be determined or estimated. A distributed antenna having a wide angle view may be mounted to a moveable body in accord with the present invention. The distributed antenna may be utilized for maintaining signal contact with multiple spaced apart transmitters, such as a GPS constellation, as the body rotates without the need for RF switches to thereby provide continuous attitude and position determination of the body.
Document ID
20080005146
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other - Patent
Authors
Fink, Patrick W.
Dobbins, Justin A.
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
November 9, 2004
Subject Category
Communications And Radar
Report/Patent Number
Patent Number: US-PATENT-6,816,117
Patent Application Number: US-PATENT-APPL-SN-867993
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Patent
US-PATENT-6,816,117
Patent Application
US-PATENT-APPL-SN-867993
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