Title: Method for frequency cross-coupling of channels in an Omega Navigation receiver system

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1. In a multiple frequency phase tracking receiver, a method of cross-coupling received differing frequency signals which method optimizes intrinsic phase relationships between sets of discrete frequency signals transmitted from a single location, the method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a plurality of discrete frequency signals, said signals being then amplified and filtered for further processing;

b. inputting each of said discrete frequencies to a plurality of phase detectors for detecting a phase difference between each of said discrete frequencies and a reference signal, the phase difference obtained from each phase detector comprising an output phase error signal;

c. combining the output phase error signals obtained from each of the phase detectors;

d. supplying the signal obtained from step (c) to each of the phase detectors as reference signals for comparison with each of said discrete frequency signals in a next received sequence; and

e. periodically sampling the output phase error signals for obtaining an indication of the magnitude or phase difference of said signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of discrete frequency signals comprises at least two signals received sequentially.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of discrete frequency signals comprises at least two signals received simultaneously.

4. In a multiple frequency processing apparatus, a method of cross-coupling received discrete frequency signals, the method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a first discrete frequency signal, said signal being then amplified and filtered for further processing;

b. inputting said first signal to a first phase detector for detecting a phase difference between said first signal and a first reference signal, said phase difference comprising a first output phase error signal;

c. receiving a second discrete frequency signal, said signal being suitably amplified and filtered for further processing;

d. inputting said second discrete frequency signal to a second phase detector;

e. applying the first phase error signal as a second reference signal to the second phase detector for measuring the phase difference between said second discrete frequency signal and said first phase error signal for obtaining a second output phase error signal; and

f. periodically sampling the first and second output phase error signals for providing a display indication of said output signals.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

a. a third discrete frequency signal is received, then amplified and filtered for further processing;

b. said third discrete frequency signal is input to a third phase detector for detecting the phase difference between said third signal and a third reference signal;

c. cross-coupling the output of said third phase detector to the output of said first and second phase detectors;

d. cross-coupling the output of said first phase detector to the output of said second and third phase detectors; and

e. cross-coupling the output of said second phase detector to the output of said first and third phase detector, said cross-coupling of steps (c), (d) and (e) for updating the reference signal to the respective phase detectors as required.

6. In a multiple frequency phase tracking receiver, a method of cross-coupling received differing frequency signals which method optimizes intrinsic phase relationships between sets of discrete frequency signals transmitted from a single location, the method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a plurality of discrete frequency signals, from a selected transmitting station said signals being then amplified and filtered for further processing;

b. inputting each of said discrete frequencies to a plurality of phase detectors for detecting a phase difference between each of said discrete frequency signals and a reference signal, the detected phase difference obtained from each phase detector comprising an output phase error signal;

c. combining, through weighted summation, the output phase error signals from each of the phase detectors to obtain a set of composite phase error signals;

d. utilizing each of said composite phase error signals obtained from step (c) to adjust the phase of the corresponding reference signal applied to each of the phase detectors; and

e. further processing of said first and second reference signals for obtaining line-of-position information.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of discrete frequency signals comprises at least two signals received sequentially.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of discrete frequency signals comprises at least two signals received simultaneously.

9. In a multiple frequency processing apparatus, a method of cross-coupling received discrete frequency signals radiated from a selected transmitting site, the method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a first discrete frequency signal, said signal being then amplified and filtered for further processing;

b. inputting said first signal to a first phase detector for detecting a phase difference between said first signal and a first reference signal, said phase difference comprising a first output phase error signal;

c. receiving a second discrete frequency signal, said signal being suitable amplified and filtered for further processing;

d. inputting said second discrete frequency signal to a second phase detector for detecting a phase difference between said second signal and a reference signal, said phase difference comprising a second output phase error signal;

e. coupling said first phase error signal to the reference signal of the first phase detector so as to obtain a primary correction in phase of said first reference signal;

f. cross-coupling of said second phase error signal to the reference signal of the first phase detector so as to obtain a secondary correction in phase of said first reference signal;

g. coupling of said second phase error signal to the reference signal of the second phase detector so as to obtain a primary correction in phase of said second reference signal;

h. cross-coupling of said first phase error signal to the reference signal of the second phase detector so as to obtain a secondary correction in phase of the second reference signal; and

i. further processing of the said first and second reference signals for obtaining line-of-position information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

a. a third discrete frequency signal is received, then amplified and filtered for further processing;

b. said third discrete frequency signal is input to a third phase detector for detecting the phase difference between said third signal and a third reference signal;

c. cross-coupling the output of said third phase detector to the output of said first and second phase detectors;

d. cross-coupling the output of said first phase detector to the output of said second and third phase detectors;

e. cross-coupling the output of said second phase detector to the output of said first and third phase detectors; and

f. utilizing said cross-coupling of Steps (c), (d) and (e) for updating the said reference signals to the respective phase detectors.

Other info:

Inventors: Baltzer, Otto J. (Austin, TX, US)
Smith, Spurgeon E. (Austin, TX, US)

Application Number: 571920
Filing Date: 1975-04-28
Publication_date: 1976-12-07
Assignee: Tracor, Inc. (Austin, TX)
Primary Class(es): 324/76.79 342/396
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3896443

Jul, 1975

Zitzow

324/83.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Demeo, Palmer C.
Assistant Examiner: Tokar, Michael J.
Attorney: Arnold, White & Durkee