Patent ID: 9640865
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: G01S,H01Q,H04L

Claim:
1. An apparatus for forming a beam remotely at a plurality of spatially distributed antenna elements, the apparatus including: a positioning-unit device coupled with a plurality of spatially distributed antenna elements, said positioning-unit device configured to generate a positioning signal and switch said antenna elements between first and second states in a predetermined switching sequence that is synchronised with said positioning signal wherein, in said first state, said antenna elements are configured to transmit said positioning signal; and a physically separate receiver configured to receive said positioning signal transmitted from said antenna elements, said receiver having a processor for: generating a reference signal; modifying said reference signal in substantial synchronisation with the receipt of the positioning signal from the antenna elements being switched to said first state in said switching sequence; mixing the received positioning signal with the modified reference signal to generate a mixed signal; and summing the mixed signal over a predetermined integration period to generate an accumulated signal that is indicative of the direction and magnitude of a beam formed remotely by said receiver at said antenna elements, wherein said switching sequence and its synchronisation with said positioning signal are known to said receiver.