Patent ID: 6140963
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: G01S,H01Q

Abstract:
A method using a plurality of RF sensing devices configured as an array for determining an unambiguous pair of direction angles that characterize a relative orientation of a unique RF signal source with respect to the array of RF sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of:(a) determining a wavelength of the unique RF signal source;(b) acquiring three or more independent differential phase measurements of said RF signal source, whereby a total of N independent differential phase relationships are formed;(c) generating from the wavelength and the three or more independent differential phase measurements acquired in step 1(b), a set of ambiguity number vectors where each ambiguity number vector corresponds to an ambiguous pair of direction angles falling within an effective field of view of the array of RF sensing devices;(d) selecting an ambiguity number vector maximizing a joint probability density function; said joint probability function yielding minimum variance weighted least square estimates as a function of the vectors of step 1(c); and(e) resolving the unambiguous pair of direction angles from the vector selected in step 1(d).