Patent ID: 6577268
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A method for testing a ship direction finding antenna system for a client ship utilizing an outboard facility while said client ship maneuvers around a circular course disposed in a predetermined position relative to said outboard facility, said method comprising:entering into a memory of said outboard facility a list of radio frequency signals which said client ship desires in order for said client ship to calibrate said ship direction finding antenna system; determining a test plan for transmitting a plurality of radio frequency signals comprising said list of radio frequency signals from said outboard facility with respect to said client ship and said circular course; making at least one patch interconnection between a selected of a plurality of signal generators of said outboard facility, a selected of a plurality of radio frequency amplifiers of said outboard facility, and a selected of said plurality of antennas at said outboard facility, said at least one patch interconnection being operable for producing said plurality of radio frequency signals from said list of radio frequency signals which said client ship desires; providing a computer screen with visual indicators to indicate a power setting for power control of said at least one patch interconnection; utilizing said visual indicators to increase a signal power produced by said at least one patch interconnection while monitoring a spectrum analyzer to produce an optimum signal power for each radio frequency signal of said plurality of radio frequency signals; and storing said optimum signal power for each radio frequency signal of said plurality of radio frequency signals with respect to said at least one patch interconnection.