Patent ID: 8229472
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. A system for positioning a transponder, comprising: an antenna array of at least two spaced-apart antennas coupled to a common generating and switching unit, the common generating and switching unit being configured to generate a periodic signal (TS) and to switch the periodic signal between the at least two spaced-apart antennas, the periodic signal constituting a positioning signal transmitted to the transponder; a receiver for receiving a returned signal (RS) from the transponder; a phase difference estimator coupled to the receiver and operable to measure phase differences between portions of the returned signal, the portions being separated by a time delay and having a same single frequency, wherein each portion is transmitted by a different antenna of the at least two spaced-apart antennas; and a positioning utility coupled to the phase difference estimator and configured to determine a position of the transponder relative to the positioning system based on the measurement of the phase differences.