Patent ID: 10739450

Abstract:
Systems and methods for detecting and locating power loads within a spherical waveguide bounded by the Earth's surface are disclosed. One or more eigenmodes of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide may be computed based on a mathematical model incorporating electrical properties of the terrestrial surface and plasma physics of the ionospheric layer. A phased array of wave guide couplers, each including an array of electrically-connected waveguide-coupling elements, may be configured at different geographic locations for coupling to the one or more eigenmodes and generating standing waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. Power loads may be detected by way of power reflections, and by adjusting relative phases and/or amplitudes of the waveguide couplers, as well as frequencies, power nodes and nulls of the standing waves may be steered with respect to specified locations. Using reflections and steering, locations of power loads may be triangulated.