Orthogonal SQUID arrays on a baseline with rotation
Inventors
Taylor, Benjamin • Sheffield, Thomas • Hallman, Daniel • Berggren, Susan Anne Elizabeth • Leese de Escobar, Anna
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11169222-B2
Publication Date
2021-11-09
Expiration Date
2039-10-01
Abstract
A system is provided for detecting a radio frequency signal. The system includes a dielectric platform, a first SQUID array, a second array of SQUIDs and a processing component. The dielectric platform has a first planar surface and a second planar surface that is disposed at an angle relative to the first planar surface. The first array of SQUIDs is disposed on the first planar surface and can output a first detection signal based on the radio frequency signal. The second array of SQUIDs is disposed on the second planar surface and can output a second detection signal based on the radio frequency signal. The processing component can determine a first plane from which the radio frequency signal is transmitting based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for detecting a radio frequency signal using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) arrays disposed on a dielectric platform with at least two planar surfaces oriented at an angle to each other. The first SQUID array is placed on the first planar surface and outputs a detection signal based on the radio frequency signal, while the second SQUID array is placed on the second planar surface and also outputs a detection signal. A processing component determines the plane from which the radio frequency signal is transmitting based on these outputs.
The system addresses the problem in conventional direction finding techniques where at least two antennas must be spaced by approximately one half the wavelength of the signal. For signals with long wavelengths (30-300 meters), this requires antenna spacing on the order of 15-150 meters, which is impractical for smaller unmanned vehicles and drones. The invention provides a direction finding system that is sufficiently compact to be deployable on such small platforms by leveraging SQUID arrays that can sense signals across a broad frequency range on a small chip.
Claims Coverage
The claims include three independent claims covering different system configurations and a method claim, each defining inventive features related to the use of SQUID arrays on angled planar surfaces for radio frequency signal detection and processing.
Oriented SQUID arrays on angled planar surfaces with processing for plane determination
A system comprising a dielectric platform having first and second planar surfaces disposed at an angle, a first SQUID array on the first planar surface and a second SQUID array on the second planar surface, each operable to output detection signals based on a radio frequency signal, and a processing component operable to determine a first plane of transmission from those detection signals.
Dielectric platform rotation for enhanced bearing determination
A system further comprising a rotation component that rotates the dielectric platform from a first to a second position, enabling the SQUID arrays to output additional detection signals, whereby the processing component determines a bearing of the radio frequency signal using signals from both positions.
Multiple SQUID arrays on multiple angled planar surfaces and dielectric platforms for vector detection
A system including a first dielectric platform with three angled planar surfaces each supporting multiple SQUID arrays, a second dielectric platform similarly arranged and spaced apart, and a processing component that detects a vector from which the radio frequency signal transmits based on detection signals from eight SQUID arrays distributed across the two platforms.
Method for detecting a radio frequency signal using SQUID arrays on angled planar surfaces
A method involving generating detection signals from SQUID arrays disposed on first and second planar surfaces at an angle on a dielectric platform and determining a first plane of transmission based on those signals, optionally including rotating the platform and generating additional detection signals to determine the signal bearing.
The claims collectively cover systems and methods using SQUID arrays arranged on angled dielectric platform surfaces, optionally rotated, and extended configurations with multiple arrays and platforms to detect directionality and bearing of radio frequency signals with compact, high-sensitivity devices.
Stated Advantages
Increased sensitivity by more than two orders of magnitude over conventional technologies using discrete SQUID sensors.
Ability to perform direction finding over a broad frequency range (HF to SHF) with much smaller devices or networked devices.
Compactness enables deployment on smaller platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones.
Use of orthogonal SQUID arrays and rotation increases baseline and phase differential measurement accuracy for shorter wavelengths.
Reduction in device cost due to use of two SQUID arrays instead of more complex antenna systems.
Documented Applications
Direction finding of radio frequency signals in the high frequency (HF) to super high frequency (SHF) bands.
Deployment on smaller platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones for signal intelligence.
Determining azimuth and elevation (Poynting vector) of incoming radio frequency signals without electric field sensors.
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