Signaling device for passively transmitting signals

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11415667-B2
Application number	US-201916269050-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 6, 2019
Priority date	Feb 6, 2019
Publication date	Aug 16, 2022
Grant date	Aug 16, 2022

Abstract

A signaling device that provides for passive radar detection. An incoming radar signal is reflected back outward away from the device with increased power. The incoming radar signal can also power a harmonic transceiver and generate a harmonic signal that is transmitted outward away from the device. The signaling device can also include one or more powered components to further transmit an outgoing signal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A signaling device comprising: a casing that includes an interior space; a reflector positioned in the interior space that reflects a microwave signal that enters into the interior space; a harmonic transceiver positioned within the interior space of the casing; a lens connected to the casing that focuses the microwave signal that is incoming into the interior space on the reflector and the harmonic transceiver; the reflector reflects the microwave signal back through the lens and away from the casing as a reflected signal; and the harmonic transceiver generates a harmonic signal in response to being exposed to the microwave signal and transmit the harmonic signal away from the casing.

2. The signaling device of claim 1 , wherein the harmonic transceiver comprises a first antenna to receive the microwave signal, a non-linear device, and a second antenna to transmit the harmonic signal.

3. The signaling device of claim 1 , further comprising a resonant cavity configured to produce the reflected signal to have the same harmonic frequency as the harmonic signal.

4. The signaling device of claim 1 , wherein the harmonic transceiver is positioned in the interior space between the lens and the reflector.

5. The signaling device of claim 1 , wherein the harmonic transceiver is separate from the reflector and spaced away from the reflector within the interior space.

6. The signaling device of claim 1 , wherein the reflector reflects the microwave signal to the harmonic transceiver.

7. The signaling device of claim 1 , wherein the casing and the lens extend around and form a weatherproof seal around the interior space.

8. The signaling device of claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises a center of gravity within the interior space away from the lens for the lens to be positioned upward when the casing floats in water.

9. The signaling device of claim 1 , further comprising a control system comprising:
a control circuit;
a read only memory circuit that stores a unique identifier;
a communication circuit to transmit an outgoing signal; and
a power source to supply power to the control circuit.

10. A vehicle comprising, the signaling device of claim 1 .

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

12. A signaling device comprising:
a casing that extends around an interior space;
a lens attached to the casing to focus a microwave signal that is incoming into the casing in the interior space;
a harmonic transceiver in the interior space that generates and outputs a harmonic signal in response to exposure to the microwave signal;
a reflector positioned in the interior space that reflects the microwave signal back through the lens and away from the casing as a reflected signal; and
a powered control system positioned in the interior space that emits a signal outward beyond the casing.

13. The signaling device of claim 12 , wherein the harmonic transceiver comprises:
a first antenna to receive the microwave signal;
a non-linear device;
a second antenna to transmit the harmonic signal; and
an inductor that extends between the first antenna and the second antenna.

14. The signaling device of claim 12 , wherein the harmonic signal and the reflected signal have a common harmonic frequency.

15. The signaling device of claim 12 , wherein the lens is positioned at a top of the casing, the reflector is positioned at a bottom of the casing, and the harmonic transceiver is positioned between the lens and the reflector.

16. A method of using a passive device, the method comprising:
receiving a microwave signal at a lens;
passing the microwave signal through the lens in a first direction and to a harmonic transceiver and to a reflector positioned within an enclosed interior space;
reflecting the microwave signal off the reflector and sending a reflected signal back through the lens in an opposing second direction and away from the interior space;
creating an electrical current in the harmonic transceiver in response to the harmonic transceiver receiving the microwave signal that passes through the lens; and
generating a harmonic signal at the harmonic transceiver and transmitting the harmonic signal away from the interior space.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising directing the reflected signal back through the lens and increasing a strength of the reflected signal.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising reflecting the microwave signal off the reflector and through the lens and transmitting the harmonic signal from the harmonic transceiver without passing through the lens.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the harmonic signal and the reflected signal have the same harmonic frequency.

20. The method of claim 16 , reflecting the microwave signal off the reflector and to the harmonic transceiver.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Albrecht Mark

Classifications

• H04B1/40

  Circuits · CPC title

• G01S13/75

  using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders {, or using passive reflectors} · CPC title

• H04B1/38

  Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving · CPC title

• G01S7/4013

  involving adjustment of the transmitted power · CPC title

• G01S7/4008 Primary

  of transmitters · CPC title