Method and apparatus for a ring interferometer

摘要

A method and apparatus for determining the azimuth and elevation angles of a signal from an emitter is provided. An antenna array receives the signal. The antenna array includes one or more pairs of antenna elements of like polarization mounted diametrically opposite each other in a ring. A switch receives the received signal from the antenna pairs. The switch outputs a processor-selectable number of signals. A radio frequency converter downconverts a processor-selectable number of signals. The converter outputs the downconverted signals. An intermediate frequency processor measures phase differences across the antenna pair baselines for the downconverted signals. The intermediate frequency processor outputs the measured frequency and phase difference data. An ambiguity resolution processor selects antenna pairs by controlling the switch. The ambiguity resolution processor receives the measured frequency and phase difference data from the intermediate frequency processor. The ambiguity resolution processor determines the azimuth and elevation angles of arrival corresponding to the signal.