System and Method for Measuring Short Distances

Abstract

A system and method are provided to measure relatively short distances between one or more moveable objects and with respect to an environment. The transponders may be affixed to other moveable objects and/or may be affixed in position within the environment. The transponders detect the query signal and respond with an acoustic response signal. A synchronized clock system establishes common timing between the transponders and the moveable objects such that the start time at which the acoustic response signal is sent is known. The moveable object detects a receipt time when the acoustic response signal is received. Knowing the start time and the receipt time, a transit time for the acoustic signal can be determined whereby a separation vector may be calculated. The system may be used to determine and transmit a table that contains the relative positions of all moveable objects in the environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 27, 2001
Accession Number
ADD020009

Entities

People

  • Donald H. Steinbrecher

Organizations

  • United States Department of the Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Signals
  • Aircrafts
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Collision Avoidance Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Radar
  • Radio Frequency
  • Radio Transmitters
  • Transceivers
  • Transmitters
  • Transponders
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Computer Vision.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.