IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,592,816
Granted Patent B2
US 7,592,816 · App. 11/500,331 · Granted Sep 22, 2009

Localizer cable fault analyzer

Assignee: Federal Aviation Administration
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,592,816
App. No.
11/500,331
Granted
Sep 22, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A Localizer cable fault analyzer that memorizes which antenna in a Localizer antenna array caused a fault. The Localizer equipment monitors the antenna transmit and monitor cables for continuity using a DC voltage. The present invention senses the voltage drop on the antenna circuit when a fault occurs and causes an indicator device to signal the presence of the fault in that particular antenna circuit. The indicator device continues to signal the presence of a fault until a reset switch is activated.

Claims (25)

1. A cable fault analyzer having a plurality of detection and capture circuits coupled to a plurality of antennas in a Localizer antenna array, each said detection and capture circuit comprising:

a. A digital latch circuit comprising:

i. a first input,

ii. a second input coupled to a monitoring terminal on said Localizer antenna array, and

iii. an output;

b. A reset switch comprising:

i. a common terminal coupled to said first input of said latch circuit,

ii. a normally closed terminal coupled to a voltage source to apply a predetermined voltage to bias said latch circuit into a detection and capture mode, and

iii. a normally open terminal coupled to ground to apply ground to reset said latch circuit;

c. An indicator device coupled to said output of said latch circuit to signal the detection and capture of a fault in an antenna in said Localizer antenna array; and

d. A buffer circuit coupled between said second input on said latch circuit and said monitoring terminal on said Localizer antenna array.

2. The cable fault analyzer of claim 1 further comprising a circuit where a switch can be selected to enable or disable unused said indicator devices.

3. A cable fault analyzer having a plurality of detection and capture circuits coupled to a plurality of antennas in a Localizer antenna array, each said detection and capture circuit comprising:

a. A latch circuit comprising:

i. a pair of cross coupled NAND gates,

ii. a first input,

iii. a second input coupled to a monitoring terminal on said Localizer antenna array, and

iv. an output;

b. A reset switch comprising:

i. a common terminal coupled to said first input of said latch circuit,

ii. a normally closed terminal coupled to a voltage source to apply a predetermined voltage to bias said latch circuit into a detection and capture mode, and

iii. a normally open terminal coupled to ground to apply ground to reset said latch circuit;

c. An indicator device coupled to said output of said latch circuit to signal the detection and capture of a fault in an antenna in said Localizer antenna array; and

d. A buffer circuit coupled between said second input on said latch circuit and said monitoring terminal on said Localizer antenna array.

4. The cable fault analyzer of claim 3 further comprising a circuit where a switch can be selected to enable or disable unused said indicator devices.

Assignments (1)
GOVERNMENT INTEREST ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2009
From: EDWARDS, STEVEN WILLILAM
To: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE
Reel/Frame 023031/0454 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6070675800 · Aug 10, 2005
Related Publication 20090115662A1 · May 7, 2009