United States Patent 1
Koert
1) Patent Number:
{s5]_Date of Patent:
5,041,834
Aug. 20, 1991
[54] ARTIFICIAL IONOSPHERIC MIRROR
COMPOSED OF A PLASMA LAYER WHICH
CAN BE TILTED
[75] Inventor: Peter Koert, Washington, D.C.
[73] Assignee: APTI, Ine., Washington, D.C.
[21] Appl Nos 524,435
[22] Filed: May 17, 1990
[51] Int, as HO¢B 7/00, HO1Q 3/22
[2] Us.c. se 342/367; 342/372
[58] Field of Search ‘342/367, 383, 371, 373;
485/64
[6] References Cited
US, PATENT DOCUMENTS
545.644 5/1969. Grossi et a sane
4253190. 2/1981 Csonka 55/12
4686505 9/1987 Eastlund 361/231
4712155 12/1987 Easlond etal 361/231
4817.95 4/1989 Drobor w/t
Primary Examiner—Gregory C. Ising
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Foley & Lardner
i7 ABSTRACT
‘This invention relates to generation of a Antficial lono-
spheric Mirror (AIM), or a plasma layer in the atmo-
sphere. The AIM is used like the ionosphere to reflect
RF energy over great distances. A tltable AIM is cre-
ated by a heater antenna controlled in phase and fre-
quency. The heater antenna phase shift scans a beam to
paint plasma layer. Frequency is changed to refocus at
Continually higher altitudes to tilt the plasma layer.
16 Claims, 15 Drawing SheetsUS. Patent Aug. 20, 1991 Sheet 1 of 15 5,041,834Sheet 2 of 15 5,041,834
Aug, 20, 1991
U.S. Patent
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