Phase linear interferometer system and method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
A phase linear interferometer system comprising: at least four antennas for receiving signals from a source, said antennas being linearly positioned at preselected points to form a baseline array such that: the first and second antennas form a short baseline; the first and third antennas form an intermediate baseline; and the first and fourth antennas form a long baseline; said short and said intermediate baselines forming a first interferometer and said short and said long baselines forming a second interferometer; processor means connected to each of said antennas for measuring and processing the phase of said received signals, said processor means including means for combining said phase signals within each of said interferometers and providing an output phase from each of said interferometers of all of said signals which are phase linear; comparison means connected to said processor means for comparing the scaled phase of said first interferometer with the measured phase of said second interferometer to determine the relative coincidence of the output phases; and output means connected to said comparison means for discarding output phase signals exceeding a given tolerance range of coincidence.
2.
A phase linear interferometer system according to claim 1 wherein said short baseline produces a radio path length difference not greater than one wavelength of the operating frequency.
3.
A phase linear interferometer system according to claim 2 further comprising: at least three additional antennas; said three additional antennas being linearly positioned at preselected points and combining to form a second baseline array of at least four antennas with said first antenna means; said second baseline array being angularly offset from said first baseline; said second baseline array being connected to means substantially similar to those of said first baseline array for producing substantially similar results from a second output means; and means connected to the output means of each of said baselines for correlating said output phase signals to provide the angle of arrival of said source signals