Stanley C Patterson

US Patent:

57455759, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

May 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/668608

Inventors:

William F. Otto - late of Huntsville AL
William F. Otto - Moorpark CA
Lorinda R. Otto - Huntsville AL
Robert A. Otto - Huntsville AL
Debbee J. Jordan - Valhermoso Springs AL
Miles E. Holloman - Decatur AL
Stanley P. Patterson - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04L 932
G01S 1374

US Classification:

380 23

Abstract:

An Identification-Friend-or-Foe System Using Variable Codes (IFF System) lizes variable codes and pre-selected encryption/decryption technology to querry potential targets as to their battlefield affiliation and also to identify itself as a friend to a potential attacker. The IFF System performs a querry by sending a narrow laser beam to the potential target which is accompanied or closely followed by a radio frequency (RF) wave modulated with encrypted identification information. If the potential target is also equipped with the IFF System and in possession of the valid code, then the received RF wave can be decrypted to reveal the potential attacker as a friend. The potential target, then, encrypts its own identification information using the same code and transmits it via RF wave to the potential attacker. Thus fratricides may be avoided.