Circularly disposed antenna array: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:24, 28 March 2007

Revision as of 04:25, 28 March 2007

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[[Image:Flugplatz Gablingen - Funkanlage.jpg|thumb|A military Wullenweber antenna array in Augsburg, Germany]]

The '''Wullenweber''' (correct spelling is ''Wullenwever''), or Circularly Disposed Dipole Array (CDDA)/Circular Dipole Antenna Array (CDAA) is a large circular antenna array used by the military to [[Triangulation|triangulate]] radio signals for intelligence gathering and the occasional maritime rescue. The antenna is colloquially known as the ''elephant cage''. "Wullenweber" is a [[cover]] term the German's used to identify the antennadevelopment program during World War II, it has no relationship to the developernames of people involved in the German program.

CDAA technology was developed by the German navy signal intelligence research and development center (Nachrichtenversuchsanstalt der Marine NVA) during the early years of [[World War II]]. The inventor of the system was NVA group leader Dr. Hans Rindfleisch, who worked after the war as a Technical Director for the northern Germany official broadcast (Norddeutscher Rundfunk - NDR). Technical team leaders were Dr. Pietzner, Dr. Schelhorse, and Dr. Wächtler. The latter was a co-founder of Plath Co and later a consultant to Plath and [[Telefunken]] (electronic companies). Although all men retired in West Germany, some of their second-echelon technicians were taken to the [[USSR]] after the war. This led to the Soviets deploying 20 CDAAs before the United States military became interested and developed their own version of the technology.