Abstract: A method to present easily understood images that represent targets that are detected through walls or other opaque barriers is disclosed. This method is particularly well suited for sense-through-the-wall radar systems. One of the main challenges of evolving STTW systems is that the practitioners of the technology are generally presented with complicated images to represent the gain adjusted amplitude of signals that are detected by the radar. Interpretation of images from prior art, which can be in the form of the radar speckle, target blob, wiggle plot, and horizontal amplitude intensity displays, shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, requires high levels of skill, focus, and time. Naturally, the foregoing places military and law-enforcement customers of the technology at considerable risk during hostile missions. This invention discloses a method that converts a typical radar signal into an image that is easily understood by a practitioner of STTW technology.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus that provides detection, characterization, and intuitive dissemination of targets. This disclosure combines improvements to ultra-wideband (UWB) sensing and machine target characterization with a means to convey data in a format that is quickly and readily understood by practitioners of the technology. The invention is well suited for Situational Awareness (SA) support in areas that are occluded by rain, fog, dust, darkness, distance, foliage, building walls, and any material that can be penetrated by ultra-wideband RF signals. Sense Through The Wall (STTW) performance parameters including target range, stand-off distance, and probability of detection are improved herein by combining a dynamically positioned sliding windowing function with orthogonal feature vectors that include but are not limited to time amplitude decay, spectral composition, and propagation time position in the return signal data.

Abstract: A method to present easily understood images that represent targets that are detected through walls or other opaque barriers is disclosed. This method is particularly well suited for sense-through-the-wall radar systems. One of the main challenges of evolving STTW systems is that the practitioners of the technology are generally presented with complicated images to represent the gain adjusted amplitude of signals that are detected by the radar. Interpretation of images from prior art, which can be in the form of the radar speckle, target blob, wiggle plot, and horizontal amplitude intensity displays, shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, requires high levels of skill, focus, and time. Naturally, the foregoing places military and law-enforcement customers of the technology at considerable risk during hostile missions. This invention discloses a method that converts a typical radar signal into an image that is easily understood by a practitioner of STTW technology.

Abstract: A low-cost high performance ultra wideband antenna that combines coax-shielded cables with properly selected and carefully positioned load balancing components to form a novel closed loop dipole is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closed-loop broadband antenna circuit that may be comprised of single or multiple conductive radiating elements that are electrically connected to one another at the flare-end of each antenna leaf by at least one shielded conductor in one or more shielded cables of any type. The shielded cable portion of the closed loop circuit is interrupted by load impedance tapered regions that are positioned in an area that does not interfere or interferes minimally with antenna performance. The closed-loop broadband antenna circuit and the feed-point connections may be grounded by a separate path within the device. The disclosed approach simultaneously mitigates known problems of parasitic side lobes, antenna ringing, and RF coupling that commonly plague prior art.

Abstract: A low-cost high performance ultra wideband antenna that can be machine replicated is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inner closed-loop broadband antenna circuit that may be comprised of single or multiple conductive sheets that are electrically connected by conductive or impedance tapered regions that are positioned in an area that does not interfere or interferes minimally with antenna performance. Two continuous sheets of dielectric material cover the back reflector shield area, which leaves only the antenna elements exposed. The dielectric materials are subsequently enclosed by inner and outer conductive shields that are electrically connected to common ground and side shields that may be used to improve directivity. The closed-loop broadband antenna circuit and the feed-point connections may be grounded by a separate path within the device. The resulting stack of materials is easily machine assembled into an antenna apparatus by employing stamping, folding, injection, or other methods.

Abstract: A novel approach is disclosed that mitigates flare-end ringing induced distortion of impulse signals that are transmitted from an electromagnetic radiator. Conventional tapering suppresses energy in the return path by impedance loading the antenna element at the expense of reduced radiation efficiency. This disclosure presents a method that balances the trade-off between radiation efficiency and return path energy suppression while it simultaneously minimizes taper induced signal distortion effects on the front edge of the transmitted impulse. The balance between radiation efficiency, end-fire ringing, and impulse distortion is achieved by placing impedance loading at only at or near the second half of the antenna element. Recent disclosures show the advantage of determining the position of each band through mathematical calculation and by subsequently removing select bands near the feed point to move the reflected pulse away from the front-edge of the transmitted impulse.