Abstract: A method for processing radio frequency reflections is provided. The method applies an RF waveform to a transmission line that is a conductor used for providing a utility service. The method uses a RF waveform generator to transmit UltraWideband (UWB) RF waveforms through the conductors of a building. The RF waveforms are emitted at emission points that can be impedance discontinuities along the transmission line or impulse radios. The emitted RF waveforms reflect off of objects in the building and are received at reception points that can be impedance discontinuities or impulse radios. These reflections are processed to determine movement of objects within or near the building. Based on the reflections of the RF waveforms, the position of the objects within or near the building can be determined.

Abstract: A method and system for extensible positioning that uses a primary reference node at a known first position and a secondary reference node at a second position, where a range is measured between the secondary reference node and the primary reference node. The second position is determined based upon the first position and the measured range. A second range is measured between the secondary reference node and a non-fixed node. A third position corresponding to the non-fixed node is determined based upon the second position and the second range.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an impulse radio distance measuring system comprising an impulse radio transceiver by conducting a pulse through a transmit receive switch to an antenna, receiving return energy which has been discharged across the transmit receive switch, determining a time of arrival of the return energy. The return energy is comprised of two distinct pulses, one of which represents discharge of the transmit switch as the original pulse travels to the antenna, the second represents energy reflected from the antenna and again discharged across the transmit receive switch while the switch is in the transmit position. The timing of the un-reflected energy is determined then the timing of the reflected energy relative to the un-reflected energy is determined through auto-correlation of the time domain scan of the received composite waveforms.

Abstract: A system and method for information assimilation and functionality control based on positioning information obtained by impulse radio techniques, which utilizes the position information and communication abilities inherent in impulse radio technology to correlate position information of an entrant into a predetermined area with information about the entrant to accomplish a multitude of functionalities and assimilate information.

Abstract: Time is transferred from an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter to UWB receiver by transmitting a signal structure having an associated timing reference point together with a time value for the timing reference point. The UWB receiver receives the timing signal structure by synchronizing a receiver time base to the signal structure, demodulating the time value information, and using the demodulated time value information to set a receiver clock value. Propagation delay information is used to adjust the receiver clock value by advancing the receiver clock value to account for the propagation delay. In one embodiment, propagation delay is determined from a known distance between the transmitter and receiver. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are part of a two-way link wherein propagation delay is measured by round trip timing measurements.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for locating an impulse radio. Impulse radio signals are communicated between a first impulse radio and a plurality of second impulse radios. A received signal strength measurement is determined for each of the impulse radio signals. One of a plurality of radio propagation path models is selected and used to estimate a plurality of separation distances between the first impulse radio and the plurality of second impulse radios. The plurality of separation distances is used to determine a location relating to the first impulse radio.

Abstract: A coding method, specifies temporal and/or non-temporal pulse characteristics, where pulse characteristic values are relative to one or more non-fixed reference characteristic values within at least one delta value range or discrete delta value layout. The method allocates allowable and non-allowable regions relative to the one ore more non-fixed references. The method applies a delta code relative to the allowable and non-allowable regions. The allowable and non-allowable regions are relative to one or more definable characteristic values within a characteristic value layout. The one or more definable characteristic values are relative to one or more characteristic value references. In addition, the one or more characteristic value references can be a characteristic value of a given pulse such as a preceding pulse or a succeeding pulse.

Abstract: An ultra wideband radar system for detecting moving objects comprising an antenna, which may be scanned in at least one dimension, and a signal processor wherein the signal processor includes a scan combiner that combines scan information in accordance with a candidate trajectory for the moving object. Scans may be combined by integration or filtering. A fast calculation method is described wherein the scans are combined into subsets and subsets are shifted in accordance with the candidate trajectory before further combination. A method is described wherein a region is scanned with an ultra wideband radar, the scan information is combined in accordance with an expected trajectory to enhance the object signal to noise. Further features are described wherein the scan information is combined according to a family of trajectories. A trajectory yielding a potential object detection initiates a further scan combination step wherein the family of trajectories is further resolved.

Abstract: An ultra wideband radar system for detecting objects where at least one of the radar system or the object is moving. The radar may be scanned in at least one dimension, which may include angle or range. The system includes a scan combiner that combines scan information in accordance with a trajectory characteristic of a moving object and/or of a moving platform on which the radar resides. Scans may be combined by integration or filtering. A fast calculation method is described wherein the scans are combined into subsets and subsets are shifted in accordance with the trajectory characteristics before further combination. The scan information is combined in accordance with trajectory characteristics to enhance the object signal to noise. Further features are described wherein the scan information is combined according to a family of candidate trajectories and/or object positions.

Abstract: A time domain communications system wherein a broadband of time-spaced signals, essentially monocycle-like signals, are derived from applying stepped-in-amplitude signals to a broadband antenna, in this case, a reverse bicone antenna. When received, the thus transmitted signals are multiplied by a D.C. replica of each transmitted signal, and thereafter, they are, successively, short time and long time integrated to achieve detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the conversion of signals from RF to baseband using transition functions, or edge functions. These functions typically transition from positive to negative, or from negative to positive, synchronously with the transition of the received pulse signal, effecting detection essentially by synchronously rectifying a signal cycle of the received pulse, producing a net signal at baseband that can be further processed to detect modulation according to the modulation format. It is further disclosed how to configure these systems for optimal reception with a filter optimized for a given detect signal function. Generalizations of the matched filter embodiment lead to further embodiments employing alternative detection functions. Also disclosed is a two-stage version which applies a decode signal to the rectified signal. This step can be performed by a single correlator or by a plurality of correlators in parallel.

Abstract: A method for processing radio frequency reflections is provided. The method applies an RF waveform to a transmission line that is a conductor used for providing a utility service. The method uses a RF waveform generator to transmit UltraWideband (UWB) RF waveforms through the conductors of a building. The RF waveforms are emitted at emission points that can be impedance discontinuities along the transmission line or impulse radios. The emitted RF waveforms reflect off of objects in the building and are received at reception points that can be impedance discontinuities or impulse radios. These reflections are processed to determine movement of objects within or near the building. Based on the reflections of the RF waveforms, the position of the objects within or near the building can be determined.

Abstract: A system and method for locating objects and/or receiving data associated with an object. An antenna or similar device that can intercept or modify RF energy is caused to vary its properties in accordance with a predefined time sequence pattern that is associated with the object. The antenna device is located proximate to the object to be located. To locate the object, a wide band radar device is utilized to transmit a probe signal and receive and analyze the return signal to identify the predefined pattern and determine the range to the antenna and thus determine the range to the associated object. The time sequence pattern is optionally modulated by a data stream to convey data associated with the object.

Abstract: A system for evaluating properties of materials by probing the materials using ultra wideband signals wherein the probing may be by transmission or by reflection of radiated ultra wideband signals. Received signals may be evaluated by determining signal characteristics including reflection coefficient, transmission attenuation, multipath decay profile, and signal scattering coefficient. Received signals are evaluated using deconvolution and Fourier processing. Test chamber characteristics and boundary reflections may be removed to yield bulk material properties. The system may be calibrated by employing empirical signal measurements from materials with known properties measured by reference techniques.

Abstract: An active protection system comprising an ultrawideband radar for threat detection, an optical tracker for precision threat position measurement, and a high powered laser for threat kill or mitigation. The uwb radar may use a sparse array antenna and may also utilize Doppler radar information. The high powered laser may be of the optically pumped solid state type and in one embodiment may share optics with the optical tracker. In one embodiment, the UWB radar is used to focus the high power laser. Alternative interceptor type kill mechanisms are disclosed. In a further embodiment, the kill mechanism may be directed to the source of the threat.

Abstract: A proximity fuze (proximity fuse) comprising an ultra wideband (UWB) radar transmitter, a UWB radar receiver, an antenna, a timing system, and a signal processor. One embodiment includes an antenna with an annular conical radiation pattern. In another embodiment, a trigger delay is produced that is related to target detection range. In a further embodiment, multiple range shells are utilized to further discriminate target characteristics including velocity. A method is disclosed that utilizes target range, velocity, signal amplitude, and radar signal phase to identify the target and trigger the detonation. A proximity fuze system having a long storage life is disclosed comprising a proximity fuze element powered by a turbine generator and internal gas source.

Abstract: A system for duplex transmission and reception utilizing circular polarization wherein a pair of linear polarized orthogonal antennas is coupled to a transmitter through a hybrid coupler and a receiver is coupled to the antennas via the same hybrid coupler by using the port isolated from the transmitter. The hybrid may be a quadrature hybrid coupler or may comprise a 180 degree hybrid combined with a 90 degree phase shift network. Embodiments are shown for receiving a first reflection (opposite handed sense) circular polarized wave and alternatively, for receiving a second reflection (same handed sense) (multi-path) circular polarized wave.

Abstract: A transmit-rake apparatus includes at least one pulse generator that provides a plurality of pulses with selected signal properties so as to improve the signal-to-noise ratio at a receiver. The signal properties may include pulse timing, amplitude, polarity, and pulse shape. The transmit-rake apparatus may use a multipath analyzer, receive multipath or signal-quality information, or use a combination of those techniques. The multipath analyzer may include a scanning receiver to generate a scan of the multipath response. Correlation of the multipath response with a model pulse shape may be used to establish pulse position and amplitude. Iteration based on link performance measurements may be used to select or refine pulse properties. A method is disclosed to vary the selection of pulses to improve the spectrum.

Abstract: A time domain communications system wherein a broadband of time-spaced signals, essentially monocycle-like signals, are derived from applying stepped-in-amplitude signals to a broadband antenna, in this case, a reverse bicone antenna. When received, the thus transmitted signals are multiplied by a D.C. replica of each transmitted signal, and thereafter, they are, successively, short time and long time integrated to achieve detection.

Abstract: A time domain communications system wherein a broadband of time-spaced signals, essentially monocycle-like signals, are derived from applying stepped-in-amplitude signals to a broadband antenna, in this case, a reverse bicone antenna. When received, the thus transmitted signals are multiplied by a D.C. replica of each transmitted signal, and thereafter, they are, successively, short time and long time integrated to achieve detection.