Abstract: A method to process a radar echo signal is described. The method determines the value of at least one target motion parameter by selecting from a plurality of possible test values (VR1, . . . , VRN) one value (VR) which maximizes a functional defined over the radar echo signal. The method further performs a correction of the radar echo signal based on the value (VR) which is determined by the at least one motion parameter. The functional is the time derivative of the radar echo signal or a function dependent from the derivative.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a GIS data transaction including information about a topography of a region and utilities within the region. The method and system include providing information about the topography of the region; receiving information about a user collecting data related to one or more utilities in the region; receiving information about time and date of the collected data; receiving information about each of the utilities; receiving information about location of each of the utilities; and receiving information about the manner of collecting data. The system and method further include receiving information about revisions made to the information about the map; and integrating the received information with the information about the topography of the region into a GIS data transaction.

Abstract: An object sensing system includes a radar system including at least one aperture through which a radar signal is transmitted and at least one aperture through which reflected radar signals are received. The sensing system also includes a stereo vision system including a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor and the second sensor are separated by an offset. The stereo vision system is mounted to the radar system to form a single assembly. The radar system is positioned in the offset between the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods to calibrate aircraft surfaces are provided. A particular method includes installing a set of laser targets. The set of laser targets includes at least first laser target and a second laser target. The first laser target is installed on a first side of a first aircraft surface and the second laser target is installed on a second side of the first aircraft surface at a known location relative to the first laser target. The method also includes determining a first position of the first laser target with a first laser device. The method further includes determining a second position of the second laser target with a second laser device. The method includes determining a position of the first aircraft surface based on the first position of the first laser target and the second position of the second laser target.

Abstract: A method and system obtains precise survey-grade position data of target points in zones where precise GPS data cannot be obtained, due to natural or man-made objects such as foliage and buildings. The system comprises position measurement components such as a GPS receiver, together with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an electronic distance meter (EDM) or an image capture device all mounted on a survey pole. The system and method obtains GPS data when outside the zone and uses the other position measurement systems, such as the IMU, inside the zone to traverse to a target point. The EDM or the image capture device may be used within or without the zone to obtain data to reduce accumulated position errors.

Abstract: Beamforming methods for operating a transceiver including an antenna having a plurality of antenna feed elements include defining a plurality of real valued antenna gain constraint values associated with a plurality of geographic constraint points within a geographic region, and generating complex valued antenna feed element weights that result in complex antenna gain values at the geographic constraint points based on the corresponding real valued antenna gain constraint values. An antenna beam is formed from the antenna to the geographic region using the complex valued antenna feed element weights, and information is transmitted over the antenna beam.

Abstract: A three-dimensional range imager includes a light source for providing a modulated light signal, a multiplexer, an optical fiber connecting the light source to the multiplexer, a plurality of optical fibers connected at first ends to the multiplexer and at second ends to a first fiber array, and a transmitter optic disposed adjacent the first fiber array for projecting a pixel pattern of the array onto a target.

Abstract: A radar imaging system for capturing an image of an object within an area of interest through at least one visual impairment. The radar imaging system comprises at least one radar array. The radar array includes a plurality of transmitter elements and a plurality of receiver elements for receiving a plurality of coded return signals from an object through the at least one visual impairment.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) signal data converter device includes a plurality of output ports configured to connect with and transmit GPS information to devices connected with the output ports, and a processor configured to receive GPS information in a first format, convert the GPS information from the first format into a second format, and to transmit the GPS information to at least two output ports in the first and second formats.

Abstract: GPS gyro calibration methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a ground station can receive antenna position data for a spot beam antenna from a global positioning system (GPS) platform where the antenna position data indicates a boresight direction of the spot beam antenna. GPS-enabled receiver(s) can receive scan signals transmitted via the spot beam antenna of the GPS platform, and the GPS-enabled receivers can determine signal power measurements for each of the scan signals. The ground station can receive the signal power measurements from the GPS-enabled receiver(s) and estimate a pointing error of the spot beam antenna based on the signal power measurements and the antenna position data received from the GPS platform. The ground station can then determine gyro calibration parameters from the estimated pointing error and communicate the gyro calibration parameters to the GPS platform to calibrate for gyro drift errors.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow for the detection, identification, direction finding, and geolocation of wireless emitters in a given multipath environment. For example, the techniques can be used to detect and identify a line of bearing (LOB) to an IEEE 802.11 emitter in a building or in an open field or along a roadside. Multiple LOBs computed from different geographic locations can be used to geolocate the target emitter. The techniques can be embodied, for instance, in a vehicle-based device that can survey the target environment, detect an IEEE 802.11 emitter and identify it by MAC address, and then determine various LOBs to that emitter to geolocate the emitter. In some cases, a sample array of response data from the target emitter is correlated to a plurality of calibrated arrays having known azimuths to determine the LOB to the target emitter.

Abstract: A method for onboard measurement of a deviation in orientation of an object from a desired orientation of the object. The method including: transmitting a polarized RF signal from a reference source, with a predetermined polarization plane: receiving the signal at a pair of polarized RF sensor cavities positioned symmetrical on the object with respect to the predetermined polarization plane: analyzing an output of the pair of polarized RF sensor cavities resulting from the received signal: and determining the deviation in orientation of the object relative to the predetermined plane based on the analysis. The method can further include controlling the object based on the determined deviation in orientation.

Abstract: A system and method of training antennas for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes communicating one or more estimation training sequences between two devices via a phased array antenna and a switched array antenna, wherein a beamforming vector of the phased array antenna is switched between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors while the switched array antenna is switched within a plurality of antenna sectors. The method further includes tuning at least one of the phase array and switched array antennas with an antenna parameter selected based at least in part on the one or more estimation training sequences. The method further includes communicating data messages via at least one of the phase array and switched array antennas so tuned.

Abstract: A system and a method for operating a radar system in a continuous wave mode for communicating information are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for operating a radar system, having an antenna including a plurality of active array elements, in a continuous wave mode to communicate information, the method including receiving an instruction to enter the continuous wave mode, loading a plurality of tables, where each table includes information indicative of a primary group of the active array elements to be activated and a secondary group of elements to be deactivated, receiving a communication signal to be transmitted, and providing, repeatedly, the communication signal, for a preselected period of time, to the primary group of elements of each of the plurality of tables.

Abstract: A range finder is provided. A light emitting unit emits a light pulse. A light receiving unit senses an incident light pulse. A reflective mirror reflects the light pulse emitted from the light emitting unit to an outside space and reflects the light pulse incident from the outside space to the light receiving unit. An actuator is configured to move the reflective mirror in a first direction rotating about a vertical axis and a second direction rotating about a horizontal axis. A controller controls the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit and driving the actuator. The actuator includes: a rotation motor unit supporting the reflective mirror to be rotated in the second direction and rotating the reflective mirror in the first direction; a bushing hinge-coupled with the reflective mirror to rotate in the first direction together with the reflective mirror and installed movably in a vertical direction; and a vertical driving unit moving the bushing in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow for the detection, identification, and direction finding of wireless emitters in a given multipath environment. For example, the techniques can be used to detect and identify a line of bearing (LOB) to an IEEE 802.11 emitter in a building or in an open field or along a roadside. In some cases, multiple LOBs can be used to geolocate the target emitter if so desired. The techniques can be embodied, for instance, in a handheld device that can survey the target environment, detect an IEEE 802.11 emitter and identify it by MAC address, and then precisely determine the LOB to that emitter. In some cases, a sample array of response data from the target emitter is correlated to a plurality of calibrated arrays having known azimuths to determine the LOB to the target emitter.

Abstract: A method of associating a universal time with time of arrival information of an identified component of a signal at a terminal of a radio positioning system is disclosed. In the method a marker signal with an associated universal time tag is obtained from a timing device (or the marker signal is obtained from an independent oscillator and a universal time tag assigned to the marker signal), and the time or phase relationship between the marker signal (or between the time of arrival information of said identified component respectively) and the oscillator is measured. The time of arrival information of said identified component relative to the oscillator is determined and the universal time corresponding to the time of arrival information of said identified component is calculated from said universal time tag and said measured time or phase relationship, before the calculated universal time is associated with said time of arrival information.

Abstract: A practical method for adding new high-performance, tightly integrated Nav-Com capability to any Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) user equipment requires no hardware modifications to the existing user equipment. In one example, the iGPS concept is applied to a Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and combines Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites, such as Iridium, with GPS or other GNSS systems to significantly improve the accuracy, integrity, and availability of Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and to enable new communication enhancements made available by the synthesis of precisely coupled navigation and communication modes. To achieve time synchronization stability between the existing DAGR and a plug-in iGPS enhancement module, a special-purpose wideband reference signal is generated by the iGPS module and coupled to the DAGR via the existing antenna port.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for determining a sufficiency of measurements for locating positions. In one example, although claimed subject matter is not so limited, a process to improve accuracy of pseudorange measurements may be conducted using multiple dwells.

Abstract: Methods to quantify the amount of radial platform motion of a portable sensor are described. In an exemplary embodiment, the method uses the frequency domain phase data in the range bin corresponding to a large stationary object. A correction factor is computed and applied back into the time domain samples prior to processing by Doppler filters used to measure motion in the scene.