Abstract: A radio detection and ranging (RADAR) level gauging apparatus measures a level of liquid in a storage tank. The apparatus includes an antenna that emits a RADAR signal and receives the signal reflected from the level interface. The antenna has a lens and an absorber to reduce side lobes of the signal. The apparatus further includes a controller which performs transmission control, reception control, and level measurement control using the received RADAR signal. The distance from the emission position of the RADAR signal to the level interface is measured, and thus a level can be determined.

Abstract: A dielectric lens is disclosed comprising a center portion that extends along a cylinder having a central axis and a plurality of spoke portions that are attached to the center portion and extend to a spherical perimeter region in a radial direction from the center portion. The plurality of spoke portions includes at least a first monolithic spoke portion extending from the center portion to the spherical perimeter region and the center portion and the plurality of spoke portions define a plurality of cavity regions among the plurality of spoke portions. The center portion, the cylinder, the plurality of spoke portions, and the plurality of cavity regions are included in a gradient index (GRIN) dielectric lens having a plurality of relative permittivities that are based on a radial distance from the center portion.

Abstract: A system for augmenting 360-degree aspect monostatic radar cross section of an aircraft. The system may comprise a pair of pods mountable on opposing wing tips of an aircraft and each having a pod housing with an elongate body tapering forwardly to a nose and rearwardly to a tail. Each pod may comprise a forward SDL disposed within the nose, a rear SDL disposed within the tail, and a pair of mid-body SDLs disposed within a mid-section of the pod housing. The SDLs may be arranged within the pods to reflect radiation and provide coverage around the aircraft over a region of about 360 azimuth degrees. Each SDL may comprise radar absorbing material located on an interior reflective surface, and portions of the elongate bodies may be constructed of radome material. The SDLs may be Luneburg lens having diameters of at least approximately 8-inches.

Abstract: A housing arrangement for a radar sensor includes at least one tubular body and a shielding device for radar beams. The at least one tubular body has a distal end which has a lens mounted therein, and a side wall. The shielding device is arranged on the side wall on an outer side of the at least one tubular body. The at least one tubular body is made of a dielectric plastic. The shielding device is made of a metal.

Abstract: A repeater has a spherical dielectric lens antenna, a donor feed unit supporting transmission and reception of signals through the lens antenna, a service feed unit supporting transmission and reception of signals through the lens antenna, and at least one interconnecting guided transmission medium providing a radio frequency transmission path between the donor feed unit and the service feed unit.

Abstract: A vehicular radar system includes a plurality of transmitting sub-arrays and a transmission power divider. The plurality of transmitting sub-arrays are symmetric with respect to a symmetry axis, and the plurality of transmitting sub-arrays are parallel to the symmetry axis. The transmission power divider, coupled to the plurality of transmitting sub-arrays, is configured to apply a plurality of phases and a plurality of amplitudes to the plurality of transmitting sub-arrays. A first transmitting sub-array, among the plurality of transmitting sub-arrays and closest to the symmetry axis, and a second transmitting sub-array, among the plurality of transmitting sub-arrays and farthest away from the symmetry axis, have a phase difference in between, and the phase difference is between 120 degrees and 180 degrees.

Abstract: An identification or messaging system is provided that has embodiments including a embodiment with a structure with different faces and a base with reflective or resonance panels which are positioned at different receiving angles to detect direct signals and amplify them including in a sequence to be detected by an active emitter that emits electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and steered or resonated off or with the panels. An emitter can be an aerial platform with the emitter and a library of reflected or resonated signals that are associated with a particular sequence of panels on the structure which are associated with a particular entity identification or message. Thermal patterned and/or magnetic patterned panels (e.g., for backplane beamforming) and return signal steering can also be provided. Embodiments with secondary signaling systems can also be provided. A variety of various embodiments and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication and a directional communication system are provided. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a protective shell, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the protective shell and (3) multiple radio frequency signal conveyors located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens and configured with the Luneberg lens to transmit radio frequency signals within a defined region or receive radio frequency signals that originate within the defined region.

Abstract: A radar system (100) is described including a transmitting assembly (10), a receiving assembly (20), a control unit (30) and a signal processing unit (40). The transmitting assembly (10) receives an input signal (31) and transmits an incident radar signal (2). The transmitting assembly (10) includes a Rotman lens (12) having a lens cavity (74), a plurality of beam ports (60), a plurality of array ports (62) and a patch antenna assembly (14). The lens cavity (74) has a lens gap (h) between 10 microns to 120 microns, and preferably 40 microns to 60 microns. The patch antenna assembly (14) includes a plurality of antenna arrays (130) operable to receive a plurality of time-delayed, in-phase signals from the Rotman lens (12) and to transmit the incident radar signal (2) towards a target (4). The receiving assembly (20) receives a reflected radar signal (6) and produces an output signal.

Abstract: A radar system includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The radar system further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dielectric lens useable in both the radio wave band and the light wave band, and a device using this dielectric lens. The device comprises a dielectric lens formed of a transparent dielectric member small in dielectric loss and having an omnidirectional feature with regard to an electromagnetic wave, a transparent dielectric shell that is hollow inside and having the radius that is equal to the focal distance of the dielectric lens, and a holding mechanism for positioning and holding the dielectric shell and the dielectric lens so as to locate the dielectric shell at a position along the focal distance with the dielectric lens included at the inner center of this dielectric shell. The device is provided, at the focal point of the dielectric lens, with a reflector for reflecting an electromagnetic wave or a generator for generating an electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a radar device including a transmission module for sequentially transmitting two or more kinds of pulse signals having different pulse widths by a predetermined transmitting pattern, a memory module for storing a predetermined number of pulse reply data corresponding to each kind of the pulse signals, the predetermined number being number of transmissions of the kind of the pulse signals, a pulse integrating module for performing pulse integration of the pulse reply data stored in the memory module for each kind of the pulse signal, and an image generating module for generating a radar image using the results of the pulse integration.

Abstract: An imager comprising a sphere of dielectric material and a geodesically configured substrate disposed adjacent said sphere. The geodesically configured substrate comprises a plurality of triangularly shaped elements, at least selected ones of the triangularly shaped elements having an array of detectors disposed thereon, the detectors in the array also being disposed adjacent the dielectric sphere for receiving and detecting incoming electromagnetic waves delivered via said sphere.

Abstract: A radar having a high time and high spatial resolution and being capable of performing volume scanning with an inexpensive and simple structure, while enabling reduction is size and weight. A radar (50) is provided with an antenna unit (51) including a radio wave lens antenna device, which has a spherical transmission radio wave lens (2), a spherical reception radio wave lens (3), a primary radiator (4) arranged at a focal point of the radio wave lens (2), and a primary radiator (5) arranged at a focal point of the radio wave lens (3). The primary radiators (4, 5) pivot in an elevation direction about an axis connecting center points of the radio wave lenses (2, 3) and pivot in an azimuthal direction about an axis orthogonal to the axis connecting the center points of the radio wave lenses (2, 3).

Abstract: A multi-beam radar sensor has a plurality of antenna elements disposed next to each other, a collective lens situated at a distance in front of the antenna elements, and an additional preliminary focusing lens disposed in such a way that it affects only a portion of the radar radiation transmitted from, and/or received by, the antenna elements.

Abstract: A radar system comprises a first transmit/receive module for a first frequency band and a first polarization, a second transmit/receive module for the first frequency band and a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, a third transmit/receive module for a second frequency band and the first polarization, a fourth transmit/receive module for the second frequency band and the second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, a first plurality of splitter/combiners to receive outputs from the first and second transmit/receive modules, a second plurality of splitter/combiners to receive outputs from the third and fourth transmit/receive modules, a plurality of lens phase shifter pairs to receive outputs from the first plurality of splitter/combiners, a plurality of diplexers to receive signals from the plurality of lens phase shifter pairs and from the second plurality of splitter/combiners, and, a radiator assembly including a series of radiator elements coupled to the plurality of dipl

Abstract: An imager comprising a sphere of dielectric material and a geodesically configured substrate disposed adjacent said sphere. The geodesically configured substrate comprises a plurality of triangularly shaped elements, at least selected ones of the triangularly shaped elements having an array of detectors disposed thereon, the detectors in the array also being disposed adjacent the dielectric sphere for receiving and detecting incoming electromagnetic waves delivered via said sphere.

Abstract: A monostatic multi-beam radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a group antenna, a planar lens having multiple inputs, and a homodyne mixer system, wherein the mixer system comprises multiple transfer mixers that are connected in parallel to the inputs of the lens.

Abstract: A radar sensor for motor vehicles, having an optical system which subdivides a radar beam generated by a single antenna element into a plurality of beam components that are radiated in different directions, wherein the optical system has a diffraction grating.

Abstract: A directional warning system and a method of warning of friendly forces. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a plurality of feed horns located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening and arranged relative thereto based on a zone-of-interest with which the directional warning system may be associated.

Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication, a directional communication system, a method of conducting directional communication, a combat identification system and a method of identifying friendly forces. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a feed horn located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a dielectric resin foam which has high and uniform dielectric properties and is preferable for use as various dielectric materials. A dielectric resin foam obtained by expanding a resin composition comprising a synthetic resin and a fibrous and/or plate-like dielectric inorganic filler is provided.

Abstract: A passive millimeter-wave imaging system (10) is disclosed that provides a full 360° instantaneous azimuthal field-of-view (54) image of a scene. The imaging system (10) makes use of a spherical Luneburg lens (12) and a series of millimeter-wave direct detection receivers (24) configured in a ring (16) around the lens (12), and positioned at the focal plane of the lens (12). The series of receivers (24) are positioned on a plurality of consecutive sensor cards (14), where each card (14) includes a certain number of the receivers (24). The receivers (24) define a one-dimensional focal plane array with limited obscuration, and thus give a 360° instantaneous field-of-view (54) of a slice of the scene. Processing circuitry (32), including a multiplexing array interface for multiplexing the signals from the receivers (24), are positioned on an outer ring (34) outside of the sensor card ring (16).

Abstract: A system for establishing and utilizing a wireless communication system using a lens antenna having a dielectric material lens. The lens focuses output radio frequency (rf) signals into narrow beam rf signals which are directed to a specific receiving communication device. The lens focuses input rf signals onto signal processing equipment. A communication system between two or more communication devices which utilizes a dielectric material lens and signal processing equipment can be used for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication.

Abstract: A microwave radar reflector includes three, substantially planar networks whose reflectivity or transmissivity may be controlled. The three networks are arranged as a trihedron with an open angle. An additional network, whose reflectivity or transmissivity may be separately controlled, is located at said open angle of the trihedron. With the additional network controlled to be transmissive and the other networks having their characteristic modulated between reflective and transmissive, the reflector will return a modulated message when the reflector is illuminated.

Abstract: An electronic attenuation and camouflage device comprising a novel cooling device comprised of microspheres; an additional set of microspheres containing radar attenuating materials <RAM> capable of absorbing certain frequencies; and an additional set of microspheres containing electro-reactive substances enabling color change of a structure to match background, all comprising structures or being placed in a matrix; a structure; a machined part; a coating; or a series of matrices, structures, parts or coatings, which combined structures enable concealment of an object.

Abstract: A radar reflector comprises a pair of opposed colinear solid dielectric lens reflectors (10) and two corner reflectors (11) between to provide substantially uniform and high reflectivity in the plane of the reflector elements. Radar energy strikes the outer convex surface of a first converging lens element (12) of relatively high dielectric constant and is then transmitted through a second lens element (17) of material having a relatively lower dielectric constant to a reflecting metallic coating (18) on the outer convex surface of the second lens element (17). The surfaces of the two lens elements (13, 14, 18) are formed such that their respective radii of curvature decrease with distance from the axis of symmetry (15). The first lens (12) is preferably silica flour in a polyester resin with a dielectric constant substantially equal to 3.4 while the second lens element (17) is an expanded foam polystyrene with a dielectric constant substantially equal to 2.

Abstract: A lightweight radar reflector comprising two converging lenses (21 and 22) with a reflecting surface (26) applied to the outer convex surface of one of the lenses. The lenses are preferably meniscus lenses provided with peripheral mating flanges (24 and 25) for assembly. In one form the lenses are moulded from a mixture of silica powder and polyester resin to give a dielectric constant of 3.414 for each lens. In one arrangement there may be provided means to allow the lenses to be set to a predetermined separation so that the radar reflectance of the combination can be adjusted. In a further form the lenses may comprise thin shells of polycarbonate filled with silica powder to produce the desired dielectric constant.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to gun-launched target projectiles wherein a radar-augmentor is included to increase the radar cross-section of the projectile to simulate on radar, an actual airborne threat such as aircraft and missiles. The radar augmentor comprises a base member, a uniform dielectric lens attached to said base member and a resilient support means between said base member and said lens. The dielectric lens is configured to provide a frontal radar return echo which simulates the actual airborne threat on radar.

Abstract: A passive radar target comprises a sond lens (50) of substantially uniform dielectric constant, having a reflecting surface (51) integrally formed therewith, the lens being constructed of particulate material having a dielectric constant selected such that radar waves striking the surface of the surface of the lens are focussed on the reflecting surface. In one form the particulate material comprise silica flour (91, 101) contained within a thin radar transparent polycarbonate shell. The shell is formed of two similar halves (102, 103) with a pressed aluminum reflective lining (92, 106) in one half. By making the lens axially symmetrical such that the forward and rearward surfaces have a radius of curvature that decreases with distance from the axis of symmetry (102, 103) the lens-reflector can be made to operate over a wide solid angle.