Abstract: A vehicle, radar system of the vehicle and method of determining an elevation of an object. The radar system includes a transmitter that transmits a reference signal and a receiver that to receive at least one echo signal related to reflection of the reference signal from an object. The receiver includes an antenna array having a plurality of horizontally-spaced antenna elements. A processor determines a first uncertainty curve associated with an azimuth measurement related to the at least one echo signal, determines a second uncertainty curve associated with a Doppler measurement and a velocity measurement related to the at least one echo signal, and locates an intersection of the first uncertainty curve and the second uncertainty curve to determine the elevation of the object.

Abstract: An antenna positioning system includes an outdoor unit with a rotating antenna driven by a motor, and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a communications link, such as a cable or a wireless link, that enables the indoor unit to control the outdoor unit. On startup, the processor of the indoor unit directs the antenna to search for available signals. The resulting signal information is stored and displayed on a user interface on the indoor unit. The user can then select a desired signal and the processor of the indoor unit will automatically rotate the antenna to the appropriate angular position. Both the search procedure and repositioning of the antenna rely on accurate calibration of the antenna's angular velocity to determine the antenna's angular position, rather than relying on a position sensor.

Abstract: A method for estimating unknown parameters (pan angle (?), instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry of an upcoming road segment) for a vehicle object detection system. The vehicle object detection system is preferably a forward looking, radar-cued vision system having a camera, a radar sensor and an processing unit. The method first estimates the pan angle (?), then corrects the coordinates from a radar track so that pan angle (?) can be treated as zero, and finally solves a least squares problem that determines best estimates for instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry. Estimating these parameters enables the vehicle object detection system to identify, interpret and locate objects in a more accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: Compensating for motion of the host vehicle in a synthetic aperture radar system includes collecting inertial data with an inertial navigation system during an imaging period in which a synthetic aperture radar pulse is directed to a target. During the imaging period global positioning system corrections to the inertial data are collected. A smooth representation of the global positioning system corrections is formed and then the smooth representation of the global positioning system corrections is applied to the inertial data after completion of the imaging period.

Abstract: A dynamic image is recreated from an observation radar whose extractor supplies an output of blips which are stored. These blips are firstly subject to a range/azimuth processing, which enables the image to be constructed. Then, they are subject to a pre-display processing in order to determine the geometry of the image and its brightness, after which the actual display takes place.

Abstract: A radar apparatus displays echo signals in a manner that desired echo signals can be easily distinguished from unwanted echo signals such as sea clutter and the like and eliminated, when any one of display modes is selected.

Abstract: A navigation aid is provided comprising a radar antenna, a position sensor, a compass, map/chart data, a display, and a controller. The controller determines whether the display depicts a chart, a radar sweep or both. Preferably, the visual navigation aid includes a point of interest feature, wherein at least one point of interest is visually selected on the chart or radar sweep by a cursor or the like. The controller also computes the location of the selected point of interest for display on the chart or radar sweep. In another aspect, the invention comprises methods for inputting and displaying a point of interest on a chart or radar sweep.

Abstract: A system for generating a corrected azimuth signal for a radar system hav a radar antenna and a radar display where the radar antenna is mounted on a craft that is subject to motion and that has a stable reference source. A digital computer is connected to the stable reference source of the craft for receiving signals representative of the craft's roll, .phi., and representative of the craft's pitch, .theta.. The digital computer processes the signals representative of roll and pitch utilizing a correction algorithm in order to generate an azimuth correction signal. This azimuth correction signal is combined with the radar azimuth signal by means of the craft's solid state control differential transmitter. The output of the solid state control differential transmitter constitutes a corrected azimuth signal and is furnished to the display of the radar system. The display thus generated by the radar system pursuant to target detection thus accurately represents the true azimuth of the target.