Fast Fourier Transform (fft) Patents (Class 342/196)
  • Publication number: 20040174291
    Abstract: A radar suppresses a dc component so as to improve the precision in processing a signal that belongs to a low-frequency band. The radar comprises a mixer that mixes a transmitted signal and a received signal, and an A/D converter that analog-to-digital converts an output signal of the mixer. The radar further includes: a removing unit that removes a dc voltage component by subtracting a predetermined removal voltage value from output data of the A/D converter; and an analyzing unit that Fourier-transforms data, which has the dc voltage component removed therefrom by the removing unit, so as to analyze the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Osamu Isaji
  • Patent number: 6781541
    Abstract: A method for acquiring synthetic aperture images of stationary targets converts a plurality of radar signals stored as digital values and motion compensated to a first order into a well focused image. The digital values are Fourier transformed, match filtered and interpolated using a Stolt interpolator, then skewed to reorient distortions arising from imperfect motion compensation, generating an image data, descriptive of the stationary targets in the range and azimuth direction. The image data is divided into a plurality of overlapping sub-patches in, preferably, the cross track (azimuth) direction. Each sub-patch containing a portion of the image data and overlapping data. The overlapping data is part of the image data and common between two or more of the overlapping sub-patches. Each of the overlapping sub-patches is individually focused using autofocus means to obtain focused sub-patches having a phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Kwang M. Cho
  • Publication number: 20040160353
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus compress data, comprising an In-phase (I) component and a Quadrature (Q) component. Statistical characteristics of the data are utilized to convert the data into a form that requires fewer bits in accordance with the statistical characteristics. The data may be further compressed by transforming the data and by modifying the transformed data in accordance with a quantization conversion table that is associated with the processed data. Additionally, redundancy may be removed from the processed data with an encoder. Subsequent processing of the compressed data may decompress the compressed data in order to approximate the original data by reversing the process for compressing the data with corresponding inverse operations. Interleaved I and Q components can be processed rather than separating the components before processing the data. The processed data type may be determined by providing metadata to retrieve the appropriate quantization table from a knowledge database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Francis R. Cirillo, Paul L. Poehler
  • Patent number: 6778127
    Abstract: A drillstring radar comprises a measurements-while-drilling instrument for mounting just behind the drill bit and downhole motor of a drill rod. The instrument includes a radar system connected to upward-looking and downward-looking horn antennas. These are used to electronically probe the interface of a coal seam with its upper and lower boundary layers. A dielectric constant sensor is included to provide corrective data for the up and down distance measurements. Such measurements and data are radio communicated to the surface for tomographic processing and user display. The instrument also includes a navigation processor and drill bit steering controls. The radio communication uses the drillstring as a transmission line and F1/F2 repeaters can be placed along very long runs to maintain good instrument-to-surface communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald L. Stolarczyk
  • Patent number: 6778129
    Abstract: The crossover detection method of a radar apparatus according to the present invention calculates distance/relative velocity information at a multitude of different clock times, using a beat signal; calculates predicted distance/relative velocity information indicating distance/relative velocity, respectively, of a target after a prescribed time has elapsed; calculates predicted distance/relative velocity errors by subtracting the calculated distance/relative velocity information from the calculated predicted distance/relative velocity information, respectively; calculates degree of similarity information, based on the predetermined average predicted distance/relative velocity errors and the calculated predicted distance/relative velocity errors; and determines whether there is crossover, based on the above information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishii, Yoshikazu Dooi, Masayuki Kishida
  • Publication number: 20040155812
    Abstract: A radar detection process includes computing a derivative of an FFT output signal to detect an object within a specified detection zone. In one embodiment, a zero crossing in the second derivative of the FFT output signal indicates the presence of an object. The range of the object is determined as a function of the frequency at which the zero crossing occurs. Also described is a detection table containing indicators of the presence or absence of an object within a respective radar beam and processing cycle. At least two such indicators are combined in order to detect the presence of an object within the detection zone and with changing range gates in each of the antenna beams the coverage of the detection zone can be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph S. Pleva, Mark E. Russell, Walter Gordon Woodington, Michael Joseph Delcheccolo, H. Barteld Van Rees
  • Publication number: 20040150552
    Abstract: A method for processing pulsed-Doppler radar signals to detect a target includes transmitting radar signals from a radar system according to a predetermined frequency technique including signals having frequency diversity, receiving signals within a frequency band, including a target return signal having a frequency indicative of the velocity of the target, and transforming the target return signal using a Fourier Transform having a variable frequency scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Peter F. Barbella, Tamara L. Franz, Barbara E. Pauplis
  • Publication number: 20040150550
    Abstract: An FM-CW radar apparatus capable of detecting a stationary object, in particular, an overbridge, located above the road ahead in a simple manner uses a traveling wave antenna as a transmitting antenna, and includes a means for varying, in upward and downward directions the projection angle of a combined beam pattern of a transmitted wave radiated from the traveling wave antenna, and an overbridge is detected by varying the projection angle of the combined beam pattern in the upward direction using the varying means. Further, a phase shifter for varying the projection angle of the beam pattern in upward/downward directions by controlling the phase of the radio wave to be transmitted or received is provided on either a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna or on a transmitting/receiving antenna, and an overbridge is detected by controlling the phase shifter and varying the projection angle of the beam pattern in the upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Masayoshi Shouno, Masaki Hitotsuya
  • Publication number: 20040140927
    Abstract: In a method for determination of the length of objects in traffic, especially passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians, radar signals are transmitted by a vehicle, the radar signals are reflected by an object being measured, the reflected radar signals are received in the vehicle, the frequency spectra of the reflected radar signals are evaluated, and the reflection peaks contained in the frequency spectra are determined. Length measurement, by means of known radar sensors, from a vehicle is made possible by the fact that the width of the reflection peaks is determined, and that the length of the object being measured is determined by means of the determined width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Marc-Michael Meinecke, Ralph Mende, Marc Behrens
  • Patent number: 6765522
    Abstract: A system for determining the scan type of a signal, such as a radar signal, includes a scan detector, a transformer (e.g., an FFT algorithm), a correlator, and a decision block. The signal is received and processed by the scan detector. The scan detector provides an envelope signal, representing the scan type of the received signal. The envelope signal is transformed, typically from a time domain signal to a frequency domain signal, by any of several processes including a Fourier transform, a Laplace transform, an FFT, or a DFT. The transformed envelope signal is compared to several scan data sets by the correlator. Each scan data set represents a particular scan type. If the decision block determines that the comparison between the transformed envelope signal and a scan data set meets (or exceeds) a degree of similarity, the scan type of the received signal is determined to be the scan type of that scan data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Greer
  • Publication number: 20040125011
    Abstract: Provided is a radar apparatus capable of continuously and stably making a detection of a target even if a reflected wave from a target already detected falls into obscurity due to the presence of low-frequency noises or reflected waves from other targets. An estimated value of information on a target to be obtained when the target is detected in the present cycle are acquired from the target detected in a previous cycle. When a peak compatible with the estimated value is detected in only one of a frequency-rising section and a frequency falling section of a radar wave, if the frequency of the non-detected peak pertains a low-frequency noise domain or if a side-by-side travel flag is set with respect to the target detected in the previous cycle, the non-detected peak is considered as buried by low-frequency noises or peaks of other targets, and a peak pair corresponding to the detected target is extrapolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kumon, Yukimasa Tamatsu
  • Publication number: 20040125010
    Abstract: In a system, a frequency-modulating unit is configured to frequency-modulate a radar wave signal within a predetermined frequency modulation range from bottom to top so that a frequency of the frequency-modulated radar wave changes in time. The rate of frequency change of the radar wave signal in time is set to F0/Tf. The F0 represents a center frequency in the frequency modulation range. The Tf represents the predetermined constant time. A mixing unit is configured to mix the transmitted frequency-modulated radar wave signal and the reflection signal to obtain a beat signal. The beat signal is based on a frequency difference between a frequency of the transmitted radar wave signal and that of the reflection signal. A sweeping unit is configured to sweep the beat signal within the frequency modulation range from one of the bottom and the top to the other thereof to obtain a frequency component of the beat signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuma Natsume, Hiroshi Hazumi
  • Patent number: 6753805
    Abstract: In an FM-CW radar system, regarding peaks appearing in the frequency spectrum of a beat signal in an FM-CW radar, groups of consecutive peaks in beam bearings within a predetermined frequency difference are regarded as being caused by reflected waves from a single target, and based on a combination of a peak group in an up-modulating interval and a peak group in a down-modulating interval, a relative distance to a target and its relative speed are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoi Nakanishi, Toru Ishii, Tetsu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6750804
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting a target. The inventive method includes the steps of receiving a complex return signal of an electromagnetic pulse having a real and an imaginary component; extracting from the imaginary component information representative of the phase component of the return signal; and utilizing the phase component to detect the target. Specifically, the phase components are those found from the complex range-Doppler map. More specific embodiments further include the steps of determining a power spectral density of the phase component of the return signal; performing a cross-correlation of power spectral density of the phase component of the return signal between different antenna-subarray (quadrant channels); and averaging the cross-correlated power spectral density of the low frequency components. In an alternative embodiment, the cross-correlation is performed on the phase component of the range-Doppler map directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Hai-Wai Chen, Harry A. Schmitt, George T. David, Dennis C. Braunreiter, Alphonso A. Samuel
  • Publication number: 20040108952
    Abstract: A signal from CW radar is received, and the received power detected by the CW radar's swinging in all directions is averaged in each direction. Then, the maximum value and the minimum value of the received power are detected for each direction, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is computed. An average power value of obtained power is also computed. On a 2-dimensional plane on which the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value and the average power value are used for coordinate axes, slice processing is performed using a threshold indicated by a line graph or a curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishii, Yoshikazu Dooi, Sadanori Matsui
  • Patent number: 6744400
    Abstract: A method and system for probing incident radar fields in a target test zone of a radar cross-section (RCS) test facility is provided. The present invention accomplishes probing by exploiting the angular radar response of a string or wire stretched horizontally or vertically through the test zone. One end of the string is fixed, while the other end is moved by a wall-mounted or floor-mounted actuator. The angle of the string is gradually changed with respect to the direction of arrival of incident waves generated by the test facility. The radar echo from the string is measured as a function of the string angle. The data is then processed to yield a profile of the incident wave intensity along the string. This probing can be routinely achieved for any desired frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Pax S. P. Wei, Anthony W. Reed, Eugene F. Knott, Craig N. Ericksen
  • Patent number: 6741204
    Abstract: The invention provides a signal process apparatus for an on-vehicle radar and a method thereof that can reduce operation load and obtain a sufficient detection capability. According to information on a detected object, the invention registers as peak data a frequency BIN contained in a frequency region around a prediction peak that is to be detected on a distance power spectrum. The invention predicts a running line on which a predetermined vehicle runs, obtains a power spectrum along the running line, and registers as peak data the peak of the power spectrum. Then, the invention averages the distance power spectrum obtained for each channel, registers as peak data the peak of the averaged distance power spectrum, and only with regard to the registered peak data (frequency BIN), seeks a directional power spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kumon, Yukimasa Tamatsu
  • Patent number: 6735346
    Abstract: A collected data is divided into M single valued subsets, where M is greater than zero. A two-dimensional subset image is formed from each single valued subset. Then, a fast Fourier transform is performed on each image to obtain a two-dimensional subset frequency space. Next, a one-dimensional discrete Fourier transform in z, where z is an integer equal to or greater than zero, is performed. Lastly, a two-dimensional discrete Fourier transform in (x,y) for each value of z is performed, thereby forming the three-dimensional volume from the collected data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Essex Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Woodford, Fred F. Froehlich
  • Publication number: 20040085238
    Abstract: This invention relates to radar signal processing. In particular, this invention concerns signal processing of agile Pulse Repetition Time (PRT) sampled signal transmitted using spread spectrum technique. This invention solves, in particular, the incompatibility between Doppler processing and spread spectrum such providing an improved anti-jamming technique without narrowing the Doppler range. The method for deconvolution comprises combining the pulses with the same carrier in a burst, transforming the obtained signals from time to frequency domain, and deconvolving the obtained spectra. In a first embodiment of this invention, such a deconvolution method is adapted to irregular PRT sampled signal comprises an irregular samples to regular zero-padded samples conversion step between the combination and the transformation steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Radmila Erkocevic-Pribic
  • Publication number: 20040085241
    Abstract: System and method for detection and tracking of targets, which in a preferred embodiment is based on the use of fractional Fourier transformation of time-domain signals to compute projections of the auto and cross ambiguity functions along arbitrary line segments. The efficient computational algorithms of the preferred embodiment are used to detect the position and estimate the velocity of signals, such as those encountered by active or passive sensor systems. Various applications of the proposed algorithm in the analysis of time-frequency domain signals are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Altratek, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhan Arikan, Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir
  • Patent number: 6731233
    Abstract: In a method of suppressing jammer signals in the received signal of radar antennas of HPRF applications (such as pulse Doppler radar systems) by means of Fast Fourier Transformation and side lobe cancellation, the receiving radar antenna has a sum channel, a difference channel and an auxiliary channel. The received signal is first transformed in the sum, difference and auxiliary channels from the time domain into the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). Subsequently, the the jammer signal, particularly the side lobe jammer, is suppressed in the frequency domain by means of side lobe cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Xaver Hofele, Dieter Nagel, Klaus-Peter Schmitt, Markus Rothmaier
  • Patent number: 6731235
    Abstract: When a new target is detected, if it is determined that the distance difference between the newly detected target and the previously detected target is within a predetermined range, the difference between the relative velocity of the newly detected target and the relative velocity of the previously detected target is obtained to determine whether the difference is greater than a predetermined value &Dgr;Va, and when the difference is greater than the predetermined value, it is determined that the new target is a target obtained as a result of mispairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Masayuki Kishida, Yasuhiro Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20040066331
    Abstract: The invention concerns a passive radar receiver for a received orthogonal frequency division multiplex-type signal consisting of symbol frames each emitted on coded orthogonal carriers. After formatting the received signals into digital symbols (S1 S1), a filtering circuit (2) eliminates by subtraction or using a covariance matrix, in the symbol signal at least unwanted signals with null Doppler effect so as to apply a filtered signal (X′) including essentially signals backscattered by mobile targets to a Doppler-distance correlator (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Dominique Poullin
  • Publication number: 20040066322
    Abstract: An in-vehicle pulse radar device includes: an oscillator that generates an electromagnetic wave; a transmission amplifier that transmits the electromagnetic wave generated by the oscillator toward a target substance; an antenna that receives the reception electromagnetic wave reflected by the target substance to output data; reception amplifiers; a reception antenna; an A/D converter; and a signal processing device that pre-sums data which is sampled on the basis of the data from the A/D converter for each of distance gates, subjects the pre-summed data which is a result of the pre-summing process to an FFT process, and obtains a distance between a subject vehicle and the target substance and a relative speed therebetween in accordance with the spectrum frequency and the amplitude information which are a result of the FFT process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naohisa Uehara
  • Patent number: 6714153
    Abstract: The invention is a well radar for detecting, by electromagnetic wave reflection, resistivity horizons in production zones in oil wells. Transmitter and receiver antennas are combined in a tubing string antenna module. Two dipole transmitter antenna are positioned in a first position on either side of the tubing string antenna module. A first directionally sensitive group of four dipole receiver antennas is positioned in a second positioned so that the receiver antennas have even angular separation. Likewise, a second directionally sensitive group of four dipole receiver antennas is positioned in a third position opposite the first directionally sensitive group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S., Kongsberg Offshore A.S., Norges Geotekniske Institutt
    Inventors: Fan-Nian Kong, Svein Ellingsrud, Vidar Sten-Halvorsen, Einar Stølen, Harald Westerdahl, Terje Eidesmo
  • Publication number: 20040056794
    Abstract: This invention relates to radar signal processing. In particular, this invention concerns Doppler processing and clutter filtering on irregular Pulse Repetition Time (PRT) sampled signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Radmila Erkocevic-Pribic
  • Publication number: 20040051660
    Abstract: A radar device includes a mixer that mixes an output of a transmit antenna 4 and an input of a receive antenna 6, an LPF 8, an A/D converter 9 that samples an output signal of the LPF 8 and subjects the sampled signal to A/D conversion, an FFT processing device 10 that subjects the converted signal to high-speed Fourier transformation, an aliasing discriminating/correcting device that discriminates a signal having a frequency component where aliasing occurs from a result by the FFT processing device 10 and corrects the signal to a signal of a normal frequency component where no aliasing occurs to obtain a distance and relative velocity data of the object, and a target object selecting device that selects necessary data from the distance and relative velocity data of the object which are obtained from the aliasing discriminating/correcting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Kai
  • Publication number: 20040051658
    Abstract: In a method of suppressing jammer signals in the received signal of radar antennas of HPRF applications (such as pulse Doppler radar systems) by means of Fast Fourier Transformation and side lobe cancellation, the receiving radar antenna has a sum channel, a difference channel and an auxiliary channel. The received signal is first transformed in the sum, difference and auxiliary channels from the time domain into the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transoformation (FFT). Subsequently, the the jammer signal, particularly the side lobe jammer, is suppressed in the frequency domain by means of side lobe cancellation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Franz-Xaver Hofele, Dieter Nagel, Klaus-Peter Schmitt, Markus Rothmaier
  • Patent number: 6707419
    Abstract: A radar transmitter includes a digital ramp generator circuit for generating a VCO control signal. The ramp generator includes a digital signal processor and a digital-to-analog converter. In one embodiment, the VCO output signal is up-converted to provide the transmit signal and in another embodiment, the VCO operates over the transmit frequency. Also described is a VCO comprising a DR and a phase shifter. A temperature compensation feature includes detecting the transmit frequency and comparing the DSP output generating the detected frequency to a DSP output stored in association with the detected frequency. Also described is a technique for compensating for non-linear VCO operation in which the DSP output words are adjusted to provide a waveform complementary in shape to the non-linear VCO characteristic. Susceptibility of the radar to interference is reduced by randomly varying at least one parameter of the ramp signal, such as offset interval or voltage range, in at least one ramp signal cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Walter Gordon Woodington, Michael Joseph Delcheccolo, Joseph S. Pleva, Mark E. Russell, H. Barteld Van Rees, James T. Hanson
  • Patent number: 6703966
    Abstract: To measure the absolute speed of a body 100 moving relative to the ground 33 using an onboard speed sensor 1, a radar wave is transmitted towards the ground by an antenna with a wide aperture angle. The wave reflected by a reflecting obstacle on the ground and the transmitted wave are mixed and the frequency content of the low frequency signal obtained is determined. The speed of the moving object and the height of the transmitter and receiver antennas above the ground can then be measured by adjusting a theoretical curve to the time-varying evolution of the Doppler frequency corresponding to the reflecting obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Céline Corbrion, Jacques Lewiner, Thierry Ditchi, Eric Carreel
  • Patent number: 6704438
    Abstract: A parallel, frequency domain filter (50) for providing frequency-dependent phase delay for real data includes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) device (52), a complex multiplier (54), a filter memory (56) and an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) device (58). The FFT and IFFT devices (52) and (58) are shown with two inputs and two outputs each. The filter (50) of the present invention allows for increased throughput by filtering two real signals in parallel, one being applied to the real input of FFT device (52) and the other being applied to the imaginary input of FFT device (52). The filter memory 56 of FIG. 2 is provided with sufficient capacity to store several filter frequency characteristics. The appropriate filter frequency characteristic for the particular digitized rf signal being processed can be selected based on factors such as beam focus depth. The parallel, frequency domain filter (50) allows the use of coded waveforms to improve signal to noise ratio in ultrasound images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Aloka Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Radu Alexandru
  • Publication number: 20040041727
    Abstract: The crossover detection method of a radar apparatus according to the present invention calculates distance/relative velocity information at a multitude of different clock times, using a beat signal; calculates predicted distance/relative velocity information indicating distance/relative velocity, respectively, of a target after a prescribed time has elapsed; calculates predicted distance/relative velocity errors by subtracting the calculated distance/relative velocity information from the calculated predicted distance/relative velocity information, respectively; calculates degree of similarity information, based on the predetermined average predicted distance/relative velocity errors and the calculated predicted distance/relative velocity errors; and determines whether there is crossover, based on the above information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicants: FUJITSU LIMITED, FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishii, Yoshikazu Dooi, Masayuki Kishida
  • Publication number: 20040041725
    Abstract: A radar signal processing unit comprises a Fourier transform section 1 for executing Fourier transform of the received signal to a frequency signal, a frequency domain power calculation section 2 for calculating a power spectrum of electric power for each frequency from the frequency signal, an abnormal echo removal section 3 for determining the abnormal echo based on the power value of the power spectrum and outputting only the power spectrum not corresponding to the abnormal echo, an incoherent processing section 4 for performing incoherent integration of only the power spectrum not corresponding to the abnormal echo and averaging, and a signal detection section 5 for calculating the physical quantity of the atmosphere from the incoherent-integrated power spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Matsuda, Toshio Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6700526
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a buried object using ground penetrating radar (GPR) in a system containing at least one GPR sensor, comprises a data processor for detecting spatial correlations in data received from a GPR sensor in the apparatus and an image processor capable of building a data structure corresponding to an image of the buried object from data processed by the data processor. A method for identifying a buried object using GPR in a system containing a GPR sensor comprising detecting spatial correlations in data received from the GPR sensor in the system and building a data structure corresponding to an image of the buried object from the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Witten Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Witten
  • Patent number: 6697007
    Abstract: A system for determining the scan type of a signal, such as a radar signal, includes a scan detector, a transformer (e.g., an FFT algorithm), a correlator, and a decision block. The signal is received and processed by the scan detector. The scan detector provides an envelope signal, representing the scan type of the received signal. The envelope signal is transformed, typically from a time domain signal to a frequency domain signal, by any of several processes including a Fourier transform, a Laplace transform, an FFT, or a DFT. The transformed envelope signal is compared to several scan data sets by the correlator. Each scan data set represents a particular scan type. If the decision block determines that the comparison between the transformed envelope signal and a scan data set meets (or exceeds) a degree of similarity, the scan type of the received signal is determined to be the scan type of that scan data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Greer
  • Patent number: 6690316
    Abstract: An automated inexpensive system and reliable method for detecting spatial anomalies in real time, allows an unsophisticated operator to detect hidden anomalies efficiently and safely. In a preferred embodiment, an FM-CW radar front-end communicates with a personal computer incorporating specific filter and processing circuitry, including an A/D converter and a DSP. A target volume is illuminated from just above its top surface and return signals processed using the PC as programmed with a purpose-built algorithm. Data are down-converted to audio frequencies for ease in handling using inexpensive audio frequency circuitry. For use in avoiding bridged (hidden) crevasses during operation in snowfields, a version is mounted on a long boom extending from the front of the platform on which it is installed, typically a lead vehicle of a convoy. Heretofore, expensive systems requiring full-time monitoring by a well-trained operator were the only safe and reliable solution to insure safe traversal of snowfields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Norbert E. Yankielun
  • Patent number: 6690315
    Abstract: A Fourier transformation system usable for example in an electronic warfare radio receiver for analyzing spectral content of multiple transmitter-sourced brief duration incoming signals for characteristics including frequency component and frequency component amplitude content. The Fourier transformation system includes a plurality of approximated Kernel function values disposed at a plurality of locations about a real-imaginary coordinate axis origin and displaced from the origin by magnitudes having real and imaginary component lengths of unity and powers of two. Multiplication involving a power of two component during a Fourier transformation are achieved in a simple manner commensurate with a multiplication by unity in complexity but involving a binary number shift multiplication operation in lieu of a full fledged digital multiplication. Signal results comparisons with more simplified and more complex Kernel function approximations are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: John J. Schamus, James B. Y. Tsui, William S. McCormick, John M. Emmert
  • Patent number: 6686870
    Abstract: A radar device precisely detects a target in short time intervals by detecting a true peak frequency with high accuracy via a calculation which does not require a large amount of computation. A discrete frequency spectrum of a beat signal multiplied by a window function is determined, and values of signal strength at two discrete frequencies which are, respectively, higher and lower than a peak frequency of the discrete frequency spectrum of the beat signal and which are adjacent to the peak frequency. The frequency difference between the discrete peak frequency of the beat signal and the peak frequency of the window function is then determined from the ratio between the values of signal strength at those two discrete frequencies adjacent to the peak frequency. Thus, the true peak frequency of the beat signal is determined with a high frequency resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Nishimura, Motoi Nakanishi, Toru Ishii
  • Publication number: 20040017307
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus compress data, comprising an In-phase (I) component and a Quadrature (Q) component. The compressed data may be saved into a memory or may be transmitted to a remote location for subsequent processing or storage. Statistical characteristics of the data are utilized to convert the data into a form that requires a reduced number of bits in accordance with the statistical characteristics. The data may be further compressed by transforming the data, as with a discrete cosine transform, and by modifying the transformed data in accordance with a quantization conversion table that is selected using a data type associated with the data. Additionally, a degree of redundancy may be removed from the processed data with an encoder. Subsequent processing of the compressed data may decompress the compressed data in order to approximate the original data by reversing the process for compressing the data with corresponding inverse operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Robert Cirillo, Paul Leonard Poehler
  • Patent number: 6683557
    Abstract: A radar detection process includes computing a derivative of an FFT output signal to detect an object within a specified detection zone. In one embodiment, a zero crossing in the second derivative of the FFT output signal indicates the presence of an object. The range of the object is determined as a function of the frequency at which the zero crossing occurs. Also described is a detection table containing indicators of the presence or absence of an object within a respective radar beam and processing cycle. At least two such indicators are combined in order to detect the presence of an object within the detection zone and with changing range gates in each of the antenna beams the coverage of the detection zone can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Joseph S. Pleva, Mark E. Russell, Walter Gordon Woodington, Michael Joseph Delcheccolo, H. Barteld Van Rees
  • Patent number: 6674393
    Abstract: An FM-CW radar processing system pairs up peaks obtained by fast-Fourier transforming a beat signal occurring on an up portion and a down portion of a triangular-shaped FM-CW wave, calculates a distance or relative velocity with respect to a target object based on the peak signal in the up portion and the peak signal in the down portion obtained by the pairing, and compares the distance or relative velocity, obtained after changing the modulating signal for the FM-CW wave, with the distance or relative velocity obtained before changing the modulating signal. If the distance or relative velocity differs before and after changing the modulating signal, the pairing is judged to be mispairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Masayuki Kishida
  • Patent number: 6670907
    Abstract: A system and method for efficient phase error correction in range migration algorithm (RMA) for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems implemented by making proper shifts for each position dependent phase history so that phase correction can readily be performed using the aligned phase history data during batch processing. In its simplest form, the invention (44) is comprised of two main parts. First (60), alignment of the phase error profile is achieved by proper phase adjustment in the spatial (or image) domain using a quadratic phase function. Second (62), the common phase error can be corrected using autofocus algorithms. Two alternative embodiments of the invention are described. The first embodiment (44a) adds padded zeros to the range compressed data in order to avoid the wrap around effect introduced by the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). This embodiment requires a third step (64): the target dependent signal support needs to be shifted back to the initial position after phase correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Kwang M. Cho
  • Patent number: 6664920
    Abstract: A cancellation technique embodied in a system and a radar signal processing method that is employed to detect near-range targets. The present invention uses a frequency-modulation continuous-wave (FMCW) or stepped frequency waveform and is capable of detecting near-range targets that would normally be obscured by transmitter leakage and internal reflections. This cancellation technique works by transmitting one or more reference ramp signals and then subtracting the coherent average of the transmitted reference ramp signals from a group of succeeding transmitted and received ramp return -signals. The resulting group of FM ramp return signals is noncoherently integrated to achieve more stable target detection statistics. More particularly, the present technique implements the following processing steps. Generating a predetermined number of reference ramp signals. Coherently averaging target return signals corresponding to transmitted reference ramp signals to produce a reference average signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Mott, Trung T. Nguyen, Edmond E. Griffin, II
  • Publication number: 20030222807
    Abstract: A system and method (44) for focusing an image oriented in an arbitrary direction when the collected synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is processed using range migration algorithm (RMA). In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, first (60) the data is skewed so that the direction of smearing in the image is aligned with one of the spatial frequency axes of the image. In the illustrative embodiment, the smearing is aligned in the vertical direction. This is done through a phase adjustment that was derived from the requirements for proper shift in the spatial frequency domain. Next (62), the signal support areas from all targets are aligned by proper phase adjustment in the spatial (or image) domain. Finally (64), the common phase error can be corrected using autofocus algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Kwang M. Cho
  • Patent number: 6650272
    Abstract: A method for exciting an antenna with a waveform having a burst width and pulse width scaled proportionately with a selected range scale and a temporal filter to address any ambiguities in range resulting from the transmission of a signal in accordance with the novel waveform. The inventive filtering method includes the step of scanning a beam including a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic energy. The step of scanning the beam includes the step of outputting a beam excited by a waveform having a burst width and pulse width scaled proportionately with a selected range scale. Reflections of these pulses are received as return signals. The returns are processed to extract range in range rate measurements. The range and range rate measurements are compressed to form a plurality of range bins. The pulses are selectively weighted to reduce sidelobes resulting from a subsequent Fast Fourier transform (FFT) operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kapriel V. Krikorian, Robert A. Rosen
  • Patent number: 6650276
    Abstract: Radar method and apparatus for detecting small, slow moving targets in the presence of high background clutter that includes a balanced bridge structure to achieve a null balance with the target and background clutter. Radar return signals from background objects as well as the targets are viewed by the radar as a composite single signature return. The invention uses a phase shifter to achieve a null balance even though the background clutter consists of many components at varying distances from the radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: James C. Lawless
  • Publication number: 20030210172
    Abstract: A radar detection process includes computing a derivative of an FFT output signal to detect an object within a specified detection zone. In one embodiment, a zero crossing in the second derivative of the FFT output signal indicates the presence of an object. The range of the object is determined as a function of the frequency at which the zero crossing occurs. Also described is a detection table containing indicators of the presence or absence of an object within a respective radar beam and processing cycle. At least two such indicators are combined in order to detect the presence of an object within the detection zone and with changing range gates in each of the antenna beams the coverage of the detection zone can be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph S. Pleva, Mark E. Russell, Walter Gordon Woodington, Michael Joseph Delcheccolo, H. Barteld Van Rees
  • Publication number: 20030210184
    Abstract: An inexpensive, small, low-power consumption, wide-band, high resolution spectrum analyzer is provided as a listening device for throw-away applications such as surveillance that involve deployment of large numbers of battery-powered spectrum analyzer modules to detect a signal source such as two-way radio traffic. Power requirements are minimized by the utilization of only one chirp generator to elongate battery life while providing a high resolution result. In order to minimize power drain the spectrum analyzer includes a single compound-chirp Fourier Transform generator. The compound chirp generator is used in one embodiment with a surface acoustic wave, SAW, dispersive delay line in conjunction with a surface electromagnetic wave, SEW dispensive delay line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Apostolos
  • Patent number: 6646591
    Abstract: A series of police doppler single mode radars and a multimode police doppler radar, all with direction sensing capability are disclosed. A quadrature front end which mixes received RF with a local oscillator to generate two channels of doppler signals, one channel being shifted by an integer multiple of 90 degrees in phase relative to the other by shifting either the RF or the local oscillator signal being fed to one mixer but not the other. The two doppler signals are digitized and the samples are processed by a digital signal processor programmed to find one or more selected target speeds. Single modes disclosed are: stationary strongest target; stationary, fastest target; stationary, strongest and fastest targets; moving, strongest, opposite lane; moving, strongest, same lane; moving, fastest, opposite lane; moving, fastest and strongest, opposite lane; moving, fastest, same lane; moving fastest and strongest, same lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Concepts Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Aker, Robert S. Gammenthaler
  • Patent number: H2109
    Abstract: A passive instantaneous microwave signal frequency identifying and angle of arrival identifying system employing a beam steering multiple element antenna coupled through a Butler matrix to a plurality of simplified Fourier transformation radio receivers wherein unit value or near unit value magnitudes of the Kernel function ⅇ - j2 ⁢   ⁢ π ⁢   ⁢ kn N in the receivers' Fourier transformations are used to elude transformation computation complexity and resulting radio receiver size and cost penalties. Limiting amplifiers, a video signal path and direction finding encoding logic are also employed. Airborne military application of the system in electronic warfare direction finding, radar frequency determination and other activities is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: James B. Y. Tsui, Keith M. Graves