For Pulse Modulation Patents (Class 342/202)
  • Publication number: 20110221630
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for a super-resolution imaging radar (SRIR). The SRIR employs a pulse signal generator that propagates bursts of radio frequency (RF) energy. Each burst contains a number of pulses. One pulse of each burst is an ancilla pulse, and the remaining pulses are propagated towards an object. An array bucket detector (ABD) collects pulses that are reflected from the object. Also, the ancilla pulses are propagated through a virtual lens. A virtual scanning detector detects the virtual ancilla electric field. A processor calculates a virtual ancilla electric field, which would be present at the scanning detector. Further, a coincidence circuit calculates a cross-time correlation function of the electric fields of the reflected pulses that are collected by the ABD and the virtual ancilla electric field. The coincidence circuit uses cross-time correlation function results to generate pixels of an image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara A. Capron, Claudio Gilbert Parazzoli, Minas H. Tanielian
  • Patent number: 8018374
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Imai, Tomoo Ushio
  • Patent number: 8014483
    Abstract: A receiver in an impulse wireless communication. The receiver (300) includes a pulse-pair correlator (304) that receives a signal (316) and divides it into two signals for paths. One of the signals is input to signal multiplier (312) while another signal is delayed by a delay unit (310). The signal multiplier (312) multiplies the received signal (316) by a delayed signal (318). An integrator (314) integrates an output signal (322) over a designated period of time. An adding module (306) sums an output signal (324) from the integrator (314). An acquiring module (308) compares an summing-up output (326) from the adding module (306) with a predetermined threshold value to detect the existence of a transmitting-standard preamble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yew Soo Eng, Zhan Yu
  • Patent number: 7994966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generation of microwaves comprising a virtual cathode oscillator (1) in a coaxial embodiment with an outer cylindrical tube forming a cathode (2) and connected to a transmission line (14) for feeding the cathode (2) with voltage pulses, and an inner cylindrical tube, at least partially transparent for electrons, forming a anode (3) and connected to a waveguide (13) for outputting microwave radiation generated by the formation of a virtual cathode (4) inside an area enclosed by the anode. Through the introduction of electrically conductive structures (5 and 6) a device for generation of microwaves is achieved that demonstrates higher efficiency and higher peak output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Olsson, Magnus Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20110187587
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to apparatuses, systems and methods for testing high-frequency receivers. In an embodiment, a method includes integrating a pulse train generator and a receiver in an integrated circuit; generating a pulse train by the pulse train generator and applying the pulse train to an input of the receiver; measuring at least one property of the pulse train; and determining at least one characteristic of the receiver using the at least one property of the pulse train. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a receiver, and a pulse train generator configured to generate a pulse train and apply the pulse train to an input of the receiver, wherein at least one characteristic of the receiver can be determined using at least one measured property of the pulse train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Herbert Knapp, Erich Kolmhofer
  • Publication number: 20110181460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generation of microwaves comprising a virtual cathode oscillator (1) in a coaxial embodiment with an outer cylindrical tube forming a cathode (2) and connected to a transmission line (14) for feeding the cathode (2) with voltage pulses, and an inner cylindrical tube, at least partially transparent for electrons, forming a anode (3) and connected to a waveguide (13) for outputting microwave radiation generated by the formation of a virtual cathode (4) inside an area enclosed by the anode. Through the introduction of electrically conductive structures (5 and 6) a device for generation of microwaves is achieved that demonstrates higher efficiency and higher peak output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Frederik Olsson, Magnus Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7978123
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Juan F. Lam, Scott D. Whittle, Min S. Hong, Charles F. Kaminski, Robert E. Shuman, Harold B. Rounds, Daniel D. Gee
  • Patent number: 7965226
    Abstract: A system and method for concurrently operating a plurality of agile beam radar modes by pulse-to-pulse interleaving groups of the radar modes. Radar modes are grouped, each radar mode being allocated a certain amount of time for operation and a suitable pulse repetition frequency to improve or optimize the duty cycle of the antenna while concurrently operating the plurality of modes. Priorities may be assigned to groups or to individual radar modes within each group. In some embodiments, TDM communications are further interleaved within the radar modes to enhance the operation of the radar antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kapriel V. Krikorian, Robert A. Rosen, Mary Krikorian
  • Publication number: 20110095936
    Abstract: A wireless sensor apparatus controls, in a case where wireless waves are radiated by feeding pulse signals generated by a signal generation circuit to antennas, an operation timing of the signal generation circuit and a path from the signal generation circuit to the antennas in such a manner that after a prior pulse signal is fed to the antenna and simultaneously supplied to a mixer circuit, at a proximate timing which does not overlap with a pulse width of the prior pulse signal supplied to the antenna and the mixer circuit, a next pulse signal is fed to the antenna and simultaneously supplied to a mixer circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dou YUANZHU
  • Publication number: 20110001661
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a target object detection device for detecting different detection areas by different pulse-shaped signals and synthesizing detected information to detect an area from an antenna position to a given distance. The device includes a transmission module for transmitting at least two or more different pulse-shaped transmission signals at predetermined timings, a reception module for receiving a reflection signal of each of the transmitted pulse-shaped transmission signals to generate a reception signal, a saturation detection module for comparing a level of each of the reception signals with a predetermined threshold to detect saturation of the reception signal, and an image forming module for forming a detection image based on the reception signals. The transmission module generates an alternative pulse-shaped signal that is different from the transmitted pulse-shaped transmission signal when the saturation detection module detects the saturation of the reception signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 7812760
    Abstract: A transmitting unit of a short-range radar includes a first pulse generating unit, a second pulse generating unit, an oscillator and a switch, and while complying with the spectrum mask specified for a UWB short-range radar, emits a predetermined short pulse wave not interfering with the RR prohibited band or the SRD band into the space. The first pulse generating unit outputs a first pulse having the width larger than the width of the short pulse wave in a predetermined period. The second pulse generating unit outputs a second pulse having the width corresponding to the width of the short pulse wave during the period when the first pulse generating unit outputs the first pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Anritsu Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasuku Teshirogi, Masanori Ejima
  • Publication number: 20100245162
    Abstract: A system and method for concurrently operating a plurality of agile beam radar modes by pulse-to-pulse interleaving groups of the radar modes. Radar modes are grouped, each radar mode being allocated a certain amount of time for operation and a suitable pulse repetition frequency to improve or optimize the duty cycle of the antenna while concurrently operating the plurality of modes. Priorities may be assigned to groups or to individual radar modes within each group. In some embodiments, TDM communications are further interleaved within the radar modes to enhance the operation of the radar antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: KAPRIEL V. KRIKORIAN, Robert A. Rosen, Mary Krikorian
  • Patent number: 7800529
    Abstract: A new approach to radar imaging is described herein, in which radar pulses are transmitted with an uneven sampling scheme and subsequently processed with novel algorithms to produce images of equivalent resolution and quality as standard images produced using standard synthetic aperture radar (SAR) waveform and processing techniques. The radar data collected with these waveforms can be used to create many other useful products such as moving target indication (MTI) and high resolution terrain information (HRTI). The waveform and the correction algorithms described herein allow the algorithms of these other radar products to take advantage of the quality Doppler resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Areté Associates
    Inventors: Jeremy Francis Burri, Michael Howard Farris, Matthew Michael Pohlman, Randall Edward Potter
  • Patent number: 7800528
    Abstract: A radar level gauge (RLG) system and method for determining a filling level of a filling material in a tank is disclosed. The RLG system comprises a transmitter for generating and transmitting an electromagnetic transmitter pulse signal, a transmitter controller for controlling means for pulse width adjustment for adjusting the pulse width of the transmitter pulse signal in dependence of at least one application specific condition. Further, the system comprises a signal medium interface connectable to means for directing said transmitter pulse signal towards said filling material and for receiving a reception pulse signal reflected back from said filling material; a receiver for receiving said reception pulse signal from the tank; and processing circuitry for determining the filling level of the tank based on said reflection pulse signal received by said receiver. The application specific condition(s) is e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Valter Nilsson, Anders Jirskog, Niklas Penndal
  • Publication number: 20100225525
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: FURUNO Electric Company Limited
    Inventors: Masaya TAKASE, Hitoshi Maeno
  • Publication number: 20100220001
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Teledyne Australia PTY LTD
    Inventor: Ian Dennis LONGSTAFF
  • Publication number: 20100214159
    Abstract: A transmitter apparatus generates a RF pulse signal having alternating high-amplitude pulse-on intervals and low-amplitude pulse-off intervals, and supplies the RF pulse signal as respective individual transmission signals of antenna elements of an array antenna, with the individual transmission signals having a phase distribution during each pulse-on interval whereby a beam is transmitted from the antenna in a predetermined transmission direction. During each pulse-off interval, a different phase distribution is established for the individual transmission signals, thereby reducing the level of noise radiated in the transmission direction during each pulse-off interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiko Ookawa, Yasuyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 7773028
    Abstract: A system and method are described for generating waveforms for use in radar and sonar systems. The system includes waveform generation circuitry a waveform generator and an up-conversion module. The waveform generator generates concatenated pulse waveforms at an IF band. In a given pulse repetition interval (PRI), the concatenated pulse waveforms comprise a first and second pulse types associated with first and second IF frequencies respectively. The up-conversion module up-converts the concatenated pulse waveforms to an RF band to form first and second sets of pulses. In the given PRI, each pulse is up-converted to a different RF frequency, pulses of different lengths are associated with a similar carrier frequency, and at least one pulse from each of the sets of pulses implements frequency diversity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Tony Meng Yuen Chan, Mark Gerecke
  • Patent number: 7760130
    Abstract: A method for presence detection using a microwave transmitter and a microwave receiver, the method including generating a sequence of clock pulses by means of a pulse generator, feeding the clock pulses to a clocked circuit arranged to generate a sequence of first pulses of a first pulse length and a sequence of second pulses of a second pulse length, each one of the first and second pulse lengths being related to a predetermined number of the clock pulses, periodically actuating the microwave transmitter by means of the sequence of first pulses, periodically actuating the microwave receiver by means of the sequence of second pulses; and determining whether an object is present in the detection volume based on microwave radiation being received by the microwave receiver. A system for such presence detection is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Anders Antonsson
  • Publication number: 20100164784
    Abstract: A surveillance apparatus (100) is provided, said apparatus including a linear sub-array (101) of N omnidirectional transmitter elements (103) and a planar sub-array (102) of M receiver elements (104). A plurality of the transient elements (105) are generated by separating out at each of the receivers (104) the signals transmitted from the antenna elements (103) of the transmitter sub-array (101). This allows the geometry of each path (from each transmitter antenna element, to the point being imaged and back to the receiver antenna elements) to be converted to a delay or phase shift to focus on the particular point being imaged. The transient elements (105) form a cylindrical array (106) at the mid points between transmitter and receiver sub-arrays. Such a configuration enables a full 360 degrees of cover in azimuth and typically +/?60 degrees in elevation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Filtronic Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis Longstaff
  • Publication number: 20100134347
    Abstract: To provide a smaller radar system having a simple structure with as small number of component parts as possible at a lower cost as compared to conventional ones. A radar system 1 including a 3 dB coupler 5 having four terminals, and a pulse generator 8. A first terminal 51 of the 3 dB coupler 5 is supplied with an output signal from a high frequency oscillator 2 while a second terminal 52 of the 3 dB coupler 5 is connected to a transmitting and receiving antenna 4. Third and fourth terminals 53 and 54 of the 3 dB coupler 5 are connected to two-state devices 6, 7, respectively, which are in impedance mismatched only for a predetermined period of time to totally reflect the signal from the 3 dB coupler 5 and are in impedance matched during the time period other than the predetermined time to direct a signal from the 3 dB coupler 5 to a subsequent electronic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: YOKOWO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wasuke Yanagisawa, Ryo Horie, JunXiang Ge
  • Patent number: 7714777
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device for a spread spectrum radar apparatus which suppresses spurious signals resulting from non-linearity of active elements. The semiconductor device as the inverse spread spectrum modulation unit for the spread spectrum radar apparatus has a coupled line of two lines and another coupled line of two lines. The semiconductor device includes: an unbalanced to balanced transforming circuit which converts a received signal inputted as an unbalanced signal into a balanced signal pair; a switch circuit having one or more transistors; and a balanced inverse spread spectrum circuit which obtains as differential signal PN signals belonging to the same sequence code as a PN code which is used to generate an original signal of the received signal, also obtains the balanced signal pair from the unbalanced to balanced transforming circuit, and performs inverse spread spectrum modulation on the balanced signal pair by the switch circuit using the PN codes inputted as the differential signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7705766
    Abstract: A method of operating synthetic aperture radar in a low PRF mode, comprising generating a stream of radar pulses, imposing onto said stream a predetermined modulation of the Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF), directing said stream to a target area, and processing received pulses, comprising separating the received pulses as a sequence of sets, and superposing received radar pulses of said sets, whereby to enhance the central received lobe and to attenuate side lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Astrium Limited
    Inventors: David Charles Lancashire, Charles David Hall
  • Patent number: 7688257
    Abstract: Marine radar systems and methods for producing low power, high resolution range profile estimates. Non-linear Frequency Modulation (NLFM) pulse compression pulses are frequency stepped to form a low power, wide-bandwidth waveform. Periodically, calibration filters are determined and applied to return signals for correcting non-ideal effects in the radar transmitter and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Christianson, Gloria Logan, Brennan Kilty
  • Patent number: 7679549
    Abstract: It is possible to generate D/A conversion voltage in which an error generated by numeric irregularities of a D/A conversion element such as resistor constituting a D/A converter 11 is corrected. A waveform generation method characterized in that input data into a D/A converter 11 are provided to the D/A converter in order at a timing at which a voltage of a desired waveform which has D/A conversion data indicating a conversion amount of the input data obtained by varying the input data by a minimum conversion unit or a unit obtained by multiplying the minimum conversion unit by an integer, and which varies with time series, becomes substantially equal to a D/A-converted voltage, whereby the D/A-converted voltage is generated in accordance with the desired waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeho Inatsune
  • Publication number: 20090303104
    Abstract: An electronic circuit comprises a randomizing bit generator configured to generate a randomizing bit sequence based on a sequence selection input signal. The randomizing bit generator includes a counter operable to provide an individual starting count for the randomizing bit sequence and a parity generator responsive to an output of the counter. The circuit further comprises a pseudo-random number generator responsive to the randomizing bit generator. The pseudo-random number generator is operable to provide at least one pulsed signal based at least in part on the random bit sequence. The electronic circuit is operable to substantially eliminate interference in a series of pulsed signal transmissions comprising the at least one pulsed signal from each of two or more navigation devices, where each of the pulsed signals from each of the navigation devices is separated by an automatically adjustable time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Shoemaker, Peter Peterson, Curtis J. Petrich
  • Publication number: 20090195435
    Abstract: The present invention is an inexpensive, hand-held, and easy to operate millimeter-wave detection device that employs a non-imaging sensor which radiates a pulse of millimeter waves of a certain amplitude and frequency towards a target located at a distance from the detection device. The sensor receives pulses of millimeter waves that are reflected from the target and generates a voltage waveform that is characteristic mainly of the target material, while other parameters such as distance to the target are known. The processor of the detection device measures both the peak voltage and the rate of increase of the voltage until it reaches the maximum. Using an algorithm stored in a software module, the deviation between the rate of the voltage rise and the peak voltage is compared with values of similar parameters for a number of test targets made of different materials that were previously collected and stored in a calibration table in the memory of the device. A concealed object, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Ariel-University Research and Develoment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Boris Kapilevich, Moshe Einat
  • Publication number: 20090195442
    Abstract: A new approach to radar imaging is described herein, in which radar pulses are transmitted with an uneven sampling scheme and subsequently processed with novel algorithms to produce images of equivalent resolution and quality as standard images produced using standard synthetic aperture radar (SAR) waveform and processing techniques. The radar data collected with these waveforms can be used to create many other useful products such as moving target indication (MTI) and high resolution terrain information (HRTI). The waveform and the correction algorithms described herein allow the algorithms of these other radar products to take advantage of the quality Doppler resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Jeremy Francis Burri, Michael Howard Farris, Matthew Michael Pohlman, Randall Edward Potter
  • Patent number: 7564400
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent the sensitivity of radar apparatus from falling. A spread spectrum radar apparatus which detects an object, includes a carrier wave oscillator which generates a carrier wave, transmission unit which transmits a spread signal which is the carrier wave spread using a first PN code, an intermediate demodulated signal generating unit which receives a reflected wave which is the spread signal reflected from the object, and despreads the reflected wave using a delayed second PN code that has a cyclically reversed logical value of the first PN code, to generate an intermediate demodulated signal, a low-pass filter through which a specific frequency component of the intermediate demodulated signal passes, and a sampling unit which samples an output signal from the low-pass filter, and the sampling unit samples the output signal in synchronization with the cycle of the reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7548195
    Abstract: It is possible to generate D/A conversion voltage in which an error generated by numeric irregularities of a D/A conversion element such as resistor constituting a D/A converter 11 is corrected. A waveform generation method characterized in that input data into a D/A converter 11 are provided to the D/A converter in order at a timing at which a voltage of a desired waveform which has D/A conversion data indicating a conversion amount of the input data obtained by varying the input data by a minimum conversion unit or a unit obtained by multiplying the minimum conversion unit by an integer, and which varies with time series, becomes substantially equal to a D/A-converted voltage, whereby the D/A-converted voltage is generated in accordance with the desired waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeho Inatsune
  • Patent number: 7535408
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is operative for multiple target detection in a radar system which employs a radar waveform of two or more frequency diverse subpulses. The apparatus adds coherent processing of the subpulse echo signals to determine the presence of multiple scattering centers within the radar resolution cell. The subpulses are coherently combined and one can then estimate the number of scattering centers by forming a sample covariance matrix between the subpulse frequency channels and then performing an Eigenvalue decomposition. The resulting Eigenvalues represent the signal strengths of the scattering centers when the associated Eigenvectors correspond to the optimal subpulse weights associated with that signal. A single strong Eigenvalue indicates a single target while two or more strong Eigenvalues or those Eigenvalues larger than the noise related Eigenvalues or a threshold, indicates the presence of multiple targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Walter A. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7498978
    Abstract: A device for generating high powered Radio Frequency (RF) or microwave signals comprising a fast rise-time video pulse generator, a modulator to modify the generated UWB pulses by gyromagnetic action to transfer a portion of the UWB pulse energy from lower frequencies to frequencies in the RF or microwave range thereby producing a resultant RF or microwave waveform that can be radiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Nigel Seddon, John E Dolan
  • Patent number: 7477182
    Abstract: Provided is a pulse radar system capable of measuring the distance to an obstacle with high accuracy irrespective of the distance to an obstacle by securing distance resolution with respect to a reflective wave from an obstacle at a short distance, and preventing a decline in S/N ratio with respect to a reflective wave from an obstacle at a long distance. A pulse radar system includes a transmitting circuit, a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, a receiving circuit, and a gain control circuit. The gain control circuit generates a gain control signal corresponding to the amplitude of the reception pulse obtained in response to a gain control transmission pulse wave transmitted from the transmitting circuit, and controls the gain of a reception pulse wave or a reception pulse obtained in response to a measurement transmission pulse wave transmitted from the transmitting circuit after the gain control transmission pulse wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7474257
    Abstract: A radar receiver system includes a receiver, a processor, and a detector. The processor is programmed with a Multistatic Adaptive Pulse Compression (MAPC) algorithm for estimating adaptively a pulse compression filter, for each range cell of a plurality of range cells, and for each of a plurality of radar return signals, to remove interference between the radar return signals. MAPC may also include reiterative minimum mean-square error estimation for applying to each of the range cells in order to adaptively estimate a unique pulse compression filter for each cell. MAPC adaptively mitigates the masking problem that results from the autocorrelation of a waveform which produces range sidelobes scaled by the target amplitudes as well as the cross-correlation between waveforms. MAPC can also be applied when only 1 or some subset of the available illuminated radar range profiles are desired, with undesired information then discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Shannon D Blunt, Karl R Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20080291080
    Abstract: A system for providing signal trigger pulses comprises an equivalent time sampling unit providing transmit and receive trigger pairs, and a control unit controlling the equivalent time sampling unit to provide pseudorandom delay length variations between the trigger pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: NIITEK, INC
    Inventors: David Wilens, Mark Hibbard, William Cummings
  • Patent number: 7450059
    Abstract: A non-linear dispersive transmission line assembly for producing high power radio frequency electrical signals includes a transmission line (6, 7) having a plurality of series connected inductors (8) each incorporating saturable magnetic material to provide non-linearity, a first array (11) of capacitors interconnecting outermost ends of immediately adjacent pairs of the inductors (8) and a secondary array (14) of capacitors interconnecting outermost ends of immediately adjacent pairs of the inductors, with the second array interconnection points being spaced by one inductor from the first array interconnection points. The assembly also includes means for applying a first magnetic field to the transmission line (6,7) in a direction substantially perspectively to the direction of a second magnetic field produced in the transmission line by the application thereto of a high voltage input pulse which propagates through the transmission line to form an output high power radio frequency electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Nigel Seddon
  • Patent number: 7365603
    Abstract: An FET amplifier includes an FET for amplifying a high-frequency signal to be input to the gate on the basis of a gate bias voltage from a gate bias control circuit. In the FET amplifier, a high-frequency signal input circuit and the output portion of an inverting amplifier are made conductive to the gate of the FET. A voltage stabilizing circuit generating a positive DC constant-voltage signal is made conductive to the non-inverting input portion of the inverting amplifier, and a gate bias control signal input circuit is made conductive to the inverting input portion through an inverter circuit. When the output voltage from the inverter circuit is 0 V, the inverting amplifier outputs a positive gate bias voltage (in the High state) and, when the output voltage from the inverter circuit is a fixed positive voltage, the inverting amplifier outputs a negative gate bias voltage (in the Low state) lower than the pinch-off voltage of the FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20080074311
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated circuit device that includes a primary signal synthesizer configured to generate a free-running first digital frequency signal and at least one secondary signal synthesizer disposed in parallel with the primary signal synthesizer and configured to generate a free-running at least one second digital frequency signal. A switch element includes a first switch input coupled to the primary signal synthesizer and at least one second switch input coupled to the at least one secondary signal synthesizer. The switch element is configured to select a switch output that provides either the free-running first digital frequency signal or the free-running at least one second digital frequency signal based on a switch control input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Adam T. Atherton
  • Publication number: 20070273577
    Abstract: A transmission signal generating unit has a window function calculator that generates a window function that makes all frequencies without a center frequency of an input signal and its adjacent frequencies zero and makes the signal to noise ratio of the center frequency maximum; and a transmission signal generator that generates a transmission signal whose amplitude is modulated in a shape of an envelope curve based on the window function generated by the window function calculator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi SHINONAGA
  • Patent number: 7239268
    Abstract: The number of power amplifiers required to amplify a plurality of transmission signals is reduced by using non-linear transmission lines (NTL) circuits. In general, a “combining” NTL circuit is used to combine the plurality of transmission signals to form a soliton pulse. The soliton pulse is then amplified such that each of its component transmission signals are amplified. A “dividing” NTL circuit is then used to divide the amplified soliton pulse into its component amplified transmission signals. The amplified transmission signals can therefore be transmitted over a communications channel without requiring a separate power amplifier for each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Stuart D. Albert, John F. Prorok, Joan Skudera, legal representative, William J. Skudera, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 7212154
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing an amplified Radio Frequency pulse includes a controller for monitoring the output amplified pulse and determining therefrom a correction for a deviation in the characteristics. The correction is applied by a phase shifter or amplitude controller for subsequent pulses. The apparatus is particularly applicable to pulses used by RADAR equipment and allows the use of longer duration pulses. This improves the detection range of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Roke Manor Research Limited
    Inventor: David Charles Pennington
  • Patent number: 7196658
    Abstract: A conventional waveform generation circuit was required to increase a number of bits or a sampling rate for a D/A converter to enhance a precision of waveform shaping, and had a problem that a cost was increased. Therefore, as a method for enhancing the precision of waveform shaping, a quantization error of an output waveform is made smaller by controlling an output time interval of an output value from a D/A converter so as to make a difference in an output voltage between target waveform and output waveform smaller. As a result, even if the D/A converter has a small number of bits, the waveform can be generated at high precision. Also, this waveform generation method may be applied to modulation control of a radar apparatus, as a result, constituting a small and inexpensive modulation circuit for an oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeho Inatsune
  • Patent number: 7170444
    Abstract: A non-linear dispersive pulse generator for producing pulsed radio frequency electrical signals includes a non-linear dispersive electrical circuit (1) incorporating at least one non-linear element (2) made of a material sensitive to low power signals and a means (5) of producing a variable power control signal (6) and applying it to the element (2) to modify the extent of the non linearity of the element (2) and thereby vary the output frequency of the radio frequency electrical signal generated by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Bae Systems plc
    Inventors: Nigel Seddon, Christopher R. Spikings
  • Patent number: 7167125
    Abstract: A pulse radar system has a high-frequency source, which supplies a continuous high-frequency signal and is connected on the one side with a transmission-side pulse modulator and on the other side with two separately controllable pulse modulators in at least one receive path. Mixers are situated downstream from pulse modulators, respectively. The mixers evaluate a radar pulse reflected by an object together with the signal of the high-frequency source. The pulse radar system allows different modes of operation that may be changed in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Gottwald, Michael Schlick, Tore Toennesen, Jens Haensel
  • Patent number: 7158077
    Abstract: A radar device is described having an arrangement to generate a carrier signal having a carrier frequency fT, an arrangement to generate pulses having a pulse repetition rate fPW, an arrangement to split the carrier signal between a transmission branch and a reception branch, an arrangement to delay the pulses, an arrangement to mix the carrier signal in the reception branch with a reception signal, and an arrangement to integrate the mixed signal. An arrangement to modulate the carrier signal in the transmission branch with the delayed pulses and an arrangement to alter the delay in the pulses according to a predetermined code are also provided. A method of suppressing interference with the functioning of a radar device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Brosche
  • Patent number: 7151484
    Abstract: A pulse compression processor 20 compressing a modulated pulse signal correlately received by a receiver, includes a coefficient calculator 30 calculating a set of filtering coefficients for converting sampled output signal values outside a vicinity of main-lobe of a compressed pulse signal into zero as well as for minimizing S/N loss in a peak value of the main-lobe, and a pulse compression filter 40 compressing the modulated pulse signal based on the set of the filtering coefficients calculated by the coefficient calculator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Shinonaga, Shinkichi Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 7151483
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method for the concurrent operation of multiple radar systems on a common frequency and in the same geographical area includes a waveform generator that specifies certain operating parameters for the transmitted radar pulses. In a first instance, the carrier frequency can include an offset for each radar system. In a second instance, complementary codes can be used for the radar pulses such that each radar system operates with a unique code for substantially reducing the cross-talk between the radar systems. In another instance, both carrier frequency offset and complementary coded waveforms can be used to increase the number of radar systems that operate concurrently. Carrier frequency offset can also be used to combat range-wrap by using different carrier frequencies for adjacent radar pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Reza M. Dizaji, Richard R. McKerracher, Anthony M. Ponsford
  • Patent number: 7148841
    Abstract: A radar device includes a code generator, a transmission section, a reception section, a delay section, a despreading process section, a correlation value detection section, a target detection section, an estimation section, an acquisition section, and a correction section. The estimation section estimates a reception intensity of a reflection wave from a target located at a first distance on a basis of a detected correlation value. The acquisition section acquires a cross-correlation value between the first distance and a second distance, on a basis of the estimated reception intensity of the reflection wave from the target located at the first distance, a delayed despreading code used to detect a correlation value for the first distance and a delayed despreading code used to detect a correlation value for the second distance. The correction section corrects the correlation value for the second distance on a basis of the cross-correlation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kimihisa Yoneda, Masaki Hiromori
  • Patent number: 7106250
    Abstract: A method for processing a received, modulated pulse (i.e. waveform) that requires predictive deconvolution to resolve a scatterer from noise and other scatterers includes receiving a return signal; obtaining L+(2M?1)(N?1) samples y of the return signal, where y(l)={tilde over (x)}T(l) s+v(l); applying RMMSE estimation to each successive N samples to obtain initial impulse response estimates [{circumflex over (x)}1{?(M?1)(N?1)}, . . . , {circumflex over (x)}1{?1}, {circumflex over (x)}1 {0}, . . . , {circumflex over (x)}1{L?1}, . . . , {circumflex over (x)}1{L}, {circumflex over (x)}1{?1 +(M?1)(N?1)}]; computing power estimates {circumflex over (?)}1(l)=|{circumflex over (x)}1(l)|? for l=?(M?1)(N?1), . . . , L?1+(M?1)(N?1) and 0<??2; computing MMSE filters according to w(l)=?(l) (C(l)+R)?1s, where ?(l)=E[|x(l)|?] is the power of x(l), for 0<??2, and R=E[v(l) vH(l)] is the noise covariance matrix; applying the MMSE filters to y to obtain [{circumflex over (x)}2{?(M?2)(N?1)}, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Shannon D. Blunt, Karl R. Gerlach
  • Patent number: 7081850
    Abstract: A general purpose system and method for transmitting and coherently detecting UWB waveforms is predicated on the formation of conjugate pair of UWB waveforms. The in-phase and conjugate quadrature waveforms are orthogonal to each other and have the same power spectrum so that when squared and added they sum to the modulation envelope of the waveforms. By defining the waveform pair in this manner, a relatively simple and inexpensive transceiver can be used to transmit and receive the waveforms and yet preserve maximum range resolution and recover all possible energy in the returned waveforms. The transceiver transmits the in-phase UWB waveform and the conjugate quadrature UWB waveform with either a known time delay or orthogonal polarization relation. The time delay may be varied to suppress aliased return signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: James G. Small