Iff Or Sif Patents (Class 342/45)
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Patent number: 7196655Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication, a directional communication system, a method of conducting directional communication, a combat identification system and a method of identifying friendly forces. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a feed horn located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: ATR Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Ralph E. Hayles, Jr., Thomas H. O'Mara
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Patent number: 7190907Abstract: An optical tag, having a photo-detector, a controller, a piezoelectric translator, a battery and a retro-reflective tape. The photo-detector is responsive to an optical energy at a predetermined wavelength, and the controller is connected to the output of the photo-detector. The piezoelectric translator connected to controller is also connected to the battery when the photo-detector responds to the optical energy. The retro-reflective tape is directly mounted on the piezoelectric translator. When the connection between the piezoelectric translator and the battery is established, a pulse is generated and applied to the retro-reflective tape. Therefore, the optical energy incident on the retro-reflective tape is modulated by the pulse and retro-reflected by the retro-reflective tape.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: James M. Cicchiello
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Patent number: 7106245Abstract: An RF tag is provided to communicate with an interrogating source in which the tag has programmability and flexibility to uplink data to multiple platforms. As such the RF tag functions as a miniature programmable transceiver capable of communicating with a plurality of different platforms each having different waveform characteristics. With well-controlled spectral characteristics due to stored waveforms and the use of specialized direct digital up and down conversion techniques, data rates up to 256 kbps are achievable. The tag is thus capable of converting microwave signals directly to digital inputs, and the transmitter generates microwave signals directly from digital outputs. Flexible digital processing also allows a throughput of 900 BOPS when using field programmable gate arrays.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: James J. Komiak, Danny A. Barnum, David E. Maron
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Patent number: 7091860Abstract: The present invention comprises a radio frequency identification device that utilizes multiple operating frequencies. In one embodiment of the present invention, one frequency (e.g., an ultra-high frequency such as 915 MHz, 800 MHz, 915 MHz, or microwave frequency such as 2.45 GHz) is used for data transmission, and another frequency (e.g., a low or high frequency such as 13.56 MHz) is used for field penetration. In another embodiment, one frequency is used for reading information received from the multi-frequency identification device, and another frequency is used for writing to the multi-frequency identification device. In an additional embodiment, the multi-frequency identification device utilizes one antenna for all frequencies. In another embodiment, the multi-frequency identification device utilizes two or more antennas for different frequencies, and one common memory. In other embodiments, one or two digital parts, analog parts, antennas, and memories can be used.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Neology, Inc.Inventors: Francisco Martinez de Velasco Cortina, Manfred Rietzler
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Patent number: 7055420Abstract: The invention is a defense system whereby all primary delivery weapons systems with some types of communications systems will be able to identify friends from foes and with the ability to take appropriate actions afterward so that no harm will come to friendly assets.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Inventor: William Lois
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Patent number: 7050000Abstract: An exemplary radar system includes a waveform generator that generates a control waveform. An in-phase and quadrature modulator receives the control waveform from the waveform generator and in turn generates a waveform output that is amplified by a power amplifier before being transmitted from an antenna.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Garth Ernest Weals, Yair Alon, Fred William Erickson
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Patent number: 7046186Abstract: The invention relates to an IFF apparatus for ground applications, which comprises: (a) an encoder for forming an interrogating or response sequence of pulses, and conveying the same to a UWB transmitter; (b) an UWB transmitter for getting said interrogating or response sequence of pulses, forming a corresponding interrogating or response signal of a sequence of UWB pulses, and transmitting the same via a UWB transmitting antenna; (c) a plurality of UWB receiving antennas, disposed away one from the other, for receiving either an interrogating signal or a response signal sent by another IFF apparatus; (d) a decoder for getting from at least one of said UWB receiving antennas received signals, decoding the same, comparing the decoded signal with a bank of pre-stored signals, and determining whether a received signal is an interrogating or response signal; and (e) a processing unit for, upon receipt of a signal of response to an interrogation signal sent by the present IFF apparatus, calculating the location ofType: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority, Ltd.Inventors: Avner Rosenberg, Alon Deutsch
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Patent number: 7042388Abstract: A radar transponder is provided that synchronizes the encoding of repeated radar pulses using an envelope detector to detect the envelope of received radar pulse signals. An edge detector detects the pulse edges in the envelope so that code words may be multiplied with the received radar pulse signals synchronously with the detected pulse edges to provide an encoded pulse train that may be transmitted to a radar interrogator.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Inventor: Farrokh Mohamadi
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Patent number: 6995660Abstract: A decision aid for use in the defense of a combat ground vehicle which includes a track fusion element, a threat typing element, threat prioritization element, and a countermeasures (CM) selection element.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Ronald M. Yannone, Howard B. Partin
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Patent number: 6933879Abstract: In a method and system to determine the position of a target by means of an IFF type antenna, the antenna having a given direction of aim, the method comprises a step for combining the distance D from the target to the carrier, the altitude A of the target, the altitude Apf of the carrier equipped with the IFF antenna and the angular error value of the target and the direction of aim of the antenna beam to localize the target with precision. Application to IFF interrogations in mode C.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: ThalesInventors: Thierry Roze, Jean-Marc Trin
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Patent number: 6933880Abstract: The invention relates to a pulse-modulated source with adjustable parameters and to its use in an IFF or secondary radar emitting assembly. The architecture of currently used IFF emitting assemblies is such that there is a limit to the possible reduction in the space requirement of such equipment, and this limit is soon reached. Furthermore, the precision in terms of frequency remains coarse and the number of IFF emitting modes is very small. A programmable source of pulse trains on an intermediate frequency is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: ThalesInventors: Stéphane Soula, Claude Provost
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Patent number: 6914518Abstract: The interrogation device is used for identifying a target device. A transmitter is designed for transmitting a coded electromagnetic radiation. The target device has sensor means for detecting this radiation and for converting it into electrical signals, which are supplied to an evaluation unit, as well as transmitting means which, in accordance with decisions made by the evaluation unit, return messages to receiving means located inside or outside of the transmitter. The transmitter comprises a circuit with an oscillator and an antenna, which are designed to generate individual pulses, or short bursts of pulses in the giga-frequency range, which are chronologically modulated. A coded information signal is obtained from these pulses.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: RUAG ElectronicsInventors: Peter Gerber, Fabian Ochsner
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Patent number: 6885695Abstract: A transponder receiver for detecting different radio frequency (RF) interrogation mode signals having relatively wide and narrow bandwidths about a common RF center or carrier frequency. A front end stage of the receiver has a preselector with a wide band RF filter for passing both of the wide and the narrow bandwidth interrogation mode signals about the RF center frequency, and a mixer for converting signals from the preselector to frequencies within an intermediate frequency (IF) band. A first IF channel has a narrow band IF filter with a pass band sufficiently wide to pass first IF signals corresponding to the narrow bandwidth interrogation mode signals, but to reject signals corresponding to undesired interfering signals at frequencies near the narrow bandwidth interrogation mode signals. A second IF channel has a wide band IF filter with a pass band sufficiently wide to pass second IF signals corresponding to the desired wide bandwidth interrogation mode signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.Inventor: Joseph P. Coniglione
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Patent number: 6882923Abstract: A method of adaptively controlling the speed of a reference vehicle having a controller is provided. The method includes detecting a target vehicle, setting a reference vehicle headway distance indicative of a desired separation between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, receiving at the reference vehicle, target vehicle data from the target vehicle, and modifying the reference vehicle headway distance as a function of the target vehicle data. The target vehicle data includes a braking capability value (BCT) of the target vehicle. A braking capability value (BCR) for the reference vehicle is also determined. If the BCR or BCT indicates a less than optimum braking capability for the reference or target vehicles, the reference vehicle headway distance is increased. In this way, the relative braking capability of the two vehicles is used to modify the reference vehicle headway distance during adaptive cruise control operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ronald Hugh Miller, Medville Jay Throop, Rena Hecht Basch
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Patent number: 6870501Abstract: A digital RF tag (10) for providing an automatic reply to an electromagnetic signal. The system includes a radar receiver (11, 20); signal and data processors (50, 64) for analyzing the electromagnetic signal to extract data with respect thereto and for synthesizing a second electromagnetic signal; and a radar transmitter (11, 20). The radar receiver (11, 20) is a narrow band radar receiver. The use of a narrow band receiver minimizes power consumption and extends battery life. The inventive RF tag (10) tracks the received radar signal. The data processor (50) includes a microprocessor adapted to execute software designed to implement the tracking function. While the received radar signal is being tracked, type and timing data are extracted and used to synthesize a reply signal. The use of a synthesized reply signal, as opposed to a recorded and modified transmit signal as a reply signal, allows for the transmission of the cleaner (noise free) reply signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: James K. Beard
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Patent number: 6862497Abstract: There is proposed a method that may be universally used for controlling a man-machine interface unit. A learning sample is used in order at least to derive and/or initialize a target action (t) to be carried out and to lead the user from an optional current status (ec) to an optional desired target status (et) as the final status (ef). This learning sample (l) is formed by a data triple made up by an initial status (ei) before an optional action (a) carried out by the user, a final status (ef) after the action taken place (a).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony International (Europe) GmbHInventors: Thomas Kemp, Ralf Kompe, Raquel Tato, Masahiro Fujita, Katsuki Minamino, Kenta Kawamoto, Rika Horinaka
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Patent number: 6842138Abstract: A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance comprising a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal from an attack aircraft. An auto-switch is connected to the receiver and arranged to produce a power signal in response to the receiver output signal. A transmitter is connected to the auto-switch to be activated by the power signal. When activated, the transmitter transmits a homing signal that indicates its location or the location of the target.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: James A. Wilkinson
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Patent number: 6839662Abstract: A military command and control system includes functional portions which respond to a set of or plurality of commands. Certain commands are mandatory. Specific responses are made in response to the mandatory commands. System tracks are handled differently than local tracks. Command and control systems which use the mandatory command structure are more readily upgraded than prior-art integrated command and control systems.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Susan Elizabeth Schnatterly, Spencer Allen Lord, Joseph Martorana, Henry William Canfield, John Bockett Hunter, Joseph John Chevere, Yuriy Shlyakhter, Joseph Kevin Potts, Matthew William Petrosky
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Publication number: 20040222917Abstract: An identification interrogator is provided for surveillance of objects within an area. The identification interrogator transmits interrogation signals to all objects within the surveillance area, the reflections of which are received back by the interrogator to determine the locations of the objects, and communicates the determined locations to a processing facility to determine their authorized locations. Upon receipt of interrogation signals, some of the objects within the surveillance area broadcast their position and identification to processing facility for correlation with the locations determined by the reflection signals. The locations of other objects are found by correlating the location determined by the reflection signal with a predetermined list of objects and their location within the surveillance area. These may be objects with no means or method to transmit position and identification information, such as rock formations or buildings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2003Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventor: Walker Butler
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Patent number: 6816106Abstract: An identification interrogator is provided for surveillance of objects within an area. The identification interrogator transmits interrogation signals to all objects within the surveillance area, the reflections of which are received back by the interrogator to determine the locations of the objects, and communicates the determined locations to a processing facility to determine their authorized locations. Upon receipt of interrogation signals, some of the objects within the surveillance area broadcast their position and identification to processing facility for correlation with the locations determined by the reflection signals. The locations of other objects are found by correlating the location determined by the reflection signal with a predetermined list of objects and their location within the surveillance area. These may be objects with no means or method to transmit position and identification information, such as rock formations or buildings.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Inventor: Walker Butler
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Publication number: 20040160356Abstract: The invention relates to a pulse-modulated source with adjustable parameters and to its use in an IFF or secondary radar emitting assembly. The architecture of currently used IFF emitting assemblies is such that there is a limit to the possible reduction in the space requirement of such equipment, and this limit is soon reached. Furthermore, the precision in terms of frequency remains coarse and the number of IFF emitting modes is very small. A programmable source of pulse trains on an intermediate frequency is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Stephane Soula, Claude Provost
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Patent number: 6762710Abstract: A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance comprising a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal from an attack aircraft. An auto-switch is connected to the receiver and arranged to produce a power signal in response to the receiver output signal. A transmitter is connected to the auto-switch to be activated by the power signal. When activated, the transmitter transmits a homing signal that indicates its location or the location of the target.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: James Albert Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20040113834Abstract: A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance comprising a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal from an attack aircraft. An auto-switch is connected to the receiver and arranged to produce a power signal in response to the receiver output signal. A transmitter is connected to the auto-switch to be activated by the power signal. When activated, the transmitter transmits a homing signal that indicates its location or the location of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: James Albert Wilkinson
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Patent number: 6745008Abstract: A multi-frequency RFID remote communication system is provided that includes a plurality of RFID tags configured to receive a first signal and to return a second signal, the second signal having a first frequency component and a second frequency component, the second frequency component including data unique to each remote RFID tag. The system further includes a reader configured to transmit an interrogation signal and to receive remote signals from the tags. A first signal processor, preferably a mixer, removes an intermediate frequency component from the received signal, and a second processor, preferably a second mixer, analyzes the IF frequency component to output data that is unique to each remote tag.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute K1-53Inventors: Curtis Lee Carrender, Ronald W. Gilbert
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Publication number: 20040061595Abstract: A decision aid for use in the defense of a combat ground vehicle which includes a track fusion element, a threat typing element, threat prioritization element, and a countermeasures (CM) selection element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Ronald M. Yannone, Howard B. Partin
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Publication number: 20040041724Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for early detection and identification of a threat, and alerting against detected threats, such as individuals wearing or carrying explosive materials and/or weapons, e.g., suicide bombers and other terrorists, at a great enough distance to limit loss of life and destruction of property are disclosed. The methods comprise transmitting a signal in the direction of a potential threat, measuring the detected reflected signal, and comparing the signal level with a threshold indicative of a threat. A monitor is employed to display the threat and attributes of the detected signals. The invention further illuminates the suspicious individual(s) with a Laser illuminator/designator and provides information about the distance to the suspicious individual(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Arthur C. Levitan, Lester Kosowsky
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Patent number: 6693580Abstract: A multifunction millimeter-wave system (10) that provides simultaneous and prioritized active radar protection and surveillance, high digital data rate communications, interceptor missile guidance, passive surveillance and IFF interrogation for a military vehicle. The system (10) includes a multi-function control computer (14) that provides high level control functions. The system (10) also includes a plurality of azimuth sector sub-systems (12), each including a steerable antenna (26) that directs a millimeter-wave beam to a particular location within the area covered by the sector sub-system (12). Each sector sub-system (12) also includes an FPGA-based modem (20) that performs digital signal processing for the various system operations, such as signal modulation and demodulation. Each sector sub-system (12) also includes an IF/RF transceiver (22), including a direct digital synthesizer (24), for providing signal tuning and frequency up-conversion and down-conversion.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: John H. Wehling
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Patent number: 6664915Abstract: An identification friend or foe system for use by a weapon to determine whether a target that has been selected is a friendly target comprises a signal source attached to the target and arranged to radiate encrypted signals. A detection system attached to the weapon includes a receiver arranged to receive the encrypted signals when the weapon is within a predetermined range from the target. Signal processing apparatus is connected to the receiver and arranged to determine whether the encrypted signals identify the target as being friendly. The central processing unit is arranged to decrypt the encrypted signal and produce a disarm signal if the target is identified as being friendly. The central processing unit preferably is also arranged to produce a signal that causes the weapon to perform a collision avoidance maneuver to avoid colliding with the target if the target is identified as being friendly.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Daniel A. Britton
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Publication number: 20030222810Abstract: In a method and system to determine the position of a target by means of an IFF type antenna, the antenna having a given direction of aim, the method comprises a step for combining the distance D from the target to the carrier, the altitude A of the target, the altitude Apf of the carrier equipped with the IFF antenna and the angular error value of the target and the direction of aim of the antenna beam to localize the target with precision.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Thierry Roze, Jean-Marc Trin
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Patent number: 6650277Abstract: A target designation system for indicating a target to be destroyed by remotely guided ordnance comprises a receiver arranged to produce a receiver output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic signal from an attack aircraft. A switch is connected to the receiver and arranged to produce a power ON/OFF signal in response to the receiver output signal. A transmitter is connected to the auto-switch to be selectively activated and deactivated by the power ON/OFF signal. When activated, the transmitter transmits a homing signal that indicates its location or the location of the target being illuminated by the transmitter signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: James Albert Wilkinson
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Patent number: 6631148Abstract: A semiconductor laser, includes: a first cladding layer; an active layer that is formed on top of the first cladding layer; a second cladding layer that is formed on top of the active layer and has a different type of conductivity to the first cladding layer; an etch-stop layer that is formed on top of the second cladding layer and has a same type of conductivity as the second cladding layer; and a light-confining construction that is formed on top of the etch-stop layer by an etching process. The etch-stop layer has a surface part that contacts the light-confining construction. This surface part is composed of an (AlxGa1−x)yIn1−yP semiconductor, where 0.2≦x<0.7 and 0<y≦1.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiya Fukuhisa, Akio Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 6570525Abstract: In a method and device for the encoding/decoding of power distribution at outputs of a system, a distribution encoder includes an element that receives a useful input signal and a piece of distribution information, and that superposes the piece of distribution information received on the input signal. The piece of information is used for the subsequent distribution of the total power of the input signal at an output or outputs of the system. A distribution decoder includes one or more inputs that receive an encoded signal or an encoded signal divided into several signals including the useful signal and the piece of distribution information. Further, one or more outputs are connected to the outputs of the system to which the useful signal is transmitted by distributing the total power received according to the piece of distribution information. The method and device enable, for example, fast, low-power switching of the outputs of a high-power system and the programming of a system with variable power outputs.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: ThalesInventors: Pierre Esposito, Patrick Quemin, Olivier Ruffenach
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Patent number: 6545632Abstract: A mobile radar system including Electronic Support Measures (ESM) which is adapted to detect and decode Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) signals. The system includes means for decoding or decrypting received IFF signals. The system uses an Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) transmitter which is adapted to transmit IFF response and interrogation signals. The IFF signals to be transmitted can be encrypted. Integrating IFF means into the ESM and ECM components results in mass and volume savings due to shared use of the transmitting and receiving resources. As the IFF signals are transmitted using ESM antennas, they can be directed towards a particular aircraft, thereby reducing spurious transmissions.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: BAE Systems plcInventors: Geoffrey Lyons, Michael Pywell
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Patent number: 6510642Abstract: The invention relates to a device for securing a firearm against unauthorised removal and/or firing and for securing and/or storing objects against unauthorised removal, which comprises a locking device (9, 10, 14) and an identification device (11, 16). The identification device (11, 16) is designed for the wireless exchange at least of unambiguous identification codes (30, 36) and comprises at least one transmission and/or receiving unit (18, 19, 20) assigned to an authorised user and another to the identification device (11, 16). At a distance or in a distance range between the transmission and/or receiving units (18, 19, 20) of 0 to 1000 mm, preferably 0 to 50 mm and corresponding identification codes (30, 36) of the transmission and/or receiving unit (19) of the user and the transmission and/or receiving unit (18, 20) of the identification device (11, 16) the locking device (9, 10, 14) is deactivated by the identification device (11, 16).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Inventor: Karl Stefan Riener
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Publication number: 20020196178Abstract: A digital RF tag (10) for providing an automatic reply to an electromagnetic signal. The system includes a radar receiver (11, 20); signal and data processors (50, 64) for analyzing the electromagnetic signal to extract data with respect thereto and for synthesizing a second electromagnetic signal; and a radar transmitter (11, 20). The radar receiver (11, 20) is a narrow band radar receiver. The use of a narrow band receiver minimizes power consumption and extends battery life. The inventive RF tag (10) tracks the received radar signal. The data processor (50) includes a microprocessor adapted to execute software designed to implement the tracking function. While the received radar signal is being tracked, type and timing data are extracted and used to synthesize a reply signal. The use of a synthesized reply signal, as opposed to a recorded and modified transmit signal as a reply signal, allows for the transmission of the cleaner (noise free) reply signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventor: James K. Beard
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Patent number: 6493123Abstract: An optical identification system for identifying a vehicle. The system comprises a laser source for generating a transmitted beam and a reflector in optical communication therewith. The reflector is operative to reflect the transmitted beam to thereby generate a reflected beam. The system further includes a shutter in optical communication with the reflected beam and operative to modulate the polarization of the reflected beam with identification information thereby generating a modulated reflected beam. The optical identification system of the present invention further includes a detector in optical communication with the modulated reflected beam. The detector is operative to pass the modulated reflected beam and decode the identification information modulated thereon.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Dennis Neal Mansell, Peter Samuel Durkin, Gregory Newton Whitfield, David Wayne Morley
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Patent number: 6476757Abstract: An improvement in the present radar/IFF equipment used by the military whereby the transponding equipment, when used in crypto-secure Mode 4, is enabled to reply with its unique coded identification number (Mode 2 reply) after it has made its Mode 4 reply. This is accomplished by adding an AND gate and a delay means to the present equipment. The AND gate is connected to couple the Mode 4 three-pulse interrogation to the delay means if it is received at the same time the I/P activate switch is in its operating position. The delayed three-pulse interrogation signal is coupled to the encoder and activates a Mode 2 reply. The ground equipment is also modified to enable it to faithfully reproduce the entire video output of its interrogator section.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1972Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Laddie T. Rhodes
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Patent number: 6459989Abstract: An integrated indoor and outdoor positioning system and method. A first communication unit aperiodically emits an ultrasonic signal. A second communication unit receives the ultrasonic signal and transmits an identification signal in response to receiving the ultrasonic signal. One of the two communication units is placed at a predetermined position and the other of the two communication units is placed with an object. Identification information obtained from the identification signal is used to determine position information indicating that the object is at the predetermined position. The first communication unit is placed at the predetermined position and the second communication unit accompanies the object. Alternatively, the first communication unit accompanies the object and the second communication unit is placed at the predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Michael Kirkpatrick, Jeffrey Casper, Clay Ross, D. Scott Seaton, Christian Gellrich, Michael Cutter, James Binnion
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Patent number: 6437727Abstract: A friend or foe detection system and method is disclosed. Friend or foe warning unit 20 has a geographic locating system, a communication system for communicating with each of the warning units, and a military force detection system for detecting military forces in a combat area and has a signal routing and control circuitry 50 for controlling operations. A number of components, devices, or sub-systems, such as a transmitter/receiver radio 28, an antenna 26, a microphone 30, a speaker 32, a battery 34, a display 36, a microprocessor 38, a memory 40, a camera 56, a radar/lidar input 54, on/off switch 52, a GPS location system 45 that includes a GPS processor 46, a GPS receiver 42, a GPS antenna 44, are coupled to the circuitry 50. Display 36 provides a display to the user of the unit 20 and shows the location of friendly forces as well as unfriendly or unidentified forces in the area. Display 36 displays text messages for the user of the warning unit 20.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Inventors: Jerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, Steven R. Pedersen
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Patent number: 6427121Abstract: A communications system for determining the position and velocity of an object using a plurality of GPS signals transmitted by a plurality of GPS sources includes an interrogator remote from the object and responsive to the plurality of GPS signals. The interrogator transmits an RF signal including GPS source information and at least one of frequency information and time and code phase information of at least one of the GPS signals. The system also includes a transponder positioned on the object and responsive to the RF signal and the plurality of GPS signals. The transponder tracks one of the plurality of GPS signals in response to the GPS source information and the frequency information and time and code phase information. The transponder generates a correlation snapshot and transmits the snapshot to the interrogator.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: SiRF Technology, Inc.Inventor: Keith J. Brodie
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Patent number: 6420995Abstract: A silent radar system which detects a target and its position without the countermeasure operator located at the target being able to detect the presence of the radar. The silent radar operates by transmitting signals with specific characteristics which allow optimum processing by the radar while taking advantage of the limitations inherent in typical signal receiving equipment. The silent radar transmits low energy per cycle signals which are wideband, purely random noise, e.g. spread spectrum signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1965Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.Inventors: Martin R. Richmond, Morton E. Goulder
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Publication number: 20020041250Abstract: In a method and device for the encoding/decoding of the power distribution at the outputs of a system, the distribution encoder comprises an element that receives a signal s(t) and a piece of distribution information i(t), and that superposes said piece of distribution information i(t) received on said signal s(t) received. The piece of information i(t) is used for the subsequent distribution of the total power Ps of said signal s(t) at said output or outputs {S&Ggr;} of a system &Ggr;. The distribution decoder comprises one or more inputs on which there is received an encoded signal c(t) or an encoded signal divided into several signal (cj(t))j&egr;[1,2N] comprising the useful signal s(t) and the piece of distribution information i(t). It also comprises one or more outputs connected to the outputs {S&Ggr;} of said system &Ggr; to which said signal s(t) is transmitted by distributing the total power received Ps according to said piece of distribution information i(t).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Applicant: THALESInventors: Pierre Esposito, Patrick Quemin, Olivier Ruffenach
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Publication number: 20010006372Abstract: A friend or foe detection system and method is disclosed. Friend or foe warning unit 20 has a geographic locating system, a communication system for communicating with each of the warning units, and a military force detection system for detecting military forces in a combat area and has a signal routing and control circuitry 50 for controlling operations. A number of components, devices, or sub-systems, such as a transmitter/receiver radio 28, an antenna 26, a microphone 30, a speaker 32, a battery 34, a display 36, a microprocessor 38, a memory 40, a camera 56, a radar/lidar input 54, on/off switch 52, a GPS location system 45 that includes a GPS processor 46, a GPS receiver 42, a GPS antenna 44, are coupled to the circuitry 50. Display 36 provides a display to the user of the unit 20 and shows the location of friendly forces as well as unfriendly or unidentified forces in the area. Display 36 displays text messages for the user of the warning unit 20.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: July 5, 2001Inventors: Jerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, Steven R. Pedersen, Dorothy Lemelson
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Patent number: 6249589Abstract: In a device for the passive friend-or-foe discrimination of targets, in particular of airborne targets, wherein a target to be identified is observed by a video camera, the video camera is mounted for rotation about two mutually orthogonal axes and is aligned with the target by a servo or follow-up device controlled by target radiation.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1996Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Bodenseewerk Geratetechnik GmbHInventor: Heinz Hoch
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Patent number: 6201495Abstract: A friend or foe detection system and method is disclosed. Friend or foe warning unit 20 has a geographic locating system, a communication system for communicating with each of the warning units, and a military force detection system for detecting military forces in a combat area and has a signal routing and control circuitry 50 for controlling operations. A number of components, devices, or sub-systems, such as a transmitter/receiver radio 28, an antenna 26, a microphone 30, a speaker 32, a battery 34, a display 36, a microprocessor 38, a memory 40, a camera 56, a radarilidar input 54, on/off switch 52, a GPS location system 45 that includes a GPS processor 46, a GPS receiver 42, a GPS antenna 44, are coupled to the circuitry 50. Display 36 provides a display to the user of the unit 20 and shows the location of friendly forces as well as unfriendly or unidentified forces in the area. Display 36 displays text messages for the user of the warning unit 20.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Inventors: Jerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, Steven R. Pedersen
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Patent number: 6181272Abstract: A method (200, 300) and apparatus (100) provides for displaying locally the position and identity of various field operatives or agents who have radio receiver transmitters (20, 30 and 40). A local control station (10) transmits a request for identification to radios (20, 30 and 40). Each radio responds back with a message (226) giving its location. The local control station then displays the identity and location of the unit on an area map (234) and stores the information in memory (236). Control station 10 further designates some or all of the radios (20, 30 and 40) with a laser designator signal (60). The radio then responds with an IFF signal (318) if it is a friendly agent.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Dan M. Kirk
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Patent number: 6166679Abstract: A friend or foe detection system and method is disclosed. Friend or foe warning unit 20 has a geographic locating system, a communication system for communicating with each of the warning units, and a military force detection system for detecting military forces in a combat area and has a signal routing and control circuitry 50 for controlling operations. A number of components, devices, or sub-systems, such as a transmitter/receiver radio 28, an antenna 26, a microphone 30, a speaker 32, a battery 34, a display 36, a microprocessor 38, a memory 40, a camera 56, a radar/lidar input 54, on/off switch 52, a GPS location system 45 that includes a GPS processor 46, a GPS receiver 42, a GPS antenna 44, are coupled to the circuitry 50. Display 36 provides a display to the user of the unit 20 and shows the location of friendly forces as well as unfriendly or unidentified forces in the area. Display 36 displays text messages for the user of the warning unit 20.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Inventors: Jerome H. Lemelson, deceased, by Dorothy Lemelson, executrix, Robert D. Pedersen, Steven R. Pedersen
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Patent number: 6121799Abstract: An interleaved digital peak detector has multiple acquisition pipes with each pipe receiving a common input signal. Each acquisition pipe receives a common sample clock signal that is delayed through an analog delay circuit for selectively delaying the sample time of each analog-to-digital converter in the pipe. Each pipe has peak detector that receives the digitalized output from the analog-to-digital converter and accumulates maximum and minimum peak values. A programmable decimator receives the sample clock signal and a decimation value for establishing an acquisition clock by decimating the sample clock signal as a function of the decimation value to trigger a latch circuit for storing the accumulated maximum and minimum values from the peak detector.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventor: Michael F. Moser
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Patent number: 6100840Abstract: The RF tag system of the present invention minimizes the effect of the RF tag on the overall radar cross section (RCS) of the object with which it is associated, tailors the signal reflected from the tag to match the actual RCS of the object with which it is associated, utilizes an RF tag design that reduces degenerative RF coupling at the tag, and is designed to exploit the operational features of conventional pulse Doppler radars. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a radio frequency tag system is provided including an interrogator and a tag. The tag is secured to an object. The interrogator is configured to generate a transmitted electromagnetic interrogation signal at a predetermined interrogation frequency. The tag comprises an antenna array including a plurality of receiver antennas and a plurality of transmitter antennas.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Spectra Research, Inc.Inventors: Paul Donald Zidek, John William Sellers, Jr., Gary A. Thiele, Eugene Edwin Mayle, Jr., Ronald George Riechers
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Patent number: 6097330Abstract: A friendly fire avoidance system employing a two-way communications system using the transmission and the receipt of optical pulses to enable a first concentration of ground troops to identify a second, unidentified concentration of ground troops as friendly or hostile before attacking the second, unidentified concentration of troops.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1993Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: ITT CorporationInventor: Larry Dee Kiser