Transmitter Patents (Class 342/82)
  • Patent number: 8098192
    Abstract: A terrain awareness system includes a processor for receiving radar returns and providing terrain and/or obstacle alerts or warnings in response to the radar returns. The processor receives information from a database and the information is used to select the radar transmit function and/or the radar reception function to optimize the performance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel M. Wichgers, Richard D. Jinkins, Richard M. Rademaker, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 8089393
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method are for tracking a target in a decentralised network having a plurality of sensing nodes. Each node makes observations of a target, performs a multiple models tracking algorithm based on the observations, and updates tracking information stored therein. Each node communicates the updated track information to selected other nodes in the network. In response to receiving track information from another node, each node fuses the receiving track information with local track information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventors: Eric William Nettleton, Christopher Mark Lloyd
  • Patent number: 8077081
    Abstract: Radar return processing systems and methods are operable to process radar information when an installation vehicle is operating in proximity to a surface area of interest. An exemplary embodiment reduces energy of an output pulse emitted from a radar system; receives a plurality of radar returns from a plurality of objects that reflect the reduced energy output pulses emitted from the radar system; determines a surface area of interest based upon at least a current location of the installation vehicle; and filters the radar returns generated by objects that are located outside of the surface area of interest. Optionally, some systems and methods may reduce a sweep range of an antenna from which the reduced energy output pulses are emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: C. Don Bateman, John J. Poe, John H. Glover
  • Patent number: 8072367
    Abstract: A movement detection system includes a microwave antenna able to transmit microwave frequency signals into a space. An electronics controller is connected to the microwave antenna, and is configured to continually measure the impedance of the microwave antenna while it transmits microwave frequency signals into the space. An interpretive device is connected to receive impedance measurements from the electronics controller, and is configured to interpret and report changes in the magnitude and phase angles of individual impedance measurements as the passing of things and their direction through the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Stolar, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Bausov, Gerald Stolarczyk, Larry G. Stolarczyk
  • Patent number: 8054213
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting beams of electromagnetic energy. A plurality of beams having a first number of frequencies and a number of beams having a second number of frequencies are transmitted. The plurality of beams and the number of beams overlap each other at an area with a pattern of intensities in the area. Difference frequency signals having a number of difference frequencies equal to a difference between the first number of frequencies and the second number of frequencies are monitored. The difference frequency signals are generated by an object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to receiving the plurality of beams and the number of beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sandor Holly, Donald Elliot Harrington, Nicholas Koumvakalis
  • Publication number: 20110267217
    Abstract: In an antenna radar system including a short-range function and a long-range function which is situated separately from the short-range function, the short-range function and the long-range function having different antenna apertures, means are provided for mutual cross-polarization of the signals emitted and received using the short-range function and the long-range function, through which the most efficient possible signal-technology decoupling between the short-range function and the long-range function is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Juergen Hildebrandt, Joachim Hauk, Martin Reiche
  • Patent number: 8031109
    Abstract: An antenna configuration is described for high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) radars contained in a single vertical post. The radar may include a vertical dipole or monopole transmitting antenna collocated with a three-element receive antenna. The three antennas including two crossed loops and a vertical element are used in a direction-finding (DF) mode. Isolation between the three antennas produces high quality patterns useful for determining target bearings in DF mode. The single vertical post is sufficiently rigid mechanically that it may be installed along a coast without guy wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Codar Ocean Sensors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald E. Barrick, Peter M. Lilleboe
  • Patent number: 8018371
    Abstract: A passive proximity detection system and method are provided. A transmitted signal, such as a communication signal, is sampled and placed in memory. A version of the transmitted signal, reflected by a target in the vicinity of the transmitting antenna, is sampled and compared to the stored reference sample. Correlation between the reference and reflected samples indicates the presence of a target in the vicinity of the transmitting antenna. Processing of the signals can include frequency shifts to account for Doppler shifts in the reflected energy as a result of a non-zero relative radial velocity of the target. Multiple antennas for receiving reflected energy can be provided to enhance the coverage area of the system, and/or to provide information regarding the relative location of a target. In addition, signals from multiple transmitting antennas can be used as sources of energy for probing the vicinity of those antennas for targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Dean A. Paschen, William G. Newhall, Mark C. Leifer
  • 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: 8013784
    Abstract: A radar apparatus comprises a substrate having first and second sides, an antenna including radiative elements disposed on the first side of the substrate, a Butler matrix supported by the substrate having input and output ports, where each output port of the Butler matrix is electrically connected to a group of radiative elements, and input connections between a radio-frequency (RF) circuit and the input ports of the Butler matrix. The RF circuit may be supported by the second side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandros Margomenos, Ruihua Ding
  • Patent number: 8004458
    Abstract: A calibration system for the receiver of a dual polarization radar system has been developed. The system includes a radar transmitter that transmits signals in horizontal and vertical polarizations and a radar receiver that receives the horizontal and vertical polarization signals. The system also includes a test signal generator that generates a continuous wave test signal. A calibration circuit for the radar receiver modifies the test signal to simulate weather conditions by adjusting the attenuation and Doppler phase shift of a continuous wave test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Walker
  • Patent number: 7999726
    Abstract: A system for estimating an antenna boresight direction. The novel system includes a first circuit for receiving a Doppler measurement and a line-of-sight direction measurement corresponding with the Doppler measurement, and a processor adapted to search for an estimated boresight direction that minimizes a Doppler error between the Doppler measurement and a calculated Doppler calculated from the estimated boresight direction and the line-of-sight direction measurement. The line-of-sight direction measurement is measured relative to the true antenna boresight, and the calculated Doppler is the Doppler calculated for a direction found by applying the line-of-sight direction measurement to the estimated boresight direction. In a preferred embodiment, the first circuit receives a Doppler measurement and a line-of-sight direction measurement from each of a plurality of pixels, and the processor searches for an estimated boresight direction that minimizes a sum of squares of Doppler errors for each of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ralph Guertin, David Faulkner, John Treece, Donald Bruyere
  • Patent number: 7982654
    Abstract: A smart signal jammer is disclosed that receives a description of an unwanted signal or signals to be jammed, and transmits one or more jamming signals in one or more temporal transmission patterns of pulses that jam the unwanted signal or signals. A smart jammer according to the present invention can use available transmitters efficiently to transmit jamming pulses in a manner that maximizes jamming effectiveness. A smart jammer according to the present invention comprises a jamming signal calculator that calculates the parameters of the jamming signals to be transmitted. The calculations are based on inequalities that are satisfied by an efficient jamming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan E. Low
  • Patent number: 7978610
    Abstract: A method for asynchronous transmission of communication data between periodically blanked terminals separated by an unknown distance is disclosed. A bursted signal is transmitted from a first terminal with a burst time tB and a burst cycle period T. The bursted signal is received at a second terminal. A bursted response signal is transmitted from the second terminal to the first terminal. The bursted response signal has a burst cycle period of T/2 and includes a pair of response bursts, with each burst in the pair having a burst time tA?T/2?tB. Each burst in the pair of response bursts carries an identical data payload. At least one of the response bursts is received at the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: William K. McIntire, Larry S. Thomson, John J. Carver, II
  • Patent number: 7965224
    Abstract: A running control system having a radar device that detects a distance between a subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle. When a vehicle speed sensor detects the subject vehicle has stopped, a transmission output controller sets a transmission output of the radar device to a stopping time transmission output lower than a running time transmission output. When the radar device detects an increase in the distance between the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle while the subject vehicle is stopped, or when the distance between the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle detected by the radar device while the subject vehicle has stopped is longer than a predetermined value, a notifying device notifies an occupant of the subject vehicle that following running control is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hayato Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7961140
    Abstract: A multi-beam radar sensor has a plurality of antenna elements disposed next to each other, a collective lens situated at a distance in front of the antenna elements, and an additional preliminary focusing lens disposed in such a way that it affects only a portion of the radar radiation transmitted from, and/or received by, the antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Binzer
  • Patent number: 7962177
    Abstract: The invention relates to transmission from a base station to a receiver, the base station comprising first radiating means arranged for transmitting according to an antenna pattern with respect to the receiver and further comprising second radiating means arranged for transmitting according to the same antenna pattern as the first radiating means with respect to the receiver, the transmissions of the first and second radiating means being time shifted by a determined duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Nidham Ben Rached, Thierry Lucidarme, Arnaud de Lannoy
  • Patent number: 7928900
    Abstract: An antenna array includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The antenna array further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fuller, John R. Lamberg, John J Geddes, Michael J Gawronski
  • Publication number: 20110084871
    Abstract: Methods and systems relating to a cognitive tracking radar system. A radar system determines an immediately preceding state of a target being tracked. Based on this immediately preceding state, the system determines parameters and waveforms which may be used to better illuminate the target. These parameters and waveforms are then used when illuminating the target. The state of the target is then measured from the reflected returns of the illuminating waveform. The newly received measurements then form the basis for the new state of the target and the procedure is repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Simon Haykin, Amin Zia, Ienkaran Arasaratnam, Yanbo Xue
  • Patent number: 7907082
    Abstract: A method and system for presence detection within a detection volume delimited by an inner radius and an outer radius using microwave radiation. The outer radius of the detection volume is controlled by selecting the length of a first pulse controlling the transmit interval of a microwave transmitter and by selecting the length of a third pulse controlling the receive interval of a microwave receiver. The inner radius of the detection volume is controlled through selecting the length of a second pulse defining a predetermined time period between the first pulse and the third pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Antonsson, Göran Svedoff
  • Patent number: 7898464
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) phased array transmitter system comprises a phased array for generating an RF signal. The phased array comprises conductive patches formed in an array, separation gaps, and active sources. Each of the separation gaps is formed between two adjacent ones of the conductive patches, and each of the active sources is formed across its associated one of the separation gaps. The system further comprises an optical source for generating an optical signal and an RF source for generating an RF signal. In addition, the system comprises an optical modulator coupled to the optical source and the RF source. The optical modulator receives an optical signal and an RF signal, and produces an RF modulated optical signal based on the received optical signal and the received RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Anderson, William S. Barquist
  • Patent number: 7898460
    Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna that has a plurality of antenna elements, and switches the plurality of antenna elements in synchronization with a modulation period to acquire receiving signals. At this time, the antenna elements are switched in accordance with a combination of a first sub-phase and a second sub-phase in which the antenna elements are sequentially switched in opposite directions to thereby acquire the receiving signals. The radar apparatus calculates an azimuth sine value sin ?1 from the acquired receiving signals of the first sub-phase and calculates an azimuth sine value sin ?2 from the receiving signals of the second sub-phase. Next, the radar apparatus calculates an actual azimuth ? through an averaging process of these azimuth sine values sin ?1 and sin ?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Nishimura, Toru Ishii
  • Patent number: 7893862
    Abstract: A detection system comprises a transmitter unit, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter unit is capable of transmitting a first collimated beam having a first frequency and a second collimated beam having a second frequency into a ground, wherein the first collimated beam and the second collimated beam overlap in the ground. The receiver is capable of monitoring for a response radio frequency signal having a frequency equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The response radio frequency signal is generated by an object having non-linear conductive characteristics in response to receiving the first collimated beam and the second collimated beam. The processor is capable of controlling an operation of the transmitter unit and the receiver. The processor is connected to the transmitter unit and the receiver. The object is detected when the response radio frequency signal is detected by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sandor Holly, Nicholas Koumvakalis, Robert Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 7884755
    Abstract: A level measuring instrument has a variable transmitting power for measuring a filling level in a tank. The level measuring instrument includes a generator unit generating one of a first oscillator signal and a second oscillator signal. The generator unit generates a transmit signal from one of the first oscillator signal and the second oscillator signal. The level measuring instrument includes further a controller controlling the generator unit. The generator unit generates one of first and second transmitting powers for the transmit signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Josef Fehrenbach, Daniel Schultheiss, Christoph Mueller, Bernhard Corbe
  • Patent number: 7876261
    Abstract: A radar system has a phased-array antenna and plural local oscillators for controlling local transmit/receive units. The local oscillators are slaved to a master oscillator. The analog clock signal paths are subject to relative changes in electrical length. The electrical lengths of the signal paths are measured by phase-detecting forward- and reverse-direction clock signal flows. The phase-detected information for each signal path is a measure of the time delay. The radar command processor receives the measure of time delay and corrects the radar operation in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory F. Adams
  • Patent number: 7855674
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coherent radar system based on a modification of standard non-coherent radar without Moving Target Indication. Typical radars in this class are Navigation radars which are mass produced with low cost components. These radars utilize a magnetron in the transmitter which is a random phase device. In the present invention, the received signal is extracted just prior to amplitude detection process (where phase information is lost), and digitized using an analogue to digital converter providing coherent detection based on correlation between the transmitted pulse and the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Public)
    Inventor: Per Atle VÃ¥land
  • Patent number: 7852261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tracking waveforms in radar which minimizes the dwell time and energy in a tracking waveform while maintaining a specified track positional accuracy and consequently velocity accuracy. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for selecting a tracking waveform in a radar apparatus comprising determining a target range rate; determining a signal strength; determining the radiated frequency of the subsequent transmitted tracking waveform; and modifying the energy and pulse repetition frequency used on subsequent tracking waveforms on the basis of the determined target range rate, signal strength and next transmitted tracking waveform frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventor: William Kenneth Stafford
  • Patent number: 7852258
    Abstract: In a power-loss reducing system, a transmitting unit causes a radar to transmit a measurement radio wave, and a power monitoring unit monitors power of the measurement radio wave transmitted from the radar through a cover while changing a positional relationship between the cover and the radar. An extracting unit extracts a value of the changed positional relationship between the cover and the radar based on a result of the monitoring of the power such that the extracted value of the positional relationship allows reduction of power loss of a radar wave transmitted, through the cover, from the radar located based on the extracted value of the positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Kato, Yutaka Aoki
  • Patent number: 7825853
    Abstract: The present invention is a man-portable counter-mortar radar (MCMR) radar system that detects and tracks enemy mortar projectiles in flight and calculates their point of origin (launch point) to enable and direct countermeasures against the mortar and its personnel. In addition, MCMR may also perform air defense surveillance by detecting and tracking aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles. MCMR is a man-portable radar system that can be disassembled for transport, then quickly assembled in the field, and provides 360-degree coverage against an enemy mortar attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Syracuse Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Bruce, Thomas A. Wilson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7808427
    Abstract: A radar system comprises a first transmit/receive module for a first frequency band and a first polarization, a second transmit/receive module for the first frequency band and a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, a third transmit/receive module for a second frequency band and the first polarization, a fourth transmit/receive module for the second frequency band and the second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, a first plurality of splitter/combiners to receive outputs from the first and second transmit/receive modules, a second plurality of splitter/combiners to receive outputs from the third and fourth transmit/receive modules, a plurality of lens phase shifter pairs to receive outputs from the first plurality of splitter/combiners, a plurality of diplexers to receive signals from the plurality of lens phase shifter pairs and from the second plurality of splitter/combiners, and, a radiator assembly including a series of radiator elements coupled to the plurality of dipl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Sarcione, Daniel F. Rypysc, Kaichiang Chang, Jeffrey R. Holley, Landon L. Rowland
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7786928
    Abstract: A monostatic multi-beam radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a group antenna, a planar lens having multiple inputs, and a homodyne mixer system, wherein the mixer system comprises multiple transfer mixers that are connected in parallel to the inputs of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hansen, Martin Schneider, Joerg Schoebel, Oliver Brueggemann
  • Patent number: 7777670
    Abstract: An improved millimeter wave illumination system includes at least one primary source of millimeter wave radiation, a reflecting surface and a baffle comprising a plurality of exit apertures arranged such that at least some of the radiation from the source is reflected from the reflective surface before proceeding to the baffle, characterized in that means are incorporated for generating a plurality of radiation field states within a pre-determined time interval. The baffle, source and reflector are preferably packaged into a container with the exit apertures providing an illumination output. The generation of the plurality of radiation field states provides an illumination at the illuminator output that is less spatially variable when integrated over the pre-determined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventors: Peter R Coward, Neil A Salmon
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100182199
    Abstract: Provided are a sensor capable of adjusting vertical alignment and a sensor vertical alignment adjusting apparatus using the same. The sensor has a structure with a plurality of switchable transmitting and receiving antennas so as to be able to adjust the vertical alignment, or a structure with a tilting motor for adjusting a radiating or receiving angle. The sensor vertical alignment adjusting apparatus using such a sensor corrects vertical misalignment of the sensor by determining whether or not the vertical misalignment of the sensor occurs, variably switching one from among the plurality of transmitting or receiving antennas of the sensor or controlling the tilting motor, and adjusting the radiating angle of the sensor signal or the receiving angle of a reflected wave of the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Seong-hee JEONG
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7755538
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radar apparatus including: a transmission pulse group generator configured to generate: a first transmission pulse group from a first transmission pulse train formed of N first transmission pulses (N>2, where N is an integer number) having constant first time intervals t1, by thinning a first transmission pulse out of the first transmission pulse train so that all the intervals ranging from t1 to (N?1)*t1 are held by pairs of first transmission pulses selected from the first transmission pulse group; and a second transmission pulse group from a second transmission pulse train formed of M second transmission pulses (M>2, where M is an integer number) having second time intervals t2 different from the first time intervals t1, by thinning a second transmission pulse out of the second transmission pulse train so that all time intervals ranging from t2 to (M?1)*t2 are held by pairs of second transmission pulses selected from the second transmission pulse group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Shinonaga
  • Patent number: 7750838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device comprising a transmitter (6) for transmitting (38, 60) a measuring signal (16) that lies within a frequency range, a sensor (8) for receiving (40, 62) an evaluation signal (20) that has been induced by the measuring signal (16) and a control unit (10) for evaluating (42, 66) the evaluation signal (20) to produce a measured result. According to the invention, the function of the control unit (10) is to check the frequency range before the transmission (38, 60) of the measuring signal (16) for the presence of a signal (28) that is independent of the measuring signal (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Heiko Braun, Michael Mahler, Christoph Wieland, Ulli Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7734391
    Abstract: A communication for a vehicle (10) has a first transmitter (34) for transmitting a first signal relating to a first vehicle system (22) and a second transmitter (42) for transmitting a second signal relating to a second vehicle system (38). (FIG. 1) A single receiver (46) has a first reception mode (50) and a second reception mode (54). The first reception mode (50) is receptive to the first signal while the second reception mode (54) is receptive to the second signal. A control unit (58) switches the receiver (46) between the first reception mode (50) and the second reception mode (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Deniau, Brian Farrell, Sanjaya Kumar Dash, Tejas B. Desai
  • Patent number: 7724098
    Abstract: The present invention is, in one aspect, a radio frequency source, comprising a gyromagnetic precession oscillator. In a second aspect, the gyromagnetic precession oscillator comprises a closed, non-magnetic, cylindrical outer conductor defining a cavity therein; an axial field solenoid wound about the outer conductor; a non-magnetic, cylindrical inner conductor disposed within the cavity and coaxially aligned with the outer conductor; a plurality of cylindrical ferrite precessors, each defining a respective bore through which the inner conductor runs; a plurality of dividers disposed within and defining a resonant chamber in the cavity; and a dielectric material filling the cavity. In a third aspect, the radio frequency source is actively tunable. In a fourth aspect, the radio frequency source that is tunable pulse-to-pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Scott, Steve E. Calico, David S. Hidinger, Chris E. Williams
  • 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: 7680175
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving a signal in a communication system with a plurality of antennas are provided. Received modulation symbols of channel coded transmission information data are generated using a space-time mapping scheme and processed to RF symbols. The RF symbols are transmitted through antennas among the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Young-Ho Jung, Yung-Soo Kim, Seung-Hoon Nam
  • Patent number: 7656347
    Abstract: A quadrature radar apparatus includes a quadrature signal generating unit, a plurality of coupler modules connected to the signal generating unit, an antenna unit receiving transmission signals from the coupler modules and a reception signal reflected from a target, one or more phase delay modules connected between one or more of the coupler modules and the antenna unit to delay the phases of the transmission and reception signals by 90 degrees, a leakage signal canceling unit combining the reception signals inputted from the antenna unit through the first and second coupler modules and removes the transmission leakage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Song-Cheol Hong, Choul-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7642950
    Abstract: Provided is a radar device includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit for receiving the electromagnetic wave reflected by a target object of the transmission electromagnetic wave, a target object measuring unit for measuring at least a distance between the radar device and the target object on the basis of the transmission and reception electromagnetic waves, a transmission output control unit (S1, S2) for stopping or reducing a transmission output of the transmitting unit under a predetermined condition, a transmission output control function abnormality determining unit (S3 to S6) for determining that the transmission output control unit is abnormal upon receiving the reception electromagnetic wave having an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold value even at the time of one of stop and reduction of the transmission output, and an abnormality determination time processing unit (S7) for stopping a power supply of the radar device when an abnormality is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Kai
  • Patent number: 7642952
    Abstract: A spread spectrum radar apparatus includes: a transmission unit which generates a spread signal that is a spectrum-spread signal, using a first oscillator signal, a second oscillator signal, and a transmission PN code, and which emits the spread signal as a detection radio wave; and a reception unit which receives, as a reception signal, the detection radio wave reflected from an object, and which generates an intermediate frequency signal by despreading the reception signal based on the first oscillator signal and a reception PN code obtained by delaying the transmission PN code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7636058
    Abstract: A transmitting apparatus comprises a generator for generating a pulse signal having a waveform approximated to the Gaussian error function at a prescribed timing, a transmitter for power-amplifying a pulse signal generated by the generator, and transmitting the amplified pulse signal, an evaluator for extracting a pulse waveform part from the power-amplified pulse signal, comparing the extracted pulse waveform part with an ideal waveform so as to obtain an error amount between the pulse waveform part and the ideal waveform, and evaluating whether or not the error amount is within a prescribed error range, and a controller for causing the generator to subject the waveform of the pulse signal to correction in such a manner that the error amount becomes smaller each time an evaluation result of the evaluator is that the error amount is out of the prescribed error range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kamimura
  • Patent number: 7605745
    Abstract: Provide an on-vehicle radar device that performs transmission control of a monitoring signal, following fixed rules, so that interference with other radar devices can be avoided with certainty. An on-vehicle radar device comprises a transceiver which transmits/receives a monitoring signal at a specified frequency band and transmits a priority order signal at a frequency within the above-mentioned frequency band, and a controller which switches the signals transmitted by the transceiver. The transceiver receives a priority order signal of another radar device, and when interference with the signal of the other radar device is detected, the controller, based on the priority order of that other device and on the priority order of the device itself, shifts, by a specified frequency amount, the frequency band of the monitoring signal transmitted by the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kanako Honda, Osamu Isaji, Kazuo Shirakawa, Naofumi Ohkubo, Tetsuo Seki
  • Patent number: 7586433
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating trigger signals in a ground penetrating radar. In one embodiment, sequence data is generated based on a desired triggering sequence for an array of antennas. The sequence may be generated based on position data from position devices and operational modes. According to one embodiment, as the sequence data is generated it is transferred to, and stored on, a dual port memory device through a first side of the dual port memory device. The sequence data can then be accessed independently through a second side of the dual port memory device. This data may be used by a logical network to produce antenna trigger signals as a logical combination of timing input signals and the sequence data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Mala Geoscience AB
    Inventors: Bernth A. T. Johansson, Tommy Leijon
  • Patent number: 7576683
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of radar altimeter operation including a time dependent gain control is described. The method comprises triggering a Sensitivity Time Control (STC) gain control signal at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of a transmit pulse to attenuate interference from at least one of an antenna leakage signal and a signal reflected from equipment. The method also includes shaping the STC gain control signal from no attenuation at a first time, before a transmitter sends the transmit pulse, to a stable maximum attenuation at the time the transmitter sends the transmit pulse, to no attenuation at a second time, after the transmitter sends the transmit pulse. The method also includes matching a bandwidth of an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier to the pulse width of a transmitted pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Thomas, Glen B. Backes, Timothy J. Reilly