Abstract: Data acquisition in a chirp spread spectrum (CSS) signal may use a data alignment indicator of a single down chirp signal or single upchirp signal. A receiver may receive part or all of a preamble comprising a sequence of training chirps for symbol alignment followed by a single opposite chirp for data alignment. Training chirps may be processed through a fast-Fourier transform (FFT), and the values from the FFT may be accumulated. The accumulated values may exceed a threshold for detection. The receiver may align, based on the received chirps of the preamble and exceeding the threshold, its symbol reception. Using this symbol alignment, the receiver may await a single opposite chirp after the sequence of training chirps. The single opposite chirp may indicate data alignment. Upon receipt of the opposite chirp, the receiver may start data acquisition based on chirps following the single opposite chirp.

Abstract: A method (e.g., a method for measuring a separation distance to a target object) includes transmitting an electromagnetic first transmitted signal from a transmitting antenna toward a target object that is a separated from the transmitting antenna by a separation distance. The first transmitted signal includes a first transmit pattern representative of a first sequence of digital bits. The method also includes receiving a first echo of the first transmitted signal that is reflected off the target object, converting the first echo into a first digitized echo signal, and comparing a first receive pattern representative of a second sequence of digital bits to the first digitized echo signal to determine a time of flight of the first transmitted signal and the echo.

Abstract: A method or system is configured for determining a seismic attenuation quality factor Q for intervals of subsurface formations by performing actions including receiving vertical seismic profile traces. The actions include filtering the vertical seismic profile traces with an inverse impulse response of a downhole receiver. The actions include transforming the vertical seismic profile data from the particle motion measured by the downhole receiver to the far-field particle motions represented by the source wavelet. The actions include determining a ratio of the spectral amplitudes of the direct arrival event of the transformed vertical seismic profile data and the source Klauder wavelet. A quality factor Q is generated representing an attenuation of the seismic signal between the source at ground level surface and the downhole receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automotive virtual personal assistant configured to provide intelligent support to a user, mindful of the user environment both in and out of a vehicle. Further, the automotive virtual personal assistant is configured to contextualize user-specific vehicle-based and cloud-based data to intimately interact with the user and predict future user actions. Vehicle-based data may include spoken natural language, visible and infrared camera video, as well as on-board sensors of the type commonly found in vehicles. Cloud-based data may include web searchable content and connectivity to personal user accounts, fully integrated to provide an attentive and predictive user experience. In contextualizing and communicating these data, the automotive virtual personal assistant provides improved safety and an enhanced user experience.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bondline inspection using mechanical wave measurement and gas excitation. A cost-effective optical interferometry technique is used to measure mechanical waves generated by gas excitation, which measurements may be used to verify the strength of a bondline of a composite bonded structure. A gas gun which produces a high-pressure short-pulsewidth gas pulse at the front free surface of the composite material. A velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR) is synchronized with the controlled gas pulsation and used to measure the surface velocities. The respective shock wave-induced displacements of the back and front free surfaces are then calculated. The measured free surface displacements are compared with calibrated thresholds to determine whether a weak bond has been detected or not. Optionally, a ring magnet is aligned exactly under the gas gun nozzle to enable VISAR beam centering.

Abstract: A method for correcting a radar signal. The method includes the following steps: ascertaining main peaks in the spectrum of the radar signal; determining an auxiliary signal by removing the components of the main peaks in the radar signal; identifying regions of disturbance in the radar signal utilizing the auxiliary signal; and generating a corrected radar signal by interpolating the radar signal in the identified regions of disturbance of the radar signal, utilizing the main peaks through ascertained.

Abstract: Trapped or confined individuals may be located and rescued by detecting their vital signs (e.g., chest movement or heart beat) using reflected, radio frequency signals over a range of multiple antenna polarities.

Abstract: Ranging systems operate based on the transmission and receipt of pseudorandom sequences. Pseudorandom sequences may be generated and assigned to specific transmitters, which may operate simultaneously to transmit signals including the pseudorandom sequences. A receiver may be programmed to recognize the specific pseudorandom sequences within data captured by the receiver, and to associate the pseudorandom sequences with the transmitters that transmitted them. Upon identifying the pseudorandom sequences, the receiver or one or more associated components may calculate times of flight of signals transmitted by the respective transmitters. Such times of flight may be used to calculate distances to one or more objects from which the signals were reflected.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining and/or monitoring the state of a transformer oil, comprising the steps of a) performing an acoustic spectroscopy of the transformer oil, multiple ultrasonic emission signals of different frequencies and/or amplitudes being emitted into the transformer oil and corresponding reflected and/or transmitted ultrasonic reception signals of different frequencies and/or amplitudes being received after having passed through the transformer oil; and b) comparing the ultrasonic emission signals with the corresponding ultrasonic reception signals, an n-dimensional function characteristic of the transformer oil being ascertained; and c) matching the ascertained characteristic n-dimensional function from step b) with a reference function of corresponding dimension known for transformer oils, a reference transformer oil being determined; and d) registering a first value of at least one characteristic physical property of the transformer oil; and e) comparing the first val

Abstract: A method for utilizing radar from wireless earpieces includes activating one or more radar sensors of the wireless earpieces, performing radar measurements of a user using the one or more radar sensors of the wireless earpieces, and analyzing the radar measurements to determine pulsatile measurements associated with the user, the analyzing performed using a processor of the wireless earpieces.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus includes a transmission processing unit that performs processing for transmitting an ultrasonic wave with respect to a target object, a reception processing unit that performs reception processing of an ultrasonic echo with respect to the transmitted ultrasonic wave, and a processing unit that performs processing with respect to a reception signal from the reception processing unit. The processing unit performs coupling coefficient specification processing of a plurality of first basis waves which configure the reception signal, with respect to the reception signal corresponding to a transmission pulse signal which is transmitted by the transmission processing unit.

Abstract: A method is shown to indicate to a driver of a vehicle the presence of an object moving relative to the vehicle. The method begins by collecting data using a camera or other such image capturing device. The data is analyzed to detect a hazard created by the presence of the object, regardless of whether it is moving or not. A warning associated with the hazard is created. Both the hazard and the warning are displayed using the display device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing a transient glitch in ultrasound applications are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a transducer to (A) output a signal during a transmit phase and (B) receive a reflected signal corresponding to the signal during a receive phase; a receiver switch coupled to the transducer at a first node, the receiver switch to (A) open during the transmit phase and (B) close during the receive phase; and a clamp coupled to the transducer at the first node, the clamp to provide a high impedance during the transmit phase and the receive phase and provide a low impedance during a transient phase.

Abstract: An information display device mounted in a vehicle, the vehicle including a detector detecting an object around the vehicle, the information display device includes a display configured to display a vehicle object corresponding to the vehicle, and a display region disposed on a side of the vehicle in a first direction, the first direction extending from the vehicle object, the first direction corresponding to a second direction extending from the vehicle, the display region having a constant size and a constant shape and at least one electronic control unit configured to calculate a risk degree indicating information of the risk of an object around the vehicle and the vehicle approaching each other in the second direction based on a detection result of the detector, and change an appearance of the display region based on a magnitude of the risk degree.

Abstract: In some aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus includes an XYZ control stage and an acoustic transducer coupled with the XYZ control stage. The acoustic transducer includes a multi-foci Fresnel lens having multiple focal spots.

Abstract: A driving support apparatus according to the invention estimates the position of a moving body by controlling a position estimation unit when the tracking-target moving body leaves a first area or a second area to enter a blind spot area and detects the position of the moving body by controlling a position detection unit when the moving body leaves the blind spot area to enter the first area or the second area. In this manner, the trajectory of the tracking-target moving body is calculated so that the trajectory of the moving body detected in the first area or the second area and the trajectory of the moving body estimated in the blind spot area are continuous to each other and driving support is executed based on the calculated trajectory of the tracking-target moving body.

Abstract: An underwater detection apparatus is provided. The underwater detection apparatus includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a hardware processor. The transmitter transmits a transmission wave. The receiver obtains a receive signal based on a reflection of the transmission wave. The hardware processor is programmed to at least detect an underwater target object based at least in part on the receive signal, estimate a density index value of objects within a given area in a vicinity of the underwater target object, and calculate a size index value of the underwater target object based at least in part on the density index value and a target object signal intensity representing a maximum intensity of the receive signal corresponding to the underwater target object.

Abstract: A vehicle collision avoidance system that utilizes signal emitters and receivers positioned around the periphery of vehicles to detect nearby vehicles. Upon detection of a nearby vehicle, the system may execute any of a variety of predefined responses based on the distance from the local vehicle to the detected nearby vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for obtaining distance related wellbore parameters using pulse-echo measurements. For example, the depth of a wellbore may be computed and/or the length of a tubular string positioned in a wellbore may be determined. In an embodiment, a pulsar is deployed into a wellbore along a length of tubular. Once deployed, a fluid pulse is sent form a surface pulse generator and the transmission time is recorded. The downhole pulsar receives the fluid pulse and, in response, returns a second fluid pulse back to the surface. Surface processing circuitry receives the second fluid pulse and records the reception time. The processing circuitry then process the data to determine the total time for travel, thereby determining the length of the downhole pipe or other tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driver assistance device (2) having a plurality of ultrasound sensors, wherein at least one first ultrasound sensor (8 to 11, 17, 18, 21 to 24) has a normal mode as an operating mode in which transmitted ultrasound signals are unencoded and/or in which the first ultrasound sensor (8 to 11, 17, 18, 21 to 24) is designed for receiving unencoded ultrasound signals, and at least one second ultrasound sensor (6, 7, 13 to 16, 19, 20) can be operated in two different operating modes and has the normal mode as a first operating mode and has a special mode as a second operating mode, in which transmitted ultrasound signals are encoded and/or in which the second ultrasound sensor (6, 7, 13 to 16, 19, 20) is designed for receiving encoded ultrasound signals. The invention also relates to a vehicle (1) having a driver assistance device (2) and a method for operating a driver assistance device (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an aircraft location system comprising an aircraft structure and a number of acoustic reflectors associated with the aircraft structure. The number of acoustic reflectors is configured to generate first sound signals in response to receiving second sound signals.

Abstract: A system for small space positioning comprises a transmitting element at a fixed and known location, which transmitting a modulated continuous wave, for example an ultrasonic wave, having a continuous carrier signal part and a base-band signal modulated thereon. The transmitting element transmits the modulated continuous wave over a range in which an object to be positioned may appear. A receiving element receives signals transmitted by the transmitting device and reflected by the object, and a position detection element determines a position of the object from analysis of both the carrier signal part and the base-band signal received from the reflected signal.

Abstract: A non-linear FM pulse compression system includes a non-linear FM transmitter adapted to receive an input signal and transmit an output signal. The non-linear FM transmitter is adapted to modulate the frequency of the output signal by at least one of the following: increasing the frequency of the output signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of samples in the input signal; modulating the frequency of the output signal in inversely proportional relationship to the frequency of samples in the input signal; and modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of the frequency of the input signal. At least one antenna interfaces with the non-linear FM transmitter. A non-linear FM receiver interfacing with the at least one antenna. The non-linear FM receiver is adapted to auto-correlate the output signal with a return signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating multipath signals in a receiver are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a radio frequency (RF) front-end and at least one analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The RF front-end receives FM signals and down-converts the received frequency signals to intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) receives the intermediate frequency signals and digitizes multiple FM channels around a desired FM channel associated with the down-converted signals. The system further includes multiple sets of digital processing components that are configured to simultaneously receive and process the digitized multiple channels. The multiple sets of digital processing components include at least two parallel channel selection and demodulation paths in which the respective digitized multiple channels are processed therethrough.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a signal from a sensor that is positioned within a well bore during a hydraulic fracturing operation. A noise canceling operation is performed on the received signal to detect a microseismic event that is caused by the hydraulic fracturing operation.

Abstract: In a method and a device for detecting the surroundings, carrier waves in the form of transmission pulses are transmitted by at least one transducer, and reflections of the pulses are detected by the pulse-echo method. In this manner, the successive transmission pulses of one transducer or various transducers operated at the same time are differentiable by individual signal modulation.

Abstract: A non-linear FM pulse compression system includes a non-linear FM transmitter adapted to receive an input signal and transmit an output signal. The non-linear FM transmitter is adapted to modulate the frequency of the output signal by at least one of the following: increasing the frequency of the output signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of samples in the input signal; modulating the frequency of the output signal in inversely proportional relationship to the frequency of samples in the input signal; and modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of the frequency of the input signal. At least one antenna interfaces with the non-linear FM transmitter. A non-linear FM receiver interfacing with the at least one antenna. The non-linear FM receiver is adapted to auto-correlate the output signal with a return signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an underwater detector including a power source for applying a predetermined voltage, a voltage control circuit for controlling the voltage based on a control signal, a gate signal generating module for outputting a gate signal, a switching circuit for outputting a reference signal based on the voltage controlled by the voltage control circuit and the gate signal outputted from the gate signal generating module, and a transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic signal underwater, an envelope of which being controlled based on a waveform of the control signal by being applied with the reference signal.

Abstract: This application describes methods and apparatus for downhole monitoring in real-time. The method involves interrogating an unmodified optic fibre (102) arranged along the path of a well bore (106) to provide a distributed acoustic sensor and sampling data gathered from a plurality of sensing portions of the fibre. The sampled data is then processed to provide a real-time indication of the acoustic signals detected by the sensing portions of the fibre. The real-time indication provides information to an operator or controller of the downwell process with real-time feedback data regarding what is happening during the down-well process which allows the identification of any problems and adjustment of the process parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods in which data compression techniques are utilized to fill a predetermined channel capacity are shown. According to one configuration, event data points within test data are selected for communication via the data communication channel and a data decimator is utilized to identify other data points within the test data to fill or substantially fill the predetermined channel capacity. The foregoing data decimator may employ one or more variables for selecting data for communication, wherein one or more of the variables are preferably adjusted in decimator iterations to select an optimum or otherwise desirable subset of data for communication. Data decimators may additionally or alternatively implement a suitable “growth” function to select the particular data for communication and/or the amount of data communicated.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing false alarms in a security system. A detection zone is established. An alarm event is triggered based on the detection of a tag in the detection zone using an initial alarm trigger sensitivity. The initial alarm trigger sensitivity is based on an initial set of one or more detection criteria. The set of detection criteria is modified to adjust the alarm trigger sensitivity of the security system.

Abstract: In a method and a device for detecting the surroundings, carrier waves in the form of transmission pulses are transmitted by at least one transducer, and reflections of the pulses are detected by the pulse-echo method. In this manner, the successive transmission pulses of one transducer or various transducers operated at the same time are differentiable by individual signal modulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spread spectrum distance and for spread spectrum velocity profile measurement is provided where the short pulse of traditional ultrasonic and radar level gauges is replaced by low peak power direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) modulated energy. An echo sequence subtraction process is provided that increases the signal to noise ratio of each echo sequence thus increasing the dynamic range of the system. In addition to providing a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR), better precision and accuracy in ranging Doppler applications and the ability to use lower peak power transmissions, the system is more immune to interference from the environment and allows for less expensive and less bulky ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is operated to improve its performance during harmonic imaging in non-linear media, such as in contrast agents or in human tissue. The cMUT is operated by inverting the transmit waveform to adjacently spaced azimuth elements, and combining at least two additional firings without adjacent inversion, for each transmit vector, thereby canceling the second harmonic generation of the cMUT; and thus, the performance of harmonic imaging using the cMUTs can achieve improvement.

Abstract: An ultrasound method of measuring displacement with high resolution includes transmitting a pair of Golay's complementary sequences or other complementary sequences, receiving echoes from the object and performing pulse compression of the two sequences of echoes. The displacement of the object between the two transmissions is derived from the residual clutter signals around the mainlobe of the compressed pulse output. Furthermore, movement velocity, thickness, strain, elastic stiffness, and viscous damping of the object or regions of the object can be determined subsequently.

Abstract: A data telemetry system for multi-conductor wirelines to enhance transmission of analog and digital signals with frequency content up to 100 kHz by assigning at least two conductors to a first terminal of a data transmittal means and to a first terminal of a data receiver means and connecting at least one additional conductor to a second terminal of a data transmittal means and to a second terminal of a data receiver means. Pairing conductors reduces attenuation and crosstalk and permits the signal to contain multiple frequency modulated carrier bands with individual channel bandwidths of up to 3 kHz or higher.

Abstract: An ultrasound method of measuring displacement with high resolution includes transmitting a pair of Golay's complementary sequences or other complementary sequences, receiving echoes from the object and performing pulse compression of the two sequences of echoes. The displacement of the object between the two transmissions is derived from the residual clutter signals around the mainlobe of the compressed pulse output. Furthermore, movement velocity, thickness, strain, elastic stiffness, and viscous damping of the object or regions of the object can be determined subsequently.

Abstract: A system and method of performing sonar range estimations in a noisy sonar environment. The system includes a sensor, a transmitter, a receiver, a plurality of band-pass filters, a cross correlator, and a data analyzer. The transmitter transmits a pulse through a transmission medium. The pulse travels through the transmission medium until it strikes an object, which returns an echo to the sensor. The sensor provides the echo to the receiver, which provides an indication of the echo to the band-pass filters. The respective band-pass filters provide filtered versions of the echo and pulse to the cross correlator, which performs multiple cross correlation operations on the filtered echo and pulse. The cross correlator provides output data to the data analyzer, which uses the data to estimate the SNR in the environment and to determine a pulse center frequency corresponding to the estimated SNR.

Abstract: An ultrasound wave is transmitted from a probe (120) to a moving reflector (130) and the reflected ultrasound wave is received back by the same probe (120). With n-divided wave bands of the to-be-used spectrum, the ultrasound wave to be transmitted is made up of up chirp signals and down chirp signals from n number of down chirp signal generators (112, 113) and up chirp signal generators (116, 117), creating complementary multiplexed chirp signals through synthesizers (114, 118). Cross-correlation is taken by a correlator between the reception signal received at the probe (120) and the up chirp and the down chirp signals, respectively, so as to provide compressed up and down signals and then combining the obtained compressed signals through synthesizers (144, 148). Doppler measurement is performed by determining the correlation distance through taking the cross-correlation between these compressed signals by a cross-correlator (160) and performing envelope detection by an envelope detector (170).

Abstract: Proposed is a method for measuring distance, which improves the resolution and the selectivity in an echo method, using propagation-time measurement. In this context, a received signal is sampled without first having to smooth the signal.

Abstract: In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.

Abstract: This invention uses direct sequence spread spectrum modulation and a novel receiver method to implement ranging and Doppler measurement devices.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) determines a vehicle occupant location characteristic. The apparatus (20) includes at least one sensor (e.g., 46) for echo ranging at first and second ultrasonic frequencies. A timer function portion (84) of a microcomputer (66) determines a time-of-flight for each frequency signal. The microcomputer (66) determines the occupant location characteristic using at least one of the determined times-of-flight.

Abstract: A sonar system that includes a new comb-like waveform constructed by modulating the tines of a comb spectrum according to a set of Hermite functions defining a Hermite Function Space (HFS), and a processing method that reduces the sidelobes of the ambiguity function associated with the normally-processed HFS comb waveform. Noise-limited performance remains high, because the waveform is designed to be power-efficient; range ambiguity is superior to the highly-rated sinusoidal frequency-modulation (SFM) waveform; and reverberation-limited performance is equal to or better than that offered by any other waveform designed for this purpose. The full Doppler sensitivity normally associated with pulsed CW can be realized by the application to HFS signals of the constrained, regularized deconvolution method of this invention.

Abstract: A distance measuring system is described which may be used as an altimeter for a helicopter or for a load carried by its winch. The system comprises: a transmitting transducer for converting a first modulated electrical signal into a corresponding acoustic signal to be directed towards and reflected by a surface; a receiving transducer for converting the received reflected acoustic signal into a corresponding second electrical signal; and a correlation processor for receiving the second electrical signal, or the first and second electrical signals, and correlating the modulations thereof to produce an indication of a time delay thereof from which the distance travelled by the acoustic signal can be determined.

Abstract: An active sonar system with improved noise-limited performance in littoral regions with reverberation. This invention solves the active sonar comb-waveform power-limitation problem by introducing for the first time a system employing a new comb waveform herein denominated the triplet-pair comb waveform. Ambient noise-limited performance of the system of this invention is superior to that of systems employing other Doppler-sensitive waveforms such as the geometric comb waveform. Reverberation-limited performance of the system of this invention is slightly inferior to that of systems employing other Doppler-sensitive waveforms but this invention eliminates much of the range ambiguity problems seen with other non-comb waveforms.

Abstract: A radar device for detecting distances and relative speeds of obstructions such as preceding vehicles has a stationary object identifier for identifying stationary objects such as roadside guard rails and the like and a stationary object eliminator for eliminating data identified as pertaining to such stationary objects. The stationary object identifier detects peak densities in a beat spectrum detected as a difference between transmitted and received frequencies of a radar beam modulated to rise and fall in frequency periodically and identifies peak groups having peak densities above a predetermined value as stationary objects. Therefore, it is possible to detect a stationary roadside object on the basis of peak densities. The stationary object eliminator eliminates data of peak groups identified as stationary objects by the stationary object identifier and thereby removes them as objects of combination processing for pairing rise side beat frequencies with fall side beat frequencies.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a method for estimating, in the frequency domain, deconvolution operators for removing spurious resonant coupling responses from the cross-line and the vertical seismic signal components in OBC surveys. The purpose is to balance the spectral response of the respective signal component in amplitude and phase in a manner consistent with the field geometry.

Abstract: An automatic frequency control loop for maintaining a center carrier freqcy fed to a notch filter for blocking out system reverberation includes, along with the conventional elements found in an automatic frequency control loop, a control switching circuit responsive to excessive frequency deviations beyond a predetermined range as established in the AFC loop. Such excessive deviations are likely present during the time when little, if any, reverberation energy is received by a receiver carried on a moving platform, or, when signals originating from high energy level sources of countermeasure energy are being received. An interposed, selective device is included in the control switching circuit to permit operation in one of several modes as the situation demands. Including the control switching circuit in an active homing torpedo is the preferred application, although the teachings of the invention are applicable to all situations when own doppler nullification and reverberation damping is desired.

Abstract: Active sonar apparatus, especially adapted for detecting submarine targets under ice, includes means for providing first and second pulsed, underwater acoustic signals respectfully having a high frequency, f.sub.H, and a low frequency, f.sub.L. The high frequency, f.sub.H, is selected for causing the signal to be reflected at the submerged, water-ice interface and and the low frequency, f.sub.L, selected for enabling the signal to be propagated through the ice with no significant reflection at the water-ice interface while then causing the signal to be reflected at the above-water, air-ice interface. Included are means for separately receiving and processing the reflected signals from the first and second acoustic signals and for detecting possible target reflections (which may include ice reflections) as a function of range and angle cells.