Abstract: A ground penetrating radar device and/or other sensor such as LIDAR, pressure, or temperature sensors is mounted on a mobile device, and is adapted, during motion of the mobile device, to sense characteristics of asphalt pavement on which the mobile device is moving, prior to compaction of the asphalt pavement by rollers. A processor, functionally associated with at least one sensor, receives from the sensor signals relating to characteristics of the asphalt pavement on which the mobile device is moving, and computes, based on the received signals, at least one compaction characteristic of the asphalt pavement. The processor provides a mapping of computed desired change in compaction characteristics to regions of the asphalt pavement during the rolling process. During rolling, at least one sensor measures the change in compaction and assesses when the change in compaction matches the desired optimal compaction based on the pre-generated map.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a visual output of data from a ground-penetrating radar and magnetic field measuring device is displayed on a visual medium. The display has a first exhibition of output from the ground-penetrating radar device and a second from a magnetic field measuring device, such as a very low frequency (VLF) receiver. Using an identical axis, such as an X-axis measuring time or distance, output of each device is exhibited and overlaid over one another. In this manner, one can detect (using two different methodologies and uses) the visual exhibition of both to best determine the location of a metal or electrical target.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a visual output of data from a ground-penetrating radar is displayed on a visual medium. The display has a first exhibition of output from a higher frequency range antenna, a second exhibition of output from a lower frequency range antenna (compared to the other antenna; see definition in the “detailed description”), and a transition area between the first and second exhibition having merged data from the lower frequency antenna and the higher frequency antenna. The depth range of the transition area may be varied based on optimal depth range of each antenna, such as manually by a viewer viewing the visual output, which may occur in real-time, that is, while operating the radar and viewing the visual output thereof. Or, the transition depth range and/or width of the transition region may be varied as part of post-processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise an air-launched antenna system with interference-rejection technology that operates in analog hardware as well as by way of a digital filtering technique. Using an inline analog hardware filter combined with a digital filter, to determine transversal (and/or recursive) coefficients, in a calibration phase, a measurement system may be configured to remove interference and the effects (such as a delay or temperature variation) which result from use of an analog filter. In this manner, the resulting measurements of a composition of road surface are more accurate and useful.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a ground penetrating radio device and methods of use for obtaining greater resolution. This is achieved by measuring the composition/reflection off a homogeneous material (e.g., metal plate), determining coefficients to correct the measured/reflection in order to make the measurements look like an idealized reference signal, and then using these coefficients in a digital filter to correct measurements/a reflection off a heterogeneous material, such as a road surface. In this manner, the composition of the heterogeneous material is determined with greater accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a ground penetrating radio device and methods of use for obtaining greater resolution. This is achieved by measuring the composition/reflection off a homogeneous material (e.g., metal plate), determining coefficients to correct the measured/reflection in order to make the measurements look like an idealized reference signal, and then using these coefficients in a digital filter to correct measurements/a reflection off a heterogeneous material, such as a road surface. In this manner, the composition of the heterogeneous material is determined with greater accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise an air-launched antenna system with interference-rejection technology that operates in analog hardware as well as by way of a digital filtering technique. Using an inline analog hardware filter combined with a digital filter, to determine transversal (and/or recursive) coefficients, in a calibration phase, a measurement system may be configured to remove interference and the effects (such as a delay or temperature variation) which result from use of an analog filter. In this manner, the resulting measurements of a composition of road surface are more accurate and useful.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for determining accurately at least one coordinate of a sensor (or a transducer including a sensor) relative to a predetermined reference location, particularly where the sensor is part of a transducer for ground penetrating radar. A marker detector is positioned in a predetermined relationship with the sensor; a marker is detected with the marker detector and positional information associated with the marker is received, from which a position of the transducer or sensor is determined, based on the received positional information associated with the marker and the predetermined relationship between the marker detector and the sensor. The marker may, for example, be a bar code and the marker detector may be an optical scanner. The sensor may be a receiving antenna for a GPR signal.

Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a technique that may be used to image the inside of a structure by collecting the echoes (or reflections) resulting from electromagnetic signals such as, for example, electromagnetic waves of typically high frequency, being radiated into the structure. Typically, the rebars inside a reinforced concrete structure are strong radar wave reflectors. Locating rebars within a reinforced concrete structure and determining their depths may be accomplished by analyzing the reflections, particularly the amplitudes and arrival times of the reflections, from the rebars in the reinforced concrete structure. Provided is a method and system for determining, for a substantially concrete structure having at least a first side and containing one or more reinforcing bars, a distance of the one or more reinforcing bars from the first side of the substantially concrete structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining accurately a coordinate of a transmitting/receiving antenna pair relative to a predetermined reference position. The method includes placing a transmitting antenna in proximity to a reflective strip, transmitting a first signal from the transmitting antenna and detecting a reflection of the first signal received from the reflective strip at the receiving antenna located at a fixed distance from the transmitting antenna. The method further comprises determining a coordinate of the antennas relative to the reflective strip based on a parameter of the reflection. The method may further comprise detecting a second signal received by the receiving antenna from a conductive strip located proximate to the reflective strip, and determining a second coordinate of the antennas based at least on a time difference between transmitting the first signal from the transmitting antenna and receiving the second signal at the receiving antenna.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security system that can provide a user with data on the directional movement, velocity and location of an object within and around the perimeter of a structure with the use of radio energy. The system comprises a sensor unit having at least one antenna for transmission of a signal into a defined area of the structure. Any intrusion in the area is detected upon a change in the waveform received by the antenna. A received signal is transmitted from the sensor unit to a control unit, comprising, in part, a preprogrammed data processing unit that can determine the movement of the intruder. Utilization of a plurality of sensor units allows the user to obtain additional information on the velocity and location of the intruder. Additionally, as with conventional security systems, the system can provide an electrical signal to activate a sound and/or light device to attract the attention of the intruder and warn others of the intruder's presence.

Abstract: An antenna system for ground-penetrating radar use, comprising first and second co-located antenna element pairs orthogonally oriented with respect to each other. Each of the element pairs includes a transmit element and a receive element. A metallic enclosure (such as a box) shields the element pairs and is open on one side to face a structure to be probed by signals from the transmit elements. The transmit and receive elements are dimensioned, shaped and arranged (a) to achieve low mutual impedance between the elements, (b) to have high sensitivity to reflected signals received from the structure being probed; and (c) to accommodate a desired rise time of a transmit pulse. The transmit elements and receive elements preferably are electrical dipoles but they may also be magnetic dipoles such as slot antennas. When electrical dipoles are employed, they may be formed of elongated diamond-shaped conductive surfaces or be of other appropriate geometries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security system that can provide a user with data on the directional movement, velocity and location of an object within and around the perimeter of a structure with the use of radio energy. The system comprises a sensor unit having at least one antenna for transmission of a signal into a defined area of the structure. Any intrusion in the area is detected upon a change in the waveform received by the antenna. A received signal is transmitted from the sensor unit to a control unit, comprising, in part, a preprogrammed data processing unit that can determine the movement of the intruder. Utilization of a plurality of sensor units allows the user to obtain additional information on the velocity and location of the intruder. Additionally, as with conventional security systems, the system can provide an electrical signal to activate a sound and/or light device to attract the attention of the intruder and warn others of the intruder's presence.

Abstract: A sewer inspection device includes a body that has a number of transducers attached to the body. The transducers are attached on pads that can be extended away from the body to enable the transducers to make contact with a sewer wall. The device is lowered into the sewer in the compact, non-extended position of the pads. Subsequently, the pads are extended to make contact with the sewer walls. The body is pulled along the sewer by means of an armored cable extending to the surface. The armored cable includes a conductor or fiber-optic cable for carrying signals between the transducers and a surface controller. In one embodiment, the transducers generate ground penetrating radar (GPR) signals and detect the reflected signals. Defects in the vicinity of the sewer pipe affect the reflected signals. Analysis of the reflected signals provides information about the nature of the defects. Other embodiments of the invention include sonic, gamma ray and electromagnetic induction transducers.

Abstract: A digital sliding correlator having means for producing a series of time-shifted stored copies of a digital character, means responsive to said shifted, stored copies of the character for multiplying said shifted, stored copies by the input signal or the sign-inverted counterpart of the input signal, a first set of integrators and a second set of integrators, means for supplying to the first set of integrators first portions of said multiplied signals and for supplying to said second set of integrators second portions of said multiplied signals, and means for combining the outputs of said integrators.

Abstract: An improved driving circuit for a large-current radiator avoids the need to dissipate large powers in the driving circuit by drawing a certain energy value from a power supply to a storage capacitor and then feeding this energy to the radiating antenna. A constant current source provides, when a switching circuit coupled to the radiator is opened, a current to counter the tendency of the radiator otherwise to maintain continuity of current through the switching circuit, keeping to a minimum the voltage across the switching circuit so that essentially no energy will need to be dissipated in the driving circuit. By choosing the stored energy value carefully one can make it just large enough to cover the radiated energy but leave essentially no energy to be dissipated in the radiator driving circuit.

Abstract: A radiator useful for radiating pulses with a duration of about 10 ms is disclosed. Such pulses occupy the frequency band from zero to a few hundred Hertz. For a given time variation of an electromagnetic signal, the energy radiated in the far field is proportional to (Is).sup.2, where I is the current amplitude in the antenna and s is the length of the radiator. Typical antenna designs cannot be used at very low frequencies with large relative bandwidths. However, the large current radiator disclosed, herein, is small, has antenna currents in the order of 10.sup.8 A, and requires a drive voltage of about 1 volt and drive current of 10.sup.4 A. This large current radiator is designed with a small antenna length s by using a design wherein the antenna current is n times larger than the drive current. This is accomplished by winding electrically conductive means n times around a shield so that the n forward loop wires are all on one side of the shield, and cover a surface area sxW.

Abstract: A ground probing radar system comprising a plurality of antennas for transmitting. Where for each transmitting antenna, an associated individual driver means selectively operable in response to an enabling signal unique to each antenna. Upon receiving a triggering signal, the driver means supplies to its associated antenna a single impulse of power to be radiated. Further providing that a means for supplying the trigger signal to each of the driver means only one at a time, thereby insuring that no two antennas are supplied power to be radiated at the same time.

Abstract: An electromagnetic signal having originally the time variation of a rectangular pulse is radiated into a lossy medium with conductivity .sigma.. It is distorted by the medium to the distorted electromagnetic pulse f(.sigma.,y,t) when it travels the distance y/2, in time t/2, from a transmitter to a scattering or reflecting target and the same distance y/2, in time t/2, back to the receiver. The time variation f(.sigma.,y,t) of the distorted pulse can be calculated for any conductivity .sigma. and distance y using the conductivity .sigma. known from previous measurements to determine the range to the target distorted pulse f(.sigma.,y,t). Consequently, distorted pulses f(.sigma.,y.sub.n,t) can be computed and compared to the received distorted pulse f(.sigma.,y,t). The computed pulse f(.sigma.,y.sub.n, t) that is most similar to the received pulse f(.sigma.,y,t) determines the distance y.sub.n /2 to the scattering or reflecting object, which is the range to the target.