Abstract: An object location of a 3-D object to a side of a transportation vehicle is classified wherein the transportation vehicle moves along a front-to-rear directional axis and has a remote sensor mounted at a predetermined reference point. A set of detection points is identified substantially to the side of the transportation vehicle using the remote sensor. A detection point is found having a closest range to the vehicle reference point. The object is classified as on-center if a position Ynear along the directional axis corresponding to the closest-range detection point is within a predetermined threshold distance from a position Yzero along the directional axis corresponding to the predetermined reference point. If not on-center, then the object is classified as spanning if a first position Y1 along the directional axis and a second position Y2 along the directional axis are on opposite sides of the position Yzero.

Abstract: Here are provided rainfall intensity output means adapted to output rainfall intensity R as a value equivalent to a linear function of altitude H: R(H)=aH+b, and processing means adapted to identify parameters a and b in the above estimate equation by regression analysis using a measurement value obtained by rainfall vertical distribution. This invention provides thereby method and system for estimation of rainfall distribution based on rainfall spatial distribution in mountainous area.

Abstract: A laser radar system is provided which is designed to emit a laser beam through a selected one of laser-emitting windows to scan a given area within a radar zone in a single scan cycle. If the object is detected as having been moved vertically, the radar system works to switch the selected laser-emitting window to another so as to acquire the target at a fixed position within the scanned area of the radar zone at all the time.

Abstract: A scanning radar system accurately determines the lateral position of a target regardless of the heading of the target. The angle &PSgr; between the direction to the target and the heading of the target is calculated using equation &PSgr;=&thgr;−tan−1{d cos &thgr;/(R−d sin &thgr;)} and a correction value &Dgr;X for the lateral position X is determined based on the angle &PSgr;.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target located above a road by using a camera and a radar system, wherein when it is determined that the target captured by the camera is the same target that has been captured by the radar, and when it is determined from an image captured by the camera that the target is at a height higher than road level, the method determines that the target is a stationary object located above the road. Further, when it is determined that the distance to the target captured by the camera or the radar is decreasing, and that the reception level from the target captured by the radar is also decreasing, the method determines that the target is a stationary object located above the road.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient phase error correction in range migration algorithm (RMA) for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems implemented by making proper shifts for each position dependent phase history so that phase correction can readily be performed using the aligned phase history data during batch processing. In its simplest form, the invention (44) is comprised of two main parts. First (60), alignment of the phase error profile is achieved by proper phase adjustment in the spatial (or image) domain using a quadratic phase function. Second (62), the common phase error can be corrected using autofocus algorithms. Two alternative embodiments of the invention are described. The first embodiment (44a) adds padded zeros to the range compressed data in order to avoid the wrap around effect introduced by the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). This embodiment requires a third step (64): the target dependent signal support needs to be shifted back to the initial position after phase correction.

Abstract: A Bragg grating inclinometer that includes an upper part, a lower part forming a pendulum suspended from the upper part by an articulation, at least two portions of optic fiber placed on either side of the articulation, the ends of each portion being fastened to the two parts, each portion being previously put under tension between the two parts, and at least one Bragg grating in one of the portions. Any variation in the inclination of a structure to which the upper part is fastened induces a stress on the grating, which then modifies a light propagating in the portion where it is placed. The variation in inclination is determined from the modified light. The inclinometer can be applied in particular to the surveillance of civil engineering structures.

Abstract: A surface imaging radar system for an airborne platform, the system comprises a transmitter for generating a radar signal. The system also comprises an antenna configured to transmit a radar signal generated by the transmitter and receive radar return information from one or more directions directly below the airborne platform to an angular direction of approximately 30 degrees greater than straight down. The system also includes a processor configured to generate surface information based on the received radar return information and an image processor for generating an image based on the surface information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of measuring a distance to a reflection object is disclosed. A sensitivity time control (STC) process is applied to a received signal from the reflection object to provide an STC-processed signal. The radar apparatus includes a controller. The controller obtains a quantity corresponding to the distance from a transmission time of the transmission signal and a detection time of the STC-processed signal. The quantity is corrected by using a first correction value associated with the intensity of the STC-processed reflection signal to provide a corrected quantity. The corrected quantity is further corrected by using a second correction value associated with the corrected quantity and the intensity of the STC-processed reflection signal to correct the error regardless of the intensity of the STC-processed reflection signal.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed that contains pixel cells that can individually provide a real-time output signal that is proportional to the instantaneous magnitude of incident radiation upon each pixel cell. The individual real-time output signals can be used to construct an electronic image. Additionally, the pixel cells of the image sensor can be used to collectively provide an accumulated real-time output signal that is proportional to the instantaneous magnitude of incident radiation upon a plurality of selected pixel cells. A propagated signal from a source such as a laser can be used to illuminate a target in an image. A reflection from the target can be detected in the accumulated real-time output signal. The range to the target can be determined using the round-trip propagation time between the sensor and the target of a propagated signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle equipped with two multibeam electronically scanned radar systems that function as side object detection systems. The transmit/receive modules of the radar are illustratively located on right and left side panels of the vehicle at the rear of its body. Each radar system generates eight equal-angle beams. The radar systems are programmed so that targets are detected only within a predefined range for each of its eight beam patterns corresponding to the adjacent highway lane. As an overtaking vehicle approaches in an adjacent lane, its approach is detected sequentially by the beams on that side of the vehicle. Each radar system generates eight signals, corresponding to the eight beams positions, which are coupled individually to eight LEDs configured in an array. Detection of an overtaking vehicle within a scanned beam causes illumination of a corresponding LED.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for 3-D measurement and visualization of cloud formations using ceilometers and computer software. Data collected from the ceilometers contains cloud range information in polar coordinates (r,&thgr;,&pgr;) which is then converted to a cloud height depiction in a 3-D space. Visualization of data is enhanced by animating consecutive sets of data in a time loop to show the movement and evolution of the clouds over the measurement site during an extended period of time.

Abstract: A device determines and subsequently corrects the dispersive influence on a measurement made according to the principles of phase or pulse modulation along a visible range. The device has an element for emission of electro-magnetic radiation with two carrier wavelengths in the border regions of the visible spectrum. After passing through a volume of atmosphere to be probed, and reflection, the radiation is received and the dispersive influence, for instance, on the distance measurements, is calculated and corrected.

Abstract: A Doppler radar apparatus includes a first oscillator for generating a first sweep signal to repeatedly sweep a predetermined frequency range periodically; a second oscillator for generating a second sweep signal having sweep properties identical to those of the first sweep signal, the second oscillator 41b starting sweep before the first oscillator finishes frequency sweep; a power combiner for combining the first and second sweep signals to generate a transmission signal; a switch for receiving, as inputs, the first and second sweep signals, and switching an output between the first and second sweep signals synchronously with the timing when sweep with each of the first and second sweep signals is terminated; and a mixer for mixing a reception signal coming from a part of the transmission signal reflected in a target and received, and an output signal from the switch with each other to produce an output signal from the mixer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring exit velocity of a round from a muzzle of a gun barrel includes a first optical fiber having a first fiber optic Bragg grating (FBG) circumferentially attached to the gun barrel at the muzzle and a second FBG circumferentially attached to the gun barrel further from the muzzle than the first FBG; a coupler that receives one end of the first optical fiber; a light source connected by a second optical fiber to the coupler for supplying light to the first optical fiber; a third optical fiber comprising an FBG notch filter, the third optical fiber being connected to the coupler to receive light reflected from the first optical fiber; a notch filter mount attached to the gun barrel, the FBG notch filter being disposed in the notch filter mount; a photodetector connected to an end of the third optical fiber; and data processing electronics electrically connected to the photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved distance measuring interferometer that includes high speed phase modulators and additional phase meters to generate and analyze multiple heterodyne signal pairs with distinct frequencies. Modulation sidebands with large frequency separation are generated by the high speed electro-optic phase modulators, requiring only a single frequency stable laser source and eliminating the need for a first laser to be tuned or stabilized relative to a second laser. The combination of signals produced by the modulated sidebands is separated and processed to give the target distance. The resulting metrology apparatus enables a sensor with submicron accuracy or better over a multi-kilometer ambiguity range.

Abstract: In a process for reading fractions of an interval between contiguous photo-sensitive elements in a linear optical sensor, of a type used in a goniometer, an angle measured is an angle formed with a reference axis of the goniometer, perpendicular to the linear optical sensor, by a light beam which is trained on the optical sensor by an optical device. The process comprises: a reading of a current image constituted by an ordered totality of intensities of incident radiations read on contiguous photosensitive elements; processing of data taken from the current image by means of a process which converges towards a result defining, with respect to an original determined by an intersection of the reference axis with an axis of the sensor, a distance d f a point of incidence on the sensor of an ideal optical axis of the light beam.

Abstract: There is provided a measuring device whose measuring accuracy is prevented from lowering when a plurality of lenses for guiding light rays to each of a plurality of photoelectric converters are integrated for the purpose of reduction in size. The measuring device is comprised of a composite optical part and a holding member. The composite optical parts is comprised of at least first and second photoelectric converters, and integrated first and second optical functional members that guide light rays to the first and second photoelectric converters. The holding member holds the first and second photoelectric converters and the composite optical part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to a target object also its shape precisely without influence of noise, which is applied to a invader monitoring system. This apparatus comprises a clock signal generator unit, a modulated light projector unit, a light receiver unit, and a demodulator unit, and obtains a range image presenting signal levels changing according to the distances to the objects including the target object by irradiating light onto the objects and receiving reflected light. In the demodulator unit, the range image is processed for evaluating and removing noise components, for interpolating and averaging noise removed region, and for selecting the target object region. Those processes are carried out from the following point of view, the variation of the distance signal levels, the received quantity of light, and the variation of the received quantity of light.

Abstract: A system is provided, for use in “cross-eye” ECM systems, and in other application, by means of which two radio-frequency signals having a specific temporal relationship can be amplified in the same amplifier, and without significantly affecting their temporal relationship. One signal is stored in a first delay line and the second is stored in a second delay line of larger capacity. The first signal upon emerging from the first delay line is sent to the second delay line behind the second signal. Upon emerging from the second delay line, after the first signal has completely entered the second delay line, the second signal is amplified in an amplification device and sent to the first delay line. It thus emerges from the first delay line at the same time as the first signal emerges from the amplifier, or the two emerge from the first delay line and the amplifier, in their original temporal relationship.