Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a sending unit for sending a transmission wave, a plurality of receiving parts for receiving a reflected wave from a reflecting object in a parallel manner, beat signal generation parts for acquiring beat signals at the receiving parts, respectively, from the transmission wave and the wave received at the receiving parts, a beat signal processing part for individually processing the beat signals of the receiving parts, a DBF processing part for DBF processing a beat signal processing result, and an object detection part for acquiring information on the reflecting object from frequency components of a DBF processing result or the beat signal processing result. Amounts of phase lag of the receiving parts are set to different values. The beat signal processing part includes a phase correction part that corrects the phase lag amounts corresponding to the individual receiving parts so as to make them equal to one another.

Abstract: In a vehicle control system, when an inter-vehicular distance between a subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle detected by a radar device is less than or equal to a predetermined value, automatic braking is performed or an alarm is activated to alert a driver to prevent a collision. A stationary object detection threshold value of a reception level of a reflected wave for detecting a stationary object is set higher in a predetermined region compared to a moving object detection threshold value of a reception level of a reflected wave emitted from the radar device for detecting a moving object such as a preceding vehicle. Thus, the system prevents a gate or an article in the roadway, which are not obstacles, from being erroneously recognized as obstacles. As such, unnecessary automatic braking and alarm activation for the gate and the article in the roadway can be prevented.

Abstract: A coal-mining machine uses a ground-penetrating radar based on a software-definable transmitter for launching pairs of widely separated and coherent continuous waves. Each pair is separated by a constant or variable different amount double-sideband suppressed carrier modulation such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 30 MHz. Processing suppresses the larger first interface reflection and emphasizes the smaller second, third, etc. reflections. Processing determines the electrical parameter of the natural medium adjacent to the antenna. Deep reflections at 90-degrees and 270-degrees create maximum reflection and will be illuminated with modulation signal peaks. Quadrature detection, mixing, and down-conversion result in 0-degree and 180-degree reflections effectively dropping out in demodulation.

Abstract: A ground-penetrating radar comprises a software-definable transmitter for launching pairs of widely separated and coherent continuous waves. Each pair is separated by a constant or variable different amount double-sideband suppressed carrier modulation such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 30 MHz Processing suppresses the larger first interface reflection and emphasizes the smaller second, third, etc. reflections. Processing determines the electrical parameter of the natural medium adjacent to the antenna. The modulation process may be the variable or constant frequency difference between pairs of frequencies. If a variable frequency is used in modulation, pairs of tunable resonant microstrip patch antennas (resonant microstrip patch antenna) can be used in the antenna design. If a constant frequency difference is used in the software-defined transceiver, a wide-bandwidth antenna design is used featuring a swept or stepped-frequency continuous-wave (SFCW) radar design.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for investigating a region of interest with a radar. A radar signal is propagated to the region of interest. Sampled time-domain radar data scattered within the region of interest are collected. A likelihood function is calculated with the sampled time-domain data within a parametric model of the region of interest for a defined set of parameters. The set of parameters in varied to find an extremum of the likelihood function.

Abstract: A geodesic positioning system determines the position of a target point. The system includes a range pole that can be oriented toward the target point. A tilt sensor is arranged on the range pole, detachably where applicable, for generating a tilt angle signal related to the tilt angle of the range pole. A positioning element, more particularly a reflector or a satellite signal antenna, is arranged on the range pole. Positioning means is able to capture the position of the positioning element as a function of the tilt angle signal. Triggering means is in signal communication with the tilt sensor and with the positioning means, and adapted so that a trigger signal issued to capture the current position of the positioning element is transmitted to the positioning means as soon as the tilt angle signal corresponds to a tilt angle situated within a given tilt angle range.

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.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of vehicles and a central node. The plurality of vehicles each have radar systems used to collect radar data about the target object. Each in the plurality of vehicles moves in a path to collect a portion of the radar data using a sampling map to coordinate collection of the radar data by the plurality of vehicles and communicates with every other vehicle to identify uncollected portions of the radar data. The central node is in communication with the plurality of vehicles, wherein the central node receives the radar data from the plurality of vehicles and creates a three dimensional image from the radar data received from the plurality of vehicles using a tomographic reconstruction process.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are disclosed for positioning an antenna having a sub-reflector assembly. A conical scan processor receives a period for a reference time pulse and a time tag. The processor calculates a rotation angle of the sub-reflector assembly using the received period for the reference time pulse and the received time tag. The processor may also receive a power measurement associated with the time tag. The processor may calculate and then output antenna boresight errors based on the calculated rotation angle of the sub-reflector assembly and the power measurements associated with the time tag.

Abstract: A target tracking method uses sensor(s) producing target signals subject to positional and/or angular bias, which are updated with sensor bias estimates to produce updated target-representative signals. Time propagation produces time-updated target states and sensor positional and angular biases. The Jacobian of the state dynamics of a target model produces the state transition matrix for extended Kalman filtering. Target state vector and bias covariances of the sensor are time propagated. The Kalman measurement residual is computed to produce state corrections, which are added to the time updated filter states to thereby produce (i) target state updates and (ii) sensor positional and angular bias updates.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a track quality based multi-target tracker and an associated method. The method includes associating a measurement with a track, generating measurement association statistics for the track, generating and updating a track quality value for a track based on a measurement-to-track association likelihood, and updating track lists based on the track quality value and the measurement association statistics of the tracks in these lists. The tracker includes structure for carrying out this method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Mode S radar which specifies an aircraft by transmitting interrogations to an aircraft A equipped with a Mode S transponder, and by then receiving and decoding replies corresponding to these interrogations. In the Mode S radar, detection reports on the aircraft A are generated in a manner that: for a Mode A code necessary for generating detection reports, when identicalness between the Mode A codes obtained in a plurality of scans after the initial acquisition of the aircraft A has been found to exist, the Mode A code thus found identical is adopted without carrying out a Mode A code interrogation (UF=5) thereafter. Accordingly, the Mode S secondary surveillance capable of generating more highly reliable detection reports is achieved.

Abstract: An aircraft-based terrain display system includes a radar system configured to measure terrain data in proximity to an aircraft. The system further includes a memory coupled to the radar system and configured to store terrain data associated with the terrain data collected from the radar system. A processor is coupled to the memory and configured to use the terrain data stored in memory to generate a terrain image having a perspective view. An aircraft display coupled to the processor is configured to display the terrain image.

Abstract: A method for determining or compensating for the positional errors of a sensor tracking a target comprises the steps of operating the sensor to generate sensed information relating to the target and adding any sensor positional bias update information to produce updated sensed information. The target state is propagated to produce time updated state estimates. The Jacobian of the state dynamics and the state transition matrix for the extended Kalman filter algorithm are computed. The covariance of a state vector is time propagated using the state transition matrix.

Abstract: A logging radar system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole formation conditions in a subterranean formation including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal; a transmitter and receiver unit; and a mixer. The transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode, transmits the source radar signal into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. The mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This technology can be used to describe all fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.

Abstract: A distance measurement sensor and a distance measurement method using the same are disclosed. The distance measurement sensor can use all of a pulse method and a Continuous Wave (CW) method, can select an appropriate measurement method according to the distance to be measured, thereby accurately measuring the distance. The distance measurement sensor solves the reception-signal limitation caused by a transmission leakage signal in the case of the CW method, reduces an amount of power consumption, measures distances of several objects at the same time, and establishes the range of the distance.

Abstract: A direction finding antenna system for determining the relative bearing of a second aircraft from a first aircraft in conjunction with a Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). The system includes a first antenna and a second antenna located on a top surface of the first aircraft, spaced apart along a first axis, as well as a third antenna and a fourth antenna located on a bottom surface of the first aircraft, spaced apart along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The system further includes a transmitting, receiving, and processing system coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth antennas, wherein the transmitting, receiving, and processing system is configured to transmit TCAS interrogations, receive TCAS replies, and process the TCAS replies to determine the relative bearing of the second aircraft from the first aircraft.

Abstract: The portion corresponding to a main bang signal leaking from a transmission/reception switching unit is extracted as a frequency estimation signal from an IF signal from a mixer in a signal extracting unit, a frequency is estimated in a frequency estimating unit, and the frequency of a local oscillation signal of a local oscillator is controlled so that the frequency of the IF signal is equal to a target value. The frequency estimation in the frequency estimating unit is carried out by using Discrete Fourier Transform or Fast Fourier Transform.

Abstract: A method of identifying a runway is disclosed. A first scan of an area of ground known to include a runway is performed. The first scan is accomplished using a weather radar system at a predetermined position. A first image is obtained from the first scan. The first image is stored in a memory. A second scan of an area of ground proposed to include the runway is performed. The second scan is accomplished using a weather radar system at what is believed to be the predetermined position. A second image is obtained from the second scan. The first image is retrieved from the memory. It is determined whether features in the first image correlate to features in the second image. A runway confirmation signal is sent to a pilot of the aircraft when there is a substantial certainty of correlation between the first and second images.

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.