Abstract: An obstacle detection system determines a probability distribution of existence of an obstacle object corresponding to a distance in an irradiation direction of a transmission wave based on detected strength data per scanning-angle supplied from a radar device. A peak-value of the strength data becomes a maximum probability of existence of the obstacle. The probability distribution has a range gradually decreasing before and after the peak-value. Even if the position indicated by the maximum probability of existence of the obstacle object is different from an actual distance to the obstacle object, it hardly occurs that the probability of existence at an actual position of the obstacle object becomes zero. This eliminates occurrence of separation/association errors. Primary and secondary existence probability relationships made based on the probability distribution are combined. Using the combined one further decreases the error detection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for avoidance of partial pulse interference in radar. The systems and methods include a radar processor for generating control signals that direct the generation and transmission of two consecutive radar pulses using a waveform and pulse train generator and transmitter. The systems and methods also include receiving reflected echoes corresponding to the transmitted pulses using a receiver and processing the echoes using an analog to digital converter, filter, and digital signal processor to separate echoes from each pulse, process them, and combine the results to avoid partial pulse interference while maintaining pulse energy and an acceptable signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: This equipment is of the TCAS type. In order to improve its integrity and the reliability of its measurements, its computing unit is provided with a cross-checking function carrying out the comparison between two values of a same parameter, for example a relative distance with respect to an intruder, one of them generated by its own estimating means and the other communicated by another TCAS equipment installed on the intruding aircraft and generating a discordance alarm in the case of the observed difference exceeding a tolerance threshold. The computing unit is provided with fault locating means locating the aircraft whose TCAS is faulty when in the presence of several intruding aircraft, by examining the observed differences in pairs of values of a same parameter established for each intruding aircraft.

Abstract: A radar signal processor has observation means for outputting a predetermined observation signal from a reflected wave, means for extracting an observation signal component concerning a target from the observation signal, means for computing a sample correlation matrix showing a correlation characteristic between the observation means from the observation signal components, means for estimating power of the reflected wave from the sample correlation matrix, and an array response matrix which is comprised of response vectors of the reflected waves. When estimating the power, an adjacent azimuth array response matrix having only the reflected waves of a predetermined arrival direction which power is to be estimated and the reflected waves of an azimuth adjacent to the reflected wave as elements is determined so as to estimate the power of the reflected wave.

Abstract: A method of predicting storm cell characteristics at a future time is provided. A value relating to a characteristic of the storm cell is determined from reflectivity data processed from signals received from a radar scan of the storm cell. A second storm cell is identified that is part of the same weather system as the storm cell. A plurality of values relating to the characteristic for the identified second storm cell is received from a memory wherein the plurality of values were determined at a plurality of different times. The determined value of the storm cell is compared with the determined plurality of values of the identified second storm cell. A growth rate of the storm cell is determined. A maximum height of the storm cell at a third time in the future is calculated based on the comparison and the determined growth rate and presented to a user.

Abstract: An automotive radar device that can securely detect dirt adhering to the surface of a vehicle-side radome irrespective of the positional relation between the vehicle-side radome and a radar. The automotive radar device has a radio-type radar housed in a vehicle-side radome installed on a vehicle, the radio-type radar including a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The automotive radar device sends and receives radio waves from the radar through the vehicle-side radome and measures distance and relative velocity with respect to a subject. The automotive radar device includes a guiding unit that is arranged between the vehicle-side radome and the radar and that guides a reflected wave from adhering matter on a surface of the vehicle-side radome to the receiving unit of the radar, and an adhering matter judging unit that judges the existence/non-existence of the adhering matter on the surface of the vehicle-side radome on the basis of signal level of the reflected wave received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: The Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) target detection accuracy test system receives, compares and analyzes GMTI test data that is formatted according to the NATO-EX (v.2.01) Standard. The GMTI target detection accuracy test system also uses Global Positioning System (GPS) data from the objective target and target reports generated by the GMTI sensor to display the simulation test results. At the conclusion of the GMTI sensor test, both the GPS and GMTI data are collected and compared using a computer processor and the results are displayed using the MATLAB® program to better indicate detection accuracy and provide a higher level of target detection accuracy. A method for testing artillery target detection accuracy method is also provided for characterizing the performance of any GMTI adhering to the NATO-EX Standard and testing against an objective target outfitted with GPS instrumentation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides several electromagnetic radiation reflectors within a volume that contains solid portions subject to movement relative to one another. At least a portion of the reflectors are positioned beneath one or more of the solid portions and move in response to movement of at least some of the solid portions. The volume is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation having one or more frequencies in a range from one kHz through one THz, and a reflection is detected of at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from each of the reflectors in response to this irradiation. Movement among the solid objects is evaluated from the reflection of each of the reflectors, which includes determining a spatial orientation of each one of the reflectors as a function of at least one of polarization selectivity and frequency selectivity.

Abstract: An embedded calibration mechanism and method for a time-of-flight ranging system. The calibration mechanism (200) comprises a channel (202) having known characteristics. Periodically or as part of a calibration function, a pulse is transmitted through the calibration channel (202) and parameters such transmit pulse delay time and apparent velocity are determined. The calibration parameters or measurements are used to calibrate or compensate operation or measurements from the measurement channel.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for adjusting the tilt of a radar cover in response to change of weather condition by calculating dielectric constant of external air, optimum thickness of radar cover, and then optimum tilt angle of radar cover, and adjusting the position of the radar cover.

Abstract: An active antenna is provided that includes an antenna element for transmitting RF transmit signals at a predetermined effective radiated power (ERP). An antenna module is configured to be mounted to an aircraft, with the antenna element being mounted to the antenna module. A connector module is provided at the antenna module and is configured to be coupled to a communications link and receive electrical transmit signals from the communications link. A transmit path is provided within the antenna module and extends between the antenna element and the connector module. A power amplifier is provided on the antenna module along the transmit path. The power amplifier increases a power level of the electrical transmit signals, received from the communications link, by a predetermined amount sufficient to drive the antenna element to transmit the RF transmit signals at the predetermined ERP.

Abstract: A desired rotation of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image can be facilitated by adjusting a SAR data collection operation based on the desired rotation. The SAR data collected by the adjusted SAR data collection operation can be efficiently exploited to form therefrom a SAR image having the desired rotational orientation.

Abstract: There are provided an inter-vehicle distance detecting device and an inter-vehicle distance detecting method which can precisely measure an inter-vehicle distance from a user's own vehicle to a neighboring vehicle even if a radar becomes unable to detect the neighboring vehicle due to the influence of multipath or the like. If the radar does detect a neighboring vehicle, a width of the neighboring vehicle is calculated based on a precise inter-vehicle distance determined by the radar and a precise vehicle visual angle determined from an image taken by a camera, and is stored in a memory, and if the radar becomes unable to detect the neighboring vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance to the neighboring vehicle is calculated according to a trigonometric function based on the precise width of the neighboring vehicle previously stored in the memory and a precise vehicle visual angle determined from an image taken by the camera at this time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to track a contact using a sensor in a two-dimensional radar system, determine a closest point of approach (CPA) for the contact, determine a time to closest point of approach (TCPA) for the contact, and estimate an altitude for the contact from the closest point of approach (CPA) and a cross line of sight distance during the time to closest point of approach (TCPA).