Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring a level in a receptacle using radar. Via an aerial (1) directed down into the receptacle, an electromagnetic wave is transmitted and a reflected and time-delayed wave is received, the level being calculated from the time delay. Via one and the same aerial (1) at least two waves are transmitted and received, which are mutually distinguishable by a detectable characteristic for each wave. The device according to the invention is characterized in that connected to the aerial (1) is at least one further radar measuring channel (3; 4), the radar waves of which are mutually distinguishable and distinguishable from the radar wave used in a first radar measuring channel.

Abstract: An equalization system and method. In a most general sense, the inventive equalization system includes first and second filters for filtering an in-phase component of a received signal in accordance with first and second sets of coefficients, respectively. The system includes third and fourth filters for filtering a quadrature component of the input signal in accordance with third and fourth sets of coefficients, respectively. The outputs of the first and third filters are subtracted to provide an equalized in-phase output signal and the outputs of the second and fourth filters are added to provide an equalized quadrature output signal. In the illustrative embodiment the filters are finite impulse response filters and the coefficients are provided by a microprocessor. In accordance with the present teachings, the filters are implemented in a general purpose filter. The delay elements of the filters are calculated in accordance with a mean square error algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for testing sheet material, in particular bank notes, comprising a device for transporting the sheet material in a defined direction, at least one transducer pair with a transmitter which exposes the sheet material to soundwaves and a receiver which detects the sound fraction transmitted through the sheet material, transmitter and receiver being disposed obliquely to each other with respect to the transport plane. The inventive apparatus is characterized in that the soundwaves emitted by a transducer are passed into a transport channel in which the sheet material to be tested is moved during irradiation, the sound fraction reflected by the sheet material being limited in its propagation by the transport channel such that said sound fraction cannot reach the receiver during irradiation of the sheet material.

Abstract: A versatile signal processor. The inventive signal processor includes a plurality of filters which are selectively interconnected to provide a variety of digital signal processing functions. In the illustrative embodiment, each filter is adapted to multiply input data by a coefficient. Further, each filter includes adders for accumulating the products. The coefficients are provided by an external processor which configures the general purpose filter to a particular function, such as a general purpose filter, a Hilbert filter, a finite impulse response filter, an equalizer, a beamforming network, a convolver, a correlator, or an application specific integrated circuit by way of example. When interconnected in accordance with the teachings provided herein, these circuits may be used to provide a digital receiver.

Abstract: A radar altimeter for determining altitude of an air vehicle with respect to ground comprises a digital sequencer for digitally modulating a first signal. A transmitter coupled to the digital sequencer transmits a radar signal including the modulated first signal toward the ground. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal from the ground. The received radar signal includes the modulated first signal. A digitizer coupled to the receiver generates digital samples of the modulated first signal. A digital signal processor coupled to the digitizer receives digital samples of the modulated first signal from the digitizer, demodulates the received digital samples, processes the demodulated digital samples and outputs altitude data based on the demodulated digital samples.

Abstract: An ultrasonic waveguide for guiding an ultrasonic signal situated in a predetermined frequency range is illustrated and described. The ultrasonic waveguide according to the invention is characterized in that it has a coiled foil whose layer thickness is considerably less than the smallest wavelength of the ultrasonic signal in the predetermined frequency range in the foil material. The result is that ultrasonic signal interference and attenuation in the ultrasonic waveguide due to scattering and dispersion are largely avoided.

Abstract: A Doppler-based traffic radar system determines a speed of a moving target from a platform while substantially eliminating the possibility of detection by an operator of the moving target utilizing a traffic radar detector. The radar system limits a period of time the system is initially transmitting. The radar system is adapted to determine the speed of the target and display the speed. Dependent upon the displayed rate of speed, the radar system operator further has the ability to halt operation of the radar system with respect to the particular target or to reinitiate transmission of the transmit signal for subsequently tracking the speed of the moving target.

Abstract: A submersible, hydrostatic pressure tolerant enclosure is presented for a portable radio, tape recorder/player, minidisk player, mp3 player, cellular phone, or other devices used for projecting audio, in the form of a rigid unified membrane with a built in stereo jack adapter capable of a pressure resistant coupling to a stereo jack. Also presented is a removable rigid lid allowing for the inserting and removing of the device from the enclosure, which is comprised of recessed sealing compression o-rings and control knobs to externally manipulate the internal device. Also provided is a hydraulic coupler system adapted into the frame of the housing that contains a stereo jack adapter that connects to a submersible pressure resistant scuba mask strap speaker system. The speakers have the ability to rotate horizontally and vertically to be positioned near the ear canal or moved out of the way in case of an emergency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the coordinates obtained by satellite navigation in a receiving system which fixes an incorrect position, instead of a true position, within a given three-dimensional zone. In connection with altered coordinates, additional navigational information such as course and speed can also be influenced. Specifically, signals are received from a site and re-emitted in a suitable way so that a navigation receiver determines the position of the receiving site within the three-dimensional zone covered by the emission. This approach is superior to noise-blanketing countermeasures (such as carrier or noise interference) in that precise but untrue coordinates are determined in the navigation receiver, without this incorrectness being immediately recognized.

Abstract: This invention is a steerable thermoacoustic array system for directing information between an object that is above the surface of the water and a sound detector that is beneath the surface of the water. The foregoing system comprises a laser or particle accelerator that is located above the water's surface. The laser or particle beam produces a light beam or particle beam which contains information that is moved along a small layer of water at the air/water interface at a speed equal to the speed of sound in water divided by the steering angle of the laser so that the light beam or particle beam is absorbed by the water causing the water to expand and produce a series of acousitic Braves that constructively interfere with each other and travel towards the sound detector.

Abstract: A device for acoustic communication of coded multi-channel digital messages in a liquid medium. The device is designed to use a single carrier frequency and includes the use of acoustic transducers in signal communication, and may include interfaces for communication with a variety of peripherals, host computing devices, and user communication and control devices. The device incorporates effective methods of encoding, transmitting, receiving, decoding, and acknowledgment of digital signals for achieving the desired level of reliability, bi-directional communication and multi-channel capability. The device is a communication subsystem configured to provide communication with another device of the present invention.

Abstract: A radar system (10) which transmits a random noise signal. The transmitted signal is embodied as an electromagnetic signal and is directed at an object or target. The object or target reflects at least a portion of the electromagnetic signal which is returned to the radar system. An image of the electromagnetic random noise signal is stored in memory (16) and compared with the returned modulated signal. Based on the correlation value, a determination is made regarding the object or target. In a particular implementation, the radar system is used in a target detection device (TDD) (10) in order to determine the distance from the target or object to the device and the relative velocity of the target or object and the device. When the target or object reaches a predetermined distance and also satisfies any other system requirements, the TDD (10) initiates a detonation signal which causes detonation of the missile or warhead.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the effective sound velocity between a source of sound energy located at an initial depth ZS and an actual target located at another depth. A system utilizing a device such as a computer or microprocessor is used for implementing the method of the present invention. An effective sound velocity (“ESV”) matrix is generated wherein ESV values are a function of actual target depth and actual target elevation angle. The ESV matrix is then used to determine the ESV between a source of sound energy located at an initial depth ZS and an actual target located at any depth between ZS and a final target depth ZT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit for generating and/or detecting a radar signal for synthetic aperture radar in which the radar signal is subdivided into N sub-bands which are processed in parallel in N processing channels, each having a first mixer for processing in-phase signals, and a second mixer for processing quadrature signals. In the circuit the mixers of the N processing channels are in the form of identical mixer modules each comprising at least one mixer, and each module is associated with at least one external element for adjusting the mixer module in correspondence with the sub-band with which it is associated.

Abstract: A towed antenna system employs drop-type dispensing for rapid deployment of a towed element on the end of a cable. The cable has an elastic central conductor, preferably of stranded stainless steel, which stretches to absorb the high tension of the towed element on the cable at the end of payout. The other end of the cable is anchored by a mounting portion in the launcher. A signal is fed from a coaxial signal conductor to the central conductor of the cable by a right-angle feed to a conductive sleeve on the central conductor, in order to avoid placing stress from the cable on the coaxial signal conductor.

Abstract: A frequency-scan traveling wave antenna receives radio frequency (RF) energy at an input port, passes the energy through a quarter wave transformer to a first radiator element in an array of radiator elements, each pair of radiator elements being connected by a respective delay line. Each radiator element includes an input port of known characteristic impedance connected to an impedance matching section which compensates for that element's radiated power. Each radiator element has an output port with a section of transmission line disposed between a main radiator section of said radiator element and said output port, and impedance matched to the output port. In one embodiment, each delay line includes a plurality of delay line sections, with adjacent delay line sections being mutually perpendicular. In a second embodiment, each delay line includes a plurality of delay line sections disposed in meandering form.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and a method for controlling the timing of the filling of a fluid actuate. The system includes, a fluid actuated clutch 83, an electronic controller adapted to detect an end-of-fill point for the fluid actuated clutch 83, compare the end-of-fill point with a desired end-of-fill point and adjust at least one of a plurality of clutch fill parameters in response to the comparison in order to control the timing of the filling of the clutch 83, and a control valve that is activated by the electronic controller.

Abstract: A radar apparatus of an automotive vehicle includes a radar unit which radiates an electromagnetic wave to a target in a forward direction of the vehicle and receives reflection beams from the target to detect the target. A scanning control unit performs a beam scanning of the radar unit to the target so that the reflection beams during the beam scanning are received. A center direction determining unit detects a distribution pattern of the received reflection beams with respect to respective scanning angles of the radar unit, performs a similarity approximation of the distribution pattern by using an antenna directional gain pattern of the radar unit to produce an approximated distribution pattern, and determines a direction of a center of the target based on a peak of the approximated distribution pattern.

Abstract: In a microwave communications link, an antijamming antenna system with enhanced main beam nulling is realized by providing gain in the difference port output of a monopulse antenna compared to the sum port. As a consequence interference signals are nulled out at much closer angles to the desired signal than is the case when the gain is the same in both channels. The gain is introduced when a dominant jammer is detected. Detection of a dominant jammer is identified for the conditions in which the monopulse sum channel power level exceeds the sum of the difference channel power levels and the system processor output signal/noise ratio is unsatisfactory.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedance, thickness and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface applying pressure in a predetermined range wherein one of the interfacing surfaces is positioned on an anvil with a specified preload and spring rate. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.