Patents Examined by Timothy A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 11609306
    Abstract: According to an aspect, method in a radar receiver system comprising, receiving a radar signal reflected from a target on a plurality of antennas, wherein the radar signal is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal comprising plurality of chirps, extracting a plurality of range bins from the radar signal, generating a plurality of reference angles and a plurality of reference velocities from a plurality of reference parameters, determining a plurality of reference weights from the plurality of reference angles and plurality of reference velocities, filtering the radar signal with the filter weights set to equal to the plurality of reference weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Ganesan Thiagarajan
  • Patent number: 11604271
    Abstract: Apparatus and method configured to determine locations of man-made objects within synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. The apparatus and method prescreen SAR imagery to identify potential locations of man-made objects within SAR imagery. The potential locations are processed using a change detector to remove locations of natural objects to produce a target image containing location of substantially only man-made objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Kenneth I. Ranney, David C. Wong, Tuan That Ton, Brian R. Phelan
  • Patent number: 11598841
    Abstract: A system for distributed dual-function radar-communication comprises a plurality of dual-function radar transmitters positioned within a region of interest, each configured to transmit at least one radar waveform, with each transmitter for having a minimum transmit power, a maximum transmit power, and a working transmit power, a plurality of radar receivers positioned within the region of interest, each configured to receive the radar waveforms, at least one controller communicatively connected to at least one connected transmitter of the plurality of dual-function radar transmitters, configured to calculate a vector of transmit power values for the plurality of dual-function radar transmitters. A method of transmitting a radar waveform is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Temple University—Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Governemnt of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Ammar Ahmed, Yimin Daniel Zhang, Braham Himed
  • Patent number: 11601214
    Abstract: A system and method for nulling or suppressing interfering signals directed toward moving platforms based, at least in part, on dynamic motion data of the moveable platform is provided. The system may be an interference nulling system carried by a moveable platform and may include an antenna array including two or more antenna elements that generates at least one initial steerable null radiation pattern, dynamic motion data logic that determines dynamic motion data of the moveable platform; and update logic that updates the at least one initial steerable null radiation pattern based, at least in part, on the dynamic motion data. The at least one updated steerable null radiation pattern is directed toward a direction from which interfering signals are being transmitted from an interfering signal source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic System Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Zemany, Matthew F. Chrobak, Egor V. Degtiarev
  • Patent number: 11598868
    Abstract: A microwave single pixel imager apparatus and method of using same. Sampling a targeted scene includes the following. A plurality of modulated antenna patterns is generated using a reflectarray. A plurality of antenna temperatures respectively corresponding to the plurality of modulated antenna patterns is measured. A retrieved scene corresponding to the sampled targeted scene is generated. Generating a retrieved scene corresponding to the sampled targeted scene includes the following. The plurality of modulated antenna patterns and the corresponding plurality of antenna temperatures are fed into a compressive sensing imaging algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Justin P. Bobak, Hatim F. Alqadah, Scott M. Rudolph, Michael W. Nurnberger
  • Patent number: 11592551
    Abstract: A radome for a radar sensor of a motor vehicle, having at least one main body facing the radar sensor, through which main body radar beams are intended to pass and which is made of at least one optically non-transparent material, which radome has a first dielectric constant at least on a side facing away from the radar sensor, wherein the radome also has an optically transparent foil with a second dielectric constant which lies between the first dielectric constant and the dielectric constant of air, said foil being applied on the side facing away from the radar sensor and at least in the region of the main body through which the radar beams are intended to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Michael Schwenkert
  • Patent number: 11585894
    Abstract: A method for training a trainable module for evaluating radar signals. The method includes feeding actual radar signals and/or actual representations derived therefrom of a scene observed using the actual radar signals to the trainable module and conversion thereof by this trainable module to processed radar signals and/or to processed representations of the respective scene, and using a cost function to assess to what extent the processed radar signals are suited for reconstructing a movement of objects or to what extent the processed representations contain artifacts of moving objects in the scene. Parameters, which characterize the performance characteristics of a trainable module, are optimized with regard to the cost function. A method is also provided for evaluating moving objects from radar signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gor Hakobyan, Kilian Rambach
  • Patent number: 11579234
    Abstract: A direction-finding antenna includes at least a first set of radiating elements configured to radiate at least a first wavelength (?1) and a second set of radiating elements configured to radiate at a second wavelength (?2) that is shorter than the first wavelength (?1). The first set of radiating elements defines a first circle having a first radius. The second set of radiating elements defines a second circle having a second radius that is smaller than the first radius of the first circle. The direction-finding antenna further includes a transmission line-based multiplexer configured to selectively couple the first set of radiating elements or the second set of radiating elements to a radio frequency (RF) feed line, or a plurality of switches configured to selectively couple selected radiating elements of the first set of radiating elements or the second set of radiating elements to the RF feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiwon L. Moran, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11579249
    Abstract: A radar detection method may include: transmitting a first radar signal in a field of view and receiving a second radar signal originated from reflections of the first radar signal in the field of view; generating a detection profile by processing the first and second radar signals, the detection profile representing intensities of the second radar signal as a function of positions in the field of view; and analyzing the detection profile to identify targets in the field of view. Analyzing the detection profile may include: using a first mode of analysis, with lower sensitivity, for first cycles, wherein the first mode of analysis is configured to detect a target entering the field of view; using a second mode of analysis, with higher sensitivity, for second cycles following the first cycles, wherein the second mode of analysis is configured to detect stay of the target in the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: INXPECT S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Tartaro, Ugo Bertacchini, Lorenzo Nava
  • Patent number: 11582305
    Abstract: A shared radar and communications system. The system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter modules signals based on a first spreading code defined at least in part by a first plurality of information bits. The first plurality of information bits encodes selected information. The transmitter transmits the modulated signals. The receiver receives a first signal and a second signal. The first signal includes the transmitted signals transmitted by the transmitter and reflected from objects in an environment. The receiver processes the first signal to detect objects in the environment. The second signal is transmitted from another system. The second signal carries a second plurality of information bits. The receiver processes the second signal to determine the second plurality of information bits. The second plurality of information bits are encoded with information selected by the other system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Uhnder, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Davis, Manju Hegde, Wayne E. Stark, Aria Eshraghi, Marius Goldenberg, Murtaza Ali
  • Patent number: 11573288
    Abstract: A multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) for measuring a distance (1) of an object (22) from the multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) The multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) has a housing (12) that includes an antenna structure (14) that is arranged in or close to a side (19) of the housing (12). The antenna structure (14) is set up for emitting an electromagnetic transmission free space wave (20) and for receiving an electromagnetic reflection wave (24) reflected on the object (22). The multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) has sensor electronics (16) which are set up to determine the distance (l) of the object (22) from the multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) based on the received reflection wave (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: BALLUFF GMBH
    Inventors: Mark Eberspaecher, Attila Szabo
  • Patent number: 11573332
    Abstract: A complex and intricate GNSS antenna that is created using inexpensive manufacturing techniques is disclosed. The antenna combines a loop antenna and a cross dipole antenna together, in a single plane, to create an optimal GNSS gain pattern. The antenna structure is symmetric and right-hand circular polarized to force correct polarization over a wide range of frequency and beamwidth. The feed structure is part of the antenna radiating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Hemisphere GNSS, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Feller
  • Patent number: 11567186
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an error detector for determining an error vector between a radio trajectory and an image trajectory. The error detector includes: an input for monitoring a radio trajectory of an object from a radio signal and an image trajectory of an object from an image over an observation area; a correlation module arranged to correlate the radio trajectory with the image trajectory; an error module arranged to determine an error vector between the radio trajectory and the image trajectory; and an output arranged to transmit the error vector for use in determining an estimated trajectory of a target based on a target trajectory from a radio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Timothy David Farnham, Aftab Khan
  • Patent number: 11561300
    Abstract: A close-range microwave imaging method includes: implementing Fourier transform in a pre-set rotation axis direction on an echo signal reflected from a target object and acquired by rotating an array antenna around the pre-set rotation axis to obtain a first echo signal, wherein the first echo signal is represented in polar coordinates; multiplying the first echo signal by a pre-set reference function to obtain a second echo signal; converting the second echo signal into rectangular coordinates by a pre-set algorithm to obtain a third echo signal; and implementing three-dimensional Fourier transform on the third echo signal to obtain three-dimensional image data of the target object. By means of the method, three-dimensional image data of a target object can be obtained fast, fast imaging of the target object can be realized, the data processing amount is small, the imaging precision is high and the method is easy to implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: CHINA COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., SHENZHEN VICTOOTH TERAHERTZ TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chunchao Qi, Guangsheng Wu, Shukai Zhao, Qian Xiao, Aixian Wang
  • Patent number: 11561122
    Abstract: The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for gauging tanks. A computer-implemented method includes generating, using an interrogator, a radio frequency signal directed towards a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that is freely floating on the liquid stored within the tank, receiving a return signal from the RFID device, the return signal being associated to a location of the RFID device, processing the return signal to determine a height of the liquid stored within the tank based on a triangulation algorithm, and determining a result data based on the height of the liquid stored within the tank and one or more tank characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Fouad M. Alkhabbaz
  • Patent number: 11561301
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a radar arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one radar sensor with at least one antenna arrangement, wherein at least two antenna arrangements are arranged at a distance defined in an arrangement direction on a carrier component, which is permeable in particular to radar radiation, of the motor vehicle, and wherein the radar arrangement has a control device for common transmission and reception operation of the at least two antenna arrangements, such that these have the effect of a single virtual antenna arrangement with increased antenna extension in the arrangement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Rachid Khlifi
  • Patent number: 11555916
    Abstract: Examples of imaging systems are described herein which may implement microwave or millimeter wave imaging systems. Examples described may implement partitioned inverse techniques which may construct and invert a measurement matrix to be used to provide multiple estimates of reflectivity values associated with a scene. The processing may be partitioned in accordance with a relative position of the antenna system and/or a particular beamwidth of an antenna. Examples described herein may perform an enhanced resolution mode of imaging which may steer beams at multiple angles for each measurement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Matthew S. Reynolds, Andreas Pedross-Engel, Claire Watts, Sandamali Devadithya
  • Patent number: 11555884
    Abstract: A method for mitigating a leakage signal in an FMCW radar and a radar system thereof are disclosed. The method for mitigating the leakage signal in the radar system includes generating an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal for a beat signal, generating a complex signal using the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal, concentrating a phase noise of the leakage signal included in the complex signal on a stationary point, and mitigating the phase noise based on stationary point concentration (SPC) of the phase noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: SeongOok Park, Junhyeong Park
  • Patent number: 11543509
    Abstract: A bi-static radar system configured for coherent detection of a radar-signal includes a plurality of radar-transceivers, a controller, and a communications device. The plurality of radar-transceivers is characterized as physically spaced apart with respect to each other. The controller is in communication with the each of the radar-transceivers and is configured to coherently operate each of the radar-transceivers. The communications device communicates both a reference-clock signal and a frame-sync signal from the controller to each of the plurality of radar-transceivers whereby the plurality of radar-transceivers operate coherently. Alternatively, the system may include a reference-signal generator, a transmitter, and a plurality of receivers. The reference-signal generator generates a reference-signal characterized by a reference-frequency proportional to a fraction of a radar-frequency of a radar-signal transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: James F. Searcy, Ryan K. Rossiter, Stephen W. Alland
  • Patent number: 11525885
    Abstract: A radar device is disclosed that includes an input DMA module, at least one processing module, a histogram module, and an output DMA module. The input DMA module is configured to access a memory and supply data from the memory to the at least one processing module and/or to the histogram module. Each of the processing modules is configured to be enabled or disabled, wherein the at least one processing module that is enabled is configured to process at least a portion of the data supplied by the input DMA module, wherein the histogram module is fed by data from the at least processing module that is enabled and/or by the input DMA module. The output DMA module is configured to store the data that are processed by the at least one processing module that is enabled in the memory. Also, an according method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Romain Ygnace, David Addison, Markus Bichl, Dian Tresna Nugraha, Andre Roger