Abstract: A movement detection system includes a microwave antenna able to transmit microwave frequency signals into a space. An electronics controller is connected to the microwave antenna, and is configured to continually measure the impedance of the microwave antenna while it transmits microwave frequency signals into the space. An interpretive device is connected to receive impedance measurements from the electronics controller, and is configured to interpret and report changes in the magnitude and phase angles of individual impedance measurements as the passing of things and their direction through the space.

Abstract: An underground tunnel detection system does not employ radar. Instead, an automatic frequency control is used to keep a continuous wave (CW) transmission tuned to the resonant frequency of a resonant microwave patch antenna (RMPA). Changes in loading and the bulk dielectric constant of the mixed media in front of the RMPA will affect its resonant frequency and input impedance. A significant shift in the measured input impedance is interpreted as a possible tunnel, and the phase angle of the measured input impedance tends to indicate a slightly forward or aft position relative to the detection system rolling over it on the ground surface.

Abstract: A beat-product radio imaging method (RIM) system uses a matched continuous wave (CW) transmitter and receiver to electronically image material in between. Signal attenuation measurements are taken from a number of different transmitter and receiver perspectives around the material. The transmitter and receiver each have a crystal oscillator rated at 10-ppm or better frequency uncertainty. The receiver's crystal oscillator is used as a local oscillator to beat down the transmitter's carrier frequency to baseband. The frequency error between the local oscillator and the transmitter carrier frequencies produces a beat product of less than one Hertz in frequency and its magnitude is inversely proportional to the path attenuation between the transmitter and receiver. An extremely low-pass filter is used to remove everything above one Hertz in the detector. The receiver sensitivity is therefore extraordinarily high.

Abstract: A movement detection system includes a microwave antenna able to transmit microwave frequency signals into a space. An electronics controller is connected to the microwave antenna, and is configured to continually measure the impedance of the microwave antenna while it transmits microwave frequency signals into the space. An interpretive device is connected to receive impedance measurements from the electronics controller, and is configured to interpret and report changes in the magnitude and phase angles of individual impedance measurements as the passing of things and their direction through the space.

Abstract: A beat-product radio imaging method (RIM) system uses a matched continuous wave (CW) transmitter and receiver to electronically image material in between. Signal attenuation measurements are taken from a number of different transmitter and receiver perspectives around the material. The transmitter and receiver each have a crystal oscillator rated at 10-ppm or better frequency uncertainty. The receiver's crystal oscillator is used as a local oscillator to beat down the transmitter's carrier frequency to baseband. The frequency error between the local oscillator and the transmitter carrier frequencies produces a beat product of less than one Hertz in frequency and its magnitude is inversely proportional to the path attenuation between the transmitter and receiver. An extremely low-pass filter is used to remove everything above one Hertz in the detector. The receiver sensitivity is therefore extraordinarily high.

Abstract: A system for detection of linear underground anomalies passing under surface roads comprises an electromagnetic (EM) gradiometer mounted on a vehicle trailer. A transmitter is mounted to the front bumper of a car or vehicle towing the trailer and provides carrier synchronization information to the EM-gradiometer. An opportunistic radio station can be used as an illuminator. The transmitter or ground wave from an opportunistic radio station directs radio waves down into the ground where objects like linear underground anomalies and their equipment will produce reflections and scattered waves. These reflections will have phase angles and magnitudes that can be interpreted for characterizing information about the linear underground anomalies. Each EM-gradiometer measurement is tagged with GPS location information and then stored in a database. Subsequent passes over the same roadways and tracks are compared (change detection) to the earlier stored data.

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: A system for the electronic detection of military threats includes an electromagnetic (EM) gradiometer for detecting secondary EM waves scattered from objects illuminated by a primary EM wave existent in a local area. A right magnetic dipole antenna and a left magnetic dipole antenna are included in the EM gradiometer for receiving the secondary EM waves and able to reject the primary EM wave. A synchronizer derives a reference signal to the EM gradiometer from the primary EM wave. A synchronous detection processor makes measurements of the phase and amplitude of the secondary EM waves. A graphical user interface (GUI) is used to display information about the location of objects assessed to be threats in the local area that were computed from the measurements of the phase and amplitude. A vehicle may be used to transport the EM gradiometer over the local area during periods the objects are being radio illuminated.

Abstract: An underground radio communications and personnel tracking system uses a portable communications device worn by a miner when underground in a mine. A cap-lamp transceiver provides voice and text communication on ultra-low frequency (ULF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) carrier frequencies and modulation adapted by programming of a software defined radio to making selective and agile radio contacts via through-the-earth, conductor/lifeline, coal seam, tunnel, and ionosphere/earth-surface waveguides for transmission of electromagnetic waves. These waveguides comprise layered earth coal and mineral deposits, and manmade mining complex infrastructures which serendipitously form efficient waveguides. Ultra-Low Frequency F1/F1 repeaters are placed underground in the mine, and providing for extended range of communication of the cap-lamp transceiver with radios and tracking devices above ground of the mine.

Abstract: An aerial electronic system for detection of surface and underground threats comprises an electromagnetic (EM) gradiometer flown aloft over the possible ground and underground threats to a convoy. The EM gradiometer is disposed in a Styrofoam torpedo shaped pod that is towed in flight behind an airplane. An illumination transmitter and loop antenna mounted to the airplane radiate a primary EM wave that travels down to the ground surface and penetrates beneath. Frequencies of 80 KHz to 1 MHz are selected according to whether the targets are laying on the surface or deeply buried. Detonation wire pairs, buried cables and pipes, and other conductors will re-radiate a secondary wave that can be sensed by the EM gradiometer. A reference sample of the transmitter signal is carried down a fiberoptic from the airplane to the towed pod. This signal is used in the synchronous detection to measure the secondary EM wave phase.

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: 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 coalbed methane production method comprises acoustic radiators strategically placed within exhaust boreholes that sonically vibrate the immediate wall areas. The gas volume output that can be realized by an exhaust well is mainly determined by the penetrability of the inside faces of the borehole. Such inside faces behave like a filter matrix, and the important areas involved in restricting the gas flow the most are not more than a few diameters away from the exhaust well in the collector zone. Therefore, the more permeable that such immediate area around the exhaust borehole can be made, the higher will be the volume of gas produced. Strong sonic vibrations from the acoustic radiators positioned in a drillstring shake open spaces in the media for the gas to flow out and be collected. The media experiences a type of elastic collapse under the differential pressures that are exerted the strongest near the borehole opening.

Abstract: An aerial electronic system for detection of surface and underground threats comprises an electromagnetic (EM) gradiometer flown aloft over the possible ground and underground threats to a convoy. The EM gradiometer is disposed in a Styrofoam torpedo shaped pod that is towed in flight behind an airplane. An illumination transmitter and loop antenna mounted to the airplane radiate a primary EM wave that travels down to the ground surface and penetrates beneath. Frequencies of 80 KHz to 1 MHz are selected according to whether the targets are laying on the surface or deeply buried. Detonation wire pairs, buried cables and pipes, and other conductors will re-radiate a secondary wave that can be sensed by the EM gradiometer. A reference sample of the transmitter signal is carried down a fiberoptic from the airplane to the towed pod. This signal is used in the synchronous detection to measure the secondary EM wave phase.

Abstract: A slickline data transmission system for a high pressure oil-field well comprises inductive couplers at opposite ends of a slickline in order to establish real-time radio communication between down-the-hole logging toolstrings and supervisory control and data acquisition equipment on the surface. A frequency shift keyed (FSK) carrier centered around radio is used to send data up to the surface and commands back down to the toolstring. The toolstring itself can be a conventional one with a TDMA interface originally intended to be memory-dumped when the toolstring is returned to the surface.

Abstract: A radio power output amplifier comprises a balanced radio power output that differentially drives a dipole antenna or other balanced load. One half of the differential power output drives one side of the antenna from ground to the maximum positive rail, while the other half of the differential power output drives the opposite side of the antenna from the maximum positive rail to ground. The result is a voltage swing across the antenna that is twice that which would occur if a single ended output was driving an unbalanced load. Since the power output is the square of the voltage divided by the load impedance, the result is four times the power output.

Abstract: A coal bed anomaly detection and imaging system comprises a synchronous transmitter and receiver that are separated by a geologic structure with embedded and hidden anomalies. The receiver is housed in a shuttle body that can be pumped into a borehole by water or air pressure. The shuttle may itself employ hydraulic inching mechanism to move within the drillhole. Signal measurements are reported out over a fiberoptic pigtail. A separate radio signal path provides synchronization between the transmitter and receiver. The receiver shuttle is tethered by this fiberoptic pigtail, and it can be withdrawn from the borehole by the tether.

Abstract: A coalbed methane borehole pipe liner perforation system comprises a plastic pipe punch that slips down inside a coalbed methane production borehole lined with a non-perforated plastic pipe. A ground-penetrating radar is used inside the plastic-pipe lined borehole to determine which sections of the pipe are in contact with groundwater. The punch is then operated along the length of the plastic-pipe lined borehole to perforate it for methane-gas collection wherever such groundwater is not present. A radar survey to determine groundwater contact can be made simultaneously in combination with the punching of liner pipe perforations, or earlier in a separate operation.

Abstract: A drillstring radar comprises a measurements-while-drilling instrument for mounting just behind the drill bit and downhole motor of a drill rod. The instrument includes a radar system connected to upward-looking and downward-looking horn antennas. These are used to electronically probe the interface of a coal seam with its upper and lower boundary layers. A dielectric constant sensor is included to provide corrective data for the up and down distance measurements. Such measurements and data are radio communicated to the surface for tomographic processing and user display. The instrument also includes a navigation processor and drill bit steering controls. The radio communication uses the drillstring as a transmission line and F1/F2 repeaters can be placed along very long runs to maintain good instrument-to-surface communication.