Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to an active array system that can form and steer a directed beam across its aperture. The disclosed array system utilizes a novel configuration that significantly reduces a number of transmit and receive elements. In some aspects, the disclosed array system can be configured with a modular design, for example, to permit the extension of the transmit/receive array, e.g., to increase/decrease aperture size. In other aspects, the disclosed array system may be configured to dispose the elements of either the first or second group of radiators in a modular fashion.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to an active array system that can form and steer a directed beam across its aperture. The disclosed array system utilizes a novel configuration that significantly reduces a number of transmit and receive elements. In some aspects, the disclosed array system can be configured with a modular design, for example, to permit the extension of the transmit/receive array, e.g., to increase/decrease aperture size. In other aspects, the disclosed array system may be configured to dispose the elements of either the first or second group of radiators in a modular fashion.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to an active array system that can form and steer a directed beam across its aperture. The disclosed array system utilizes a novel configuration that significantly reduces a number of transmit and receive elements. In some aspects, the disclosed array system can be configured with a modular design, for example, to permit the extension of the transmit/receive array, e.g., to increase/decrease aperture size. In other aspects, the disclosed array system may be configured to dispose the elements of either the first or second group of radiators in a modular fashion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a narrow vertical pathway of detection that permits the enforcement of a fixed “exclusion zone” that is narrow and does not widen with range. An advantage to this approach is that the zone or corridor does not widen with range, permitting a fixed exclusion zone that will ignore items that will pass above or below the wing. An exemplary system located on a vehicle includes at least two vertically separated antennas that receive radar reflection signals, a processor, and an output device. The processor receives the radar reflection signals received by the antennas, determines vertical position of any obstacles identified in the radar reflection signals and determines if the obstacles are within a predefined alert zone. The output device outputs an alert if any obstacle is within the alert zone. The predefined alert zone is related to a protruding portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a narrow vertical pathway of detection that permits the enforcement of a fixed “exclusion zone” that is narrow and does not widen with range. An advantage to this approach is that the zone or corridor does not widen with range, permitting a fixed exclusion zone that will ignore items that will pass above or below the wing. An exemplary system located on a vehicle includes at least two vertically separated antennas that receive radar reflection signals, a processor, and an output device. The processor receives the radar reflection signals received by the antennas, determines vertical position of any obstacles identified in the radar reflection signals and determines if the obstacles are within a predefined alert zone. The output device outputs an alert if any obstacle is within the alert zone. The predefined alert zone is related to a protruding portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reflector assembly implementable in a scanning antenna assembly having a stationary surface includes a support assembly coupled to the stationary surface, a substantially planar first reflector panel coupled to the support assembly so as to enable rotation of the first reflector panel about a central axis of the first reflector panel, and an actuator assembly comprising a translating arm coupled to the first reflector panel, wherein translational motion of the arm is operable to rotate the first reflector panel about the central axis back and forth through a predetermined angular range at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A obstacle detection system comprises a transmission antenna operable to radiate a radio frequency (RF) signal and a transmitter operable to control transmission of the RF signal from the antenna. The obstacle detection system also comprises a receiver antenna operable to receive a reflection of the RF signal; and processing circuitry operable to analyze a plurality of characteristics of a radar cross section (RCS) of the received reflection to identify an obstacle and one or more physical attributes of the obstacle.

Abstract: A method of generating an image of a volume ahead of an aerial vehicle is provided. The method comprises determining a position of the aerial vehicle and generating a terrain image corresponding to ground features correlated to the position of the aerial vehicle. Obstacle data pertaining to a set of obstacles ahead of the aerial vehicle is determined with a forward looking sensor. An obstacle overlay image is generated and overlain onto the terrain image to generate a composite image.

Abstract: A radar system comprises a plurality of antenna sub-systems, each operable to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals in a corresponding sector, wherein the plurality of antenna sub-systems are positioned such that the corresponding sectors cover a total range of about 180 degrees to about 360 degrees without rotation of the radar system. The radar system also comprises shared backend circuitry coupled to each of the plurality of antenna sub-systems and operable to process signals from each of the plurality of antenna sub-systems to detect the presence of an obstacle in one of the corresponding sectors.

Abstract: A radar system comprises a transmitter antenna configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal, a first receiver antenna, and a second receiver antenna. Each of the first and second receiver antennas are configured to receive a reflection of the RF signal, wherein the first and second receiver antennas are synchronized and separated by a vertical distance. The radar system also comprises radar processing circuitry configured to control transmission of the RF signal from the transmitter antenna and to determine an elevation of an object reflecting the RF signal based on the phase difference between the reflected RF signal received by the first receiver antenna and the reflected RF signal received by the second receiver antenna; wherein the transmit antenna, first receiver antenna, and second receiver antenna are operable to continuously rotate 360 degrees along an azimuth angle without rotating along an elevation angle.

Abstract: A method of generating an image of a volume ahead of an aerial vehicle is provided. The method comprises determining a position of the aerial vehicle and generating a terrain image corresponding to ground features correlated to the position of the aerial vehicle. Obstacle data pertaining to a set of obstacles ahead of the aerial vehicle is determined with a forward looking sensor. An obstacle overlay image is generated and overlain onto the terrain image to generate a composite image.

Abstract: A millimeter wave radar target simulation system and method. The system includes a down-converter that converts a millimeter wave radar signal to an intermediate frequency, an electrical-to-optical modulator that modulates an optical signal based on the down-converted signal, an optical-to-electrical demodulator that demodulates an optical signal to an electrical signal, an optical delay line serving to delay a signal passing from the electrical-to-optical modulator to the optical-to-electrical demodulator, and an up-converter that converts the electrical signal from the optical-to-electrical demodulator to a frequency that simulates a millimeter wave target return.

Abstract: A radar system comprises a plurality of antenna sub-systems, each operable to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals in a corresponding sector, wherein the plurality of antenna sub-systems are positioned such that the corresponding sectors cover a total range of about 180 degrees to about 360 degrees without rotation of the radar system. The radar system also comprises shared backend circuitry coupled to each of the plurality of antenna sub-systems and operable to process signals from each of the plurality of antenna sub-systems to detect the presence of an obstacle in one of the corresponding sectors.

Abstract: A radar system comprises a transmitter antenna configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal, a first receiver antenna, and a second receiver antenna. Each of the first and second receiver antennas are configured to receive a reflection of the RF signal, wherein the first and second receiver antennas are synchronized and separated by a vertical distance. The radar system also comprises radar processing circuitry configured to control transmission of the RF signal from the transmitter antenna and to determine an elevation of an object reflecting the RF signal based on the phase difference between the reflected RF signal received by the first receiver antenna and the reflected RF signal received by the second receiver antenna; wherein the transmit antenna, first receiver antenna, and second receiver antenna are operable to continuously rotate 360 degrees along an azimuth angle without rotating along an elevation angle.

Abstract: A obstacle detection system comprises a transmission antenna operable to radiate a radio frequency (RF) signal and a transmitter operable to control transmission of the RF signal from the antenna. The obstacle detection system also comprises a receiver antenna operable to receive a reflection of the RF signal; and processing circuitry operable to analyze a plurality of characteristics of a radar cross section (RCS) of the received reflection to identify an obstacle and one or more physical attributes of the obstacle.

Abstract: A reflector assembly implementable in a scanning antenna assembly having a stationary surface includes a support assembly coupled to the stationary surface, a substantially planar first reflector panel coupled to the support assembly so as to enable rotation of the first reflector panel about a central axis of the first reflector panel, and an actuator assembly comprising a translating arm coupled to the first reflector panel, wherein translational motion of the arm is operable to rotate the first reflector panel about the central axis back and forth through a predetermined angular range at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A distribution system for vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The distribution system supports high-bandwidth communications among system resources via one or more active routing systems. Comprising a plurality of communication ports coupled via a high-speed switching system, each routing system transparently splits incoming communication signals received via an input communication port. The routing system thereby can provide the incoming communication to a plurality of output communication ports without effecting signal bandwidth. By providing each routing system with a bypass system, the distribution system likewise can bypass one or more of the high-speed switching system in the event of a distribution system failure such that communications among the system resources can be maintained.

Abstract: A switch for selectively providing an input signal to an output terminal. The switch includes a first waveguide terminal, a second waveguide terminal, a reduced-width waveguide connecting the first waveguide terminal to the second waveguide terminal, and at least one switching element spanning the reduced-width waveguide between the first and second waveguide terminals. The reduced-width waveguide is configured to pass a signal from the first waveguide terminal to the second waveguide terminal when the at least one switching element is in a first state and block a signal when the at least one switching element is in a second state. In some embodiments, the switch also includes at least one additional waveguide terminal and the reduced-width waveguide also connects the first waveguide terminal to the at least one additional waveguide terminal.

Abstract: A millimeter wave radar target simulation system and method. The system includes a down-converter that converts a millimeter wave radar signal to an intermediate frequency, an electrical-to-optical modulator that modulates an optical signal based on the down-converted signal, an optical-to-electrical demodulator that demodulates an optical signal to an electrical signal, an optical delay line serving to delay a signal passing from the electrical-to-optical modulator to the optical-to-electrical demodulator, and an up-converter that converts the electrical signal from the optical-to-electrical demodulator to a frequency that simulates a millimeter wave target return.

Abstract: A distribution system for vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The distribution system supports high-bandwidth communications among system resources via one or more active routing systems. Comprising a plurality of communication ports coupled via a high-speed switching system, each routing system transparently splits incoming communication signals received via an input communication port. The routing system thereby can provide the incoming communication to a plurality of output communication ports without effecting signal bandwidth. By providing each routing system with a bypass system, the distribution system likewise can bypass one or more of the high-speed switching system in the event of a distribution system failure such that communications among the system resources can be maintained.