Abstract: A real-time machine perception system and vehicles with real-time perception systems can be adapted for navigation in conflict zone environments and include an optical sensor and an optical processing component coupled to the optical sensor. The optical processing component can be configured to solve a non-linear control problem comprising solving a multi-vehicle merging or multi-vehicle synchronization problem. The optical processing component can perform optical processing on a signal from the optical sensor according to a deep learning algorithm having weights determined by solving the non-linear control problem.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods are provided to implement anomaly detection. The method includes a FMCW LIDAR system that steers the laser beam of the LIDAR system via the wavelength tuning of a FMCW. The direction of the laser beam can be diffracted and controlled by the optical grating antennas which may diffract the laser beam as a function of wavelength. The method may also provide a LIDAR sensor with exhibits a controlled and wide-angle fill or output without the use of conventional mechanical mechanisms for scanning. The LIDAR system provides a cost-effective method to reduce scan dimensionality without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to calibrate a LiDAR using a reflect array calibration target having a spatially varying spectral reflectance profile. A frequency modulated continuous wave LiDAR emits a beam that spans a range of wavelengths, and, therefore, spatially varying spectral features in the reflectance profile can be used as indicia of where the LiDAR beam hits the calibration target. For example, the center has one absorption wavelength and the periphery has another, such that alignment is achieved by changing the alignment direction to maximize the spectral feature at the one absorption wavelength while minimizing the spectral feature at the other absorption wavelength. Alternatively, at least one spectral feature can have a center wavelength that changes as a function of space. Thus, the LiDAR is aligned by changing the beam direction to shift the center wavelength to a value corresponding to the target center.

Abstract: A system for displaying data inside of a vehicle includes a main body including a substrate forming a display surface and defining a vehicle interior. The system also includes a plurality of lenticular lenses located on the display surface. The system also includes an eye tracker designed to detect a location of eyes of a person relative to the display surface. The system also includes a light source designed to generate light to produce an image via the plurality of lenticular lenses. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the eye tracker and the light source and designed to determine the location of the eyes relative to the display surface and to control the light source to center the image based on the location of the eyes relative to the display surface.

Abstract: A system for displaying data inside of a vehicle includes a main body including a substrate forming a display surface and defining a vehicle interior. The system also includes a plurality of lenticular lenses located on the display surface. The system also includes an eye tracker designed to detect a location of eyes of a person relative to the display surface. The system also includes a light source designed to generate light to produce an image via the plurality of lenticular lenses. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the eye tracker and the light source and designed to determine the location of the eyes relative to the display surface and to control the light source to center the image based on the location of the eyes relative to the display surface.

Abstract: A vehicular radar system with antenna structures to provide volumetric radar scanning for use in vehicles. The vehicular radar system includes a first antenna array having two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas. The vehicular radar system includes a second antenna array having two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas positioned adjacent to the two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas such that the first antenna array is stacked above the second antenna array. A radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) is coupled to the first antenna array and the second antenna array. The RFIC is configured to control each of the two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas of the first antenna array and the two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas of the second antenna array to transmit a signal. At least some signals have different phases so they may be combined to form a three-dimensional radar beam.

Abstract: Bracket structures that structurally support and enhance the performance of millimeter-wave tapered-slot end-fire antennas for use in vehicular radar systems. The system includes a first longitudinal rib and a second longitudinal rib, each defining a first longitudinal slot and having a transmission end and a chip connection end. The system includes a crossbeam coupled to the first longitudinal rib and the second longitudinal rib. The system includes a first end-fire antenna having a transmission end that is received by the first longitudinal slot and a chip connection end. The first end-fire antenna is designed to transmit a first signal having a first phase. The system includes a second end-fire antenna having a transmission end that is received by the second longitudinal slot and a chip connection end. The second end-fire antenna is designed to transmit a second signal having a second phase that is different than the first phase.

Abstract: Bracket structures that structurally support and enhance the performance of millimeter-wave tapered-slot end-fire antennas for use in vehicular radar systems. The system includes a first longitudinal rib and a second longitudinal rib, each defining a first longitudinal slot and having a transmission end and a chip connection end. The system includes a crossbeam coupled to the first longitudinal rib and the second longitudinal rib. The system includes a first end-fire antenna having a transmission end that is received by the first longitudinal slot and a chip connection end. The first end-fire antenna is designed to transmit a first signal having a first phase. The system includes a second end-fire antenna having a transmission end that is received by the second longitudinal slot and a chip connection end. The second end-fire antenna is designed to transmit a second signal having a second phase that is different than the first phase.

Abstract: A vehicular radar system with antenna structures to provide volumetric radar scanning for use in vehicles. The vehicular radar system includes a first antenna array having two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas. The vehicular radar system includes a second antenna array having two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas positioned adjacent to the two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas such that the first antenna array is stacked above the second antenna array. A radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) is coupled to the first antenna array and the second antenna array. The RFIC is configured to control each of the two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas of the first antenna array and the two or more tapered slot end-fire antennas of the second antenna array to transmit a signal. At least some signals have different phases so they may be combined to form a three-dimensional radar beam.

Abstract: Circuit boards and computer-implemented methods for designing circuit boards are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of designing a circuit board having an insulator substrate includes determining, by a computer, a plurality of thermal conductor traces that is arranged to direct heat flux generated by a heat generating component away from a temperature sensitive component, and determining a plurality of electrical connection traces based on an input schematic. At least a portion of the plurality of electrical connection traces incorporate at least a portion of the plurality of thermal conductor traces to define a conductive trace pattern that electrically connects pins of two or more components located on the substrate. The conductive trace pattern includes the plurality of thermal conductor traces and the plurality of electrical connection traces. Disruption of the plurality of thermal conductor traces is avoided while determining the plurality of electrical connection traces.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for processing transmitted and received signals is positioned on a first printed circuit board. A second printed circuit board is provided which has a plurality of antenna elements and at least one transmission line. The first printed circuit board is bonded to a first side of a metal housing and the second printed circuit board is bonded to a second side of the metal housing, so that the integrated circuit is sealed from environmental exposure between the first printed circuit board and the metal housing. A waveguide chamber is provided and is located between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board. A signal is allowed to propagate from the integrated circuit to the metal trace to the square metal section to the waveguide chamber to the at leas one transmission line to the plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: Circuit boards and computer-implemented methods for designing circuit boards are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of designing a circuit board having an insulator substrate includes determining, by a computer, a plurality of thermal conductor traces that is arranged to direct heat flux generated by a heat generating component away from a temperature sensitive component, and determining a plurality of electrical connection traces based on an input schematic. At least a portion of the plurality of electrical connection traces incorporate at least a portion of the plurality of thermal conductor traces to define a conductive trace pattern that electrically connects pins of two or more components located on the substrate. The conductive trace pattern includes the plurality of thermal conductor traces and the plurality of electrical connection traces. Disruption of the plurality of thermal conductor traces is avoided while determining the plurality of electrical connection traces.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for processing transmitted and received signals is positioned on a first printed circuit board. A second printed circuit board is provided which has a plurality of antenna elements and at least one transmission line. The first printed circuit board is bonded to a first side of a metal housing and the second printed circuit board is bonded to a second side of the metal housing, so that the integrated circuit is sealed from environmental exposure between the first printed circuit board and the metal housing. A waveguide chamber is provided and is located between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board. A signal is allowed to propagate from the integrated circuit to the metal trace to the square metal section to the waveguide chamber to the at leas one transmission line to the plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: A radar system operable to detect objects within multiple ranges using common components is provided. The radar system includes a transmitter antenna, a first and second microwave radiation source, and a receiver. The first and second microwave radiation sources both are transmitted through the transmitter antenna. The echoes are received by the same receiver. The first microwave radiation source is a frequency modulated wave form and the second microwave radiation source is an ultra-wide band wave form. A multiplexer selectively connects one of the first and second microwave radiation sources to the transmitter antenna.

Abstract: A microwave antenna having an electrically nonconductive substrate with a top and bottom side. A radiator array having a plurality of rows of radiator patches is disposed on the top side of the substrate while an input feed line and power divider network are disposed on the bottom side of the substrate. The power divider network includes a plurality of ends wherein each end is adapted for electrical connection through a via formed through the substrate to the end of its associated row in the radiator array. An electrically conductive layer is disposed over a portion of the top side of the substrate so that the electrically conductive layer overlies the power divider network and shields the power divider network from the radiator array.

Abstract: An active safety system for a machine and a process for operating the active safety system are disclosed. The active safety system an active ultrasonic array having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers can propagate a plurality of sound waves, receive a plurality of echo waves and transform the plurality of echo waves into a plurality of electrical pulses. The plurality of electrical pulses can be transmitted to and received by a three-dimensional imaging circuit. The three-dimensional imaging circuit can generate a 3D image from the plurality of electrical pulses and an electrical control unit can determine a location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image.

Abstract: An antenna with improved radiation efficiency is provided. The antenna includes an antenna array proximately coupled to a feed line. The antenna array includes a plurality of resonating lines. Each resonating line includes a plurality of axially aligned resonators. The resonators have a resonating surface. The resonating surfaces of the resonators at the ends of the resonating lines are larger than resonating surfaces of the resonators in the middle of the resonating lines. Power is supplied to each resonating ling through a feed line. Electrical field is uniformly distributed along the antenna array so as to improve the radiation efficiency of the antenna.

Abstract: A radar system operable to detect objects within multiple ranges using common components is provided. The radar system includes a transmitter antenna, a first and second microwave radiation source, and a receiver. The first and second microwave radiation sources both are transmitted through the transmitter antenna. The echoes are received by the same receiver. The first microwave radiation source is a frequency modulated wave form and the second microwave radiation source is an ultra-wide band wave form. A multiplexer selectively connects one of the first and second microwave radiation sources to the transmitter antenna.

Abstract: For use in conjunction with a microwave antenna having a radiator array configured to scan in a horizontal direction, a method for scanning in the vertical direction. A first FMCW microwave signal having a first bandwidth is transmitted at a first microwave frequency and the echo, if any, is received by the radiator array. A second FMCW microwave signal having a second bandwidth is also transmitted at a different center frequency and the echo, if any, is received by the radiator array. The different frequencies cause an elevational shift in the received signal. The receipt of the echoes is then processed to identify the location or locations of the object or objects causing the echo and communicating such location or locations to a user.

Abstract: For use in conjunction with a microwave antenna having a radiator array configured to scan in a horizontal direction, a method for scanning in the vertical direction. A first FMCW microwave signal having a first bandwidth is transmitted at a first microwave frequency and the echo, if any, is received by the radiator array. A second FMCW microwave signal having a second bandwidth is also transmitted at a different center frequency and the echo, if any, is received by the radiator array. The different frequencies cause an elevational shift in the received signal. The receipt of the echoes is then processed to identify the location or locations of the object or objects causing the echo and communicating such location or locations to a user.