Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for providing a fused image that combines image data of a scene received from an imaging system with a chart to aid in the navigation of a mobile structure. Specifically, the fused image may be generated by superimposing various image elements extracted from an image onto various locations on the chart that correlate to the actual positions of the objects within the scene. In some embodiments, one or more non-water objects may be detected within the image, image representations of the non-water objects may be extracted from the image feed, and the extracted image representations may be superimposed onto locations on the chart that are determined to correlate to the actual positions of the non-water objects within the scene.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide remote sensing imagery for mobile structures. A remote sensing imagery system includes a remote sensing assembly with a housing mounted to a mobile structure and a coupled logic device. The logic device is configured to receive radar returns corresponding to a detected target from the radar assembly, determine a target radial speed corresponding to the detected target, determine an adaptive target speed threshold, and then generate remote sensor image data based on the remote sensor returns, the target radial speed, and the adaptive target speed threshold. Subsequent user input and/or the sensor data may be used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detection and ranging systems and methods to improve range resolution, target separation, and reliability. A method includes selectively attenuating a signal representing a ranging system return or echo from targets so as to suppress side lobes or other undesirable artifacts appearing in the signal due to noise, interference, and/or distortion. A method may additionally or alternatively include rejecting interference events in ranging system returns by comparing a received return with that expected from a target illuminated by the ranging system, as determined by characteristics of its particular ranging sensor, and rejecting or attenuating returns or portions of returns that fail to match those characteristics in time or space.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for providing a fused image that combines image data of a scene received from an imaging system with a chart to aid in the navigation of a mobile structure. Specifically, the fused image may be generated by superimposing various image elements extracted from an image onto various locations on the chart that correlate to the actual positions of the objects within the scene. In some embodiments, one or more non-water objects may be detected within the image, image representations of the non-water objects may be extracted from the image feed, and the extracted image representations may be superimposed onto locations on the chart that are determined to correlate to the actual positions of the non-water objects within the scene.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide perimeter ranging for navigation of mobile structures. A navigation control system includes a logic device, a perimeter ranging sensor, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other elements of a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive perimeter sensor data from the perimeter ranging system. The logic device determines a range to and/or a relative velocity of a navigation hazard disposed within a monitoring perimeter of the perimeter ranging system based on the received perimeter sensor data. The logic device then generates a display view of the perimeter sensor data or determines navigation control signals based on the range and/or relative velocity of the navigation hazard. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide docking assist for mobile structures. A docking assist system includes a logic device, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a mobile structure. The logic device is adapted to receive docking assist parameters from a user interface for the mobile structure and perimeter sensor data from a perimeter ranging system mounted to the mobile structure. The logic device determines docking assist control signals based, at least in part, on the docking assist parameters and perimeter sensor data, and it then provides the docking assist control signals to a navigation control system for the mobile structure. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for video based sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include at least one imaging module and multiple navigational sensors and/or receive navigational data from various sources. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the imaging module, navigational sensors, and/or other sources. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, forecast weather conditions, warn of dangers, identify hard to spot items, and generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling the bias in a pulsed power amplifier include components for measuring the current in an amplifier, comparing the measured value with the desired value, modifying the bias, and controlling the bias applied to the power amplifier. A measurement circuit converts the measured current to a voltage, and a comparator compares a measured voltage with a reference voltage to continuously indicate whether the amplifier current is less than a desired quiescent value. A circuit controls the level of the gate-bias (Vg) during a pulse, such as with a pulse width modulator. The measurement of the amplifier current is registered after the bias is enabled, but before the signal pulse. Drive control logic implements a control algorithm for adjusting the gate value in between pulses and in time to be used for the next pulse.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide orientation and/or position data from an orientation and/or position sensor (OPS) while it is rotating. A system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an OPS that is rotationally coupled to a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive orientation and/or position data from the OPS while the OPS is rotating relative to the mobile structure and determine rotationally corrected orientation and/or position data referenced to the mobile structure, a rotationally actuated sensor assembly mounted to the mobile structure, and/or an absolute coordinate frame.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include multiple ranging sensor systems and/or receive navigational data from various sensors. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the ranging sensor systems and/or other sensors. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, which can be used to generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for video based sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include at least one imaging module and multiple navigational sensors and/or receive navigational data from various sources. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the imaging module, navigational sensors, and/or other sources. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, forecast weather conditions, warn of dangers, identify hard to spot items, and generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detection and ranging systems and methods to improve range resolution, target separation, and reliability. A method includes selectively attenuating a signal representing a ranging system return or echo from targets so as to suppress side lobes or other undesirable artifacts appearing in the signal due to noise, interference, and/or distortion. A method may additionally or alternatively include rejecting interference events in ranging system returns by comparing a received return with that expected from a target illuminated by the ranging system, as determined by characteristics of its particular ranging sensor, and rejecting or attenuating returns or portions of returns that fail to match those characteristics in time or space.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a radar system. In one example, such a radar system includes a radar unit adapted to broadcast radar signals and receive return signals in response thereto. The radar unit includes a waveform generator adapted to provide pulse waveforms of different pulse widths and Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) waveforms, wherein the waveforms are interleaved with each other to provide a transmission sequence for the radar signals for detection of long range and short range targets, a power amplifier adapted to amplify the radar signals for broadcast, and an antenna adapted to broadcast the radar signals and receive the return signals. Other examples of radar systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling the bias in a pulsed power amplifier include components for measuring the current in an amplifier, comparing the measured value with the desired value, modifying the bias, and controlling the bias applied to the power amplifier. A measurement circuit converts the measured current to a voltage, and a comparator compares a measured voltage with a reference voltage to continuously indicate whether the amplifier current is less than a desired quiescent value. A circuit controls the level of the gate-bias (Vg) during a pulse, such as with a pulse width modulator. The measurement of the amplifier current is registered after the bias is enabled, but before the signal pulse. Drive control logic implements a control algorithm for adjusting the gate value in between pulses and in time to be used for the next pulse.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to securely pair devices using default connection information. In one example, a method includes storing, on a first device, a connection list comprising a plurality of connection entries. The first device selects a default connection entry in the connection list. A secure default connection is established between the first device and a second device using the default connection entry. Defined connection information is received at the first device from the second device over the secure default connection. The defined connection information is stored in a defined connection entry of the connection list. A secure defined connection between the first device and the second device is established using the defined connection entry.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a radar system. In one example, such a radar system includes a radar unit adapted to broadcast radar signals and receive return signals in response thereto. The radar unit includes a waveform generator adapted to provide pulse waveforms of different pulse widths and Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) waveforms, wherein the waveforms are interleaved with each other to provide a transmission sequence for the radar signals for detection of long range and short range targets, a power amplifier adapted to amplify the radar signals for broadcast, and an antenna adapted to broadcast the radar signals and receive the return signals. Other examples of radar systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide orientation and/or position data from an orientation and/or position sensor (OPS) while it is rotating. A system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an OPS that is rotationally coupled to a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive orientation and/or position data from the OPS while the OPS is rotating relative to the mobile structure and determine rotationally corrected orientation and/or position data referenced to the mobile structure, a rotationally actuated sensor assembly mounted to the mobile structure, and/or an absolute coordinate frame.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to securely pair devices using default connection information. In one example, a method includes storing, on a first device, a connection list comprising a plurality of connection entries. The first device selects a default connection entry in the connection list. A secure default connection is established between the first device and a second device using the default connection entry. Defined connection information is received at the first device from the second device over the secure default connection. The defined connection information is stored in a defined connection entry of the connection list. A secure defined connection between the first device and the second device is established using the defined connection entry.

Abstract: A radar or sonar system amplifies the signal received by an antenna of the radar system or a transducer of the sonar system is amplified and then subject to linear demodulation by a linear receiver. There may be an anti-aliasing filter and an analog-to-digital converter between the amplifier and the linear receiver. The system may also have a digital signal processor with a network stack running in the processor. That processor may also have a network interface media access controller, where the system operates at different ranges, the modulator may produce pulses of two pulse patterns differing in pulse duration and inter-pulse spacing, those pulse patterns are introduced and used to form two radar images with the two images being derived from data acquired in a duration not more than twenty times larger than the larger inter-pulse spacing, or for a radar system, larger than one half of the antenna resolution time. One or more look-up tables may be used to control the amplifier.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a radar system. In one example, such a radar system includes a radar unit adapted to broadcast radar signals and receive return signals in response thereto. The radar unit includes a waveform generator adapted to provide pulse waveforms of different pulse widths and Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) waveforms, wherein the waveforms are interleaved with each other to provide a transmission sequence for the radar signals for detection of long range and short range targets, a power amplifier adapted to amplify the radar signals for broadcast, and an antenna adapted to broadcast the radar signals and receive the return signals. Other examples of radar systems and related methods are also provided.