Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus that provides detection, characterization, and intuitive dissemination of targets. This disclosure combines improvements to ultra-wideband (UWB) sensing and machine target characterization with a means to convey data in a format that is quickly and readily understood by practitioners of the technology. The invention is well suited for Situational Awareness (SA) support in areas that are occluded by rain, fog, dust, darkness, distance, foliage, building walls, and any material that can be penetrated by ultra-wideband RF signals. Sense Through The Wall (STTW) performance parameters including target range, stand-off distance, and probability of detection are improved herein by combining a dynamically positioned sliding windowing function with orthogonal feature vectors that include but are not limited to time amplitude decay, spectral composition, and propagation time position in the return signal data.

Abstract: Numerous hardware and software devices provide a text-based command-line interface known as a command-prompt or command shell. These command-line user interfaces only take in text-based input from the user to perform commands and/or interact with the device in some way. For network-enabled devices, these command-line interfaces can be exercised remotely through software viewed on web pages through a web browser via a system where the web page takes the user input, forwards the input to the device, gathers the response from the hardware or software device, and returns the data to the user on the web page. Additionally, the underlying device command function could be emulated and presented via the web page.

Abstract: A low-cost high performance ultra wideband antenna that combines a plurality of shielded cables with properly selected and carefully positioned load balancing components to form a novel closed loop dipole is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closed-loop broadband antenna circuit that may be comprised of single or multiple conductive radiating elements that are electrically connected to one another at the flare-end of each antenna leaf by at least one shielded conductor in one or more shielded cables of any type. The shielded cable portion of the closed loop circuit may be interrupted by load impedance tapered regions that are positioned in an area that does not interfere or interferes minimally with antenna performance. The closed-loop broadband antenna circuit and the feed-point connections may be grounded by a separate path within the device. The disclosed approach simultaneously mitigates known problems of parasitic side lobes, antenna ringing, and RF coupling that commonly plague prior art.

Abstract: A method to present easily understood images that represent targets that are detected through walls or other opaque barriers is disclosed. This method is particularly well suited for sense-through-the-wall radar systems. One of the main challenges of evolving STTW systems is that the practitioners of the technology are generally presented with complicated images to represent the gain adjusted amplitude of signals that are detected by the radar. Interpretation of images from prior art, which can be in the form of the radar speckle, target blob, wiggle plot, and horizontal amplitude intensity displays, shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, requires high levels of skill, focus, and time. Naturally, the foregoing places military and law-enforcement customers of the technology at considerable risk during hostile missions. This invention discloses a method that converts a typical radar signal into an image that is easily understood by a practitioner of STTW technology.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus that provides detection, characterization, and intuitive dissemination of targets. This disclosure combines improvements to ultra-wideband (UWB) sensing and machine target characterization with a means to convey data in a format that is quickly and readily understood by practitioners of the technology. The invention is well suited for Situational Awareness (SA) support in areas that are occluded by rain, fog, dust, darkness, distance, foliage, building walls, and any material that can be penetrated by ultra-wideband RF signals. Sense Through The Wall (STTW) performance parameters including target range, stand-off distance, and probability of detection are improved herein by combining a dynamically positioned sliding windowing function with orthogonal feature vectors that include but are not limited to time amplitude decay, spectral composition, and propagation time position in the return signal data.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is disclosed that provides a secure, tamperproof, and cordless installation to securely and reliably couple any electronic device directly onto any standard power outlet. The installation is easy, certification free, and does not need to reduce the number of available power outlets. The apparatus also enables reliable and effective signal coupling for power line control and communication devices including X.10, HomePlug, and other proprietary power line based physical layers. For these types of systems the apparatus may provide life line support using a battery or any other form of energy storage. The device is optimally installed directly onto a standard wall outlet by replacing the current face plug with a housing that can be affixed directly onto the duplex outlet with screws that attach to any existing threaded hole used by conventional or other mounting devices within a wall box.