Abstract: A collision avoidance system for use in a vehicle. The system facilitates the avoidance of other vehicles and other potential hazards or obstacles. A sensor subsystem is used to capture sensor data relating to one or more areas outside the vehicle. Sensor data is sent from the sensor subsystem to a threat assessment subsystem for generating a threat assessment from the sensor data. The threat assessment is then sent to a feedback subsystem so that if appropriate, a response is generated by the system. The response can take the form of a visual, audio, and/or haptic warning. The response can also take the form of changes with respect to the vehicle itself, such as an automatic reduction in speed. The system can incorporate user-based attributes, vehicle-based attributes, and environment-based attributes in evaluating potential threats and contemplating system responses to those threats. A wide variety of different heuristics can be applied by the system.

Abstract: A sensor system for use in a vehicle that integrates sensor data from more than one sensor in an effort to facilitate collision avoidance and other types of sensor-related processing. The system include external sensors for capturing sensor data external to the vehicle. External sensors can include sensors of a wide variety of different sensor types, including radar, image processing, ultrasonic, infrared, and other sensor types. Each external sensor can be configured to focus on a particular sensor zone external to the vehicle. Each external sensor can also be configured to focus primarily on particular types of potential obstacles and obstructions based on the particular characteristics of the sensor zone and sensor type. All sensor data can be integrated in a comprehensive manner by a threat assessment subsystem within the sensor system. The system is not limited to sensor data from external sensors.

Abstract: A transceiver that includes a radio frequency source comprised of a monolithic millimeter wave integrated circuit. The transceiver generates a signal of a first frequency, which is then converted to a signal of a second frequency as the signal is conveyed through the transceiver. The value of the second frequency exceeds that of the first frequency.

Abstract: A wave guide scanner assembly has an antenna constructed of a parabolic dish that refelects radar signals from a transceiver and reflective plate to a target. Radar signals reflected from the target are then antenna, sent back to the reflective plate, which sends the radar signal to the transceiver. The transceiver can be positioned at the focal point of the antenna, thereby omitted the reflective plate. The radar signals are then transmitted directed to the antenna from the transceiver, and sent to the target by the antenna. Reflected radar signals are then reflected directly back to the transceiver from the antenna. The antenna oscillates back and forth.

Abstract: A motor vehicular collision warning system including a scanned beam sensor, a signal processor, and a vehicle interface system that initiates warnings to the driver or adaptively controls the vehicle. Scene data is used to predict the path of the roadway in front of a subject vehicle. Reflections from manmade and natural scene objects are extracted from the scene data to define a linear feature edge. Once the feature edge is determined, the predicted path of the subject vehicle can be determined using information regarding the vehicle trajectory and the feature edge.

Abstract: A radar apparatus has an inclined slot wave guide array to form a narrow azimuth beam and a dielectric lens in front of the array to form a narrow elevation beam. The radar apparatus is particularly useful for motor vehicular collision warning systems. The inclined slot wave guide forms an antenna which is driven to oscillate back and forth at a small angle. The dielectric lens is fixed in position relative to the slotted wave guide antenna. The combination of the slotted array for forming a narrow horizontal pattern in combination with the dielectric lens for forming a vertical pattern provides an arrangement that is readily scannable.