Phase Comparison Patents (Class 342/127)
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Patent number: 7649491Abstract: A transmission controller 7B is configured to transmit an R/W request signal for requesting transmission of a tag response signal to a RFID tag 1 twice. At this time, a frequency controller 7A controls a PLL section 5A to transmit the R/W request signal via different carrier frequencies. A phase information acquirer 8A detects a phase change amount of the tag response signal that is transmitted via different carrier frequencies. A distance calculator 8B calculates the distance between the reader/writer 2 and the RFID tag 1 on the basis of the phase change amount.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Omron CorporationInventors: Hideyuki Ohara, Takehiro Kawai, Keisuke Saito, Kosuke Hayama
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Patent number: 7649466Abstract: In particular situations it may be desirable to follow, trace or otherwise localize specific (groups of) objects or animals, in particular people. The invention relates to a localization system. The invention also relates to a method for localizing objects or animals using such a localization system.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Eyeon Trust B.V.Inventors: Martijn Schimmer, George Johannes Ferdinandus Blom
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Patent number: 7649467Abstract: When playing a sport it is generally difficult to localize (exactly) an accessory requirement for that sport at a determined point in time. The localizing of sports equipment may however be desired in particular situations, for instance to track down lost articles of sports equipment, or to be able to apply the rules of a sport in efficient manner. The invention therefore relates to a system for localizing sports equipment. The invention also relates to a method for localizing sports equipment using such a system.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Eyeon Trust B.V.Inventors: Martijn Schimmer, George Johannes Ferdinandus Blom
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Publication number: 20100007548Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a distance (r) to a target object (200) consisting in transmitting electromagnetic waves in the form of a transmission signal (120a) by a transmitter (111a), receiving at least one part of said transmission signal (120a) reflected by a the target object (200) in the form of a reception signal (120c, 120d) by receiving device (111b) and evaluating the reception signal (120c, 120d) according a reference signal (1230b) which has a known phase difference with respect to the transmission signal (120a) and a frequency equal to the frequency thereof. The reference (120) and reception (120c, 120d) signal frequencies are reduced in a frequency divider (113) with the same predefined divider factor (x) while preserving the existing phase difference between the reference signal (120b) and the reception (120c, 120d) signal in such a way that a reduced frequency reception signal (120b?) and a reduced frequency reception signal (120d) are obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2006Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Frank Künzler, Udo Haberland, Robert Rehner, Jochen Weinzierl, Lorenz-Peter Schmidt
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Patent number: 7639178Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for detecting devices with receivers, such as explosive devices with receivers used to remotely detonate the explosive devices. The system for detecting devices may include a transmitter which transmits a signal causing saturation of a device whereby harmonic content is emitted by the device. Receipt of an emitted harmonic signal which is coherent to the transmitted signal may indicate the presence of a device. A distance between the system and the detected device may be determined by modulating a frequency of the transmitted signal and measuring the time period between transmission of the signal and receipt of a harmonic signal. Additionally, direction information may be determined which may allow identification of a location of the device based upon the distance information and direction information.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Mark M. Mulbrook, Gary E. Lehtola, Donald F. Hovda
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Publication number: 20090315762Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptively estimating the specific differential phase (Kdp) from dual-polarization radar data in the complex domain. Some embodiments adapt for wrapped differential propagation phases by estimating the specific differential phase in the complex domain. Some embodiments adapt for measurement fluctuations and/or spatial scale in making such estimations. Some embodiments also provide for determining the presence of storms cells using the dispersion of the differential propagation phase shift over a subset of bins.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: Colorado State University Research FoundationInventors: Chandrasekaran Venkatachalam, Yanting Wang
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Patent number: 7605744Abstract: A method for extension of unambiguous range and velocity of a weather radar. To avoid pulse overlaying, the pulse repetition time of a single pulse can be extended such that any return echo will arrive at the radar before the next pulse is transmitted. When pulse repetition time is increased, the maximum unambiguous range increases while the maximum unambiguous velocity decreases. The pulse overlaying can be avoided if consecutive pulses are sent on different frequencies that are far enough from each other to allow separation of pulses arriving simultaneously at the radar. When different frequencies are used an unknown phase difference is generated by distributed atmospheric targets to the return signals. This normally prevents use of the shorter pulse repetition time for velocity calculation.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Vaisala OYJInventors: Pentti Karhunen, Sebastian Torres, Alan Siggia, Richard Passarelli
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Patent number: 7598903Abstract: A distance measurement sensor and a distance measurement method using the same are disclosed. The distance measurement sensor can use all of a pulse method and a Continuous Wave (CW) method, can select an appropriate measurement method according to the distance to be measured, thereby accurately measuring the distance. The distance measurement sensor solves the reception-signal limitation caused by a transmission leakage signal in the case of the CW method, reduces an amount of power consumption, measures distances of several objects at the same time, and establishes the range of the distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Jongryul Yang, Songcheol Hong
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Patent number: 7595755Abstract: A method for estimating the distance between a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter being arranged to transmit a signal as a series of bursts, and the carrier frequency of each burst being set according to a predetermined sequence, the method comprising: forming a first series comprising the measured differences between the phases of successive bursts as received at the receiver; forming a second series comprising estimated differences between the phases of successive bursts as received at a supposed time difference between the transmitter and the receiver; and determining the quality of fit between the first series and the second series.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio LimitedInventors: Timothy Newton, James Collier, Candido Levita
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Patent number: 7589665Abstract: A multistatic detection device for measuring a distance to an object includes a transmitter and a receiver, each having a high-frequency oscillator and a pulse generator. The pulse generators can be supplied with synchronisation signals emitted by signals generators, the synchronisation signals being transmitted by a data bus common to the transmitter and the receiver. The relation of the deterministic phases of high-frequency signals can be produced by the high-frequency oscillator. The method includes feeding two synchronisation signals to the transmitter and the receiver by the common data bus, the transmitter signal is transmitted towards an object, the signal passing through the receiver and contained in the data bus being mixed with a reception signal reflected by the object, thereby producing a measuring signal thereby making it possible to compare the phases of clock signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Patric Heide, Martin Vossiek
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Patent number: 7573961Abstract: A receiver for reception of radio signals while the receiver is moving at a high speed using two or more antennas closely spaced and arranged behind each other in the direction of motion for receiving the radio signals. A signal is obtained which represents a virtual antenna that is at least temporarily stationary with respect to the environment, despite the movement of the receiver. The receiving signal of the virtual antenna is obtained under the control of a feedback signal of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Johan Paul Marie Gerard Linnartz
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Publication number: 20090195438Abstract: A method of measuring a range from a reader unit to a non-contacted IC medium, includes: transmitting an inquiry signal at a first frequency from the reader unit to the non-contacted IC medium; causing the non-contacted IC medium to perform modulation to modulate the first frequency by using a second frequency to obtain a modulated frequency, and causing the non-contacted IC medium to respond to a response signal at the modulated frequency; causing the reader unit to receive the response signal to acquire a plurality of frequency components; calculating a phase difference between signals of at least two of the acquired plurality of frequency components; and measuring the range by using the phase difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventor: TAKEHIRO KAWAI
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Publication number: 20090128395Abstract: Method and apparatus for analysing a substance in a container, the method comprising the steps of: disposing antenna means (3) at a predetermined geometrical distance (L) from a container portion (13); transmitting a signal from said antenna means through a surface portion (12) of the substance towards said container portion; receiving a first reflected signal in said antenna means from said container portion; determining a geometrical distance (L1) from the surface portion to the container portion; varying the frequency of the transmitted signal to determine a first phase displacement between the transmitted signal and the first reflected signal; determining an optical distance from the surface portion to the container portion based on the first phase displacement; and determining the index of refraction (nt) of said substance based on the optical and geometrical from the surface portion to the container portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2006Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventor: Lars Baath
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Apparatus using continuous-wave radiation for detecting and locating targets hidden behind a surface
Patent number: 7535407Abstract: Continuous-wave radiation is used to detect a target hidden behind a surface. In an embodiment, a transmitter directs a beam of continuous-wave microwave radiation from a transmitting location, and reflected radiation from the target is received at first and second receiving locations closer to the surface than the transmitting location. The transmitting and receiving locations have spatial relationships such that the phase of reflected radiation received at one receiving location is in quadrature with the phase of reflected radiation received at the other receiving location. In an embodiment, direct transmitted radiation is received at the receiving locations in quadrature.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Prairielands Energy Marketing, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Cloutier, Delbert R. Oehme -
Patent number: 7511659Abstract: To provide a radar device which employs fast Fourier transform in a beam combining process to reduce the operation amount, the radar device including: a Fourier transform section that extracts a received signal that is obtained from waves radiated from a same transmitting element and received by a receiving element, and subjects a signal series of the extracted received signal to Fourier transform to generate a signal of a spatial frequency domain; a phase compensation section that compensates the signal of the spatial frequency domain with a phase difference that is caused by a difference between a predetermined reference position and a position of the used transmitting element; and a coherent integration section that adds the signals of the spatial frequency domain after the signals have been subjected to the phase compensation processing, which are obtained with the plurality of transmitting elements, in each of the spatial frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Toshio Wakayama, Masashi Mitsumoto
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Patent number: 7498971Abstract: An in-vehicle radar device includes: phase storing means 12 that prestores the phase of a received wave incoming secondarily from outside a target; received wave importing means 13 that imports the received wave on the basis of a radio wave reception timing determined by a transmission timing of the radio wave; phase detecting means 14 that determines the phase of the received wave imported by the received wave importing means; phase correction amount extracting means 15 that compares the phase prestored by the phase storing means 12 with the phase detected by the phase detecting means 14 and extracts and stores a phase correction amount of each of element antennas; and phase correcting means 16 that corrects the phase of a received signal of each of the element antennas on the basis of the phase correction amount obtained by the phase correction amount extracting means.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Toshikazu Takagi
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Publication number: 20090033545Abstract: A system and method for monitoring topological changes in a defined area. A grid of sensors is arranged in the area, with known distances between them. The sensors communicate wirelessly with a host computer, which individually addresses each sensor to instruct that sensor to be in an interrogate mode or responder mode. When a sensor is in interrogate mode, it measures distance from a neighboring sensor using radar (continuous wave phase difference) measurements. When a sensor is in responder mode, it receives, delays, and returns a signal received from a neighboring sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Michael Eugene Pilcher, JR., Brian Earl Campion, Ben Allen Abbott
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Patent number: 7460052Abstract: A multi-tone CW radar (14) is used to project signals from an antenna (22) and to receive returns with the same antenna. The phase differences between the outgoing signals and the returns are analyzed to determine the existence of motion and the range to a moving object (10). A model is made which has range as its major parameter. A waveform associated with the phase difference between outgoing signals and returns for one of the tones is compared to templates produced by the model to determine which has a range that most closely matches. By varying the range parameters, when a match is detected the range to the object can be obtained even if its motion is pseudorandom. If the range is measured with multiple units it is possible to measure the location of the object. This can be done assuming a grid and algorithmically combining the ranges from the units.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: BAE Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Zemany, Eldon M. Sutphin
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Patent number: 7414571Abstract: An apparatus and method for low frequency asset tracking includes a low frequency transmitter tag associated with a cargo container or other high value commodity, a plurality of receivers that detect low frequency signals, and a microprocessor that uses algorithms and/or data pertaining to the propagation characteristics of the signal to locate the position of the container or high value commodity. The tag may include sensors to monitor container properties or conditions, such as temperature, motion, intrusion, RF fields, or other properties of interest. Sensor data may be modulated on the low frequency transmitter signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Q-Track CorporationInventors: Hans Gregory Schantz, Robert E. DePierre
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Publication number: 20080150795Abstract: To provide a radar device which employs fast Fourier transform in a beam combining process to reduce the operation amount, the radar device including: a Fourier transform section that extracts a received signal that is obtained from waves radiated from a same transmitting element and received by a receiving element, and subjects a signal series of the extracted received signal to Fourier transform to generate a signal of a spatial frequency domain; a phase compensation section that compensates the signal of the spatial frequency domain with a phase difference that is caused by a difference between a predetermined reference position and a position of the used transmitting element; and a coherent integration section that adds the signals of the spatial frequency domain after the signals have been subjected to the phase compensation processing, which are obtained with the plurality of transmitting elements, in each of the spatial frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Toshio Wakayama, Masashi Mitsumoto
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Publication number: 20080150790Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of sensor modules that are disposed at spacings with respect to one another, each sensor module having a local oscillator device. The oscillator device generates an oscillator signal that is passed on to a transmit/receive device, and the oscillator signal is radiated. The transmit/receive device is set up such that it can receive signals reflected from the object. A phase detection device is coupled at one input to the oscillator device and at a second input to the transmit/receive device. Based on the oscillator signal and the received reflected signals, the phase detection device determines a phase signal. A control and signal-processing device determines, based on the spacings of the sensor modules with respect to one another and the phase signals, a direction of the object with respect to the sensor module.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2005Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Klaus Voigtlaender, Hans Irion, Mathias Steinhauer, Wolfgang Menzel
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Patent number: 7391505Abstract: The invention relates to a solid-state range sensing system. As with previous solid-state range sensing systems, an energy source is activated and deactivated in a cyclic pattern with a selected source frequency. A receiver is adapted to sense the reflection of emitted energy from the target. The receiver includes a shielding system to block the sensing of the reflected energy from the target in a cyclic pattern with a selected receiver frequency. Unlike the prior art, the frequency of the source and receiver are offset by a small frequency. The resulting output signal of the receiver is a further cyclic pattern beat signal of frequency equal to the difference between the source activation and receiver shielding modulation frequencies. The best signal is effectively a down-converted version of the source modulation frequency and, unlike the prior art, is compared with a reference beat signal whereby the phase difference between the two beat signals is used to determine a range value.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: The University of WaikatoInventor: Adrian Andrew Dorrington
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Publication number: 20080143585Abstract: A method to compensate for variances in signal path delays for a plurality of radar return processing channels is described. The method comprises providing a signal in the signal path between an antenna and a corresponding receiver of each radar return processing channel, receiving a reflection of the provided signal from each antenna at the corresponding receiver, measuring phase variances between the reflected signals processed by each receiver, and adjusting compensation algorithms for each radar return processing channel based on the measured phase variances.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Steven H. Thomas, Larry D. Almsted
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Publication number: 20080143584Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of determining a distance between an RFID reader and an RFID tag comprising transmitting two or more signals having two or more corresponding frequencies from said reader and measuring a phase difference between backscattered signals from said tag. A distance between the tag and reader may be determined using the measured phase difference. In one embodiment, multiple frequency pairs may be used and an average distance may be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Radiofy LLC, a California Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Kambiz Shoarinejad, Maryam Soltan, Mehran Moshfeghi
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Patent number: 7388655Abstract: The present invention provides a rangefinder that has a light source for outputting a measuring beam, an AM modulation unit that modulates the measuring beam with a modulation signal, a light receiving unit that detects a reflected beam that is part of the modulated measuring beam and reflected by a measurement object, a phase difference detection unit that finds a phase difference between the measuring beam and the reflected beam, a distance arithmetic unit that calculates a distance to the measurement object based on the detected phase difference, a burst drive unit for pulse-driving the light source to operate in burst emission, and a wave position detection unit that detects a wave position based on a delay time, wherein the distance arithmetic unit calculates the distance to the measurement object based on the detected wave position and the detected phase difference.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Hokuyo Automatic Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshihiro Mori
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Method of using continuous-wave radiation for detecting and locating targets hidden behind a surface
Patent number: 7362260Abstract: Continuous-wave radiation is used to detect a target hidden behind a surface. In an embodiment, a transmitter directs a beam of continuous-wave microwave radiation from a transmitting location, and reflected radiation from the target is received at first and second receiving locations closer to the surface than the transmitting location. The transmitting and receiving locations have spatial relationships such that the phase of reflected radiation received at one receiving location is in quadrature with the phase of reflected radiation received at the other receiving location. In an embodiment, direct transmitted radiation is received at the receiving locations in quadrature.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Innovatum, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Cloutier, Delbert R. Oehme -
Patent number: 7352320Abstract: An FM-CW radar includes a transmitting section, a mixing section, an A/D conversion section, a storage unit, and a signal processing section. The transmitting section transmits a continuous wave frequency-modulated with a triangular wave. The mixing section mixes the continuous wave transmitted and a reflected wave from a target, to generate a beat wave. The A/D conversion section A/D converts the beat wave into digital data. The storage unit includes a first storage section and a second storage section. The signal processing section reads data from the first storage section to process the read data. The A/D conversion section writes the digital data into the second storage section. The control section switches the first storage section and the second storage section alternately in synchronous with switching between up and down of the triangular wave.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LImitedInventors: Daisuke Enomoto, Yukio Ishikawa
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Patent number: 7333046Abstract: A system comprising a moving radar, a processing device, and a phase difference determination device is used to monitor a target. The moving radar has first and second phase centers that transmit and receive signals normal to a direction of movement of the radar. The processing device receives first and second ones of the received signals from the first and second phase centers, respectively, and performs a target motion compensation and target acceleration correction for each of the first and second received signals to produce first and second images. The phase difference determination device determines a phase difference image from a comparison of the first and second images.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: The Mitre CorporationInventors: Richard P. Perry, Probal K. Sanyal, David Matthew Zasada
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Patent number: 7330148Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring a distance from an object to be measured has, a transmitting means for alternately modulating amplitudes of a first continuous wave having a first frequency and a second continuous wave having a second frequency for transmitting a transmission signal as a carrier wave using an AM signal. The AM signal is produced by an AM producing circuit for modulating the amplitudes. The transmission signal is reflected as a reflection signal by the object to be measured and received by a receiving circuit. A first distance calculating circuit calculates the distance using a phase difference between the first and second continuous waves. A second distance calculating circuit is used for demodulating the receipt signal, detecting a phase difference, and calculating a distance from the object to be measured using the detected phase difference. A determining circuit determines a final distance measurement based on the above calculations.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Omron CorporationInventors: Shinya Takenouchi, Hoshibumi Ichiyanagi, Yasuhiro Satoh
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Patent number: 7304609Abstract: A wireless ranging system includes a first wireless unit and a second wireless unit spaced therefrom. The first wireless unit may include a time-of-arrival (TOA) wireless transmitter, and a near-field electromagnetic (NFE) wireless transmitter having a settable operating frequency. The second wireless unit may include a TOA wireless receiver cooperating with the TOA wireless transmitter, a NFE wireless receiver cooperating with the NFE wireless transmitter, and a ranging processor cooperating with the TOA wireless receiver. The ranging processor may generate a range estimate between the first and second wireless units, and generate an estimated operating frequency for the NFE wireless transmitter based upon the range estimate. The ranging processor may also generate a range window for the TOA wireless receiver via the ranging processor cooperating with the NFE wireless receiver, and use the range window with the TOA wireless receiver to generate a range estimate between the first and second wireless units.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Harris CorporationInventor: Richard D. Roberts
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Publication number: 20070273575Abstract: A distance measurement sensor and a distance measurement method using the same are disclosed. The distance measurement sensor can use all of a pulse method and a Continuous Wave (CW) method, can select an appropriate measurement method according to the distance to be measured, thereby accurately measuring the distance. The distance measurement sensor solves the reception-signal limitation caused by a transmission leakage signal in the case of the CW method, reduces an amount of power consumption, measures distances of several objects at the same time, and establishes the range of the distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2007Publication date: November 29, 2007Applicant: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Jongryul Yang, Songcheol Hong
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Patent number: 7295150Abstract: A method for determining a mechanical angle to a radar target utilizing a multiple antenna radar altimeter is described. The method comprises receiving radar return signals at the multiple antennas, populating an ambiguity resolution matrix with the electrical phase angle computations, selecting a mechanical angle from the ambiguity resolution matrix that results in a least amount of variance from the electrical phase angle computations, and using at least one other variance calculation to determine a quality associated with the selected mechanical angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Burlet, Tika M. Kude, James B. Oven, Timothy J. Reilly
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Publication number: 20070222670Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring a distance from an object to be measured has, a transmitting means for alternately modulating amplitudes of a first continuous wave having a first frequency and a second continuous wave having a second frequency for transmitting a transmission signal as a carrier wave using an AM signal. The AM signal is produced by an AM producing circuit for modulating the amplitudes. The transmission signal is reflected as a reflection signal by the object to be measured and received by a receiving circuit. A first distance calculating circuit calculates the distance using a phase difference between the first and second continuous waves. A second distance calculating circuit is used for demodulating the receipt signal, detecting a phase difference, and calculating a distance from the object to be measured using the detected phase difference. A determining circuit determines a final distance measurement based on the above calculations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: OMRON CorporationInventors: Shinya Takenouchi, Hoshibumi Ichiyanagi, Yasuhiro Satoh
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Patent number: 7205931Abstract: A method for determining the distance between a base station (SLG) and a mobile object (DT1–DT3). A HF carrier frequency and an offset frequency (df) are predetermined for a QAM modulation. The HF carrier frequency is increased and decreased by the offset frequency in sequence over time in such a way that the HF carrier base frequencies (fo+df, fo?df) resulting in an HF carrier signal (TS) thus modulated exhibit an identical phase when the frequency is changed. The HF carrier signal is subsequently transmitted and simultaneously mixed (MIX) with an HF carrier signal (RS) that has been backscattered by the mobile object to obtain a carrier phase signal (PS). The corresponding carrier phase (PH1, PH2) for the two HF carrier base frequencies is determined in sequence over time. The difference (dPH) between these phases is used to calculate the distance between the base station and the respective mobile object.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Janos Gila, Wolfgang Konrad, Alexander Renner
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Patent number: 7167126Abstract: System and method for determining the height of an object reflecting a real beam radar signal by receiving the reflected signal with a first and second vertically spaced antennas. Receivers provide two signals indicating the phase of the reflected signals received by the two antennas. A digital processor determines the phase difference between the two signals and calculates the object height.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Peter Wittenberg, Aaron Y. Mosher
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Patent number: 7145349Abstract: The invention relates to methods and a circuit for increasing the interference resistance of a time frame reflectometer, in particular with respect to high frequency irradiation. A transmitted pulse (XS) is generated at a pulse repeater frequency (fprf) and coupled to a wave guide (4). A return signal (Xprobe) is returned to the wavwguide (4) by a reflector (14) which is connected to said waveguide (4) and is scanned for time-expanded representation as a reflection profile with scan pulses (XA) which are repeated at a scan frequency (fA) and measurement values are continuously calculated from said reflection profiles, expressing the distance from the reflector (14) to the process connection.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2000Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Stefan Cramer, Markus Hertel, Bernd Krieger
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Patent number: 7139581Abstract: A method and system for distance measurement in a low or zero intermediate frequency (IF) half-duplex communications loop measures the distance between two transceivers without synchronizing the local oscillators of the two transceivers. Transceiver distance may be measured in systems that use direct conversion (zero IF) or intermediate frequencies that are so low that phase noise significantly reduces the accuracy of the distance measurement. The communications loop demodulates, re-modulates and retransmits a received signal to provide a re-transmitted signal that has the same carrier and modulation frequency as the received signal. A phase-hold circuit provides an analog system for half-duplex operation that retains the frequency and phase information of the received signal for retransmission in a subsequent time slot.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: AeroScout, Inc.Inventors: Shlomo Berliner, Alan Bensky, Reuven Amsalam, Gil Baver, Daniel Aljadaff
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Patent number: 7119737Abstract: Actual correlation data is stored at 38A. Such actual correlation data is data representation(s) of correlation(s) between or among distance(s) to object(s) intended to be detected and phase difference(s) of respective reflected wave(s) established with due consideration having been given to reflection of microwave(s) by object(s) (ceiling surface(s), wall surface(s), floor surface(s), etc.) other than object(s) intended to be detected which may be present within area(s) intended to be protected. Distance(s) to object(s) intended to be detected is or are measured, based on such actual correlation data, from phase difference(s) of respective reflected wave(s) that has or have been detected.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: OPTEX Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masatoshi Tsuji
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Patent number: 7095362Abstract: The present invention relates to a radar measuring device which, with a simple design, ensures reliable distance determination even when a mixed signal is zero, and a method for operating a radar measuring device. The radar measuring device includes: A high-frequency oscillator (11) which emits two different carrier frequency signals (F1, F2), A first switching device (14) for switching the carrier frequency signals (F1, F2) as a function of first pulse signals (P1) and emitting radar pulse signals (T1, 2), A transmission antenna (16) and a receiving antenna (18), A second switching device (24) for switching the carrier frequency signals as a function of a delayed second pulse signal (P2) and emitting delayed radar pulse signals (S1, 2), A mixing device (21) for mixing received radar signals (R1, 2) with the delayed radar pulse signals (S1, 2) and emitting mixed signals (M1, 2).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Juergen Hoetzel, Dirk Schmid
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Patent number: 7079029Abstract: A threshold level is set in advance that has varied signal level values of reflected waves for which an object detection signal is to be generated, where the values vary in response to a distance to the object. In regard to discriminating a phase difference of respective waves reflected from an object and the signal level of the waves reflected from that object, and obtaining two distances to an object due to fold-over error when using only the phase difference, the present invention uses the signal level of the reflected waves to judge which distance is the correct distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Optex Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masatoshi Tsuji
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Patent number: 7061369Abstract: A bidirectional dialogue is carried out between a portable code emitter (15) and a base station (1) for access to a motor vehicle. Both signals are correlated with each other and the dialogue repeated at an altered carrier frequency. The distance of the code emitter (15) from the base station (11) is determined from the difference in two phase difference measurements between the sent and received signal in one station (11 or 15). Access to, or use of the motor vehicle (10) is only permitted when the code emitter (15) is within a certain distance from the motor vehicle (10).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Nikolas Bergerhoff
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Patent number: 7049965Abstract: Surveillance systems and methods having both a radio frequency component and a video image are provided. The radio frequency component can determine the orientation and position of an RFID tag within a surveillance area. The orientation of the RFID tag is can be determined with respect to two or more orthogonal planes using inductance and a predetermined number of mutually orthogonal antenna loops.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Patrick Kelliher, Jens Rittscher, Peter Henry Tu, Kevin Chean, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson
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Patent number: 7046190Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining range of a radar target is provided. Signal samples based on returns of a target during tracking are processed to produce a wideband envelope range estimate for components of target motion. The components of target motion include precession and spin motion. Ambiguous phase values are measured. An unambiguous phase value indicative of range is produced from the wideband envelope range estimate and measured ambiguous phase values.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Fritz Steudel
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Patent number: 7023356Abstract: A monitoring system includes a wireless identification tag and interrogator. The tag includes memory that stores information associated with a person or object associated with the wireless identification tag. The interrogator wirelessly transmits an interrogation signal, which includes a sequence of interrogation codes, to the wireless identification tag. If one of the interrogation codes is associated with the wireless identification tag, the tag wirelessly transmits an acknowledgment signal associated with the tag. The interrogator receives the acknowledgment signal, which indicates that the wireless identification tag has been monitored within an area.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Aero-Vision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald P. Burkhardt, Frederick M. Ganz, Philip E. Burkhardt
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Patent number: 7006033Abstract: An embodiment comprises a unit generating a control pulse signal by delaying a basic signal in generating a transmission pulse, and a unit performing a gate operation on a received signal using the control pulse signal. Another embodiment comprises a unit generating a control pulse signal by delaying a signal generated using a first basic signal, a second signal for phase modulation having a lower frequency than the first signal, and a pseudo-random signal generated at an intermediate frequency between the frequencies of the first and second signals, and a unit performing the gate operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Satoshi Ishii, Yoshikazu Dooi, Hiroyuki Yatsuka, Tetsuo Seki, Kazuaki Hamada
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Patent number: 7005967Abstract: A terminal for generating an electromagnetic field adapted to communicating with at least one transponder, and a method for controlling such a terminal including: an oscillating circuit adapted to being excited by a remote supply signal of the transponder; an amplitude demodulator for detecting possible data transmitted by the transponder; circuitry for regulating the signal phase in the terminal's oscillating circuit on a reference value; circuitry for measuring variables linked to the current in the oscillating circuit and to the voltage thereacross; and circuitry for comparing current values of these variables to predetermined values, to determine the presence of a transponder.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventor: Luc Wuidart
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Patent number: 6973316Abstract: A sufficiently great processing gain is obtained by employing a sufficiently long symbol duration for a measuring signal, whereby it is possible to obtain both an increased communicable distance of the measuring signal and a reduced interference amount. Therefore it is possible to detect a position of a mobile station in a base station arrangement providing the efficient use of radio resource for the information communications in the cellular mobile communication.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tadashi Hayakawa
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Patent number: 6963301Abstract: A system for measuring distance between a first locus and a second locus includes: (a) at least one beacon device; a respective beacon device of the at least one beacon device being situated at the first locus and transmitting a respective electromagnetic signal; and (b) at least one locator device; a respective locator device of the at least one locator device being situated at the second locus and receiving the respective electromagnetic signal. The respective locator device is situated at a distance from the respective beacon device within near-field range of the respective electromagnetic signal. The respective locator device distinguishes at least two characteristics of the respective electromagnetic signal. The respective locator device employs the at least two characteristics to effect the measuring.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: G-Track CorporationInventors: Hans Gregory Schantz, Robert Edward DePierre
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Patent number: 6956522Abstract: A pulse radar system has a high-frequency source, which supplies a continuous high-frequency signal and is connected on the one side to a transmission-side pulse modulator and on the other side to at least one mixer in at least one receive path. A pulse modulator is connected upstream of the mixer with regard to its connection to a receiving antenna. The mixer evaluates a radar pulse reflected by an object together with the signal of the high-frequency source. This system does not require a ZO switch and is insensitive to interference.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Frank Gottwald
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Patent number: 6933882Abstract: A time domain communications system wherein a broadband of time-spaced signals, essentially monocycle-like signals, are derived from applying stepped-in-amplitude signals to a broadband antenna, in this case, a reverse bicone antenna. When received, the thus transmitted signals are multiplied by a D.C. replica of each transmitted signal, and thereafter, they are, successively, short time and long time integrated to achieve detection.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Time Domain CorporationInventor: Larry W. Fullerton