Combined With Determining Direction Patents (Class 342/146)
  • Publication number: 20110187582
    Abstract: There is provided a traveling direction vector reliability determination method in which reliability of a traveling direction vector of another vehicle is calculated so as to increase reliability of a collision prediction. The traveling direction vector reliability determination method determines the reliability of the traveling direction vector when the traveling direction vector is calculated based on position coordinate points of a target, which are calculated by a radar device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jun Tsunekawa
  • Publication number: 20110181459
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to radar systems and methods. In an embodiment, a system includes a radio frequency (RF) sensor array comprising a plurality of spaced apart sensors; and a reflector element positioned proximate the RF sensor array to reflect waves toward the RF sensor array. In an embodiment, a system includes an antenna array comprising a transceive antenna and a plurality of receive antennas; a mirror arranged proximate the antenna array; a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) configured to generate a signal to be transmitted by the transceive antenna; and a controller configured to resolve signals received by the plurality of receive antennas to determine an angular position of a target, wherein the signals received include a first portion of the signal reflected by the target and a second portion of the signal reflected by the target and the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Feger
  • Publication number: 20110181455
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (300) for reducing or cancelling unwanted signals when detecting objects of interest with a detection system (200). The detection system thereby is an antenna based system using two or more receive beams as echo response to an emission signal. The system (300) for reducing or cancelling unwanted signals comprises an input means (310) adapted for obtaining from said antenna system (210) receive signals from a first receive beam and receive signals from at least one second receive beam responsive to the same emission signal. It furthermore comprises a coupling means (320) adapted for coupling the receive signals from the first receive beam to the receive signals from the at least one second receive beam, so as to obtain a detection signal for the objects of interest with suppressed unwanted signal contribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: INTERSOFT ELECTRONICS NV
    Inventor: P. G. Marcel Vanuytven
  • Patent number: 7982662
    Abstract: This scanning array scans an area around the array for nearby objects, collision obstructions, and terrain topography. The scanning array can scan for sounds emitted by objects in the vicinity of the scanning array, passive energy receipt sources, or it can also send out an energy beam and scan for reflections from objects within the energy beam. The energy beam can be optical, laser, radar or other energy emitting sources. The scanning array of the invention can be used for helicopter detection and avoidance of collision risk and can be used for other scanning purposes. Scanning of an entire hemisphere or greater is accomplished by manipulating the scanner platform through the coordination of either linear actuators or gimbals so as to produce nutation without rotation. This motion allows transceivers to be directly coupled to transmitting and sensing modules without the losses associated with slip rings and other coupling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Intellex, LLC
    Inventor: James Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20110163905
    Abstract: The invention relates to environmental characterization on the basis of an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radiofrequency communication network. Pulses are emitted and the waveform received is compared with predicted waveforms corresponding to well determined interactions between the wave and its environment. The comparison is done by searching for maximum temporal correlation. The interactions can be notably reflections of the wave on walls or obstacles. The deformations are very dependent on the nature of the materials and directions in which the pulses are emitted and received. If predicted waveforms are stored for various pairs of direction of emission and of reception, it is possible through these correlation operations to find where a wall which gave rise to a reflection is situated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Engerie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Benoît Denis, Vincenzo La Tosa, Bernard Uguen, Friedman Tchoffo-Talom
  • Patent number: 7973704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld radar apparatus. The apparatus comprises an antenna (22,23) adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals, a direction sensor (24, 25) that outputs an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the antenna, and a radar (21) coupled to the antenna (22, 23), the radar (21) adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal for transmission via the antenna (22, 23), and adapted to receive a reflected version of the electromagnetic signal via the antenna (22, 23) reflected from an object. The radar (21) comprises a processor (30) for generating location information indicative of the location of the object using the received reflected electromagnetic signal and the orientation of the antenna (22,23) as indicated by the orientation signal, and a screen (4) adapted to display indicia (e.g. 43a to 43c) representing the object and its location based on the location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Navman New Zealand
    Inventors: Gregor Wolfgang Storz, Robert Andrew Carr Shepheard
  • Patent number: 7973702
    Abstract: An apparatus a transmitter section, a receiver section, and a processing module. The transmitter section transmits a plurality of high carrier frequency beamformed signals in a loop manner until a desired number of signals has been transmitted. The receiver section receives the plurality of high carrier frequency beamformed signals and determines reception properties of the plurality of high carrier frequency beamformed signals. The processing module determines at least one of: reflection, absorption, refraction, and pass through based on the reception properties. The processing module then distinguishes an animate entity from an inanimate entity based on the at least one of the reflection, absorption, refraction, and pass through. The processing module then determines position of the animate entity within a given physical area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran, Nambirajan Seshadri, Brima B. Ibrahim, John Walley, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Publication number: 20110156947
    Abstract: An electronic scanning radar apparatus includes a transmission unit configured to transmit a transmission wave, a receiving unit including a plurality of antennas receiving an incoming wave coming from a target, a beat signal generation unit configure to generate beat signals in response to the transmission wave and the incoming wave, a frequency resolution processing unit obtaining complex number data calculated from beat frequencies having signal levels obtained by performing a frequency resolution for the beat signals based on a predetermined frequency width, a peak detector detecting an existence of a present target by detecting peak signal levels of the beat frequencies, a target link unit associating between the present target detected in a present detecting cycle and a past target detected in past detecting cycles; and a direction detecting unit calculating a direction of the incoming wave based on the weighted averaging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA ELESYS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junji KANAMOTO
  • Patent number: 7969347
    Abstract: By using the delay profile created by delay profile creating section 102 and the first threshold value 330 received from the first threshold value calculation 105, the first threshold value timing detection section 103 selects only the earliest receive timing exceeding the first threshold value, from all the timing that the correlation value in the delay profile becomes a maximum. By using the receive timing and the second threshold value 331 received from the second threshold value calculation section 107, reference timing calculation section 106 selects the reference timing required for calculating the receive timing for the incoming wave of the minimum propagation delay time. The timing delayed by previously set timing behind said reference timing is sent from receive timing calculation section 108 as the receive timing 113 of the incoming wave of the minimum propagation delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Tsunehara, Nobukazu Doi, Mikio Kuwahara, Tomoaki Ishifuji
  • Publication number: 20110140952
    Abstract: An airborne radar device having a given angular coverage in elevation and in azimuth includes a transmit system, a receive system and processing means for carrying out target detection and location measurements. The transmit system includes: a transmit antenna made up of at least a first linear array of radiating elements focusing a transmit beam, said arrays being approximately parallel to one another; at least one waveform generator; means for amplifying the transmit signals produced by the waveform generator or generators; and means for controlling the transmit signals produced by the waveform generator or generators, said control means feeding each radiating element with a transmit signal. The radiating elements being controlled for simultaneously carrying out electronic scanning of the transmit beam in elevation and for coloured transmission in elevation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Stéphane KEMKEMIAN, Pascal CORNIC, Patrick LE BIHAN, Myriam NOUVEL-FIANI
  • Publication number: 20110133981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for locating an object in a volume comprising:—a first matrix of scanning antennas positioned in a first plane;—first detection means arranged so as to detect a first signal received by the object in response to a first electromagnetic signal emitted by the first matrix towards the volume;—first means of two-dimensional locating that are arranged so as to determine the position of a projection of the object into the first plane as a function of the first signal received; in which the system comprises:—a second matrix of scanning antennas which is positioned in a second plane, the second plane not being parallel to the first plane, second detection means arranged so as to detect a second signal received by the object in the volume in response to a second electromagnetic signal emitted by the second matrix of antennas towards the volume;—second means of two-dimensional locating which are arranged so as to determine the position of a projection of the object in the second plane
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE FRANCOIS RABELAIS DE TOURS
    Inventors: Didier Magnon, Joël Paquereau, Stéphane Besnard, Jérôme Billoué, Malika Moulessehoul
  • Publication number: 20110128182
    Abstract: A vehicle position notification apparatus include a main body unit which includes at least a detection unit, an attachment unit and a communication unit; wherein the detection unit detects a body under detection; the attachment unit makes the main body unit adhere to the body under detection detected; and the communication unit transmits position information of the main body unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: ISAO YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 7952512
    Abstract: A method is provided for mobile device enabled radar tags. A signal is transmitted to a radar tag. The radar tag detects the signal. The radar tag provides information. The information is received from the radar tag. A location of the radar tag is determined based on the information. The radar tag is identified based on the information. The identification of the radar tag, the location of the radar tag, and a time associated with determining the location of the radar tag are recorded as data in a database. The radar tag is evaluated based on accessing a plurality of recordings of the data in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jason R. Delker, John M. Everson, Jason K. Whitney
  • Patent number: 7952513
    Abstract: A system for classifying targets utilizes radar receptions and acoustic signatures of armament projectiles (e.g., bullets from celebratory rifle fire, mortars, cannon fire, artillery shells, or rockets, etc.) to associate ordinances with radar returns to better utilize a radar's resources to acquire and track targets of interest. In one embodiment of the invention the system for classifying targets comprises: a radar system for detecting targets based upon radar receptions; an acoustic system for detecting targets based upon acoustic receptions; and a means for classifying the acoustic receptions into target types; a means for computing range, bearing and time of incidence for the radar receptions and the acoustic receptions; a means for associating the radar receptions and the acoustic receptions according to the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Byron W. Tietjen, Melinda M. Au, Craig A. Pomeroy, Keith M. Lim
  • Publication number: 20110119979
    Abstract: The invention relates to a an electronic device for the location of a firearm, comprising a processing module, a storage module operatively associated with the processing module, a detection module of a shot fired from a firearm operatively associated with the processing module, a transmit/receive module, operatively associated to the processing module, to allow the processing module to transmit/receive information representative of the electronic device position. The processing module results configured to transmit information representative of a shot fired from the firearm by means of the transmit/receive module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: FABBRICA D'ARMI PIETRO BERETTA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Franco Gussalli Beretta, Marco Bassoli, Sergio Bonomi
  • Patent number: 7948430
    Abstract: A position estimating device (4) which estimates the position of an object by comparing a receiving pattern obtained from ID transmitters (2a, 2b, . . . ) and ID receivers (3a, 3b, . . . ) installed in an environment with a prestored receiving pattern. Position of an object equipped with no extra device can be estimated only with the ID transmitters and ID receivers installed in an environment even in an indoor multipath environment by utilizing a fact that a receiving pattern obtained from ID transmitters (2a, 2b, . . . ) and ID receivers (3a, 3b, . . . ) installed in an environment changes depending on the position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Konishi, Toshiyasu Nakao
  • Publication number: 20110109498
    Abstract: To reduce radar cells and to improve the detection of a radar system, particularly a high-frequency surface wave radar (HFSWR), the broadcast system (SEM) is capable of broadcasting basic orthogonal signals two by two and each orthogonal to itself, temporally shifted to form, respectively, broadcast radiation patterns, each including main radiation lobes (L1 , LPN) alternating with secondary lobes, the main lobes associated with the basic signals being substantially juxtaposed in space. The receiving system (SRE) is capable of forming as many reception patterns in a monitored receiving area (ZR) as cells (CESn'm) contained in the receiving area that are covered by main radiation lobes (LPn) from one of the broadcast radiation patterns and located at a bistatic distance from the broadcast and receiving systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: ANTHEOP
    Inventor: Claude Goutelard
  • Publication number: 20110109497
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an antenna device, which includes a waveguide having a rectangular cross-section and formed with a plurality of slots in at least one side face thereof. The plurality of slots are arranged in a tube axis direction. At least one of the plurality of slots is formed with a predetermined inclination angle from a plane perpendicular to a tube axis direction of the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Koji YANO
  • Patent number: 7936301
    Abstract: A multi-port junction is fed with a frequency-stepped source and has one of its ports connected to an antenna that can serve either as a transmit-and-receive antenna or as a receive antenna only, with the outputs of the multi-port junction being used to estimate a complex reflection coefficient for each frequency of interest. The subject system requires no IF stages, down-conversion mixers or oscillators, and therefore may be provided adjacent each antenna at low cost. An embodiment involving co-located separate transmit and receive antennas is used to minimize the power requirements for the multi-port junction, whereas in a third embodiment, an array of transmit/receive antennas is used, fed by the same RF source but in which digitally-controlled phase shifters are used for beam-forming purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua D. Niedzwiecki
  • Publication number: 20110095940
    Abstract: Arrangement and method for monitoring inanimate objects in an interior thereof includes a sensor system arranged to obtain data about the object by applying micropower impulse radar (MIR) transmissions into the interior of the asset, i.e., container volume monitoring using MIR, a location determining system arranged on the asset to monitor the location of the asset, and a communication system arranged on the asset and coupled to the sensor system and the location determining system. The communication system transmits the data about each object obtained by the sensor system and the location of the asset provided by the location determining system to one or more remote facilities, these remote facilities being those interested in the information about the objects in the asset being monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 7932854
    Abstract: In an azimuth detecting apparatus, a receiver includes a plurality of first antenna elements and a second antenna element. The first antenna elements are arranged at first intervals d1 to form an array. The second antenna element is arranged to define a second interval d2 between itself and one of the first antenna elements which is located at an end of the array, where d2 is less than d1. A first azimuth detector detects, within a first azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d1, the azimuth of a target based on the signals generated by all the first antenna elements. A second azimuth detector detects, within a second azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d2, the azimuth of the target based on the signals generated by the second antenna element and the first antenna element located at the end of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takamasa Ando
  • Patent number: 7928897
    Abstract: A radar device includes a transmission antenna and a reception antenna having a plurality of antenna elements. The radar device switches the antenna elements in synchronization with a modulation cycle, thereby obtaining a reception signal. At this time, the radar device obtains the reception signal by switching the antenna elements using a first measurement phase and a second measurement phase having different switching cycles as one set. The radar device calculates an azimuth sine value sin ?1 from the reception signal in the first measurement phase and also calculates an azimuth sinusoidal value sin ?2 from the reception signal in the second measurement phase. Then, the radar device calculates a relative velocity V from the azimuth sine value sin ?1, the azimuth sine value sin ?2, an interval time difference ?t between switching cycles, and an inter-antenna element spacing d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Ishii, Tetsu Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20110084872
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus of a radar transceiver is provided. The radar transceiver transmits a frequency-modulated transmission signal and generates beat signals having a frequency difference between transmitted/received signals for respective receiving antennas. A distance detection section detects relative distances of objects based on frequencies of the beat signals. A phase detection section detects phases of the beat signals. A level storage section stores a first level of the beat signals that corresponds to the first object and a second level of the beat signals that corresponds to the second object when the beat signals are generated corresponding to the plurality of objects, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventor: Masayuki KISHIDA
  • Patent number: 7924214
    Abstract: In an azimuth detecting apparatus, a receiver includes antenna elements arranged at predetermined intervals d. A first signal producer produces, based on reception signals generated by the antenna elements, first signals which are equivalent to signals generated by antenna elements arranged at first intervals d1, d1 being an integral multiple of d. A second signal producer produces, based on the reception signals, second signals which are equivalent to signals generated by antenna elements arranged at second intervals d2, d2 being an integral multiple of d and greater than d1. A first azimuth detector detects, within a first azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d1, the azimuth of the target based on the first signals. A second azimuth detector detects, within a second azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d2, the azimuth of the target based on the second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takamasa Ando
  • Patent number: 7920087
    Abstract: An estimation apparatus estimates a state of a vehicle located in a frontward field. Positional coordinates of a plurality of positions on an object are measured by radiating radar waves toward the frontward field and receiving reflected radar waves from an object in the frontward field. A position, direction and size of a graphical pattern are obtained by approximating the graphical pattern into a profile pattern of the object. The graphical pattern is modeled as a profile of a vehicle. A direction and size of the graphical pattern are unknown. The profile pattern is expressed by the positional coordinates. As the state of the vehicle located ahead, a position of the vehicle, a direction of the vehicle, and one of a whole length and a whole width of the vehicle are estimated based on the position, the direction, and the size of the graphical pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7911374
    Abstract: A target position is estimated in such a manner to maintain target position continuity, with high accuracy, even when the X coordinate displacement of the target is large. On a scan in which the target position is not detected, when a trajectory of the target in the past is within a predetermined region in the vicinity of the Y-axis, a position for estimate is a position having an X coordinate resulting from shifting, by a first displacement, the X coordinate estimated according to the trajectory, on a basis of the X coordinate of a previous position, while when the trajectory is not within the predetermined region, the position for estimate is a position having an X coordinate resulting from shifting, by a second displacement that is larger than the first displacement, the X coordinate estimated according to the trajectory, on a basis of the X coordinate of a previous position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Takumi Moriuchi, Masahiro Sakaguchi, Hisateru Asanuma, Tomoya Kawasaki, Jun Tsunekawa, Motomi Iyoda
  • Publication number: 20110050482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide an object detecting device which can reduce the influence of an error caused by temporal displacement between a detection result by a radar and a detection result by image processing and thus, the precision of object detection can be improved. An object detecting unit of an object detecting device comprises an image portion search means which searches image data captured by an image capture unit, referring to detection point data detected by a radar detecting unit, and detects an image portion corresponding to a target object to be detected; a detection point extracting means which extracts, from the detection point data detected by the radar detecting unit, detection point data corresponding to the target object to be detected, and an image portion correcting means which corrects, in accordance with the detection point data extracted by the detection point extracting means, the position of the image portion detected by the image portion search means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Nanami
  • Publication number: 20110050485
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing the resolution of a radar image in the cross-range direction. An example method includes receiving a plurality of received power samples in the cross-range dimension as the radar antenna scans and calculating a window function from the antenna beam response pattern. Then for each of a plurality of positions of the window function along the azimuth axis, multiplying the received response pattern by the window function at that position, yielding a product function for each position. Finally, the method includes calculating an estimated azimuth bin offset, resulting estimated target location, and a reflected power value corresponding to the integral of the product function from the product function of each position. A reconstructed azimuth bin array developed from the estimated target locations and reflected power values is substituted for the original received cross-range received power values, yielding a resolution-enhanced map image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Christianson
  • Patent number: 7898456
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and locating hidden objects employs a symmetrical array of five directional antennas, including a central transmit antenna and a pair of receive antennas at each side of the transmit antenna, respectively. All of the antennas are pointed in the same general direction toward an object field of interest. The transmit antenna radiates a beam of high-frequency electromagnetic energy, and the receive antennas receive high-frequency electromagnetic energy returned by hidden objects. Each pair of receive antennas has an associated phase detector, the output of which represents the phase difference between receive antenna signals corresponding to the received electromagnetic energy. A circuit determines when the outputs of the phase detectors represent predetermined phase differences and operates indicator devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Prairielands Energy Marketing Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Cloutier, Delbert R. Oehme
  • Patent number: 7898460
    Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna that has a plurality of antenna elements, and switches the plurality of antenna elements in synchronization with a modulation period to acquire receiving signals. At this time, the antenna elements are switched in accordance with a combination of a first sub-phase and a second sub-phase in which the antenna elements are sequentially switched in opposite directions to thereby acquire the receiving signals. The radar apparatus calculates an azimuth sine value sin ?1 from the acquired receiving signals of the first sub-phase and calculates an azimuth sine value sin ?2 from the receiving signals of the second sub-phase. Next, the radar apparatus calculates an actual azimuth ? through an averaging process of these azimuth sine values sin ?1 and sin ?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Nishimura, Toru Ishii
  • Patent number: 7889115
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods disclosed herein provide for tracking of objects, aircraft, vehicles, and ground equipment in a tracking area, such as an airspace and/or an airport terminal area. One embodiment of a tracking system of the present disclosure comprises a signal monitoring component adapted to communicate with an object, such as an aircraft, when the object enters the tracking area. The signal monitoring component is adapted to transmit a monopulse beacon query signal to the object and receive a monopulse beacon response signal from the object. The tracking system further comprises an interface component adapted to process the received monopulse beacon response signal from the object, initialize a beacon transponder on the object, and assign a network address to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan J. Clingman, Ted D. Whitley, Jack Thiesen, Edgar Jacobi, Glenn S. Bushnell
  • Publication number: 20110030538
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and method for defending a physical zone from airborne and ground-based threats are disclosed. In the various embodiments, an apparatus includes a detection component configured to detect and track a ground-based or airborne threat proximate to the physical zone, an integration component to receive data from the detection component and process the data to determine a threat assessment. A defensive component receives the determined threat assessment and disables the ground-based and airborne threat based upon the determined threat assessment. A method includes detecting an object proximate to the physical zone to be protected, identifying the object as a hostile threat, determining at least one of a path and a point-of-origin for the object, and actuating a defensive system in response to the hostile threat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ahrens, Jay A. Stern, Timothy K. Kirchhoff, Mark P. Slivinski, Terrence J. Wolfe, Vernon A. Mickle, Arthur D. Dilley, Daniel F. Cheeseman, Timothy M. Minahen
  • Patent number: 7884757
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultra wide band (UWB) radar includes: a substrate; a plurality of antennas adjacent the substrate, the plurality of antennas being arranged into a plurality of sub-arrays; an RF feed network adjacent the substrate, the RF feed network coupling to a distributed plurality of amplifiers integrated with the substrate, wherein the RF feed network and the distributed plurality of amplifiers are configured to form a resonant network such that if a timing signal is injected into an input port of the RF feed network, the resonant network oscillates to provide a globally-synchronized RF signal across the network; a plurality of pulse-shaping circuits corresponding to the plurality of sub-arrays, each pulse-shaping circuit being configured to receive the globally-synchronized RF signal from the network and process the globally-synchronized RF signal into pulses for transmission through the corresponding sub-array of antennas; and an actuator for mechanically scanning the UWB radar so that the pulse
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Farrokh Mohamadi, Afshin Niktash
  • Patent number: 7880669
    Abstract: To provide a radar apparatus capable of rapidly detecting an object at the end of a detecting range. The present invention provides a radar apparatus comprising a radar sensor that transmits a transmitting wave to a predetermined angular range and receives a reflected wave reflected by an object and a processing unit that obtains a peak of strength from a distribution of strength for angle of the received reflected wave and determines the direction of the object based on the peak. The processing unit detects the reflected wave at the end of the angular range and, when the peak is not detected, determines whether the object exists in the direction of the end of the angular range, based on the distribution of strength of the detected reflected wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Tokio Shinagawa, Shinichi Shibata
  • Publication number: 20110012775
    Abstract: The invention provides an antenna capable of performance similar to a Yagi-Uda antenna. However, unlike a conventional Yagi Uda antenna, the antenna of the invention is implementable on a substrate and thereby provides a directional antenna capable of disposition within a slender housing such as a cellular communications device. One embodiment of the invention provides an antenna comprising a substrate including a ground plane. The ground plane comprises a base portion and a spine portion extending from the base portion along a central axis of the substrate. A driven antenna element is disposed on a portion of the substrate and coupled to the spine portion to form a first antenna dipole. At least one antenna director element is disposed on a portion of the substrate and coupled to the spine portion to form a second antenna dipole. A reflector element comprises a portion of the ground plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: LOC8TOR LTD
    Inventors: Anthony Richards, Andrew Ackland, Stephen Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 7873099
    Abstract: Time is transferred from an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter to UWB receiver by transmitting a signal structure having an associated timing reference point together with a time value for the timing reference point. The UWB receiver receives the timing signal structure by synchronizing a receiver time base to the signal structure, demodulating the time value information, and using the demodulated time value information to set a receiver clock value. Propagation delay information is used to adjust the receiver clock value by advancing the receiver clock value to account for the propagation delay. In one embodiment, propagation delay is determined from a known distance between the transmitter and receiver. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are part of a two-way link wherein propagation delay is measured by round trip timing measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Time Domain Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, Mark D. Roberts, James L. Richards
  • Publication number: 20110006943
    Abstract: This scanning array scans an area around the array for nearby objects, collision obstructions, and terrain topography. The scanning array can scan for sounds emitted by objects in the vicinity of the scanning array, passive energy receipt sources, or it can also send out an energy beam and scan for reflections from objects within the energy beam. The energy beam can be optical, laser, radar or other energy emitting sources. The scanning array of the invention can be used for helicopter detection and avoidance of collision risk and can be used for other scanning purposes. Scanning of an entire hemisphere or greater is accomplished by manipulating the scanner platform through the coordination of either linear actuators or gimbals so as to produce nutation without rotation. This motion allows transceivers to be directly coupled to transmitting and sensing modules without the losses associated with slip rings and other coupling devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: INTELLEX, LLC
    Inventor: JAMES E. SHAFFER
  • Publication number: 20110001659
    Abstract: 1. A device and a method for the improved directional estimation and decoding by means of secondary radar signals. 2.1 Radio-based positioning systems on the basis of secondary radar signals are known. For this purpose special receiver systems are utilized for estimating the direction, and special receiver systems are utilized for decoding secondary radar signals. In particular, a secondary radar system is absent, which, among others, takes into consideration any shortcomings of the hardware used, such as coupled antenna elements, different low-end impedances, deviating distances between the antenna elements, manufacturing and installation tolerances, and the like. 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: iAD Gesellschaft Fur Informatik Automatisierung und Datenverabetung
    Inventors: Hermann Hampel, Ulrich Berold, Christoph Reck, Lorenz-Peter Schmidt, Jochen Weinzierl
  • Publication number: 20110001657
    Abstract: A land-based Smart-Sensor System and several system architectures for detection, tracking, and classification of people and vehicles automatically and in real time for border, property, and facility security surveillance is described. The preferred embodiment of the proposed Smart-Sensor System is comprised of (1) a low-cost, non-coherent radar, whose function is to detect and track people, singly or in groups, and various means of transportation, which may include vehicles, animals, or aircraft, singly or in groups, and cue (2) an optical sensor such as a long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor, whose function is to classify the identified targets and produce movie clips for operator validation and use, and (3) an IBM CELL supercomputer to process the collected data in real-time. The Smart Sensor System can be implemented in a tower-based or a mobile-based, or combination system architecture. The radar can also be operated as a stand-alone system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Philip A. Fox, Joseph W. Maresca, JR.
  • Patent number: 7864107
    Abstract: The system includes a transmitter, at least one detection system receiver, a modulated signal source, and a directional receive antenna. The transmitter emits a high power illuminating signal at a receive frequency of a target RF receiver to be detected. The high power illuminating signal is sufficient to cause the target RF receiver to generate harmonic emissions. At least one detection system receiver is used for detecting at least one harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver. The modulated signal source is operatively associated with the transmitter to modulate the illuminating signal and for use as a reference to the detection system receiver such that the turn around time of the harmonic frequency emitted by the target RF receiver can be measured. A directional receive antenna is operatively associated with the detection system receiver for determining the angle to the target RF receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Lehtola
  • Patent number: 7864103
    Abstract: A height-finding 3D avian radar comprises an azimuthally scanning radar system with means of varying the elevation pointing angle of the antenna. The elevation angle can be varied by employing either an antenna with multiple beams, or an elevation scanner, or two radars pointed at different elevations. Heights of birds are determined by analyzing the received echo returns from detected bird targets illuminated with the different elevation pointing angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Accipiter Radar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter T. Weber, Timothy J. Nohara
  • Patent number: 7859451
    Abstract: A method for determining target angles based on data received from a monopulse radar array antenna includes receiving from a beamformer that generates beams from signals generated by the monopulse radar antenna signals having data indicative of a sum beam, an azimuth difference beam, an elevation difference beam, and a delta-delta beam; based on the received signals, determining by the processor an azimuth monopulse ratio, an elevation monopulse ratio, a first complementary monopulse ratio based on the ratio of the delta-delta beam to the delta elevation beam, and a second complementary monopulse ratio based on the ratio of the delta-delta beam to the delta azimuth beam; determining an azimuth angle by the processor based on the azimuth monopulse ratio and the first complementary monopulse ratio; determining an elevation angle by the processor based on the elevation monopulse ratio and the second complementary monopulse ratio; providing an output signal indicative of the azimuth angle; and providing an output
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Kai-Bor Yu, Peter G. Kaup
  • Patent number: 7826971
    Abstract: A method for filtering anti-collision alarms for aircraft, the said aircraft comprising means for calculating its speed and extrapolated positions on its trajectory, the said extrapolated positions being calculated over a fixed maximum time period, called extrapolation time, and a topographical database of the terrain, the said database comprising, within a given perimeter, data on the density of obstacles, comprises a calculation of a weighting coefficient for the extrapolation time of the calculated extrapolated trajectories of the aircraft as a function of the density of obstacles within a surface area included within the perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Sylvain Fontaine, Nicolas Marty, Pierre Gamet
  • Publication number: 20100271254
    Abstract: An electronic scanning type radar device mounted on a moving body includes: a transmission unit transmitting a transmission wave; a reception unit comprising a plurality of antennas receiving a reflection wave of the transmission wave from a target; a beat signal generation unit generating a beat signal from the transmission wave and the reflection wave; a frequency resolution processing unit frequency computing a complex number data; a target detection unit detecting an existence of the target; a correlation matrix computation unit computing a correlation matrix from each of a complex number data of a detected beat frequency; a target consolidation processing unit linking the target in a present detection cycle and a past detection cycle; a correlation matrix filtering unit generating an averaged correlation matrix by weighted averaging a correlation matrix of a target in the present detection cycle and a correlation matrix of a related target in the past detection cycle; and a direction detection unit compu
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA ELESYS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Kanamoto, Hiroyuki Akimoto
  • Patent number: 7821443
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a dual mode radar transceiver. The dual mode transceiver includes a plurality of transmit channels. Each of the plurality of transmit channels is adapted to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes a first combination of the plurality of transmit channels adapted to concurrently transmit outgoing signals. The second mode includes a plurality of different combinations of the plurality of transmit channels. Each of the plurality of different combinations has fewer transmit channels than the first combination. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Volker Winkler, Reinhard Feger
  • Patent number: 7804445
    Abstract: A system and method combine multiple data streams in an efficient and optimal manner, based on new techniques, to determine range, relative angle and velocity with respect to a point of reference. Embodiments of the present invention take advantage of the multiple data streams to provide improved performance when the data is contaminated with environmental and system noise. Embodiments of the present invention may be applied to data output from different target estimation systems, including radar, sonar, ultrasonic and laser systems. In addition, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in systems with multiple tones and multiple antennas, and generally work in multipath environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Fiore
  • Publication number: 20100231437
    Abstract: Two versions of a binary signal having an irregular sequence of states are processed by deriving (i) a first value which represents the average time derivative of one signal at the times of transitions in the other signal, and (ii) a correlation value for the two signals, and then combining the first value with the correlation value. For a given relative delay introduced between the signals, the resultant combined value indicates whether the introduced delay brings the transitions in the two signals into coincidence. The process can be repeated for other introduced delays to determine the amount of delay between the two signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wieslaw Jerzy Szajnowski
  • Patent number: 7782247
    Abstract: A method for method of estimating the position of one or more target nodes based on received reflections of a primary signal. The method includes receiving a primary signal from a transmitter node having a known location at a receiver node having a known location and receiving at least one reflected signal at the receiver node, the reflected signal generated by a reflection of the primary signal by a target node having an unknown location. The method further includes applying a target position algorithm to the primary signal and the at least one reflected signal to generate target location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven VanLaningham, James A. Stevens, Alexander K. Johnson, Rachel A. Rivera
  • Publication number: 20100188282
    Abstract: In a device for monitoring the position of a tool or machine element on or in a work spindle or tool chuck, in particular, in a machining apparatus, the work spindle or tool chuck has at least one channel that defines a waveguide, which is suitable for propagating electromagnetic waves, that leads from an external surface of the work spindle or tool chuck to the tool or machine element. At least one radar system is provided and arranged outside the work spindle or tool chuck in such a manner that it is capable of irradiating a radar signal from the outer surface into the channel and or receiving a radar signal reflected back from the channel. The radar signal is connected to a signal-processing device that determines a measure of the position of the tool or machine element relative to the work spindle or tool chuck based on at least one radar signal irradiated into the channel and reflected back from the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: OTT-JAKOB SPANNTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan BONERZ, Josef GREIF, Wolfgang BECHTELER
  • Patent number: 7764217
    Abstract: Kalman gain is used to calculate range accuracy for a passive angle-of-arrival determining systems, most notably for short-baseline interferometry, in which Kalman gain after arriving at a minimum proceeds to within a predetermined fraction or percent of zero gain, at which time the range estimate accuracy is known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Yannone