Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for cascaded processing of signals in a phased array antenna system in which a plurality of antenna elements are configured as a plurality of sub-arrays. A weighting factor is applied to each of the antenna elements to form a plurality of sub-array beams, each pointed in a selected direction. For each sub-array, an output from each the antenna elements in the sub-array can be combined to produce a sub-array output signal. The sub-array output signals are selectively weighted and combined in a fully adaptive process. Subsequently, the system can estimate an angle-of-arrival direction for a signal-of-interest (“SOI”) and at least one signal-not-of-interest (“SNOI”). Based on this estimating step, the system calculates a new set of weighting factors for controlling one or more of the sub-array beams to improve the signal-to-noise plus interference ratio obtained for the SOI in the array output signal.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging objects obscured by a covering layer of snow. The system preferably utilizes a continuous-wave radar generating short-wavelength radio-frequency (RF) signal beam-scanned over angular displacements following a scanning pattern toward a target area. Reflections of the:RF signal from objects buried beneath the snow are registered by an array of RF detectors whose signal magnitudes are summed arid correlated with scan direction to generate a signal providing spatial object information, Which by way of example, is visually displayed. The radio-frequency beam may be scanned over the scene electronically or by either mechanically or electromechanically modulating antenna direction or the orientation of a beam deflector. The system is capable of generating multiple image frames per second, high-resolution imaging, registration of objects to a depth exceeding two meters, and can be implemented at low cost without complex signal processing hardware.

Abstract: A HF radar uses the same antenna array (414, 424, 424′, 424′) for both transmission (TX) and reception (RX). Each radiating element of the array may be driven by its own local transmitter and may have its own local receiver, both being connected to a central processor via fiber optic cables conveying digital data to the local transmitter relating to element energization in the TX mode and data representing signals received by the radiating elements in the RX mode. Each antenna element may have its own TX/RX unit, or a single TX/RX unit may serve two or more radiating elements. Each radiating element may comprise a skeletal pyramidal dipole mounted at ground level.

Abstract: An active array radar system is controlled by photonic signals. The array of N antenna elements is divided into M subarrays, each having N/M antenna elements. Tunable lasers provide M optical wavelengths within non-overlapping bands. For reception, the microwave signals are optically modulated onto a single fiber for each subarray. Time delays are introduced for an offset between elements in a subarray and for an offset between subarrays. By using wavelength division multiplexing, a true time delay is attributed to each antenna element on the array. A non-coherent optical combiner having an array of N photodetectors demodulates the receive signals and recovers the coherent sum of the RF signals.

Abstract: A flexible wave guide joint is located between a transceiver and oscillating antenna in a vehicular collision warning system. The flexible joint includes a multiple portion wave guide feed. One portion of the wave guide feed is fixed in position and coupled to the transceiver while another portion of the wave guide feed is coupled to the moving antenna. The wave guide feed portions are separated by an air gap to permit oscillation of the antenna relative to the transceiver.

Abstract: In a radar system, sampled aperture data are received from an antenna array. The sampled aperture data include data that do not correspond to echo returns from a beam transmitted by the antenna. A covariance matrix is generating using the sampled aperture data. An eigenvalue decomposition is performed on the covariance matrix. A direction of arrival is determined from which at least one jammer is transmitting a signal included in the sampled aperture data, based on the eigenvalue decomposition.

Abstract: In conjunction with an arrangement for the interferometric radar measurement in connection with a radar system operating according to the ROSAR principle, comprising one coherent transmitting antenna and two coherent receiving antennas and their receiving channels, in connection with which the difference in the path between the two distances of the antennas and the measured points of impact is calculated by the wavelength &lgr; of the emitted radar signal and the measured phase difference of the receiving echo of the two coherent receiving channels, it is proposed that the interferometric ROSAR system is integrated in or on a rotating device and positioned in such a way that each relevant area of the field to be measured can be detected.

Abstract: On an element-by-element basis, measure phases between signals at Port A to Port B of the antenna feed network to get a phase measurement angle that corresponds tp an angular difference between outgoing radar signals and target echo return signals; applying a least squares fit equation to the angular distance to get a correction phase slope across the array, &dgr;0, and applying a phase slope correction of &dgr; to the phases of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A method for determining the velocity of features such as wind. The method preferably includes producing sensor signals and projecting the sensor signals sequentially along lines lying on the surface of a cone. The sensor signals may be in the form of lidar, radar or sonar for example. As the sensor signals are transmitted, the signals contact objects and are backscattered. The backscattered sensor signals are received to determine the location of objects as they pass through the transmission path. The speed and direction the object is moving may be calculated using the backscattered data. The data may be plotted in a two dimensional array with a scan angle on one axis and a scan time on the other axis. The prominent curves that appear in the plot may be analyzed to determine the speed and direction the object is traveling.

Abstract: A phased array antenna may include a substrate, a plurality of phased array antenna elements carried by the substrate, and a central controller for providing beam steering commands and beam shaping commands. Furthermore, the phased array antenna may also include a plurality of element controllers connected to the phased array antenna elements and the central controller. Each element controller may store at least one position related value based upon physical positioning of the associated phased array antenna element on the substrate, and determine a beam shaping offset based upon the stored at least one position related value and a received beam shaping command from the central controller. Each element controller may also determine at least one phased array antenna element control value based upon a received beam steering command and the beam shaping offset.

Abstract: A phased array antenna may include a substrate and at least one phased array antenna element carried thereby, at least one element controller for controlling the at least one phased array antenna element based upon desired compensation data, and a central controller for supplying to the at least one element controller a current value of a quick control parameter and a block of current compensation data. The block of current compensation data may be based upon a current value of a slow control parameter and a range of possible values for the quick control parameter. Further, the quick control parameter may vary more quickly than the slow control parameter. Additionally, the at least one element controller may determine the desired compensation data based upon the supplied block of current compensation data and the current value of the quick control parameter.

Abstract: In an adaptive antenna device having directivity pattern generators operable in accordance with different algorithms, respectively, in a baseband modem, beam steering processing, null steering processing, and estimating processing of an arrival direction are executed in parallel to one another. Parameters resulting from the beam and the null steering processing are controlled by processing results of the estimating processing and are weighted and combined to individually generate directivity patterns based on the different algorithms.

Abstract: The bistatic radar system uses a scanning beam antenna located at the transmitter to transmit a focused beam of high frequency energy into a predefined space, with the transmitted beam comprising a series of pulses. The transmitter also includes apparatus for determining pulse origination data comprising: pulse origination time and direction of propagation for each of the pulses in the transmitted beam emanating from the antenna, where the antenna is scanned in a predetermined scan pattern in at least an azimuthal direction. The bistatic radar system also includes at least one receiver, located at a site remote from the transmitter and includes apparatus for generating pulse component receipt data indicative of receipt of components of the pulses that are contained in the transmitted beam that are reflected from scatterers in the predefined space.

Abstract: The bistatic radar network uses an incoherent transmitter for determining the presence, locus, motion, and characteristics of scatterers in a predefined space. The incoherent transmitter generates pulses of high frequency energy that vary in frequency and/or phase. The bistatic radar network having an incoherent transmitter uses a scanning beam antenna located at the transmitter to transmit a focused beam of high frequency energy into a predefined space, with the transmitted beam comprising a series of pulses, each pulse in the series of pulses having a varying frequency, phase, pulse origination time and direction of propagation as it is emanated from said antenna. The transmitter also includes apparatus for determining pulse origination data comprising: frequency, phase, pulse origination time and direction of propagation, for each of the pulses in the transmitted beam emanating from the antenna, where the antenna is scanned in a predetermined scan pattern in at least an azimuthal direction.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning through a 360° azimuth by a surveillance radar antenna. The method includes driving at slow speed the radar antenna including two electronic scanning antennas installed back to back, simultaneously controlling the electronic aiming of each of the two electronic scanning antenna, switching the microwave signal sent alternatively between the two electronic scanning antennas and, before each rotation of the radar beam, initializing the electronic aiming of each of the two elementary electronic scanning antenna at a determined angle &thgr;i. The radar system includes the radar antenna with the two elementary electronic scanning antennas and an aiming computer.

Abstract: This FM-CW radar apparatus comprises a transmitter section, a receiver section, and a signal processing section. The transmitter section transmits a frequency-modulated continuous wave as a transmitted wave. The receiver section receives a radio wave resulting from reflection of the transmitted wave at a target, as a received wave, by a receiving antenna comprising an array of antenna elements, generates a beat signal which is a difference of the transmitted wave and the received wave in each of channels of the respective antenna elements, and converts this beat signal to a digital beat signal by A/D conversion. The signal processing section executes a digital beamforming operation with the digital beat signals and detects the target from the result of the operation.

Abstract: An antenna for scanning beams in only one common angular direction or angular path includes feed elements each providing a component beam and fixed beam combiners for combining the component beams into fixed beams. The fixed beam combiners combine the component beams in a first angular direction to form the fixed beams. Variable beam combiners combine the fixed beams into scanning beams. The variable beam combiners combine the fixed beams into the scanning beams to scan the scanning beams in a second common angular direction.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, processing, and displaying weather radar information which uses multiple scans, at differing antenna tilt angles, to generate a single displayed image. This can be used to reduce displaying of ground clutter returns and to simultaneously increase the range of weather information displayed on a single image.

Abstract: A fixed station and an on-board apparatus are constructed to carry out a short range communication. The on-board apparatus specifies an application from a command included in reception data received from the fixed station and starts a corresponding processing, when an acquired command is a menu selection command. A menu including commodities and charges are displayed. When a selected item is determined, the determined content is displayed. When an IC card unit receives an IC card for settling the charge, the charge is settled by rewriting the IC card by data exchange via wireless communication. A short range wireless unit is used to ensure individuality of the communication. This short range communication may also be used at a vehicle repair shop, at a curved corner on a travel path or the like.

Abstract: A ground penetrating antenna apparatus and method are provided for locating underground objects via radar, sonar, or similar methods. The apparatus includes one or more antennas that are rotatably affixed to support extensions that also rotate, but about an axis that is different from each of the antenna axes. The apparatus includes a linear propulsion mechanism, and the support extensions may be coupled to the linear propulsion mechanism via a transmission mechanism. In one embodiment, the supporting extensions rotate at a constant rate and each antenna rotates at that same constant rate but in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, processing, and displaying ground mapping radar information which uses multiple scans, at differing automated antenna tilt angles, to generate a single displayed image. This can be used to increase the scanned area of a ground display so as to allow a complete sampling of the ground ahead of the aircraft.

Abstract: The multiple beam radar system uses multiple simultaneously transmitted beams of high frequency energy to identify scatterers that are located in a predetermined volume of space. This multiple beam radar system simultaneously transmits several beams of high frequency energy, produced by an antenna which operates in a mechanically scanning mode, and simultaneously receives the returned radiation, which constitutes components of this narrow beam that have been reflected off scatterers located in the path of the beam. The transmitted (and thus received) frequency of each beam is different, providing information relating to the presence, locus and characteristics of the scatterers by analyzing the plurality of received beams.

Abstract: A radar system mounted on a vehicle is capable of properly measuring an angle even when a linearity is impaired without increasing a scale of hardware and a load on signal processing, and exhibiting a high performance at a low cost.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to methods of fast exploration in azimuth by a surveillance radar antenna and to radars implementing such methods. The method consists in driving, at slow speed, an antenna comprising two elementary electronic scanning antennas installed back to back, simultaneously controlling the electronic aiming of each elementary electronic scanning antenna, switching over the microwave signal sent alternatively between the two elementary electronic scanning antennas and, before each rotation of the radar beam, initializing the electronic aiming of each elementary electronic scanning antenna at a determined angle &thgr;i. The radar comprises an antenna with two elementary electronic scanning antennas and an aiming computer. Application especially to a sea patrol radar.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling radar transmissions for a system of antennas disposed on a moving platform. The radar transmissions are allocated to an antenna face for a future transmission. To effect an adequate allocation, a prediction arrangement is provided to predict the angular position of the moving platform and the antenna faces. Preferably an antenna is assigned that realizes the smallest off-broadside angle of the radar transmission.

Abstract: A radio wave source information display apparatus including: a signal processing circuit having a means for performing the Fourier transform with respect to azimuth of an electric field signal outputted from an antenna receiving circuit, a means for performing the Fourier transform with respect to azimuth of the antenna pattern of an antenna, a means for dividing the Fourier transform signal derived from the electric field signal by the antenna pattern Fourier transform signal, a low-pass filter for subjecting the divided signal to low-pass filtering with respect to azimuthal frequency, a means for extracting exponential function components of the output signal of the low-pass filter, and a means for obtaining radio wave source information from the extracted exponential function components; and a display section for displaying radio wave source information obtained at the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A radar apparatus is provided with signal converting means for FFT-transforming an output signal of reception means for detecting a reception electromagnetic wave; amplitude peak value detecting means for detecting a peak value of an amplitude level from a spectrum made by data converted by this signal converting means; beam scanning means for changing a beam direction of a transmission electromagnetic wave and also a beam direction of the reception electromagnetic wave; and measured-angle processing means operated in such a manner that when the same target object can be detected along a plurality of beam directions which are changed by the beam scanning means, an angle of the target object is calculated by employing the peak value of the amplitude levels along the respective directions, acquired by the amplitude detecting means, whereas when the target object is detectable only along a single beam direction, the angle of the target object is judged as preset angles D1, E1, F1.

Abstract: A signal processing unit detects the azimuthal direction of a target in accordance with the phase difference between signals received by two receiving antennas. Then, by sequentially switching plural transmitting antennas having mutually different beam directions with a switching device, received signals are obtained using each of the transmitting antennas.

Abstract: A radar device for vehicle comprising a means for transmitting electromagnetic waves, a means for receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected by a target object, a signal processing means for obtaining a range, a relative velocity, and receipt intensity of the target object based on an output from the transmitting means and an input in the receiving means, a scanning means for changing directions of transmitting and receiving the electromagnetic waves, and an operating means for calculating a direction of the target object based on the receiving intensity of the target object in a plurality of directions, wherein the amounts of AGC in the receiving means in the plurality of directions are independently controlled, whereby a maximum detectable range as an inherent performance of radar is not deteriorated under any driving situation and a position of the preceding vehicle is securely detected.

Abstract: A dynamic optimal sensor employment system and method is used for searching an area. Each time the sensor in the search vehicle is activated, the dynamic optimal sensor employment system (“the system”) determines which areas were searched at that moment. It does this by using a terrain database, information about the sensor state when it scanned (azimuth, elevation, mode, etc.), and a line-of-sight algorithm. The system determines this instantaneous coverage not only for the primary search vehicle, designated “ownership”, but also for other teammates who report scan information to ownship via digital messages. The system maintains a dynamic history of all areas (e.g. 30 meter by 30 meter square “cells” of ground) that have been searched. Each cell has a counter that indicates how many time it has been scanned, and each time cells are scanned with ownship or team sensors the counter is incremented.

Abstract: A search radar including the improvement of apparatus for enhancing the estimation of the target angle within a search scan of the radar is disclosed. More specifically, the improvement apparatus utilizes the generated scan angles and target amplitude measurements correspondingly associated therewith to generate intermediate signals which are representative of the natural logarithm of the target amplitude measurements plus the square of the corresponding scan angle multiplied by a predetermined constant. For each search scan, the apparatus computes separately signals representative of the moments of: the scan angles, the squares of the scan angles, the products of the scan angles and corresponding intermediate signals, and the intermediate signals. In turn, the apparatus operates on the computed moment representative signals in some prespecified mathematical relationship to effect an optimum estimation for the target angle in each search scan of the radar.

Abstract: A scatterometer orbiting around the earth globe comprises a single fanbeam radar antenna which is rotated around a vertical axis, at a slow rotation rate. The antenna foot-print sweeps a circular disc. The slow conical sweep combined with the motion of the satellite on which the scatterometer is mounted results in highly overlapping successive sweeps such that an image pixel is revisited many times during an overpass. The pixels in the radial direction are resolved by range-gating the radar echo. The radar operates in the C-band. The scatterometer is intended, in particular, to determine wind speed and direction over the ocean.

Abstract: An object detecting system mounted on a conveyance such as a vehicle having a laser radar as an object detector mounted on the vehicle at a position offset from the vehicle longitudinal center line, for adjusting in a factory the radar mounting position in a software manner by utilizing a computer program. A reflective target is placed ahead of the vehicle on the line extending from the vehicle longitudinal center line at a position relatively close to the vehicle in the factory. The central axis of the transmitted beam is first aimed at the target reflector such that the axis is made equal to the direction of the target reflector, and is changed by an angle of offset such that the axis is aligned with an inherently desired direction which is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal center line.

Abstract: A Forward Looking Sensor (FLS) alignment system includes a transmit antenna adapted to provide multiple beams, a receive antenna adapted to provide multiple beams, a transmitter coupled to said transmit antenna and adapted to radiate an electromagnetic signal through selected ones of the multiple antenna beams of said transmit antenna and a receiver coupled to said receive antenna and adapted to receive through selected ones of the multiple antenna beams of predetermined antenna beams of a receive antenna having multiple antenna beams reflections from the radiated electromagnetic signal and processing the received electromagnetic signal reflections to generate an alignment offset signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for the direction of arrival (DOA) tracking of at least one source, along a single azimuth axis or along both azimuth and elevation axes. The method includes the steps of selecting all the high peaks from a DOA function as potential track points, converting the potential track points into a plurality of tracks and selecting a true track from the plurality of tracks.

Abstract: A phased array radar system for target tracking having a track initiation unit, a track prediction unit, a scheduling unit, a track selection unit, and a transmitter/receiver unit. The track initiation unit initiates new tracks representing detected aircraft targets. The track prediction unit predicts the expected position and the calculated position uncertainty of the target as a function of time and the minimal, maximal and optimal time difference to the next measurement. The scheduling unit performs an independent calculation of a sequence of possible time intervals to the next measurement in accordance with specified conditions, and then performs an intersection operation between the calculated sequences of time intervals in order to calculate the optimal time interval to the next measurement. A track selection unit selects that track which has the shortest remaining time interval, K.sub.i, to the next measurement and decreases the time interval to the next measurement for all other tracks with K.sub.i.

Abstract: A variable-scanning-speed mechanical driving unit is provided for providing control in such a manner as to acquire data while continuously changing in a range of a scanning angle the direction of an antenna unit for transmission and reception of radio waves. A so-called warning mode which is primarily aimed at the prevention of a collision is set, and a data updating period is shortened by making the scanning speed for transmitted radio waves and received radio waves so relatively high so as to shorten the data updating period. In a case where a so-called follow-up mode which is primarily aimed at follow-up traveling is set, the scanning speed for transmitted radio waves and received radio waves is made relatively low so as to extend the data updating period.

Abstract: An FM signal generator generates a frequency-swept FM signal, which is radiated as a beam from a transmission and reception antenna. The transmission and reception antenna is angularly moved by an antenna actuator to scan the beam. An echo signal reflected from a target and a signal related to the frequency-swept FM signal are mixed into a beat signal, whose frequency spectrum is analyzed by a frequency analyzer. A target detector determines the distance up to the target based on the frequency spectrum of the beat signal. A BPF processor comprises a bandpass filter which extracts a frequency component corresponding to the distance up to the target from the beat signal. A bearing calculator compares the level of a signal that has passed through the BPF processor with a threshold level to determine a bearing and a width of the target.

Abstract: A power distribution system (12) is provided in radar apparatus to distribute power from a 270 VDC source (60) through an intermediate power converter (70) and very high frequency (VHF) regulator/modulator units (80). Bus conductors (71,74) interconnect the source, the intermediate power converter, and the VHF units. Capacitors (71, 76) are connected to the bus conductors on the input and output sides of the intermediate power converter. Each VHF unit supplies modulating pulses to RF amplifiers (82) of an AESA array of the radar apparatus.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided such that a time counter 5 starts counting an elapsed time after the lapse of a fixed time from the time the output of a beam reference-position detecting means 3 is turned on, such that an angle output value calculated by an angle-calculating means becomes 0 when the direction of a beam emitted from a radar head unit 2 has coincided with a frontal direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a radar unit which detects a position of a target based on a reflection beam reflected from the target and outputs data related to the detected position. A scanning control unit controls a direction of a beam radiation axis of the radar unit to the target. A certainty-factor determining unit determines a certainty factor of the target based on data presently detected by the radar unit and data previously detected by the radar unit. A certainty-factor adjusting unit controls the certainty factor such that a changing rate to the certainty factor is determined based on the data from the radar unit, the certainty factor being adjusted by the changing rate. A first changing-rate varying unit varies the changing rate to one of a plurality of predetermined values based on a target center positional angle to the target, whereby the certainty-factor adjusting unit adjusts the certainty factor by the changing rate.

Abstract: An electrical surveillance measures system for measuring direction of arrival (DOA), i.e., both azimuth and elevation, of a pulsed or continuous wave radar signal from a moving emitter. Either carrier frequency or pulse repetition interval (PARI) Doppler shift are used whereby the ratio of the Doppler shift is measured by a moving observer. The DOA is measured as a unit vector having basis vectors formed from a linearly independent set of observer's velocity vectors. The DOA unit vector has a linear part where the coefficients of the basis vectors are derived directly from the ratios of frequency or PARI measurements taken in three contiguous dwells. The DOA unit vector has a nonlinear part formed from the requirement that the DOA vector have unit magnitude. The unit vector is resolved in the system coordinates in which emitter azimuth and elevation are defined to allow computation of the latter two values.

Abstract: A signal manifold having a source signal converter coupled to an RF source for converting a source electronic signal from the RF source into an optical signal. The manifold has an optical coupler, having multiple optical fibers, coupled to the first signal converter; and a sink signal converter coupled to the optical coupler. The sink signal converter converts the optical signal from the coupler into a sink electronic signal and conveys that electronic signal to an RF sink.The manifold can be a transmit manifold, or a receive manifold. In addition, a transmit manifold and a receive manifold can be combined to provide a bi-directional signal manifold. The invention herein also provides low-loss asymmetric fiber-optic combiner which includes multiple optical fibers, each fiber having cladding removed from the respective fiber end, exposing the fiber core. The cores are joined together in a predefined configuration and each are optically coupled to a plenum optical fiber.

Abstract: A scan-type radar apparatus for a vehicle which determines with a high level of accuracy whether an object detected by the radar exists in the lane in which the radar equipped vehicle is moving while the radar equipped vehicle is moving in a curve. A scan-type radar detects objects existing in a detectable range. A center direction is assumed which indicates a center of each of the objects detected by the scan-type radar with respect to the vehicle based on a distance between the vehicle and each of the objects and a turning radius of the vehicle. A vehicle moving lane area is set within the detectable range. The vehicle moving lane area, which corresponds to a vehicle moving lane in which the vehicle is moving, extends on either side of the center direction with a predetermined angle range.

Abstract: Radar system for the generation of two-dimensional or three-dimensional position indications of targets. Three-dimensional position indications are obtained by periodically canting the antenna about a canting axis, such that the antenna beam plane makes an angle with a normal on the earth's surface and by combining azimuth data and range data obtained at different canting angles. For a radar system provided with dual-axis stabilization means, these means may also provide for the canting of the antenna means.

Abstract: A method for implementing a wireless data exchange between a fixed station and sending/receiving devices on board objects moving relative to the fixed station, preferably in lanes, and particularly vehicles. Using an antenna arrangement of the fixed station, the sending and/or receiving profile of which can be electronically aligned with an object, allows reliable determination of location using the antenna arrangement, in that in a first phase, a search territory is swept and checked for response signals from objects by means of a varying alignment of the sending and/or receiving profile. The time of reception of a response signal is correlated with the instantaneous adjustment values of the sending and/or receiving profile to determine the location. In a second phase, the sending and/or receiving profile is fixed on a sending/receiving device of an object whose location has been determined, and it is tracked, if necessary, while the data exchange is conducted.

Abstract: The system includes a base unit sensitive to infrared (IR) signals transmitted by a mobile remote unit to an IR receiver which is placed behind a rotating set of signal blocking blinders whose position at any time defines a view angle with a position known with precision resulting in the IR signal reception scanning across an area. The base unit detects when the peak strength of the signal occurs and utilizes this data to determine the exact effective angle between the axis of the IR signal and the base unit to create an error signal used by the base unit to position the camera mounted thereon. Receivers for TILT and two PAN positions, PAN 1 and PAN 2, are used to include range calculations for ZOOM functions. Command circuitry to override the automatic tracking function is provided in the base unit.

Abstract: A stepped beam transmit antenna that comprises a feed array that includes a dielectric substrate and a plurality of radiating elements disposed on the substrate. The radiating elements each comprise two coplanar and coextensive fins that are separated by a narrow gap and that are tapered at their radiating end to form a linear tapered slot feed aperture. Beam position inputs are disposed at respective input ends of each of the radiating elements. A backshort is disposed adjacent the tapered slot feed aperture of each of the radiating elements. A low pass filter is disposed adjacent the backshort of each of the radiating elements. A switching diode is disposed between the backshort and the tapered slot feed aperture of each of the radiating elements. The antenna includes a power distribution network comprising a suspended printed line. A lens is disposed adjacent the feed array for projecting energy beams produced by the antenna.

Abstract: A radar device emits a wave beam into a given angular range outside a vehicle, and scans the given angular range by the wave beam. The radar device detects a reflected wave beam. A recognizing device is operative for recognizing an obstacle with respect to the vehicle on the basis of the result of detection of the reflected wave beam by the radar device. In the recognizing device, a point recognizing section recognizes obstacles as points, and a uniting section is operative for uniting adjacent points among the points provided by the point recognizing section. The uniting section provides sets each having adjacent points. A line-segment recognizing section is operative for detecting a specific set or specific sets of adjacent points among the adjacent-point sets provided by the uniting section, and for recognizing every detected specific set as a line segment having a length only along a width direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electro(stato)graphic method is provided, comprising the steps of image wise applying toner particles to a final substrate and fixing the toner particles on a final non-photoconductive substrate, characterized in that(i) the toner particles comprise at least one substantially light insensitive silver salt (compound B) and at least one reductant (compound A), so as to be capable, upon reaction of compound A and B, of forming a light absorbing substance in said final substrate,(ii) the toner particles optionally comprise a light absorbing pigment or dye(iii) the light absorbing substance can give a maximum density (D.sub.max)>2.00 either on itself or in combination with said light absorbing pigment or dye and(iv) the toner particles are fixed on to the final substrate by heat or by heat and pressure.