Testing Or Calibrating Of Radar System Patents (Class 342/165)
  • Patent number: 7806249
    Abstract: The invention is related to radar system characterization. In one embodiment, a radar module characterization system comprises a target, a conveyor comprising at least one connector configured to removably couple a radar module to the conveyor and to linearly displace the radar module relative to the target, and a control system communicatively coupled to the conveyor. In another embodiment, a method comprises linearly displacing a radar module relative to a target, transmitting a signal from the radar module toward the target, and determining a characteristic of the radar module based on a reflection of the signal from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Erich Kolmhofer
  • Patent number: 7791531
    Abstract: A VOR monitoring receiving apparatus includes a receiving circuit for receiving a field signal from a VOR apparatus, and outputting content of the field signal to a plurality of signal systems, first and second monitoring receiving circuits provided in first and second signal systems included in the plurality of signal systems, respectively, for monitoring the content of the field signal, a self-check signal generator for generating a self-check signal necessary to confirm whether the first and second monitoring receiving circuits normally operate, a VOR monitoring controller for detecting an abnormality of the VOR apparatus based on monitoring results of the first and second monitoring receiving circuits, a switch for performing switching to alternately output the field signal and the self-check signal to the first and second signal systems, and a switch controller for controlling the switch to perform switching whenever a preset time elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroki Kihara
  • Patent number: 7782250
    Abstract: A millimeter wave radar target simulation system and method. The system includes a down-converter that converts a millimeter wave radar signal to an intermediate frequency, an electrical-to-optical modulator that modulates an optical signal based on the down-converted signal, an optical-to-electrical demodulator that demodulates an optical signal to an electrical signal, an optical delay line serving to delay a signal passing from the electrical-to-optical modulator to the optical-to-electrical demodulator, and an up-converter that converts the electrical signal from the optical-to-electrical demodulator to a frequency that simulates a millimeter wave target return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chi Shih, Kiet Mai, Long Bui, Cam Bui
  • Patent number: 7773031
    Abstract: An acquisition channel (20) includes a UWB sampler block (21) coupled to an analog integration block (22) further coupled to a digital integration block (24) via an analog/digital converter (23). For each range cell the UWB sampler block (21) repeatedly samples the received signal by tuning the sampling instants to the range cells to be acquired. The acquisition channel (20) is further coupled to a processor (26) and a database (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Camero - Tech Ltd.
    Inventors: David Gazelle, Amir Beeri, Ron Daisy
  • Patent number: 7764218
    Abstract: Described in an example embodiment herein is a procedure that comprises sampling one or more channels that are not in use for a short time at certain intervals. In particular embodiments, the interval duration is irregular so as to prevent “out of step” lock with a radar's pulses. During the sampling period, detection events are stored in terms of start time and duration. If potential radar events are detected, the channels are sampled for a longer, second interval to determine whether the detection events are indicative of radar. The length of the sampling period determines the number of samples needed to get an acceptable detection probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Kruys, Hari Narayanan Rangarajan, Raghuram Rangarajan, Christopher Meil
  • Patent number: 7755540
    Abstract: A method for close-proximity operation of a radar sensor for the generation of a usable detection field, for the recognition of people and/or stationary objects by an antenna, whereby the detection field can be altered or adjusted electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Bircher Reglomat AG
    Inventors: Klaus Mezger, Leon Audergon
  • Patent number: 7755539
    Abstract: Clothing 12 made of a cloth is put on a dummy object 11 that is formed into a human-like shape and made of a material having less reflection of electric wave, in order to form a dummy doll 10. Then, a collision prediction test or inspection by a millimeter wave radar is performed while swaying the clothing 12 by a blower 14. By swaying the clothing 12, the result of the measurement with the use of the millimeter wave radar same as that obtained by using an actual human can be obtained. Further, the clothing 12 may be swayed by vibrating the dummy doll 10 or moving the same, instead of the sending air. A reflection plate may be incorporated into the dummy object 11 to change the reflection state of the reflection plate. According to these configurations, the result of the test or inspection similar to the vehicle collision prediction by the millimeter wave radar for an actual pedestrian can be obtained with the use of the dummy doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sotaro Narita, Setsuo Tokoro
  • Publication number: 20100164781
    Abstract: A method for improving the results of radio location systems that incorporate weighted least squares optimization generalizes the weighted least squares method by using maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability metrics to incorporate characteristics of the specific positioning problem (e.g., UTDOA). Weighted least squares methods are typically used by TDOA and related location systems including TDOA/AOA and TDOA/GPS hybrid systems. The incorporated characteristics include empirical information about TDOA errors and the probability distribution of the mobile position relative to other network elements. A technique is provided for modeling the TDOA error distribution and the a priori mobile position. A method for computing a MAP decision metric is provided using the new probability distribution models. Testing with field data shows that this method yields significant improvement over existing weighted least squares methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: TRUEPOSITION, INC.
    Inventors: Pete A. Boyer, Rashidus S. Mia, Edward J. Segall
  • Patent number: 7737884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a radar system (100) especially of a motor vehicle (200), comprising at least one first sensor module (110a) and at least one additional sensor module (110b). A detection range (A) of the first sensor module (100a) at least partly overlaps a detection range (B) of the additional sensor module (110b) while the first sensor module (100a) receives a transmit signal transmitted by the additional sensor module (110b) in a monitoring mode (305) in order to obtain information about the operating condition of the additional sensor module (110b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Haberland, Urs Luebbert
  • Patent number: 7737883
    Abstract: The method generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the method is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of any number of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour, a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) and text for display on a number of flexibly configurable display formats posted on display units. The JAR and JAS graphics and text will aid the EA aircrew in rapidly assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Dark, James Buscemi, Scott Burkholder
  • Patent number: 7724182
    Abstract: The radar system includes: a transmission circuit transmitting the radar waves via a transmission antenna; a receiving circuit receiving the reflected waves via a receiving antenna; a delay line having an end connected to aid transmission circuit and the other end connected to said receiving circuit, which delays the radar waves by a predetermined delay amount; a correlation circuit/coherent detection circuit which detects a waveform having a strength equal to or higher than a predetermined strength, from a signal provided from said receiving circuit which obtains the signal from the reflected waves or the delayed radar waves; and a level decision circuit which judges, during self-diagnosis, whether or not the detected waveform is a waveform of the delayed radar wave according to the predetermined delay amount, and if the waveform is not the waveform of the delayed radar wave, determines that abnormality occurs in said radar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Inoue, Daisuke Ueda, Noboru Negoro, Hiroyuki Sakai
  • Patent number: 7719462
    Abstract: A time-of-flight calibration system for a radar-based measurement device is provided. The time-of-flight calibration system includes a target antenna and a waveguide, e.g. a coaxial cable. The waveguide is coupled at one end to the target antenna and terminated at its other end by a wave-reflecting impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Philip Harwood, George Quinton Lyon
  • Patent number: 7706978
    Abstract: A method for estimating unknown parameters (pan angle (?), instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry of an upcoming road segment) for a vehicle object detection system. The vehicle object detection system is preferably a forward looking, radar-cued vision system having a camera, a radar sensor and an processing unit. The method first estimates the pan angle (?), then corrects the coordinates from a radar track so that pan angle (?) can be treated as zero, and finally solves a least squares problem that determines best estimates for instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry. Estimating these parameters enables the vehicle object detection system to identify, interpret and locate objects in a more accurate and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan K. Schiffmann, David A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7698032
    Abstract: An automotive lane deviation prevention (LDP) apparatus includes a control unit detecting whether a host vehicle is in a specific state where the host vehicle is traveling on road-surface irregularities formed on or close to a lane marking line. The control unit actively decelerates the host vehicle when the host vehicle is in the specific state where the host vehicle is traveling on the road-surface irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Matsumoto, Satoshi Tange, Masayasu Shimakage, Hiroyuki Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7688246
    Abstract: A radio wave absorber for use in an electromagnetic field probe that measures an electromagnetic field by means of an antenna section provided therewith, the radio wave absorber including: a first end section; a second end section that is located at a position opposite the first end section; and an intermediate section that is located between the first and second end sections, the intermediate section having outer dimension and thickness that increase in accordance with a distance from the first end section toward the second end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirata, Hiroshi Andou
  • Patent number: 7683828
    Abstract: A device and method for measuring phase and power shifts in a simultaneous dual polarization radar system comprises an access port, a quadrature mixer, and a power detector. The access port is configured to couple to the simultaneous dual polarization radar system near the antenna of the simultaneous dual polarization radar system. The quadrature mixer is configured to mix a first signal from a first polarization and a second signal from a second polarization. The first signal and the second signal are sampled through the access port. The first power detector is configured to measure the power level of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Enterprise Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Stagliano, Jr., James Larry Alford, James Rogers Helvin, Dean A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7675460
    Abstract: An in-vehicle radar apparatus includes a beam emitting part that emits a beam, a casing that supports the beam emitting part, and a reference unit that is attached to the casing and is equipped with multiple surfaces usable as a reference plane. A surface of the casing to which the reference unit is attached and the reference plane form an angle that depends on which one of the multiple surfaces is used as the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Hiromasa Sanada
  • Patent number: 7675461
    Abstract: A circuit for a display used on an aircraft causes the display to display a composite terrain image. The composite terrain image can be formed from first terrain data from a terrain database and second terrain data from a radar system. A display control circuit can generate a display signal for the composite terrain image. The display signal is received by the display. The composite terrain image can be viewed by a pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Dennis McCusker, Richard Marcel Rademaker, Richard D. Jinkins, Joel Michael Wichgers, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 7667639
    Abstract: Taught herein is a passive channel calibration method wherein a non-linear antenna array sets an antenna array to a non-linear formation that contains at least a combination of translation invariant dual array-element couples, detects single-azimuth ocean echoes via combinations of translation invariant dual array-element couples, estimates channel amplitude mismatch coefficients via the single-azimuth ocean echoes to implement amplitude calibration, and estimates channel phase mismatch coefficients via the single-azimuth ocean echoes after amplitude calibration and the known array position information to implement phase calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Feng Cheng, Xiongbin Wu
  • Patent number: 7649492
    Abstract: A variable delay apparatus comprises a calibrating unit receiving a signal from a variable delay unit and from a plurality of fixed delay sources, the calibrating unit comparing the signal from the variable delay unit with a plurality of signals from the fixed delay sources to control operation of the variable delay unit over a delay range independently of environmentally-induced drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Niitek, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wilens, Mark Hibbard, William Cummings
  • Patent number: 7642950
    Abstract: Provided is a radar device includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit for receiving the electromagnetic wave reflected by a target object of the transmission electromagnetic wave, a target object measuring unit for measuring at least a distance between the radar device and the target object on the basis of the transmission and reception electromagnetic waves, a transmission output control unit (S1, S2) for stopping or reducing a transmission output of the transmitting unit under a predetermined condition, a transmission output control function abnormality determining unit (S3 to S6) for determining that the transmission output control unit is abnormal upon receiving the reception electromagnetic wave having an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold value even at the time of one of stop and reduction of the transmission output, and an abnormality determination time processing unit (S7) for stopping a power supply of the radar device when an abnormality is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Kai
  • Patent number: 7639177
    Abstract: In fill-level measuring devices that operate according to the FMCW principle, nonlinearity of the sensor signal depending on the time can result in measuring inaccuracies. The fill-level measuring device that operates according to the FMCW principle comprises a correction unit for the mathematical correction of the amplitude values or for calculating points in time of scanning the amplitude values on the basis of a reference correlation determined at the factory. In this way intermediate-frequency values that are identical to those of an ideal sensor can be derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum, Josef Fehrenbach
  • Publication number: 20090309786
    Abstract: An imaging system for generating a three dimensional image of tissue of a patient is provided. The imaging system comprises of a transmitter, receiver, antenna system and a display element to form a synthetic aperture radar system that displays a three dimensional view of the tissue. The SAR system has been configured to operate in the near field as opposed to current equipment which can only perform satisfactorily in the far field. A calibration technique has been utilized that allows the system to perform as well as other systems that operate using far field techniques but allows for a much simpler, cost effective system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: James L. Stolpman, Hans-Joachim Fabry, Todd R. Henry
  • Patent number: 7633431
    Abstract: A method for determining an adjusted position of a component of an aerial vehicle in response to a situational parameter is provided. The system includes a component mounted on an aerial vehicle, a control system operably coupled to the component, and a processor operably coupled to the control system. The control system adjusts a position of the component based on commands received from the processor. The processor receives positional data and a situational datum relating to the vehicle. The positional data is determined as a function of a situational parameter of the vehicle and is stored in a memory accessible by the processor. The processor determines an adjustment to the position of the component using the situational datum and the positional data and sends the determined adjustment to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Wey, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 7633430
    Abstract: A terrain awareness and warning system includes electronics for receiving radar returns and providing terrain and/or obstacle alerts or warnings in response to the radar returns. The electronics receives information from a database and the information is utilized to suppress false alerts or warnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel M. Wichgers, Richard D. Jinkins, Patrick D. McCusker, Richard M. Rademaker, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 7612708
    Abstract: A system for tracking an object in space for position, comprises a transponder device connectable to the object. The transponder device has one or several transponder aerial(s) and a transponder circuit connected to the transponder aerial for receiving an RF signal through the transponder aerial. The transponder device adds a known delay to the RF signal thereby producing an RF response for transmitting through the transponder aerial. A transmitter is connected to a first aerial for transmitting the RF signal through a first aerial. A receiver is connected to the first, a second and third aerials for receiving the RF response of the transponder device therethrough. A position calculator is associated to the transmitter and the receiver for calculating a position of the object as a function of the known delay and the time period between the emission of the RF signal and the reception of the RF response from the first, second and third aerials. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Orthosoft Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Laroche
  • Patent number: 7598905
    Abstract: There are presented various approaches to monitor performance of RF systems and circuitry such as those used in aircraft transponders. Such monitoring may be designed to verify operational performance of transponders as set forth by FAA regulations, or may be used to periodically or continually monitor integrity of transponder performance. Data may be collected by such periodic or continual monitoring, and may be analyzed to identify potentially troublesome trends in transponder performance, allowing early intervention or repair, if warranted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems LLC
    Inventors: Gregory T. Stayton, Stephen P. Williams
  • Patent number: 7592948
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a dual polarization weather radar system has been developed. The method first generates a transmission pulse from the radar system. The transmission pulse is then modified to generate a test signal that simulates a desired atmospheric condition. The test signal is transmitted directly into the radar system from a test antenna and the radar system is calibrated according to the test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Walker
  • Patent number: 7592949
    Abstract: A system and method for electromagnetic position determination utilizing a calibration process. For calibration, a transmitter is positioned at multiple locations in an area of interest and multiple receivers receive and record signal characteristics from the transmitter to generate a calibration data set. The unknown position of a transmitter may be determined by receiving signals from the transmitter by multiple receivers. A locator data set is generated based on the comparison between two received signal characteristics determined for each receiver. The locator data set is compared with the calibration data set to determine the unknown position. In one embodiment, the signal comparisons are the differences between electric and magnetic field phase. Further embodiments utilize signal amplitude differences. A reciprocal method utilizing a single receiver and multiple transmitter locations is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Q-Track Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Gregory Schantz, David Wesley Langford
  • Patent number: 7589665
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patric Heide, Martin Vossiek
  • Patent number: 7586435
    Abstract: A radar level gauge system, for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, said radar level gauge system comprising: a transceiver for generating, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals within a frequency range; a waveguiding structure arranged to extend into said product contained in the tank and to guide a transmitted signal from said transceiver towards a surface of said product and to guide echo signals resulting from reflections at impedance transitions encountered by the transmitted electromagnetic signals, including a surface echo signal resulting from reflection at said surface, back to said transceiver; a plurality of reference impedance transitions provided substantially periodically along said waveguiding structure with a distance between adjacent reference impedance transitions that is selected such that signals resulting from reflection of said transmitted signal at each of said reference impedance transitions combine to form a reference signal having a frequency
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventor: Olov Edvardsson
  • Patent number: 7576686
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for calibrating an aircraft surveillance system for a protected aircraft. The system has a phased antenna array comprising antenna elements. The method comprises transmitting a first signal from a first antenna element in the array, and receiving the first signal at a third antenna element. The first signal may represent an interrogation signal transmitted in connection with a surveillance transmit sequence to locate potential intruding aircraft into a range of the protected aircraft. The method further includes transmitting a second signal from a second antenna element and receiving the second signal at the third antenna element. The method also includes calculating calibration information for the antenna array based on the first and second signals received at the third antenna element. During each transmit operation only a single antenna element transmits at one point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Needham, John C. Blessing
  • Patent number: 7576685
    Abstract: A radar sensor having a transceiver device (10, 12), an analog/digital converter (14) for converting the received signals (A) into digital data, a memory device (18) for storing the digital data as a useful data set (D1) which provides the digital data for a recording period as a function of time, a transformation device (16) for calculating a spectrum (S) of the useful data set, and an analyzer (24) for analyzing the spectrum, characterized by a back-transformation device (22) for transforming the spectrum (S) back into a digital comparison data set (D2) and a comparator (20) which is designed for the purpose of evaluating the match between the useful data set (D1) and the comparison data set (D2) and, in the event of a match, conveys the spectrum (S) to the analyzer (24) and in the event of a non-match triggers error handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Mayer, Bernhard Lucas, Joerg Hilsebecher, Joachim Hauk, Paco Haffmans
  • Patent number: 7573369
    Abstract: A directional warning system and a method of warning of friendly forces. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a plurality of feed horns located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening and arranged relative thereto based on a zone-of-interest with which the directional warning system may be associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignees: ATR Electronics, Inc., Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Ralph E. Hayles, Jr., James A. Moryl
  • Patent number: 7574007
    Abstract: A stimulus analysis system and artifact rejection method are disclosed. The method may be used in many applications, such as, for example, DPOAE testing, TEOAE testing, BAER testing, ultrasound, MRI, RADAR, GPS, EEG, EKG, or communications. In one embodiment, a system receives a signal, and depending on the noise power of the signal, the signal is placed in one of a plurality of buffers or is discarded. This process is repeated. The combination of buffers that yields the lowest noise power is then selected. The selected combination of buffers may then be used to calculate a signal to noise ratio, which may be used to determine whether the signal received is acceptable, indicating, for example, that a test has been passed or failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Shaw, Mead C. Killion
  • Patent number: 7570197
    Abstract: One of the objects of the present invention is to reduce the size of a radar device mounted on a vehicle body. To achieve the object, one aspect of the invention provides a radar device, which is mounted on a vehicle body and detects a target present in a moving direction of the vehicle body, with (1) a transmitting antenna for transmitting a mm-Wave that forms an electric field having a width equivalent to the width of the vehicle body at a position away in a moving direction of the vehicle body by a distance corresponding to the most-approached distance defined between the vehicle body and the target and (2) two receiving antennas for receiving the reflected mm-Waves at mutually different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takano, Jiro Takezaki, Hiroshi Kuroda, Hiroshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7570193
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing signal pulses received by a device to identify the presence or absence of a waveform is provided. The waveform may have a long duration and may have a sparse energy distribution. An example of such a waveform is the bin-5 radar waveform. Based on the arrival rate of pulses, filtering of pulses is performed. The pulses that are not filtered out are grouped into bursts and information about the bursts is stored in a burst history. For example, the burst history might store the number of pulses in the burst and an inter-burst interval time. Entries over a certain age may be deleted from the burst history. The burst history is analyzed to determine if the pulses conform to a pattern associated with the waveform. The analysis may be based on various statistics. In an embodiment, only time domain information is analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Bandspeed, Inc.
    Inventor: Nils Bagge
  • Patent number: 7554486
    Abstract: A calibration system for the receiver of a dual polarization radar system has been developed. The system includes a radar transmitter that transmits signals in horizontal and vertical polarizations and a radar receiver that receives the horizontal and vertical polarization signals. The system also includes a test signal generator that generates a continuous wave test signal. A calibration circuit for the radar receiver modifies the test signal to simulate weather conditions by adjusting the attenuation and Doppler phase shift of a continuous wave test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Walker
  • Patent number: 7541971
    Abstract: A weather radar system has bright band detection and compensation. The weather radar system determines that high reflectivity in weather is a bright band and reduces an encoded return level from the bright band to compensate for it on a display. The weather radar system detects the presence of the bright band using an inference system that uses outside air temperature, aircraft altitude, and an assumed lapse rate to estimate the bright band location relative to the aircraft and uses antenna elevation to estimate bright band range to reduce the encoded radar return level on the display. The weather radar system may also detect the presence of the bright band using a detection system that uses radar estimates from normal reflectivity scan operation of the system. The weather radar system may also use an active detection process separate from a normal radar sampling process to detect the bright band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7541970
    Abstract: A weather radar system is capable of mitigating the effects of spurious reflections caused by a reflection lobe. Processing electronics can be used to sense weather and to identify spurious reflections caused by the reflection lobe. The reflection lobe can be caused by antennae or radome characteristics. The weather radar system can include a display that provides visual indicia of the weather with mitigation of the spurious reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Godfrey, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 7538718
    Abstract: Detection of failure mode peculiar to a high-electron mobility transistor is available. A control circuit controls a gate voltage switching portion so that the gate voltage applied to a transistor may become a given checking voltage. The checking voltage may be set to a pinch-off-voltage of the transistor, for example. The control circuit detects a current value of the drain current flown when the checking voltage is applied, thereby detecting a failure of the transistor based on the current value. According to the present invention, since failure detection is made on the basis of the drain current value flown when the checking voltage set up apart from an operating voltage is applied as the gate voltage, failure mode which is peculiar to the high electron mobility transistor and which is hardly detectable in an ordinary operating state becomes detectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ikeda, Takeshi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7535410
    Abstract: A weight calculation method begins by storing a target reflection signal of a radar pulse received via an antenna in cells corresponding to positions along with a reception timing for a plurality of processing range cells having lengths equivalent to prescribed ranges on a time axis. The method continues by calculating weights by stage for the phase and amplitude of the target reflection signal to form a reception composite beam so that arrival directions of spurious elements become zero to an arrival direction of the target reflection signal by using values stored in the plurality of processing cells. The calculating of the weights monitors changes of specific variables indicating correlation values among stages in the plurality of processing stages to stop a shift to the next processing stage at the time when the variables exceed a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Junichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7535411
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting drift in calibrated tracking systems used to locate features with respect to one or more coordinate systems allows medical devices to be accurately tracked within a reference coordinate system, and facilitates detection and compensation for changes in the orientation of the tracking system with respect to the coordinate system over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Resonant Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Falco
  • Patent number: 7525476
    Abstract: A method for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, by means of a radar level gauge system comprising a transceiver for generating, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals; a probe connected to the transceiver and arranged to guide a transmitted electromagnetic signal from the transceiver towards and into the product inside the tank, and to return a reflected electromagnetic signal resulting from reflection of the transmitted electromagnetic signal by a surface of the product back towards the transceiver; and a plurality of reference reflectors each being arranged at a respective known position along the probe and being configured to reflect a portion of the transmitted electromagnetic signal back towards the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Håkan Delin, Olov Edvardsson
  • Patent number: 7522096
    Abstract: A method for phase calibrating antennas in a radar system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a transmit antenna and two or more receive antennas, the receive antennas each in communication with a respective receiver channel. A radio frequency pulse having a leakage pulse is transmitted from the transmit antenna. The leakage pulse is received at each of the receive antennas and respective receiver channel. The relative phase change between the receive antennas is determined by using the leakage pulse as a reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
    Inventors: Glen B. Backes, Timothy J. Reilly
  • Patent number: 7522097
    Abstract: A method to compensate for radar platform angular motion may include measuring or estimating any radar platform angular motion. The method may also include substantially decoupling each array subsection response of a plurality of array subsection responses from any radar platform angular motion by applying continuous time varying phase adjustments to each individual array subsection response, prior to forming composite array Sum and monopulse Delta beam responses The time varying phase adjustments may be determined in response to any radar platform angular motion measured or estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David R. Wakeman
  • Patent number: 7518544
    Abstract: Radar beams are generated with radars disposed at different positions within an environment that attenuates at least a portion of one of the radar beams. A measured reflectivity of the environment is determined along a path of each of the radar beams. An intrinsic reflectivity is determined from different volume elements within the environment from the measured reflectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Chandrasekaran Venkatachalam, Sang Hun Lim
  • Patent number: 7515096
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the invention is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of any number of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour, a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) and text for display on a number of flexibly configurable display formats posted on display units. The JAR and JAS graphics and text will aid the EA aircrew in rapidly assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Dark, James Buscemi, Scott Burkholder
  • Patent number: 7511657
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the invention is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of any number of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour, a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) and text for display on a number of flexibly configurable display formats posted on display units. The JAR and JAS graphics and text will aid the EA aircrew in rapidly assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Dark, James Buscemi, Scott Burkholder
  • Patent number: 7509217
    Abstract: A vehicle detector includes a detecting apparatus and a determining apparatus. If a plurality of detection points detected by the detecting apparatus forms a group of detection points, the determining apparatus sets a determining virtual window encompassing the group of detection points and determines whether the group of detection points is likely to represent the one vehicle based on a state of movement of the group of detection points with respect to the determining virtual window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenjiro Endoh