By Monitoring Patents (Class 342/173)
  • Patent number: 9523726
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) reflecting apparatus includes a curved reflecting element and resistive material coupled to the curved reflecting element proximate two or more edges of the curved reflecting element. The resistive material has a first portion with a first conductance and a second portion with a second conductance that differs from the first conductance. The RF reflecting apparatus also includes a frame coupled to the curved reflecting element and at least one wheel coupled to the frame. The at least one wheel is configured to enable to translation of the curved reflecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Heumphreus, William J. Harper, Jeffrey D. Martin, Edward H. Wooldridge, Martha J. Molander
  • Patent number: 9360549
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide calibration of a system using a cable check configuration and a calibration test configuration. A short to ground reflects an injected signal to characterize a first signal path in the cable check configuration. Switch setting can then be adjusted to inject a signal that is coupled to an array element and received from a feed. The signal paths can be characterized to enable in-field calibration testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Thales-Raytheon Systems Company LLC
    Inventor: Sien-Chang C. Liu
  • Patent number: 9310469
    Abstract: A radar performance monitor is provided. The monitor includes a receiver for receiving a transmission signal of which a temporal change of a frequency is non-linear, the transmission signal being transmitted from a radar unit of a pulse-compression radar apparatus, and a response signal generator for generating a response signal of which a temporal change of a frequency is linear and transmitting the response signal to the radar unit as a response to the transmission signal received by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 9154243
    Abstract: Techniques for calibrating a receiver based on a local oscillator (LO) signal from another receiver are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device or an integrated circuit) includes first and second local oscillator (LO) generators. The first LO generator generates a first LO signal used by a first receiver for frequency downconversion. The second LO generator generates a second LO signal used by a second receiver for frequency downconversion in a first operating mode. The second LO signal is used to generate a test signal for the first receiver in a second operating mode. The second LO signal may be provided as the test signal or may be amplitude modulated with a modulating signal to generate the test signal. The test signal may be used to calibrate residual sideband (RSB), second order input intercept point (IIP2), receive path gain, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Udara C. Fernando, Li-Chung Chang, Vijay K. Chellappa, Frederic Bossu, Ketan Humnabadkar, Gurkanwal Singh Sahota
  • Patent number: 9065396
    Abstract: Provided is a method in which a Digital Pre-Distorter (DPD) performs digital pre-distortion on a received In-phase (I) signal, a received Quadrature-phase (Q) signal, a feedback I signal, and a feedback Q signal; a mixer mixes a signal output from the DPD with a frequency signal output from an oscillator; each of n phase shifters phase-shifts a signal output from the mixer according to a preset beamforming pattern; each of n Power Amplifiers (PAs) amplifies a signal output from an associated phase shifter according to a gain, the PAs connected to the associated phase shifter on a one-to-one basis; each of n envelope detectors detects an envelope signal from a signal output from an associated PA, the envelope detector connected to the associated PA on a one-to-one basis; and a control unit determines whether the n PAs operate normally, using the envelope signals output from the n envelope detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    Inventors: Mi-Hyun Son, Yong-Hoon Kim, Byung-Tae Yoon, Jong-Wook Zeong, Dong-Geun Lee, Jae-Hun Lee, Song-Cheol Hong
  • Publication number: 20150138012
    Abstract: A first step sets a second inclination angle of a housing to an angle different from a reference housing angle by a limit angle; drives an actuator to set a first inclination angle to an angle different from a substrate inclination angle by the limit angle such that a beam axis is kept to be oriented to a specified direction; and measures, based on transmission and reception of a radar beam, first received power. A second step drives the actuator to set the first inclination angle to an angle located outside the adjustment range by a predetermined additional angle while the first inclination angle is maintained; and measures, based on transmission and reception of the radar beam, second received power. A third step determines whether a difference between the first received power and the second received power is greater than a predetermined determination threshold, and checks an operating state of the actuator based on a result of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Takamasa Ando
  • Patent number: 9035823
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the state of a fill level measuring device (1) operating according to the radar principle and such a fill level measuring device, wherein the fill level measuring device (1) has at least one transceiver unit (2) for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, and at least one antenna (3) for guiding, radiating and receiving electromagnetic signals. The antenna (3) has at least one interior space (4), and wherein the antenna (3) has a transmission characteristic with regard to the transmission of electromagnetic signals. Electromagnetic signals are emitted or directed at least partially in the direction of a wall section (5) of the interior space (4) of the antenna (3), the received electromagnetic signals are evaluated with respect to the transmission characteristic of the antenna (3), and the result of the evaluation is compared to at least one stored reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Krohne S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Pichot
  • Patent number: 9030352
    Abstract: A method for determining rotation bias in a sensor using a cooperative target that includes receiving, via a processor, sensor data acquired in a field of view of a sensor at a plurality of points in time. The method also includes receiving, via the processor, position data for a cooperative target travelling along a path through the field of view of the sensor at the plurality of points in time. The method also includes determining, via the processor, a rotation bias in the sensor based on a maximum likelihood estimate performed over the path based on the sensor data and the cooperative target position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Richard J. Kenefic
  • Patent number: 9024807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of verifying a measurement accuracy of a level gauge system. The method comprises determining a first measurement value indicative of a time-of-flight of a first electromagnetic reflection signal to a reference reflector and back; determining a measurement unit verification measurement value based on a response signal from a verification arrangement; determining a second measurement value indicative of a time-of-flight of a second electromagnetic reflection signal to the reference reflector and back; and determining a verification result based on the first measurement value, the second measurement value and the measurement unit verification measurement value. Through embodiments of the present invention, it will be verified that the measurement unit is functioning correctly and that level gauge system works as it should also after being reconnected to the propagation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Christoffer Widahl, Michael Larsson
  • Patent number: 9024805
    Abstract: Methods and systems of determining the altitude of an aircraft are provided. The method includes receiving data associated with aircraft position, a position of a first point and a second point on the runway, and an altitude of the first point and the second point, radar returns from the runway. The method includes determining a first range and second range between the aircraft, and the first point and the second point. The method includes determining a first angle and a second angle between the first point and second point, and the aircraft. The method includes determining a corrected angle. The method includes determining the altitude of the aircraft based on the corrected angle, the runway altitude of at least one of the first point and the second point, and at least one of the first range and the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Jinkins, Daniel L. Woodell, Richard M. Rademaker
  • Patent number: 9019154
    Abstract: A radar circuit for controlling a radar antenna in a vehicle comprises an antenna connection for connection of a radar antenna, a transmitting and receiving circuit for transmission and reception of a radar signal, wherein the transmitting and receiving circuit is connected to the antenna connection. A test circuit is provided, wherein the test circuit is likewise connected to the antenna circuit, and the test circuit is designed to use a test signal to test whether a radar antenna is functionally correct connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Herbert Jaeger, Christoph Wagner
  • Patent number: 9019153
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a calibration system including a support structure movable over an array, a super-element secured to the support structure to obtain information at selected locations in relation to the array, and a processor to compute a sum of voltages for determining a level of calibration for the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jack J. Schuss, Thomas V. Sikina, Jeffrey C. Upton
  • Patent number: 9007259
    Abstract: Phase noise analyzing system that analyzes phase noise in radio frequency (RF) signals provided by a device under test when coupled thereto includes a low noise receiver that receives at a first input, signal from the device under test when coupled thereto, a low noise synthesizer that provides output to the receiver, a frequency domain analyzer that receives output from the receiver, a time domain analyzer that receives output from the receiver, a switching system that controls signal flow to and from the receiver, the synthesizer, the frequency domain analyzer and the time domain analyzer, and a computer that controls the switching system to perform the analysis of phase noise in signals provided by the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Testing Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Shahen Minassian, Richard Engel, Eli Levi
  • Patent number: 8994580
    Abstract: A sensor for a vehicle includes a sensor housing, a surface of which sensor housing has at least three areas defining at least three reference measuring fields. Positions of the at least three reference measuring fields define a reference plane. The reference measuring fields have (i) a surface texture which enables tactile position determination of the reference measuring fields, and/or (ii) a surface characteristic which enables optical position determination. The detected positions of the reference measuring fields are used to define the reference plane. A mechanical sensor axis of the target sensor is defined as extending orthogonally to the reference plane. The mechanical sensor axis is used to (a) ascertain an angle of deviation between the mechanical sensor axis and a known sensor axis of the sensor, and/or (b) align the mechanical sensor axis to a travel axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Weber, Gerald Zeller
  • Patent number: 8988280
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an active electronically scanned array antenna comprising: an active array, configured for radiating/receiving radiofrequency signals through first radiating openings that lie on a ground plane; and a dielectric cover arranged at a given distance from the ground plane so that between said dielectric cover and said ground plane an air gap is present. Said active electronically scanned array antenna is characterized in that it further comprises one or more calibration devices operable for calibrating said active electronically scanned array antenna, each calibration device comprising a respective radiating portion arranged between the dielectric cover and the ground plane and configured for receiving radiofrequency signals radiated through corresponding first radiating openings and for radiating radiofrequency signals in the air gap towards said corresponding first radiating openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Selex Sistemi Integrati S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Mosca, Massimo Marchetti
  • Patent number: 8957807
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a vehicle floor, a tilt sensor attached to the vehicle floor and having an output, and a forward looking radar module attached to the vehicle. The radar module includes a radar, an accelerometer; and an output from the accelerometer, and a controller that averages the tilt sensor output and the accelerometer output and determines a difference between the output averages, the controller reporting when the differences changes more than a predetermined amount. A method of calibrating the forward looking radar module, when attached to a vehicle, comprises placing the vehicle on a flat surface to determine the accelerometer pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, Scott Howard Gaboury
  • Patent number: 8957808
    Abstract: A phase array antenna includes an oscillator, a plurality of antenna elements, a phase shifter, a distributor, a receiving unit, and a control processor. The control processor performs a calibration process to select, from the antenna elements, a reference and target antenna elements to allow the radio waves generated by the oscillator to be provided for the reference and target antenna elements via the distributor, obtain a pattern of a change in a received power of radio waves received at the receiving unit, when a phase of the phase shifter for the reference antenna element is fixed and a phase of the phase shifter for the target antenna element is changed, extract, from the pattern obtained, the phase of the phase shifter for the target antenna element at which the received power becomes a local minimal value, and add the phase extracted to 180° to set its resultant value to a calibration value for the phase of the phase shifter for the target antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiko Ookawa
  • Patent number: 8952842
    Abstract: An altimetry system for a satellite, including an altimeter transmitting and receiving signals on at least one first frequency band; a radiometer receiving signals on at least one second frequency band, the altimeter and the radiometer being connected to one and the same antenna; reception means common to the altimeter and to the radiometer, and capable of amplifying and filtering the signals received from the antenna on a frequency band including the first frequency band and the second frequency band; means for separating the signals on the first frequency band from the signals on the second frequency band; the signals on the first frequency band being exploited to estimate an altimetric distance of the satellite, and radiometric measurements being exploited in order to correct the estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Richard Jacques, Nicolas Taveneau
  • Patent number: 8947295
    Abstract: A bistatic radar measurement system is provided having a radar source configured to produce a radio frequency signal. A transmitting antenna is configured to transmit the radio frequency signal toward a target. A receiving antenna is configured to receive a reflected radio frequency signal from the target. A support system is configured to support the receiving antenna. The support system includes a plurality of low scattering dielectric strings configured to orient the receiving antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Peter J Collins
  • Patent number: 8935122
    Abstract: An alignment device provides position information for an antenna coupled to an extendable tower. The alignment device can provide position data including pitch data, roll data, and azimuth data. The position data can be collected at multiple times, and reported to a remote computing device. The position data can be reported as the raw measured data, a delta between two sets of position data, or other data. The alignment device may be solar powered and include a transceiver client for communicating with a remote computing device via a transceiver server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: US Tower Corp.
    Inventor: Daryl A. Stisser
  • Patent number: 8917204
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for cancelling a radio frequency transmit leakage signal comprises: a transmitter portion comprising at least one amplifier stage for transmitting a radio frequency signal to an antenna port; and a first coupler arranged to operably couple the transmitter portion, the antenna port and a receiver portion. The receiver portion is arranged to receive a first composite signal that comprises a received radio frequency signal from the antenna port and the transmit leakage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Saverio Trotta, Bernhard Dehlink, Ralf Reuter
  • Patent number: 8912945
    Abstract: In a method of determining a deviation of a path of a projectile from a predetermined path, the method uses an image of a target area in which the desired path or direction is pointed out. Subsequently, the real direction or real path is determined and the deviation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Trackman A/S
    Inventor: Fredrik Tuxen
  • Publication number: 20140354468
    Abstract: A radar apparatus is provided. The radar apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit radar signals via a radar antenna, a receiver configured to receive reflection waves that are echoes of the radar signals, via the radar antenna, a radar image generating module configured to generate a radar image based on the reflection waves received by the receiver, a performance monitor configured to measure performance of at least one of the transmitter and the receiver, and a controller configured to cause the performance monitor to perform the measurement while the transmission of the radar signals is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: FURUNO Electric Company Limited
    Inventors: Katsuyuki YANAGI, Yoshifumi OHNISHI
  • Patent number: 8897717
    Abstract: A two-element array antenna system includes a first antenna element and a second antenna element. A transmitting, receiving, and processing (TRP) system is coupled to the first and second antenna elements via, respectively, a single first transmission element and a single second transmission element. The first and second transmission elements have respective transmit-path and receive-path functionality. The TRP system is configured to determine an amplitude offset and phase offset associated with the transmit-path functionality of the first and second transmission elements, and, based on data obtained during the determination of amplitude offset and phase offset associated with the transmit-path functionality of the first and second transmission elements, determine an amplitude offset and phase offset associated with the receive-path functionality of the first and second transmission elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Ferguson, Mark Virtue, Eduard Shestak, Ruy C. Brandao, Pal Meiyappan, James Burton Jones, Jon Riley
  • Publication number: 20140340254
    Abstract: A radar device for transmitting and receiving a signal in a frequency band for target detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Hesse
  • Patent number: 8878719
    Abstract: A radar apparatus forming a series-feed array-antenna includes an array antenna having transmission/reception antennas, and each antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements arrayed with feed-lines to be series-connected each other. A calibration line is disposed between the transmission antenna and the reception antenna via a switch which connects or disconnects the calibration line. The signal having a phase shift is transmitted via the calibration line when the switch connects the calibration line and an amount of phase shift from the signal transmitted via the calibration line is calculated based on a reference phase at the transmission antenna thereby calibrating the phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kento Nakabayashi, Tetsuya Katayama, Shin-ichiro Matsuzawa, Masaru Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8872674
    Abstract: A method of using a directional sensor for the purposes of detecting the presence of a vehicle or an object within a zone of interest on a roadway or in a parking space. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a microwave transmit pulse of less than 5 feet; radiating the transmitted pulse by a directional antenna system; receiving received pulses by an adjustable receive window; integrating or combining signals from multiple received pulses; amplifying and filtering the integrated receive signal; digitizing the combined signal; comparing the digitized signal to at least one preset or dynamically computed threshold values to determine the presence or absence of an object in the field of view of the sensor; and providing at least one pulse generator with rise and fall times of less than 3 ns each and capable of generating pulses less than 10 ns in duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Balu Subramanya
  • Patent number: 8866668
    Abstract: In a radar apparatus, a peak extractor performs frequency analysis on a beat signal to obtain a frequency spectrum for each of first and second detection modes based on the beat signal for a corresponding one of the first and second detection modes. The peak extractor extracts a plurality of first peak-signal components from the frequency spectrum obtained for the first detection mode, and a plurality of second peak-signal components from the frequency spectrum obtained for the second detection mode. A determiner compares each of the plurality of first peak-signal components with a corresponding one of the plurality of second peak-signal components to deter mine whether a noise is included in the beat signal according to a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20140300507
    Abstract: A radar performance monitor is provided. The monitor includes a receiver for receiving a transmission signal of which a temporal change of a frequency is non-linear, the transmission signal being transmitted from a radar unit of a pulse-compression radar apparatus, and a response signal generator for generating a response signal of which a temporal change of a frequency is linear and transmitting the response signal to the radar unit as a response to the transmission signal received by the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 8854251
    Abstract: Provided is an object identification device and a method for the same that are capable of identifying a three-dimensional object and a road surface static object, irrespective of situations. The object identification device identifies an object, based on a transmission signal and a reflection signal caused by the object reflecting the transmission signal. The object identification device includes: a measurement section configured to measure at least one of the relative distance and the relative velocity with respect to the object; an intensity detection section configured to detect the intensity of the reflection signal; and an object identification section configured to identify the object which can be an obstacle object, based on at least one of the relative velocity and the variation in the relative distance, and on the variation in the intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Setsuo Tokoro
  • Patent number: 8841785
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system and method includes a rotatable member with an electrically conductive coil mounted to the rotatable member and adapted to move with the rotatable member such that the movement of the coil through a magnetic field induces a voltage in the coil. An energy storage device is coupled to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Horst Theuss, Klaus Elian
  • Publication number: 20140266865
    Abstract: An I/Q mixer and processing method for a radar system include an RF input and an LO input. Phase shifters apply a selectable phase shift to the LO signal to produce a first phase-shifted version of the LO signal and a second phase-shifted version of the LO signal, the first and second phase-shifted versions of the LO signal being in quadrature. A first set of switches is controllable to selectively apply the selectable phase shift to the LO signal. A first mixer unit receives the RF signal at a first input of the first mixer unit, and a second mixer unit receives the RF signal at a first input of the second mixer unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Scott B. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8830116
    Abstract: A radar wave sensing apparatus including a rotation element, a nanosecond pulse near-field sensor and a control unit is provided. The nanosecond pulse near-field sensor emits an incident radar wave and receives a reflection radar wave of the incident radar wave hitting on a surface of the rotation element to obtain a repetition frequency variation of the reflection radar wave corresponding to the incident radar wave. The control unit calculates a vibration of the rotation element according to the repetition frequency variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuang-I Chang, Sheng-Hang Wang, Yu-Jen Su, Mu-Yu Tsai, Jyun-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 8823582
    Abstract: An FMCW radar sensor system is described having an antenna covered by a radome, a mixer for mixing a frequency-modulated transmission signal with a signal received by the antenna, a device for recording the mixed product of the mixer as a time-dependent signal, a device for calculating the spectrum of the time-dependent signal, and a device for detecting a reflecting coating on the radome, characterized in that the device for detecting the reflecting coating is configured for analyzing the time-dependent signal and for determining the extent of reflection on the radome based on the amplitude of this signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Himmelstoss, Stefan Heilmann, Goetz Kuehnle, Dirk Bechler, Elisabeth Hauk, Rahel Hauk, Manuel Hauk
  • Patent number: 8818703
    Abstract: Provided is an object recognition device and an object recognition method that can estimate the size of an object detected by a radar, through a simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoaki Harada
  • Publication number: 20140232586
    Abstract: A device for radar applications includes a computing engine, a radar acquisition unit connected to the computing engine, a timer unit connected to the computing engine, a cascade input port, and a cascade output port. The cascade input port is configured to convey an input signal to the computing engine and the cascade output port is configured to convey an output signal from the computing engine. Further, an according system, a radar system, a vehicle with such radar system and a method are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Romain Ygnace, Andre Roger
  • Patent number: 8810447
    Abstract: A calibration device, capable of calibrating a gain of a radiometer, includes an actuator and a micro-electromechanical-system (MEMS) unit. The actuator receives a calibration signal outputted from a control unit. The MEMS unit is coupled to the actuator, in which the actuator enables the MEMS unit to shield an antenna of the radiometer according to the calibration signal, such that the radiometer generates an environmental signal according to an equivalent radiant temperature received from the MEMS unit, and the control unit calibrates the gain of the radiometer according to the environmental signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chun-Yen Huang, Chin-Chung Nien, Li-Yuan Chang, Chen-Ming Li, Ya-Chung Yu
  • Publication number: 20140218229
    Abstract: A device and a method for monitoring and analysis utilize unintended electromagnetic emissions of electrically powered components, devices or systems. The emissions are received at the antenna and a receiver. A processor processes and measures change or changes in a signature of the unintended electromagnetic emissions. The measurement are analyzed to both record a baseline score for future measurements and to be used in determining status and/or health of the analyzed system or component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: GERALD W. PAULY, WALTER J. KELLER, III
  • Patent number: 8730097
    Abstract: A system for testing a phased array comprising a phase-locked loop circuit responsive to a received output signal of the phased array. The phase-locked loop circuit comprises a phase detector; a filtering element, a variable frequency oscillator and a feedback loop. The system is configured to output at least one of a value indicative of the output of the phase detector and a value indicative of the output of the filtering element for estimating at least one of an imparted phase shift and an imparted frequency modulation by array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Uscinowicz
  • Publication number: 20140091963
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for analyzing propagation of an electromagnetic wave by effectively using a ray tracing scheme in a radio wave system, in which; an electromagnetic wave scattered in an electromagnetic wave incident to an interface in a service area is detected; average scattering power for the interface is calculated by the scattered electromagnetic wave; the propagation of the electromagnetic wave in the service area is analyzed based on the average scattering power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
  • Patent number: 8686896
    Abstract: A method for determining beamformer scattering parameters for a plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays that each include a radiating (e.g., dipole) component and a beamformer component provides for obtaining for the plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays a plurality of electromagnetic measurements at a plurality of ports. Analogous electromagnetic measurements are obtained for a reference subarray including a radiating component but absent a beamformer component. The plurality of phased array radar antenna subarray electromagnetic measurements and the reference subarray electromagnetic measurements provide a plurality of beamformer scattering parameter values for the plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays that may be used in modeling and calibrating a phased array radar apparatus that may be assembled from the plurality of phased array radar antenna subarrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: SRC, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey K. Schuman, Anthony M. Davis, Donald M. McPherson, Michael Robinson, David R. Hagenmayer, John G. Wiley
  • Publication number: 20140035778
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the integrity of stations for observing radio-navigation signals in a satellite based augmentation system SBAS comprises: defining a geographical zone comprising a plurality of observation stations, calculating, for each observation station of the said zone and for each line of sight between the said station and a satellite, the discrepancy between the theoretical pseudo-distance D and the measured pseudo-distance D?, calculating the average m of the said discrepancies D-D? over the said zone for at least one satellite in visibility of the said zone, validating the integrity of at least one observation station of the said zone if the said discrepancy, for the said station and for at least one line of sight between the said station and a satellite, is less than or equal to the said average that is multiplied by a predetermined exclusion threshold, and excluding this observation station in the converse case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Gonzague BERTIN DE LA HAUTIERE, Nidhal DAHMAN
  • Patent number: 8643539
    Abstract: The current invention relates to a monitoring and analysis device and a method for monitoring and analysis that utilizes the unintended electromagnetic emissions of electrically powered systems. The present invention monitors electrical devices by taking detailed measurements of the electromagnetic fields emitted by any component or system utilizing electricity. The measurements will be analyzed to both record a baseline score for future measurements and to be used in detailed analysis to determine the status of the analyzed system or component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nokomis, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald William Pauly, Walter John Keller, III
  • Publication number: 20140022112
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the state of a fill level measuring device (1) operating according to the radar principle and such a fill level measuring device, wherein the fill level measuring device (1) has at least one transceiver unit (2) for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, and at least one antenna (3) for guiding, radiating and receiving electromagnetic signals. The antenna (3) has at least one interior space (4), and wherein the antenna (3) has a transmission characteristic with regard to the transmission of electromagnetic signals. Electromagnetic signals are emitted or directed at least partially in the direction of a wall section (5) of the interior space (4) of the antenna (3), the received electromagnetic signals are evaluated with respect to the transmission characteristic of the antenna (3), and the result of the evaluation is compared to at least one stored reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Krohne S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Pichot
  • Patent number: 8626084
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for transmit and receive matching is described. The integrated circuit includes a transmit amplifier. The transmit amplifier includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a first inductor. The first inductor couples the first transistor to the second transistor. The integrated circuit also includes a low noise amplifier. The low noise amplifier includes a third transistor, a fourth transistor, the first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor and a transformer. The second inductor couples the first inductor to the third transistor. The third inductor couples the third transistor to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ngar Loong A Chan, Jonghoon Choi, Bindu Gupta
  • Patent number: 8596587
    Abstract: A method for sensing objects within a rail grade crossing island is described. The method includes transmitting a radar signal into the island from each of a plurality of radar devices such that each portion of the island is monitored by at least two of the radar devices, detecting if an object is in the island based on received signals corresponding to the transmissions associated with at least one of the radar devices, and operating a gate control device associated with the rail grade crossing based on the detections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Bystep, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas N. Hilleary
  • Patent number: 8593336
    Abstract: In a control apparatus, an acquisition unit acquires the coordinates of a detection starting position and detection ending position detected by a radar, for each of a plurality of moving vehicles moving along a road. A calculation unit calculates an average value of the coordinates of the detection starting positions and an average value of the coordinates of the detection ending positions, and stores information of radar detection including the calculated average values in a radar detection storage unit. A comparison unit compares the average values of the coordinates of the detection starting positions and detection ending positions with respective determined reference values. An abnormality determination unit determines based on the comparison results whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the radar, and outputs, if determining that an abnormality has occurred, information indicative of the occurrence of the abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Junko Kajiki
  • Patent number: 8593337
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes an oscillator, a plurality of antenna elements, a phase shifter, a distributor, a receiver, and a control processor. The control processor performs a first calibration process to calibrate a phase of the phase shifter connected to a pair of antenna elements that is selected from the antenna elements and are located at a pair of positions symmetric with respect to a central axis of an array formed by the phased array antenna, and a second calibration process to calibrate a phase of the phase shifter connected to a pair of target antenna elements with respect to a phase of the phase shifter connected to a reference antenna elements located at a central portion of the array. The pair of target antenna elements are located at a pair of positions that are symmetric with respect to the central axis of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiko Ookawa
  • Patent number: 8586901
    Abstract: Embodiments of a guidance section that compensates for boresight error (BSE) caused by effects of a composite radome. The guidance section includes a BSE compensation element to add high-pass filtered noise to compensated BSE data. The guidance section also includes and a Kalman filter to generate line-of-sight rate (LOSR) BSE noise from the compensated BSE data and the added high-pass filtered noise. In some embodiments, a method for generating a revised BSE correction matrix is provided. The revised BSE correction matrix may compensate for BSE caused by effects in the composite radome and may correct for relative target velocity error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Kesselring
  • Patent number: 8552906
    Abstract: A mixer for mixing a received signal and a local oscillator signal is provided. The local oscillator signal is modulated by means of a modulation signal and the modulated local oscillator signal is injected into the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Erich Kolmhofer, Dietmar Kissinger, Florian Starzer