With Particular Circuit Patents (Class 342/175)
  • Patent number: 8854257
    Abstract: A Luneburg lens is used in conjunction with a patch antenna array. The patch antenna array is conformed or adapted to cover a portion or backside of the Luneburg len's surface with the backplane of the conformed antenna array defining a field of regard (FOR) in which objects are detected and tracked. A processor is connected to a receiver/exciter module which connects to transmit/receive modules which are connected to the individual patch antennas through a network of MEMS switches. In a receive mode, selected subarrays of the conformed patch antenna array are scanned during selected time intervals with the sum and delta beams being formed coherently in amplitude and phase to realize amplitude monopulse sensing and angle tracking of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Christopher A. Hamner, Robert A. Spencer
  • 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: 8854254
    Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) radar transmitter apparatus comprises a pulse generator configured to produce from a sinusoidal input signal a pulsed output signal having a series of baseband pulses with a first pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The pulse generator includes a plurality of components that each have a nonlinear electrical reactance. A signal converter is coupled to the pulse generator and configured to convert the pulsed output signal into a pulsed radar transmit signal having a series of radar transmit pulses with a second PRF that is less than the first PRF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Rodenbeck, Jeffrey Pankonin, Richard E. Heintzleman, Nicola Jean Kinzie, Zorana P. Popovic
  • Patent number: 8854250
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to improving the sensitivity in polarimetric radar data. In particular, embodiments of the invention improve the sensitivity of such systems with improved post processing techniques. The sensitivity can be improved by using the co-polar elements (off diagonal elements) of the covariance matrix in power and/or reflectivity determinations. This can not only improve the sensitivity but may also enhance identification and improve quantitative estimates of precipitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventors: Reino Keranen, Chandrasekaran Venkatachalam
  • Publication number: 20140292562
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for a front end of an FMCW radar transceiver, with a signal terminal that is configured so as to couple to a signal filter device for purposes of signal exchange, a further signal terminal that is configured so as to couple to a VCO device for purposes of signal exchange, and an electronic circuit, which with the aid of a switching device included in the electronic circuit can be switched over between a reception circuit configuration and a transmission circuit configuration, is disclosed. The switching device has an RF switch, with which a signal route formed respectively in the RF switch, is embodied asymmetrically, in that the signal route in a reception circuit configuration and the signal route in a transmission circuit configuration have a different number of switching stages. A FMCW radar transceiver, and a method for the operation of a front end are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Viswanathan Subramanian, Tao Zhang, Georg Boeck
  • Publication number: 20140292563
    Abstract: A transmitter front end circuit is described. The transmitter front end circuit is provided with a radar transmitter port, a radar receiver port, a radar amplifier, a coupler, a radar antenna input and a signal director. The radar amplifier has a low power side receiving a transmit signal having a transmit waveform modulated onto a carrier frequency from the radar transmitter port, and a high power side outputting an amplified transmit waveform suitable for transmission to a radar antenna. The coupler is coupled to the high power side of the radar amplifier to sample the amplified transmit waveform. The radar antenna input is configured to receive return signals from a radar antenna. And, the signal director selectively directs the sample of the amplified transmit waveform and the return signals to the radar receiver port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Robert Dean Palmer, Redmond Clay Kelley, Boon Leng Cheong, Yan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8847815
    Abstract: An electronic scanning radar apparatus mounted on a moving object includes a receiving unit including a plurality of antennas receiving a received wave arriving from a target having reflected a transmitted wave, a beat signal generating unit generating a beat signal from the transmitted wave and the received wave, a frequency resolving unit resolving the beat signal in beat frequencies and to calculate complex data based on the beat signal resolved for each beat frequency, and an azimuth detecting unit calculating a direction of arrival of the received wave based on original complex data calculated based on the beat signal, wherein the azimuth detecting unit includes a data extending unit generating extended complex data by extending the number of data based on the original complex data, and a first computation processing unit calculating the direction of arrival of the received wave based on the extended complex data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda elesys Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junji Kanamoto
  • Patent number: 8847817
    Abstract: To provide a microwave/milliwave band high-frequency pulse signal generating device that enables realization of structural simplification, high performance, compact integration, easy design, low power consumption, and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: National Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Communications Research Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Utagawa, Toshiaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 8847814
    Abstract: An FMCW radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a high frequency part for generating, transmitting and receiving radar signals, a modulation device for controlling the frequency modulation of the transmitted radar signal, at least one analog preprocessing stage for an intermediate frequency signal formed from the received radar signal, at least one analog/digital transducer stage, and a processor for controlling the modulation device and for further processing the digital signals of the analog/digital transducer stage, wherein the modulation device, the preprocessing stage and the analog/digital transducer stage are integrated into a single semiconductor component, which also has a monitoring device and registers for the configuration and monitoring of the components of the semiconductor component as well as an interface to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Himmelstoss, Thomas Walter, Thomas Schneider, Elisabeth Hauk, Rahel Hauk, Manuel Hauk
  • Publication number: 20140253369
    Abstract: An adaptive method by which Differential GNSS corrections may be compressed. Each measurement datum to be transmitted to a rover for satellite navigation purposes is decomposed into two parts, namely, an anchor value and a delta value, and in some instances an added third part termed a nonce value is used. Encoding parameters such as the number of bits assigned to each part of the measurement datum, the order of the models used to convey positional data, and scaling constants in the models, are adjusted adaptively based on changing data and/or transmission medium characteristics. Adaptive compression also allows for anomalous conditions such as out-of-range data values to be handled gracefully.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SubCarrier Systems Corporation
    Inventors: David Charles Kelley, Gregory John Berchin
  • 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: 8831079
    Abstract: A symbol rate detection apparatus includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a coarse detection module, a mixer, a down-sampling module, and a fine detection module. The ADC converts an analog input signal to a digital input signal at an original sampling frequency. The coarse detection module estimates a carrier frequency offset and a coarse symbol rate according to the digital input signal. The mixer adjusts the frequency of the digital input signal according to the carrier frequency offset to generate a frequency-compensated signal. The fine detection module determines a fine symbol rate according to the frequency-compensated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mstar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Ying Liao, Tung-Sheng Lin, Tai-Lai Tung
  • Patent number: 8830114
    Abstract: A mobile object detecting apparatus includes first radiation detecting means; and second radiation detecting means for radiating an electromagnetic wave having the same frequency as the electromagnetic wave radiated by the first radiation detecting means such that the radiated electromagnetic wave passes near a point in the first radiation detecting means from which the electromagnetic wave is radiated, and detecting a standing wave which is generated due to reflection of the radiated electromagnetic wave at an object; wherein a distance, over which the electromagnetic wave radiated by the first radiation detecting means travels until it reaches near the first radiation detecting means, corresponds to a distance of an integral multiple of a wave length of a half cycle of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the radiation detecting means plus a wave length of a predetermined period which is smaller than the half cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Yasue, Tomoyoshi Kushida
  • Patent number: 8823583
    Abstract: A radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a transmitting part, which has two oscillators and a 90° phase shifter for generating a transmission signal, a first comparison signal, and a second comparison signal, which is phase shifted by 90° with respect to the first comparison signal, and a receiving part having an I mixer for mixing a received signal with the first comparison signal and a Q mixer for mixing the received signal with the second comparison signal, in which the transmitting part has a first transmit mixer, whose inputs are directly connected to the two oscillators, and a second transmit mixer, whose one input is directly connected to a first of the two oscillators and whose other input is connected via the phase shifter to the other oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Hasch, Andre Manicke
  • Patent number: 8823578
    Abstract: A driving assist apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The driving assist apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting a transmission wave, a receiver for receiving a reflected wave, an obstacle presence determination section for detecting a presence of an obstacle in the surrounding of the vehicle based on the reflected wave, a measurement section for measuring a frequency of phase delay and advance of the reflected wave with respect to a reference signal, and a detection section for detecting the obstacle having a specific relation with the vehicle based on the presence of the obstacle determined by the obstacle presence determination section and the frequency of delay and the frequency of advance measured by the measurement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hattori, Mitsuyasu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8823577
    Abstract: A distance separation tracking process is provided that includes the transmission of a periodic radio frequency original signal from a beacon transceiver. The original periodic signal from the beacon transceiver is received at a remote target transceiver as a target received periodic signal. The target retransmits the received periodic signal to the beacon transceiver as a return periodic signal. Data points of the return periodic signal are sampled and used to calculate a phase differential between the original periodic signal and the return periodic signal that correlates to the distance separation range between the beacon transceiver and the target transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: iTRACK, LLC
    Inventors: G. Edzko Smid, Thomas P. Stiglich
  • Patent number: 8823581
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting dangerous objects and substances are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method comprises generating a microwave signal that is reflected by a target to render one or more reflected signals. The one or more reflected signals are received at an antenna array. The one or more reflected signals are converted into digital reflected signals. The microwave signal is converted into a digital signal. The digital reflected signals and the digital signal are processed to determine the three dimensional position of the target. The digital reflected signals and the digital signal are processed to identify the target. The digital reflected signals and the digital signal are processed to determine a state of the target; and determine whether the target a dangerous object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Radical Development Holding S.A.
    Inventors: Kirill Mostov, Kfim Liptsen
  • Patent number: 8816901
    Abstract: A method of calibrating antenna-position detection associated with a radar system, the radar system including a first gimbal and a first angle sensor configured to detect an angular position of the first gimbal, includes mounting a second angle sensor to the first gimbal configured to detect an angular position of the first gimbal. The first gimbal is rotated through each angular position of a set of the angular positions. A first set of data is generated with the first angle sensor that characterizes a detected angular position of the first gimbal. A second set of data is generated with the second angle sensor that characterizes a detected angular position of the first gimbal. A third data set is determined comprising differences, between the first and second data sets, in detected angular position at each first-gimbal angular position. The third data set is stored in a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Klinger, Karsten Isaacson
  • Patent number: 8816895
    Abstract: Embodiments of a target classifier and method for target classification using measured target epsilons and target glint information are generally described herein. The target classifier is configured to compare a total epsilon measurement with target glint information to determine whether to the target being tracked corresponds to an intended target type. Based on the comparison, the target classifier may cause target tracking circuitry of a target-tracking radar to either continue tracking the target or break-off from tracking the target. Glint of different target types may be characterized at different ranges and the target's glint characteristics may be used to distinguish intended from non-intended targets. Accordingly, intended targets such as incoming artillery may be distinguished from non-intended targets such as aircraft to help prevent countermeasures from being launched against non-intended targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Brett J. Young, Jason A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8816900
    Abstract: In an environment inspection mode of a calibration system, a radar device executes a signal analysis process to calculate an eigenvalue ratio of each comparison eigenvalue. The eigenvalue ratio has a small value when a pair of eigenvalues corresponding to arrival radar waves has a strong correlation. On the other hand, the eigenvalue ratio has a large value when the eigenvalue ratio is calculated between an eigenvalue and thermal noise. When there is no eigenvalue which is not more than a reference threshold value, the radar device indicates a notice that the current environment is suitable for the calibration of the radar device. On the other hand, when there is presence of at least one eigenvalue of not more than the reference threshold value, the radar device indicates a notice that the current environment is unsuitable for the calibration of the radar device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Hasegawa, Koji Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20140232589
    Abstract: A receiver circuit, comprises an input balun circuit comprising a balanced balun output and being capable of receiving RF signals, an input amplification circuit comprising a balanced amplifier input and a balanced amplifier output, a single balanced in-phase mixing circuit comprising a first unbalanced RF mixer input and a balanced in-phase mixing frequency input, and a single balanced quadrature mixing circuit comprising a second unbalanced RF mixer input and a balanced quadrature mixing frequency input. The balanced amplifier input is connected to the balanced balun output, a first terminal of the balanced amplifier output is connected to provide an amplified RF signal to the first unbalanced RF mixer input and a second terminal of the balanced amplifier output is connected to provide a phase-shifted amplified RF signal to the second unbalanced RF mixer input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Saverio Trotta
  • Patent number: 8810448
    Abstract: In one aspect, a radar array assembly includes two or more vertical stiffeners each having bores with threads and a first radar module. The first radar module includes radar transmit and receive (T/R) modules and a chassis having channels configured to receive a coolant. The chassis includes shelves having ribs. The ribs have channels configured to receive the coolant and the ribs form slots to receive circuit cards disposed in parallel. The circuit cards include the T/R modules. The chassis also includes set screws attached to opposing sides of the chassis. The set screws have bores to accept fasteners to engage the threads on a corresponding one of the two or more vertical stiffeners. The first radar module is configured to operate as a stand-alone radar array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ellsworth, Michael P. Martinez, Craig H. McCordic, Jeffrey Paquette, Scott R. Cheyne
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8803727
    Abstract: A method for producing a sensor-supported, synthetic view for landing support of helicopters under brown-out or white-out conditions is provided. A virtual 3-D representation of the landing zone is continuously created from 3-D data of the intended landing zone recorded during the landing approach and a monitoring routine is available to ensure that no 3-D data that was produced under brown-out or white-out conditions is considered in the representation. As soon as the monitoring routine detects that 3-D data has been recorded under brown-out or white-out conditions, an additional radar sensor is activated to continuously produce distance and/or Doppler data of potential objects entering the landing zone, the objects being displayed to a pilot of the landing helicopter in the synthetic view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Muensterer, Matthias Wegner, Peter Kielhorn
  • Patent number: 8803728
    Abstract: A millimeter wave radar-equipped headlamp includes a millimeter wave radar that detects an object ahead of a vehicle, and a lighting device unit that irradiates an area ahead of the vehicle. The lighting device unit incorporates an antenna module of the millimeter wave radar. The lighting device unit includes a projection lens, a light source, a reflector, and a shade. The antenna module includes a millimeter wave waveguide, and a millimeter wave reflection mirror. A reflection surface of the millimeter wave reflection mirror is formed by a spheroidal surface having a first focal point located in the vicinity of the opening of the millimeter wave waveguide, and a second focal point located forward of the rear focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Electronic Navigation Research Institute, Independent Administrative Institution
    Inventors: Naruto Yonemoto, Akiko Kohmura, Yoshiki Kurosawa, Takao Watanabe, Satoshi Yamamura
  • Patent number: 8791854
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a radar transmitter comprised within a single integrated chip substrate, which is capable of continuous beam steering of a transmitted radar beam as well as an option to change the physical position of the origin of the transmit radar beam. The radar transmitter has a signal generator that generates an RF signal. The RF signal is provided to a plurality of independent transmission chains, which contain independently operated vector modulators configured to introduce an individual phase adjustment to the high frequency input signal to generate separate RF output signals. A control unit is configured to selectively activate a subset of (e.g., two or more) the independent transmission chains. By activating the subset of independent transmission chains to generate RF output signals with separate phases, a beam steering functionality is enabled. Furthermore, the subset defines a changeable position of the transmitted radar beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johann Peter Forstner, Udo Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20140203960
    Abstract: A radio-frequency transceiver system comprises a radio-frequency processing unit, a transmitting microwave network and a receiving microwave network, wherein the transmitting microwave network comprises a transmitting power divider for distributing main power of transmitting signals to two central sub-array antennas of four sub-array antennas, and the receiving microwave network comprises a receiving power divider for providing power mainly from a first input terminal and a second input terminal for a receiving route, and providing power mainly from the second input terminal and a third input terminal for another receiving route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventors: Guo-Shu Huang, I-Shan Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Hsu, Hsin-Lung Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8786338
    Abstract: A method for providing a plurality of narrow pulses is provided. A first pulse having a first width is received by a delay line having a plurality of delay cells. This first pulse has a first width. In response to this first pulse, a plurality of second pulses is generated by the delay line, where each second pulse has a second width that is less than the first width. First and second delay pulses are also generated by the delay line, and a delay for each delay cell in the delay line can then be adjusted if a rising edge of the second delay pulse is misaligned with a falling edge of the first delay pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vijay B. Rentala, Srinath M. Ramaswamy, Brian P. Ginsburg, Eunyoung Seok, Baher S. Haroun
  • Publication number: 20140197983
    Abstract: A receiver device for a radar system comprises a receive antenna module arranged to simultaneously receive a plurality of radar signals; a mixer module connected to the antenna module and arranged to simultaneously convert the plurality of radar signals into a plurality of intermediate frequency signals, each of the plurality of intermediate frequency signals having a frequency that is comprised in a different corresponding one of a plurality of intermediate frequency ranges; and a wideband analog-to-digital-converter module connected to the mixer module, arranged to simultaneously convert the plurality of intermediate frequency signals into a digital representation, and having a bandwidth comprising a plurality of non-overlapping bandwidth portions, wherein each of the plurality of intermediate frequency ranges is comprised in a different one of the non-overlapping bandwidth portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: RALF REUTER
  • Patent number: 8779966
    Abstract: A system includes: a radar scanner disposed to scan the interior of a container; an interrogator in communication with the scanner; and a processing system in communication with the interrogator, in which the processing system displays information about the interior of the container. A method includes: mounting a radar scanner antenna to a container so as to scan the interior of the container; connecting a coupler to the scanner so that the scanner communicates scanning data via the coupler to the exterior of the container. Another method includes: coupling an interrogator and radar processing system to a scanner mounted on a container; and processing radar scan data from the interior of the container. Another method includes: linking a radar processing system via a communications link to an interrogator that is coupled to a scanner mounted on a container; and processing radar scan data from the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Farrokh Mohamadi, Mikko Oijala, Paul Strauch
  • Publication number: 20140191899
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a system (10) and a method for tracking one or more targets by a radar using a multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) algorithm, the method including operating the radar to transmit a radar beam from a first location toward the one or more targets, operating the radar to receive a plurality of return signals at the first location from the one or more targets, and to generate a plurality of observations for a single radar dwell respectively corresponding to the plurality of return signals, and processing the plurality of observations in accordance with the MHT algorithm for at least two passes such that more than one of the plurality of observations are associated with a single track of the one or more targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Catherine Pickle, Samuel S. Blackman, Douglas B. Tyler
  • Patent number: 8773299
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment relates to an aircraft system for detecting wires. The system includes a processor configured to actively sense a presence of a first object and a second object. The processor determines a location of the first object and the second object. The processor determines a potential location of a wire between the first object and the second object. The processor actively senses the wire by providing electromagnetic energy to the potential location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Richard D. Jinkins, Richard M. Rademaker
  • Patent number: 8773301
    Abstract: A method of determining an angle within the beam to a target using an airborne radar includes receiving first data associated with first returns associated with a first portion of an antenna. The method further includes receiving second data associated with second returns associated with a second portion of an antenna, wherein the first portion is not identical to the second portion. The method further includes determining the angle within the beam to the target using the first and second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 8774303
    Abstract: A wireless communication method and apparatus using adaptive transmission polarization control are provided. The wireless communication apparatus includes an orthogonal polarization antenna, a channel state estimator, and a transmission polarization state (TPS) selector. The orthogonal polarization antenna receives at least one reference signal. The channel state estimator estimates a wireless polarization channel on the basis of the reference signal. The TPS selector selects a TPS corresponding to the estimated wireless polarization channel from among a plurality of predefined TPSs, and feeds back the selected TPS information. Accordingly, the wireless communication apparatus feeds back information for polarization control using minimum uplink wireless resources, and maximizes a transmission capacity on the basis of the feedback information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Industrial Cooperation Foundation, Korea National University of Transportation
    Inventors: Soon Young Eom, Soon Ik Jeon, Young Jun Chong, Jae Ick Choi, Cheol Mun
  • Publication number: 20140184438
    Abstract: A transmit/receive module for radar may include a radio frequency (RF) circuit unit including an RF substrate and an RF part; and a direct current (DC) power supply circuit unit including a printed circuit board (PCB) and a DC power supply circuit part. The RF circuit unit and the DC power supply circuit unit may be disposed so that a rear surface of the RF circuit unit faces a rear surface of the DC power supply circuit unit, and may be assembled to have a separate space using at least one separation wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Dong Pil Chang, In Bok Yom, Youn Sub Noh, Jin Cheol Jeong, Hong Gu Ji, Man Seok Uhm
  • Patent number: 8760342
    Abstract: A circuit board is provided. The circuit board includes a substrate, a waveguide line and a laminated waveguide. The waveguide line is at least partially positioned on a first surface of the substrate. The waveguide line transmits a high frequency signal. The laminated waveguide is formed inside the substrate. The laminated waveguide is electromagnetically coupled to the waveguide line, and has a lead-out portion led out from inside the substrate to a surface other than the first surface. The laminated waveguide includes a dielectric layer, a pair of main conductive layers and a through conductor group. The pair of main conductive layers sandwiches the dielectric layer in a thickness direction thereof. In the through conductor group, a plurality of through conductors are arranged along a high frequency signal transmitting direction. The plurality of through conductors electrically connect the pair of main conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuki Hayata
  • Patent number: 8762052
    Abstract: A method and a terminal for providing a route in a navigation system using a satellite image are provided. The terminal includes a route calculation unit for calculating a route from a current location to a destination when a user inputs the destination, a satellite image requesting unit for requesting a satellite image server for satellite images corresponding to locations on the route and for downloading the requested satellite images, a satellite image storage unit for storing the downloaded satellite images, and a controller for retrieving a satellite image corresponding to the current location from the satellite image storage unit and for displaying the retrieved satellite image simultaneously while downloading the satellite images corresponding to the locations on the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Suk Min, Hee Jung, Kwang-Soo Kim, Jin-Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8754806
    Abstract: A pulse radar receiver includes a power splitter configured to split a transmit (TX) trigger signal for generating a TX pulse, a phase-locked loop (PLL) configured to receive a division ratio and the TX trigger signal split by the power splitter, and generate a sampling frequency, and a sampler configured to sample a reflected wave received through an RX antenna, according to the sampling frequency generated by the PLL. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a high distance resolution by generating a sampling frequency with a difference from a TX pulse to sample a reflected wave received through an RX antenna. Thus, it is possible to overcome a limitation in the distance resolution due to the pulse width and to measure a minute movement at a short distance. Therefore, the pulse radar receiver is applicable to high range resolution radar applications such as a living body measuring radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Pil Jae Park, Seong Do Kim, Sung Chul Woo, Hyun Kyu Yu
  • Publication number: 20140159946
    Abstract: There is provided a radar apparatus configured to extract peak signals which are obtained from a difference frequency between a transmission signal and a reception signal, and to derive information of the target on the basis of the extracted peak signals. A prediction unit predicts this time peak signal based on a peak signal obtained in previous time. An extraction unit extracts this time peak signal corresponding to the predicted peak signal from peak signals existing within a predetermined frequency range. The extraction unit extends the frequency range when this time peak signal corresponding to the predicted peak signal does not exist within the predetermined frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Hisateru ASANUMA, Hiroyuki ISHIMORI
  • Patent number: 8749430
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an active array antenna device includes: M (M?2) bandpass filters to filter signals received by M antenna elements; M low noise amplifiers to amplify the filtered received signals; M distributors to distribute respective of the M amplified signals into N (N?2) distributed signals; M sets of N phase shifters provided for respective of the M distributors to shift phases of the N distributed signals; M sets of N attenuators to attenuate N phase-shift signals; N beam synthesis circuits provided for N sets of the M attenuators to synthesize a beam by summing attenuator outputs from the M attenuators corresponding to the M distributors; a heat insulating container accommodating the low noise amplifiers and the receiving filters and formed of a superconductor material; and a cooler to cool the receiving filters and the low noise amplifiers to make the receiving filters in a superconducting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Shinonaga, Hiroyuki Kayano
  • Patent number: 8742981
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a coupler that can be used in a radar system. The coupler includes differential ports, an antenna port, a receiver port, a local port and a transmission path. The differential ports are configured to receive a differential signal. The antenna port is configured to output a transmitted signal and to input a received signal. The transmitted signal is derived from the differential signal. The receiver port is configured to output a portion or version of the received signal. The local port outputs a local signal, which is also derived from the differential signal. The transmission path is coupled to the differential ports, the antenna port, the receiver port and the local port. The transmission path typically has a length selected to derive or output the signals at the above ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Reinhard-Wolfgang Jungmaier, Reinhard Feger, Bernhard Prammer, Andreas Stelzer
  • Patent number: 8742979
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a range side lobe removal device, which includes a pulse compressor for acquiring a reception signal from a radar antenna and generating a pulse-compressed signal by performing a pulse compression of the reception signal, a pseudorange side lobe generator for generating a pseudo signal of range side lobes of the pulse-compressed signal based on the reception signal, and a signal remover for removing a component corresponding to the pseudo signal from the pulse-compressed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 8737067
    Abstract: A rack system may include a first plurality of line cards, where a particular one of the first plurality of line cards receives or sends packets via ports; a plurality of fabric cards, where a particular one of the plurality of fabric cards includes a switching fabric; a second plurality of line cards, where a particular one of the second plurality of line cards receives or sends packets via ports; a first backplane that connects the first plurality of line cards to the plurality of fabric cards; and a second backplane that connects the second plurality of line cards to the plurality of fabric cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Kim, Muhammad Sagarwala, Phu Truong
  • Publication number: 20140139370
    Abstract: A Luneburg lens is used in conjunction with a patch antenna array. The patch antenna array is conformed or adapted to cover a portion or backside of the Luneburg len's surface with the backplane of the conformed antenna array defining a field of regard (FOR) in which objects are detected and tracked. A processor is connected to a receiver/exciter module which connects to transmit/receive modules which are connected to the individual patch antennas through a network of MEMS switches. In a receive mode, selected subarrays of the conformed patch antenna array are scanned during selected time intervals with the sum and delta beams being formed coherently in amplitude and phase to realize amplitude monopulse sensing and angle tracking of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: United States of America as Represented by the
  • Publication number: 20140139366
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) radar apparatus may be used in aircraft detection and avoidance. The radar apparatus may include an RF front end configured to transmit and receive RF signals, a filtering module coupled with the RF front end module that filters RF signals received at the RF front end module, and a target data processing module coupled with the filtering module that detects and identifies one or more targets based on the filtered RF signals. Avoidance procedures may be initiated based on the identification and detection of one or more targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Colorado Seminary, which owns and Operates The University of Denver
    Inventors: Allistair A. Moses, Matthew J. Rutherford, Kimon P. Valavanis
  • Patent number: 8730099
    Abstract: An electronic scanning type radar device mounted on a moving body includes: a transmission unit transmitting a transmission wave; a reception unit comprising a plurality of antennas receiving a reflection wave of the transmission wave from a target; a beat signal generation unit generating a beat signal from the transmission wave and the reflection wave; a frequency resolution processing unit frequency computing a complex number data; a target detection unit detecting an existence of the target; a correlation matrix computation unit computing a correlation matrix from each of a complex number data of a detected beat frequency; a target consolidation processing unit linking the target in a present detection cycle and a past detection cycle; a correlation matrix filtering unit generating an averaged correlation matrix by weighted averaging a correlation matrix of a target in the present detection cycle and a correlation matrix of a related target in the past detection cycle; and a direction detection unit compu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda elesys Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Kanamoto, Hiroyuki Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8730096
    Abstract: An electronic scanning type radar device mounted on a moving body includes: a transmission unit transmitting a transmission wave; a reception unit comprising a plurality of antennas receiving a reflection wave of the transmission wave from a target; a beat signal generation unit generating a beat signal from the transmission wave and the reflection wave; a frequency resolution processing unit frequency computing a complex number data; a target detection unit detecting an existence of the target; a correlation matrix computation unit computing a correlation matrix from each of a complex number data of a detected beat frequency; a target consolidation processing unit linking the target in a present detection cycle and a past detection cycle; a correlation matrix filtering unit generating an averaged correlation matrix by weighted averaging a correlation matrix of a target in the present detection cycle and a correlation matrix of a related target in the past detection cycle; and a direction detection unit compu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda elesys Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Kanamoto, Hiroyuki Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8730098
    Abstract: Methods are described for radar detection of persons wearing wires using radar spectra data including the vertical polarization (VV) radar cross section and the horizontal polarization (HH) radar cross section for a person. In one embodiment, the ratio of the vertical polarization (VV) radar cross section to the horizontal polarization (HH) radar cross section for a person is compared to a detection threshold to determine whether the person is wearing wires. In another embodiment, the absolute difference of the vertical polarization (VV) radar cross section and the horizontal polarization (HH) radar cross section for a person is compared to a detection threshold to determine whether the person is wearing wires. To reduce false positives, other additional indicators, such as speed of movement, and or visual features of the person, can be used to further narrow a person suspected of wearing wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William P. Fox
  • Patent number: 8730092
    Abstract: Aspects of this invention are directed to the substantially improved detection and geolocation accuracy of targets (stationary or moving) by using the coherent data received at multiple airborne sensors. Further aspects are directed to aligning the (unknown) time-delayed and Doppler-shifted signals received at the multiple sensors relative to an arbitrary reference sensor, which depend on the unknown target position. This results in the target position and velocity vectors being simultaneously estimated and the detection peak enhanced by obtaining near coherent gain. Still further aspects are directed to the coherent generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) and the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) statistic for multistatic radar systems, conditioned on estimation of certain parameters that render the system coherent. Analytical and computer simulation results are presented to show substantially enhanced detection and geolocation of moving targets in clutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: David Miranda
  • Patent number: RE45061
    Abstract: Communication between a remote locator and a transponder is used to determine the relative position of the transponder. The transponder and locator each include a transmitter and a receiver. The locator transmits an inquiry in the form of a relatively powerful cyclically encoded signal with repetitive elements, uniquely associated with a target transponder. Periodically, each transponder correlates its coded ID against a possible inquiry signal, determining frequency, phase and framing in the process. Upon a match, the transponder transmits a synthesized response coherent with the received signal. The locator integrates multiple cyclical response elements, allowing low-power transmissions from the transponder. The locator correlates the integrated response, determines round-trip Doppler shift, time-of-flight, and then computes the distance and angle to the transponder. The transponder can be wearable, bionically implanted, or attached to, or embedded in, some object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Santa Monica Semiconductor, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Karr