Mapping Patents (Class 342/191)
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Patent number: 7916069Abstract: A radar device is provided in this disclosure. The radar device includes an area determination module for performing a determination of a noise superior area or a target-echo superior area for each divided area of a radar-search area defined in advance, a noise-level calculation module for calculating a noise level for a divided area based on received signals from the divided area that is determined as the noise superior area, and an interpolation module for interpolating or extrapolating the calculated noise level for the divided area that is determined as the noise superior area, to obtain a noise level for a divided area that is determined as the target-echo superior area.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Okunishi, Masahiro Nakahama, Masashi Ohhora
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Patent number: 7898458Abstract: A ground surface as an image acquiring object is acquired by a synthetic aperture radar mounted on an artificial satellite at a usual time before occurrence of a disaster and thereby radar image data are obtained. After the occurrence of the disaster, an image of the ground surface as the image acquiring object is acquired within days shorter than the number of orbit returning days and by comparing this radar image data with the radar image data acquired at the usual time so as to try to early grasp a damaged situation. At a recovering and rebuilding time after the occurrence of the disaster, images of the image acquiring object are periodically acquired so as to prepare a recovering and rebuilding plan and prevent secondary disasters.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Pasco CorporationInventors: Takashi Shibayama, Takashi Nonaka, Yoichi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 7868811Abstract: A weather radar system includes an input for receiving lightning detection data and processing electronics for determining a presence of a convective cell or associated hazard. The processing electronics receive weather radar data and the lightning detection data. The weather radar data is related to radar returns. The processing electronics provide temporal or spatial filtering of the lightning detection data to provide filtered data and determine a position of the convective cell or associated hazard in response to the weather radar data and the filtered data.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Kevin M. Kronfield, Karen L. Walling
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Patent number: 7777666Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping a surface of a celestial body containing objects and terrain are provided. One system includes a Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) module configured to capture a high-resolution image of the terrain of at least a portion of the surface and a map module configured to store map data representing the portion of the surface. The system also includes a fusion module configured to combine the high-resolution image and the map data to generate a high-resolution map of the portion of the surface. A method includes orbiting the celestial body, capturing, via the SAR module, a high-resolution image during each orbit, and fusing the captured high-resolution image with a low-resolution map of the surface to generate a high-resolution map of the surface. A computer-readable medium for storing instructions that cause a processor to perform the above method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: William Gregory, Mitch Fletcher, Randy Black
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Patent number: 7768441Abstract: A method for representing surface deformation measurements, including providing InSAR data, wherein the InSAR data is line of sight InSAR data; providing Global Positioning System (GPS) data; filtering the InSAR data; assembling the GPS data over a time span; resolving the GPS data into a line of sight direction; determining a correction; generating a corrected line of sight image; generating a plurality of XY motion maps, wherein generating includes: correlating a plurality of XY motions from a plurality of GPS sites with a gradient of the corrected line of site image; determining a correlation coefficient; and building a plane of XY motion using at least one of the plurality of XY motions; using the correlation coefficient to produce a linear combination of the plurality of XY motion maps; and using the linear combination to convert the InSAR data to vertical motion.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Eric Davis, Scott Marsic
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Patent number: 7737877Abstract: A computer system for processing complex synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images includes a database for storing complex SAR images to be processed, and a processor for processing a complex SAR image from the database. The processing includes receiving a complex SAR data set for a SAR image comprising a plurality of pixels, and applying a complex anisotropic diffusion algorithm to the complex SAR data set. The complex SAR data set includes a real and an imaginary part for each pixel.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Kenneth Sartor, Josef Allen, Emile Ganthier
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Patent number: 7688248Abstract: A 3D rendered image of a radar-scanned terrain surface is provided from a radar return signal from the surface, wherein the return signal includes data indicative of azimuth, elevation, and range of a radar-illuminated area of the surface. The data are processed for transformation into X, Y, and Z coordinates. The X and Y coordinates corresponding to each illuminated area are triangulated so as to create a mesh of triangles representing the terrain surface, each of the triangles in the mesh being defined by a vertex triplet. 3D imaging information (grey scale shading and/or coloring information) is added to each triangle in the mesh, based on the amplitude of the radar return signal from the coordinates represented by each vertex in the triplet and the value of the Z coordinate at each vertex, so as to form the 3D rendered image.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Sierra Nevada CorporationInventors: Jack Cross, Theodore Bosworth, Craig Chapman, David Howard
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Publication number: 20100019956Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radar tracking system includes a radar coupled to a radar processing system. Radar processing system receives images from the radar and that are each obtained at a differing angular orientation of the radar to a target. Radar processing system dithers each image along its azimuthal extent and then combines the dithered images to form an enhanced image of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Raymond Samaniego, Jagannath Rath, Brandeis E. Marquette
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Patent number: 7633427Abstract: An active imaging system uses communication satellites to identify the location and physical attributes of a target. A transmitter emits a time-synchronized signal directed to a target. The transmitter radiates L-band RF signals. The transmitter can be positioned on an airborne or ground platform. A constellation of communication satellites receives and time stamps the time-synchronized signal reflected from the target to form an active image of the target. The constellation of communication satellites have multiple roles other than active imaging, such as providing voice and data communications. The time-synchronized signal reflected from the target can be received by multiple satellites within the constellation of communication satellites or by multiple antenna disposed on one satellite within the constellation of communication satellites.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: KinetX, Inc.Inventor: Mark D. Nelson
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Patent number: 7619554Abstract: In a passive radar system a space-borne transmitter broadcasts wide-band digitally modulated signals over a region and illuminates the region. A receiver antenna is oriented to receive radiation from at least one portion of the region. The portion is an area viewed by the receiver antenna. A reference antenna is oriented toward the transmitter, the reference antenna receives a portion of the wide-band digitally modulated signal. A coherent processing time duration is selected based on: a radar cross-section of a target within the viewed area, a bandwidth of the wide-band digitally modulated signal, and the viewing angle of the receiver antenna. The received signal from the receiver antenna is coherently processed with a reference signal from the reference antenna, over a time interval greater than the coherent processing time duration.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Inventor: Dan Abraham Shklarsky
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Publication number: 20090278725Abstract: A system or method of creating a map of voids in the ground based on a scattered electromagnetic signal includes traversing a receiver/probe in a near field above a target area; generating a signal from a signal transmitter, the signal having a predetermined wavelength ?; receiving a scattered signal with the receiver/probe, the scattered signal including indications of subsurface variations via reflection of the generated signal; and detecting evanescent components of the scattered signal to provide a predetermined resolution. The method includes the use of an electrically small antenna for resolution of subwavelength features. The metamaterial-based antenna is on the order of meters and has an efficient transmit/receive capability. The ESA is 1/10 of the length of the equivalent dipole length, and may be scaled down to 1/10,000. Such an antenna may include phase sensitive current injection in the metamaterial resonant structures for loss-compensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Robert B. GREEGOR, Claudio G. PARAZZOLI, Minas H. TANIELIAN
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Publication number: 20090167595Abstract: A 3D rendered image of a radar-scanned terrain surface is provided from a radar return signal from the surface, wherein the return signal includes data indicative of azimuth, elevation, and range of a radar-illuminated area of the surface. The data are processed for transformation into X, Y, and Z coordinates. The X and Y coordinates corresponding to each illuminated area are triangulated so as to create a mesh of triangles representing the terrain surface, each of the triangles in the mesh being defined by a vertex triplet. 3D imaging information (grey scale shading and/or coloring information) is added to each triangle in the mesh, based on the amplitude of the radar return signal from the coordinates represented by each vertex in the triplet and the value of the Z coordinate at each vertex, so as to form the 3D rendered image.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Jack Cross, Theodore Bosworth, Craig Chapman, David Howard
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Patent number: 7548192Abstract: A method of mapping steel reinforcements in an existing concrete foundation. The method includes determining the depth of the concrete foundation. Further the method entails transmitting radar signals into at least one section of the concrete foundation and collecting reflection data in response to the radar signals being transmitted into the concrete foundation. Based on the collected reflection data, determining the general location of at least some of the steel reinforcements in the concrete foundation. Thereafter, surgically cutting into the concrete foundation and exposing at least some of the steel reinforcements in a portion of the concrete foundation. Once some of the steel reinforcements are exposed, the method entails measuring the size and spacing of the steel reinforcements.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: FDH Engineering, Inc.Inventor: J. Darrin Holt
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Patent number: 7504985Abstract: Radar systems are disclosed that include a signal generator, an antenna, a switching circuit, an I/Q sampling and signal-demodulation (demodulation) processor, and a FFT processor. The signal generator produces energization signals. The antenna has multiple individual antenna elements. The switching circuit is configured to deliver the energization signals to a selected antenna element at a respective moment in time to cause the selected antenna element to transmit a respective radar signal in response to the energization signal. At least one element receives a corresponding return-radar signal before the switching circuit selects a next antenna element to transmit a respective radar signal. The demodulation processor receives the return-radar signals from the antenna elements and demodulates the return-radar signals. The FFT processor fast-Fourier transforms the return-radar signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on Behalf of the University of Nevada, RenoInventors: James M. Henson, Ross P. Kohlmoos
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Patent number: 7489268Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and uniquely displaying ground features (terrain/obstacles) that are shadowed from an aircrafts radar system. An example system includes one or more aircraft information, sources, a database that stores three-dimensional terrain/obstacle data, a display device, and a processor in data communication with the one or more aircraft information sources and the database. The processor receives aircraft position, heading and altitude information from the one or more aircraft information sources. The processor projects a vector in a three-dimensional digital space onto the three-dimensional terrain/obstacle data stored in the database based on the received aircraft position, heading and altitude information to determine if the projected vector intersects more than one terrain feature.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Andrew Forgrieve, Tim B. Freedman, John M. Noll
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Patent number: 7482970Abstract: A method for producing map images of current velocity vectors at the surface sea is described in which beams of electromagnetic waves are emitted towards the surface using a system, towards the left forward and right forward sides of the track of the system, and towards the left aft and right aft sides of the track, from two antennas at a distance from each other along the direction of the track and along a direction perpendicular to the track, and values of roll angle and length of the antenna base connecting the two antennas are determined using differential interferometries applied to the electromagnetic waves reflected by the surface between beams emitted forwards and backwards, the map images being built up using an along-track type differential interferometry, using roll angle and antenna base length values obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Agence Spatiale EuropeenneInventor: Christopher Hereward Buck
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Patent number: 7479920Abstract: A method and apparatus for terrain mapping and/or obstacle detection for aircraft, including (a) transmitting a non-scanning beam that illuminates the terrain and/or obstacles; (b) receiving a Doppler shifted signal that is Doppler frequency shifted by an amount dependent on an angle between a line of flight of the aircraft and scatterers that reflect the transmitted beam; (c) determining the angle from the Doppler frequency; (d) determining the range of at least some of said scatterers; and (e) determining the azimuth and elevation of the scatterers.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Inventor: Haim Niv
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Patent number: 7474251Abstract: Systems and methods relate to an aircraft with a CAS that may be employed to enhance pilot awareness. The CAS may be employed on a formation member aircraft to provide a TA that is distinctive for an intruding formation member aircraft, as opposed to a TA provided as a result of an intruding nonmember aircraft. The CAS may also provide a plurality of status indications for aircraft engaged in airborne refueling, as well as aural indications of the present mode of operation for the CAS.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLCInventor: Stacey R. Rowlan
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Publication number: 20080316089Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and uniquely displaying ground features (terrain/obstacles) that are shadowed from an aircrafts radar system. An example system includes one or more aircraft information, sources, a database that stores three-dimensional terrain/obstacle data, a display device, and a processor in data communication with the one or more aircraft information sources and the database. The processor receives aircraft position, heading and altitude information from the one or more aircraft information sources. The processor projects a vector in a three-dimensional digital space onto the three-dimensional terrain/obstacle data stored in the database based on the received aircraft position, heading and altitude information to determine if the projected vector intersects more than one terrain feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Andrew Forgrieve, Tim B. Freedman, John M. Noll
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Patent number: 7456779Abstract: A 3D rendered image of a radar-scanned terrain surface is provided from a radar return signal from the surface, wherein the return signal includes data indicative of azimuth, elevation, and range of a radar-illuminated area of the surface. The data are processed for transformation into X, Y, and Z coordinates. The X and Y coordinates corresponding to each illuminated area are triangulated so as to create a mesh of triangles representing the terrain surface, each of the triangles in the mesh being defined by a vertex triplet. 3D imaging information (grey scale shading and/or coloring information) is added to each triangle in the mesh, based on the amplitude of the radar return signal from the coordinates represented by each vertex in the triplet and the value of the Z coordinate at each vertex, so as to form the 3D rendered image.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Sierra Nevada CorporationInventors: Jack Cross, Theodore Bosworth, Craig Chapman, David Howard
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Patent number: 7400291Abstract: A local positioning system is proposed for wirelessly locating an object using existing features within a static environment, such as walls, as the references for determining the position of the system. An antenna 16 attached to the object transmits RF signals which are reflected by the surroundings. During a training mode, the reflected signals are used to train a neural network 22, 43 to map the position of the object to the characteristics of the reflected signals. During a working mode, the trained neural network is to identify the position of the object based on reflected signals in working mode. Optionally, the reflected signals may be subject to a clustering process before input to the neural network.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Jin Xu, Kanzo Okada, Xiaobing Sun, Yugang Ma, Wei Lu
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Patent number: 7385552Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an image from millimeter waves. A field of view scanned using two geometrically orthogonal, intersecting copolarized fan beams (110, 120) to receive millimeter wave radiation. The received millimeter wave radiation from said fan beams are then cross-correlated (250, 650). Also, a method and antenna (400, 610) for receiving millimeter wave radiation are disclosed. The antenna includes first and second fan beam antennas (410, 420) for receiving millimeter wave radiation and a filter (430, 440) for rotating polarization of incident millimeter wave radiation through 90 degrees received by the second fan beam antenna (410). The respective first and second beams (110, 120) intersect and are co-polarized and geometrically orthogonal to each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationInventors: John William Archer, Oya Sevimli, Geoffrey James
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Patent number: 7231297Abstract: The navigation system according to the present invention, which guides a subject vehicle to a destination by displaying at a display monitor an arrow indicating the direction of the next turn instead of displaying a map includes a decision-making device that makes a decision as to whether or not the subject vehicle is currently located on a recommended route to a destination set in advance based upon the current position of the subject vehicle, an abridged map generating device that generates an abridged map by abridging a map based upon map data and a display control device that displays at the display monitor the abridged map and the subject vehicle position if the decision-making device determines that the subject vehicle is not currently located on the recommended route.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Xanavi Informatics CorporationInventors: Akio Sumizawa, Tomoyo Hayashi
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Patent number: 7209070Abstract: A vertical situation display (“VSD”) system according to the invention generates a terrain image that represents a profile view of terrain elevation relative to the position of an aircraft traveling above the terrain. The VSD system generates the VSD image such that the terrain image is biased toward the lower elevation region of the VSD screen, thus making efficient use of the available display area. The VSD image is also generated such that it is continuous across the lateral range of the VSD, thus ensuring that terrain is shown in the VSD at all practical times, depending upon the available range and any priority display rules.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: William R. Gilliland, Troy A. Nichols
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Patent number: 7170443Abstract: A method for the evaluation of radar data for fully automatic creation of a map of regions with interference, in which undesirable reflections frequently occur includes the following method steps. The region to be mapped is divided up into cells. The short-lived target tracks that occur in these cells are counted. Statistics are kept, in such a manner that the short-lived target tracks are counted only within a predetermined period of time, while all older short-lived target tracks are left out of consideration. At least one threshold value is predetermined, in such a manner that a cell is considered to have been marked if the short-lived target tracks that are counted in the previous time period exceed the threshold value or values. The map of the current regions with interference results as the totality of the marked cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbHInventors: Dirk Liebscher, Juergen Altmann, Ulrich Lode, Christoph Schenk
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Patent number: 7038612Abstract: A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) avoids the need for an INS/GPS by focusing a SAR image having discernible features and a center. The image is formed from digitized returns, each of the digitized returns having a phase and an amplitude. The focusing steps of an algorithm processing the digitized returns include: computing a coarse range and coarse range rate of the center of the image, motion compensating the digitized returns, converting the digitized returns in polar format into an orthogonal Cartesian coordinate system, autofocusing the image data to obtain a focused image, performing a Fourier transform to obtain a focused image described by the returns, computing an estimated fine range and fine range rate from features contained within the focused image, and converging the fine range and fine range rate within the orthogonal Cartesian coordinate system for use within the azimuth and range coordinate system and motion compensating the digitized returns.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James G. Chow, Robert A. Rosen, Kapriel V. Krikorian
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Patent number: 6999021Abstract: The method and device for locating underground utilities within an area includes traversing the area with a plurality of underground utility sensors and obtaining area location data to locate the area traversed. The sensor data and area location data are used to map the location of one or more utilities within the area traversed.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: ENSCO, Inc.Inventors: David W. A. Taylor, Jr., Alan G. R. Bell, John S. Rolland, Matthew W. McGarvey, William H. A. McBride, Yuri Rosenberg, George R. A. Fields, William T. Faulkner
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Patent number: 6987479Abstract: Motion compensation for coherent combination of pulses facilitates a SAR image of a scene on earth's surface. A great circle (406) is centered with respect to the earth's center, The great circle (406) has an axis (412) perpendicular to a first plane. Axis (412) passes through the earth's center. The first plane contains great circle (406) and includes the earth's center. Great circle (406) has a first center defined by an intersection of the first plane and axis (412). The scene has one or more radar scatterers and is located on a surface (402). The radar system is mounted on a moving platform (400) moving with a component of motion in a direction along great circle (406). The radar comprises a radar receiver for digitizing the radar returns having a phase from scatterers on surface (402), and a computer for focusing the phase of said radar returns from the scatterers on surface (402).Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Charles T. Hansen, Michael E. Lawrence
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Patent number: 6967613Abstract: Resolution of a radar operating within a bandwidth is improved by defining a quantity of substantially rectangular sub-band filters to subdivide the bandwidth in the frequency domain into the quantity of sequential sub-bands having a sub-bandwidth. Each signal sent by the radar is associated with a transmission temporal moment. Each of the quantity of return signals received is routed in one to one correspondence to the sub-band filters, each signal being received at a corresponding sub-band filter. The return signals received are summed by synchronizing the associated transmission temporal moment to produce a reconstructed return signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Bart A. Holmberg, Paul E. Christianson
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Patent number: 6917784Abstract: An imaging system uses ‘RF daylight’ created by an RF illumination source, such as a television broadcast tower, to passively generate RF scattering coefficients for multiple points within a prescribed three-dimensional volume being illuminated by the RF transmitter. The scattering coefficients provide a complex interference pattern having amplitude and phase components that contain all information necessary to recreate a three-dimensional monochromatic image of the illuminated scene. Coherent complex correlation provides scene information content that is only a function of scene scattering and collector geometry. The scene information may be coupled to an image utility subsystem, such as a virtual reality simulator, for generation of a three-dimensional image of the illuminated scene.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Gayle Patrick Martin, John W. Shipley
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Patent number: 6911931Abstract: A new differential technique and system for imaging dynamic (fast moving) surface waves using Dynamic Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is introduced. This differential technique and system can sample the fast-moving surface displacement waves from a plurality of moving platform positions in either a repeat-pass single-antenna or a single-pass mode having a single-antenna dual-phase receiver or having dual physically separate antennas, and reconstruct a plurality of phase differentials from a plurality of platform positions to produce a series of desired interferometric images of the fast moving waves.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Paul Vincent
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Patent number: 6911933Abstract: The present invention includes an application of a dynamic logic algorithm to detect slow moving targets. Show moving targets are going to be moving in the range from 0-5 mph. This could encompass troop movements and vehicles or convoys under rough terrain.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Christopher W. Mutz, Leonid I. Perlovsky, Robert J. Linnehan
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Patent number: 6867727Abstract: A system-of-systems avionics architecture that is compatible with futuristic multi-function multi-platform sensor applications. The method and device of the invention is based on localized “adaptive” waveform and spectrum allocation for ultra-wideband radio frequency and microwave signals. The invention includes a plurality of system platforms with each platform comprising a common radio frequency front end for receiving ultra-wideband signals, a common radio frequency back end for transmitting ultra-wideband signals and a plurality of sensors for exchanging data between platforms.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventor: Atindra Mitra
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Patent number: 6864828Abstract: A system and method provide for the collection of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data. In the system, a first space vehicle configured for emitting electro-magnetic energy and collecting the reflection from a region of interest (ROI), may be directed along a first orbital track. The collected image data may be stored and later provided to a ground station for image and interferometric processing. A second space vehicle may also be configured for emission and collection of electro-magnetic energy reflected from the plurality of ROI's. The second space vehicle is positioned in an aligned orbit with respect to the first space vehicle where the separation between the vehicles is known. In order to minimize decorrelation of the ROI during image processing, the lead and trail satellite are configured to substantially simultaneously emit electromagnetic pulses image data collection.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Arthur C. Golubiewski, Randall Schnathorst
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Patent number: 6861971Abstract: A transceiver or transponder particularly for synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, systems, operating in a frequency band having a central frequency, the transponder comprising a receiver (1) and a transmitter (2) both thermally stable and made by microstrip technology, the receiver (1) and the transmitter (2) being adapted to receive and to transmit, respectively, an electromagnetic wave provided with at least one linear polarisation, the receiver (1) being connected to the transmitter (2) by amplifier means comprising an amplifier unit (5) for each linear polarisation of the wave received by the receiver (1), each amplifier unit (5) including at least two amplifier stages (7, 9, 11) cascade arranged along a single microstrip and interconnected to one another and to an input and to an output of the corresponding amplifier unit (5) by means of coupling or matching stages (6, 8, 10, 12), the output signal of each amplifier unit (5) having substantially the same frequency as the input signal thereto, the amplifierType: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Tes Teleinformatica E Sistemi s.r.l.Inventors: Pasquale Russo, Alessandro Rosa, Annamria D'Ippolito
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Patent number: 6853330Abstract: A radar system derives a correction for an actual boresight (311) of a radar monopulse antenna mounted on a moving platform from ? data and ? data generated with respect to an a priori known, calibrated boresight (309). The monopulse antenna (602) is coupled to a ground position measuring system (616) while acquiring data. The radar receiver acquires a ? and ? synthetic aperture map of the same radar scattering location with respect to the calibrated boresight. ? SAR data and the ? SAR data are motion compensated using the position and velocity supplied by the ground positioning system. A computer forms a ratio of the aligned ? pixels to the aligned ? pixels for each of a plurality of aligned ? pixels located near the calibrated boresight. The correction for the location of the actual boresight of the monopulse antenna is computed by an analysis of the ratio of aligned ? pixels and corresponding aligned ? pixels over the radar scattering location.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Kapriel V. Krikorian, Robert A. Rosen
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Patent number: 6853332Abstract: A method of registering reconnaissance image data with map data is disclosed, comprising recording image data at a plurality of positions, together with the role, pitch and height above mean sea level data from an airborne navigation system and imaging system, and recording altitude of a reconnaissance craft from an altimeter; obtaining a difference between said recorded altitude data, and an altitude calculated from said navigation system data and a map data; selecting a difference data having a lowest standard deviation, and at a position of said selected difference data generating a three dimensional surface data using a bi-quadratic equation; generating a bi-quadratic surface of each of a plurality of positions for which data is recorded; generating a difference data between said bi-quadratic surface data, and height data obtained from said map, and minimising an error between bi-quadratic surface data and said height data by translating said position data relative to said map data, until minimum error isType: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Bae Systems PLCInventor: Tom M Brookes
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Patent number: 6801156Abstract: A monopulse radar system generates elevation and azimuth difference monopulse estimates of the location of targets in each range cell, where the target may be either a single or plural target, each of which is made up of multiple scattering sources. Each azimuth-elevation estimate is based on a transmitted pulse or burst at a given frequency, different from other frequencies in a set of pulses or bursts. A test statistic is generated for each set. The statistic relates to the shape in an azimuth-elevation plane of the cluster of estimates. The test statistic is compared with a threshold to decide whether a single target or plural targets exist in the range cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Richard Wasiewicz
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Publication number: 20040178943Abstract: A method of terrain mapping and/or obstacle detection for aircraft, comprising:Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventor: Haim Niv
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Patent number: 6771207Abstract: Radar coverage maps having blockage, coverage and clutter features available for ease of interpretation are provided using terrain data to establish such features in data sets. The data sets provide a basis for the modified display. Multiple tilts of the radar scan may be represented. Multiple radar zones may be overlapped to provide a mosaic of a region showing areas of no coverage despite overlap.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Unisys CorporationInventor: Joseph C. Lang
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Patent number: 6738009Abstract: A system and method for mapping a ground strip having an extended range swath includes a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mounted on a moving platform. The ground strip is divided into columns that extend from the near-range edge of the ground strip. Each column contains two or more portions and has an azimuthal length equal to the radar's near-range beamwidth, W. Each column is sequentially illuminated while the platform moves through a distance, Lillum, (equal to the near range beamwidth). During column illumination, portions within the column are sequentially mapped by altering the depression angle, &phgr;, of the radar beam. Each portion is SAR mapped using a respective SAR aperture length with the sum of aperture lengths for the column being less than or equal to the distance the platform moves during illumination. The resultant maps are mosaicked together to produce one contiguous SAR map of the ground strip.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Stanley I. Tsunoda
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Publication number: 20040090363Abstract: A bistatic radar system (100), method and computer program (178) are provided for mapping of oceanic surface conditions. Generally, the system (100) includes at least one transmitter (102) and at least one receiver (106) located separate from one another, and each having a local oscillator locked to a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal received by a GPS synchronization circuit (134) to provide the necessary coherency between the transmitted and received signals. Preferably, the present invention enables an existing backscatter radar systems to be quickly and inexpensively upgraded to a bistatic radar system (100) through the addition of a transmitter (102) and/or receiver (106) separate from the backscatter radar system, the GPS circuit (134), and use of the computer program (178) and method of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: CODAR OCEAN SENSORS, LTD.Inventors: Donald E. Barrick, Peter M. Lilleboe, Belinda J. Lipa, James Isaacson
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Patent number: 6727841Abstract: Bistatic/multistatic radar system concept for purposes of interrogating difficult and obscured targets in urban environments via the application of low-altitude “smart” or “robotic-type” unmanned air vehicle platforms. A significant aspect of the invention is the formulation of a unmanned air vehicle system concept that implements self-adaptive positional adjustments based on sensed properties such as phase discontinuities of the propagation channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventor: Atindra Mitra
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Patent number: 6714157Abstract: A pulse radar system capable of mapping multiple targets essentially simultaneously using a single radar antenna. By alternately transmitting radar pulses toward multiple targets positioned at different angles relative to the antenna and alternately receiving return signals from the multiple targets as the radar antenna is switched between multiple beam positions, a time-interleaved radar operation is achieved which enables multiples targets to be mapped, and thus tracked, at the same time. A different radio frequency is preferably employed for each target so as to avoid interference and ambiguous returns. Using the teachings of the present invention, between two and twenty radar maps, and possibly more, can be generated simultaneously in approximately the same amount of time required to map a single target using conventional systems of the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Peter S. Wittenberg
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Patent number: 6707415Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for storing weather radar return data into a three-dimensional buffer. The system includes a radar system that transmits a radar signal and generates a radar measurement as a result of radar return of the transmitted radar signal. A three-dimensional buffer includes a plurality of storage locations. A processor is coupled to the radar system and the buffer. The processor generates or updates a reflectivity value in storage locations in the three-dimensional buffer based on the generated radar measurement, a previously stored reflectivity value for the storage location, and at least one of an uncertainty value for the storage location. The generated reflectivity value is stored in the three-dimensional buffer according to the storage location.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Paul E. Christianson
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Patent number: 6700527Abstract: An imaging system uses wideband ‘RF daylight’ created by plural narrowband RF illumination sources, to passively generate spectrally different sets of RF scattering coefficients for multiple points within a prescribed three-dimensional volume being illuminated by the narrowband RF transmitters. To correct for the lack of mutual coherence among different RF illumination sources, the respective sets of scattering coefficient data are applied to a cultural feature extraction operator, to locate one or more strong cultural features spatially common to multiple images. For spatial points along the extracted cultural feature theoretical scattering coefficients are calculated. Differences between phase values of these calculated scattering coefficients and those of the collected and processed scattering energy are used to modify the measured scattering coefficient values for all spatial points in the illuminated region.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Gayle Patrick Martin, John W. Shipley
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Publication number: 20040021598Abstract: Described herein are frequency-domain back-projection processes for forming spotlight synthetic aperture radar (“SAR”) images that are not corrupted by the effects of multiple-bounce ghosting artifacts. These processes give an approximately exact reconstruction of the multiple bounce reflectivity function (MBRF) ƒ(x,y,&ggr;). Specifically, the evaluation off ƒ(x,y,&ggr;) in the &ggr;=0 plane gives an approximately exact reconstruction of the true object scattering centers which is uncorrupted by multiple-bounce contributions to the phase history data G(&xgr;,&thgr;). In addition, the non-zero dependence of ƒ(x,y,&ggr;) upon the MB coordinate &ggr; can be used to facilitate the identification of features-interest within the imaged region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventor: David Alan Garren
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Patent number: 6677884Abstract: For interferometric and/or tomographic remote sensing by means of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) one to N receiver satellites and/or transmitter satellites and/or transceiver satellites with a horizontal across-track shift the same or differing in amplitude form a configuration of satellites orbiting at the same altitude and same velocity. Furthermore, a horizontal along-track separation, constant irrespective of the orbital position, is adjustable between the individual receiver satellites. In this arrangement one or more receiver satellites orbiting at the same altitude and with the same velocity are provided with a horizontal across-track shift varying over the orbit such that the maximum of the horizontal across-track shift occurs over a different orbital position for each satellite, the maxima of the horizontal across-track shifts are positioned so that the baselines are optimized for across-track interferometry.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.Inventors: Alberto Moreira, Gerhard Krieger, Josef Mittermayer
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Patent number: 6674391Abstract: A system includes a storage medium storing contextual information about a target or target area, and a simulator communicatively coupled to the storage medium and operable to receive the contextual information. The simulator is operable to generate a set of simulated information about the target using the contextual information. The system further includes a sensor operable to collect a set of actual information about the target. A comparator is operable to generate a set of delta information in response to differences between the set of simulated information and the set of actual information. The delta information is transmitted and added to a second set of simulated information to generate a set of information that is substantially similar to the set of actual information.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Robert A. Ruszkowski, Jr.
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Patent number: 6661368Abstract: A system for reducing multi-path reflections from adjacent metal objects which cause distortion in an IFSAR includes a reflective cone extending between the top of the IFSAR and the skin of its aircraft, and a reflective shroud surrounding the IFSAR. Each of these components may be coated with radar absorbing material.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Steven E. Allen, Billy C. Brock