Transmission Through Media Other Than Air Or Free Space Patents (Class 342/22)
  • Patent number: 8723717
    Abstract: An adaptive sensing system including a passive sensor that receives electromagnetic radiation, an active sensor that emits and receives electromagnetic radiation, a detection unit that detects the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings in a region of observation, and a control unit that controls the active sensor and the passive sensor based on a result of the detection by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shin Saito
  • Patent number: 8723716
    Abstract: A communication device includes an oscillator to generate an oscillation signal; a harmonic generator to generate a higher harmonic wave from the oscillation signal; a first filter to take out a first high frequency signal; a second filter to take out a second high frequency signal; a down conversion mixer to use the second high frequency signal to perform down conversion of a signal obtained by receiving a reflected signal of the first high frequency signal; a hybrid coupler to generate a first intermediate frequency signal and a second intermediate frequency signal, which are orthogonal with each other; a first mixer to take out a first baseband signal by mixing an output from the down conversion mixer with the first intermediate frequency signal; and a second mixer to take out a second baseband signal by mixing an output from the down conversion mixer with the first intermediate frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakasha
  • Patent number: 8723723
    Abstract: A dual mode ground penetrating radar includes an enclosure which houses radar electronics. The dual mode ground penetrating radar includes a enclosure housing radar electronics. The dual mode ground penetrating radar further includes a first antenna feed having ferrite loading and extending outside of the enclosure. The dual mode ground penetrating radar further includes a second antenna feed spaced apart from the first antenna feed, the second antenna feed having ferrite loading and extending outside of the enclosure. An RF signal is provided in at least one of the first and second antenna feeds by the radar electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tariq A. Al-Khalefah, Khaled F. R. Almutairi, Per Arne Vincent Utsi
  • Publication number: 20140125509
    Abstract: A multi-modal ground penetrating radar includes a radar set configured to launch predistorted double-sideband (DSB) suppressed-carrier modulated continuous waves (CW) to illuminate and penetrate a ground surface. A variable frequency modulator is connected to modulate a continuous wave (CW) carrier frequency generator within the radar set to yield a double-sideband suppressed carrier output. A lateral single-file array of antennas is configured to be flown closely over the surface of the ground. A multiplexing switch is connected to the array of antennas and configured to selectively switch individual ones of the antennas to the radar set. Any early arriving signals returned from geologic clutter and surface reflections are suppressed in synchronous detection in relation to signals received by the array of antennas from less shallow depths. Interesting objects below the ground surface are detected and located by the late arriving signal reflections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: STOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Richard B. Main
  • Publication number: 20140125508
    Abstract: A municipal infrastructure maintenance system uses a ground vehicle to move an antenna array in back-and-forth sweeps over large areas or distances. The antenna array comprises dozens of compartmentalized radio dipole antennas arranged laterally, shoulder-to-shoulder across the width of each sweep. An antenna switch matrix is connected between the antenna array and a ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) set and provides electronic aperture switching and selection, and the ability to laterally register one sweep to the next. The antenna array is extended out in front of the ground vehicle on a pivotable boom, and the cantilevered weight is a primary concern. The antenna array is constructed with aluminum-on-aluminum honeycomb panels slotted and folded around dozens of resistive-card compartment separators. Printed circuit boards with matching baluns are also slotted to receive tabs on the resistive cards, and their dipole elements are resistive loaded to quench crosstalk and near field effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: STOLAR RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald L. Stolarczyk, Chance Dain Valentine, Jeffrey D. Hutchins, Matthew L. Briggs, Richard Brewster Main, Brecken H. Uhl
  • Patent number: 8717223
    Abstract: The classification system represents a detected object with a feature vector derived from the return signals acquired by an array of N transceivers operating in multistatic mode. The classification system generates the feature vector by transforming the real-valued return signals into complex-valued spectra, using, for example, a Fast Fourier Transform. The classification system then generates a feature vector of singular values for each user-designated spectral sub-band by applying a singular value decomposition (SVD) to the N×N square complex-valued matrix formed from sub-band samples associated with all possible transmitter-receiver pairs. The resulting feature vector of singular values may be transformed into a feature vector of singular value likelihoods and then subjected to a multi-category linear or neural network classifier for object classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Chambers, David W. Paglieroni
  • Patent number: 8717222
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the surfaces of slag and molten metal in a mold of a continuous casting apparatus, using radar equipment is disclosed. The radar equipment emits a beam of electromagnetic waves having a bandwidth of at least 20 GHz. This also relates to an apparatus for using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Tata Steel Ijmuiden B.V.
    Inventor: Frenk Dimitri Van Den Berg
  • Publication number: 20140118179
    Abstract: A sensor module configured to be located behind a window of a vehicle to detect an object through the window and about the vehicle. The module includes a radar unit with an antenna and a controller. The antenna emits and/or receives a radar signal through the window with a selected or preferred polarization. The polarization determines a preferred angle of propagation of the radar signal through the window based on reflection characteristics of the window that vary with impingement angle and transmitted polarization. By varying the transmitted polarization vs. beam direction when a directional antenna is used, the signal propagating through the windshield can be maximized to enhance object detection over a range of signal directions. Also, by varying the transmitted polarization when an omnidirectional type antenna is used, the object can be ‘illuminated’ with variable intensity and detected with variable sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: STEPHEN W. ALLAND, SHAWN SHI
  • Patent number: 8711028
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Paglieroni, David H. Chambers, Steven W. Bond, N. Reginald Beer
  • Publication number: 20140104094
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a device and method of use for direct printing and ink or other marking, in conjunction with GPR techniques. In a most basic embodiment of the disclosed technology, a relevant date, time, filename, and other parameters are printed or otherwise physically exhibited on the measurement surface, so that RADAR files can be later attributed to a specific data collection site. In a more advanced embodiment of the disclosed technology, actual RADAR target information is printed, or otherwise physically exhibited, on the measurement surface, such as while measuring, or substantially while measuring, the surface and substrate beneath with GPR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Feigin
  • Patent number: 8686891
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locating device, in particular a hand-guided locating device, with a locating unit (36) for detecting the presence of an object (16, 18) arranged in an examination object (14) by means of an examination signal (38), which has a polarization unit (50) provided for a procedure with the examination signal (38), and with a housing (20) for taking up the locating unit (36), which has a longitudinal axis (24). It is proposed that in at least one operating mode the polarization unit (50) specifies at least one first polarization plane (52, 54) aligned obliquely to the longitudinal axis (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Heiko Braun, Michael Mahler, Christoph Wieland, Ulli Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8681036
    Abstract: A system that detects damage on or below the surface of a paved structure or pavement is provided. A distributed road assessment system includes road assessment pods and a road assessment server. Each road assessment pod includes a ground-penetrating radar antenna array and a detection system that detects road damage from the return signals as the vehicle on which the pod is mounted travels down a road. Each road assessment pod transmits to the road assessment server occurrence information describing each occurrence of road damage that is newly detected on a current scan of a road. The road assessment server maintains a road damage database of occurrence information describing the previously detected occurrences of road damage. After the road assessment server receives occurrence information for newly detected occurrences of road damage for a portion of a road, the road assessment server determines which newly detected occurrences correspond to which previously detected occurrences of road damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: N. Reginald Beer, David W. Paglieroni
  • Patent number: 8681035
    Abstract: A microwave imaging system uses microwave radiation provided by a microwave source to image targets. The system includes an array of antenna elements that are capable of being programmed with a respective direction coefficient to direct the microwave illumination from the microwave source toward a position on the target. The antenna elements are further capable of being programmed to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from the position on the target. A processor is operable to measure an intensity of the reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of the target. Multiple beams can be directed towards the target to obtain corresponding pixel values for use by the processor in constructing the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Izhak Baharav, Robert C. Taber, Gregory S. Lee, John Stephen Kofol
  • Patent number: 8674875
    Abstract: The invention provides a security scanner that produces a radar profile of a clothed person or another object such as a bag carried by a person at a distance and does not require close proximity of the person or object to the scanner itself. The scanner includes a millimeter wave antenna system optimised for short-range active imaging and arranged to provide rapid high-resolution images of an object or person of interest and processing means for resolving the images so as to detect the presence of predetermined objects. The processing means preferably includes means for comparing contrasts in reflectivity in the scanned images with predetermined expected values from skin and light clothing. The processing means may also include means for detecting predetermined behavioral or physical traits such as the effect on gait on carried weighty objects or stiff structures strapped to the person from the images of a scanned object or person. The scanner may be incorporated within a turnstile access arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: MBDA UK Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Carter, Charles Anthony Rowatt
  • Patent number: 8674871
    Abstract: The invention relates to environmental characterization on the basis of an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radiofrequency communication network. Pulses are emitted and the waveform received is compared with predicted waveforms corresponding to well determined interactions between the wave and its environment. The comparison is done by searching for maximum temporal correlation. The interactions can be notably reflections of the wave on walls or obstacles. The deformations are very dependent on the nature of the materials and directions in which the pulses are emitted and received. If predicted waveforms are stored for various pairs of direction of emission and of reception, it is possible through these correlation operations to find where a wall which gave rise to a reflection is situated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Benoît Denis, Vincenzo La Tosa, Bernard Uguen, Friedman Tchoffo-Talom
  • Publication number: 20140062754
    Abstract: A small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) is used for remotely detecting concealed explosive devices—such as buried or otherwise hidden improvised explosive devices (IED)—and exploding or disarming the device while an operator of the sUAS, or other personnel, remain at a safe distance. The sUAS system can be operated at an extended, e.g., greater than 100 meters, standoff from the detection apparatus, explosive, and potential harm and may be operated by a single member of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team. The sUAS may be implemented as an easy-to-operate, small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a set of optical, thermal, and chemical detection modules for detecting an IED by aerial surveillance, confirming the existence of explosives, and providing options for detonating the IED electrically or by delivery of a payload (e.g., object or device) to neutralize the IED while maintaining the sUAS itself safe from harm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Farrokh Mohamadi
  • Patent number: 8659467
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Chambers, Jeffrey E. Mast, David W. Paglieroni
  • Publication number: 20140049418
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology use high-speed interpolated (interdigitated) sampling for the specific purpose of GPR (Ground-Penetrating RADAR). This technology solves several issues associated with high-speed sampling in GPR which included 1) dynamic range limitations, 2) regulatory compliance issues, 3) sampler core offset error, and 4) timing errors. High-speed interpolated sampling GPR is implemented using a high-speed ADC in combination with trigger logic (such as an FPGA) and a programmable delay generator. The FPGA or other trigger logic generates a series of randomly dithered trigger pulses. A variable delay generator (or “Vernier”) is synchronously controlled in order to produce the fractional timing. The timing of the pulses is randomly or pseudo-randomly dithered, and the phase of the interpolation is shuffled in order to avoid producing discrete spectral lines in the radiated RADAR signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Feigin
  • Publication number: 20140043183
    Abstract: Acoustic heterodyne radars use accurately surveyed or otherwise known locations to repetitively launch at least two, intense acoustic tone soundwaves (F1, F2) into an underground area of search. An acoustic receiver is tuned to receive either the sum (F1+F2) or difference (|F1?F2|) heterodynes and is configured to measure and log the overall relative attenuation and roundtrip travel times of the soundwaves, like a typical radar. Any acoustic heterodynes received are assumed to be the work of non-linearities and stresses in the search area. A full-waveform three dimensional tomography algorithm is applied by a graphics processor to the collected and logged data to generate maps and profiles of objects beneath the ground which are interpreted to have produced the acoustic heterodynes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Larry G. Stolarczyk, Gerald Stolarczyk, Igor Bausov, Laxni Narayana Botla, Joseph Duncan, Richard B. Main
  • Publication number: 20140022106
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an extendable wand, and a sensor head coupled to the wand. The sensor head includes a continuous wave metal detector (CWMD) and a radar. When the wand is collapsed, the wand and the sensor head collapse to fill a volume that is smaller than a volume filled by the sensor head and the wand when the wand is extended. Frequency-domain data from a sensor configured to sense a region is accessed, the frequency-domain data is transformed to generate a time-domain representation of the region, a first model is determined based on the accessed frequency-domain data, a second model is determined based on the generated time-domain representation, the second model being associated with a particular region within the sensed region, and a background model that represents a background of the region is determined based on the first model and the second model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CYTERRA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Herbert Duvoisin, Juan Antonio Torres-Rosario, Christopher Gary Sentelle, Douglas O. Carlson, Glen A. Holman, Marquette Trishaun
  • Publication number: 20140015705
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for transmitting electric power using electromagnetic waves. An example device may include a transmitting unit, a dielectric waveguide, and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit can be configured to transmit the electromagnetic wave through a first waveguide. The dielectric waveguide can be configured to direct the electromagnetic wave from the first waveguide to a second waveguide. Further, the receiving unit can be configured to receive the electromagnetic wave from the dielectric waveguide through the second waveguide. An example borehole radar system may generate an electromagnetic wave from a DC power supply and provide the electromagnetic wave to a power transmitting unit. The power transmitting unit can be configured to transmit the electromagnetic wave through a dielectric waveguide. The electromagnetic wave can be rectified to generate a DC voltage signal, by which a transmitting antenna may be powered to generate a radar signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: OSAKA ELECTRO-COMMUNICATION UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Satoshi EBIHARA, Kentaro KAWATA
  • Patent number: 8629799
    Abstract: A radar system (22) includes a transmitter (45), a receiver (59), and a software defined radio (SDR) peripheral (40). Methodology (80) for investigating a target zone (26) utilizing the system (22) entails generating (106) a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) code (120) having a code length (122) corresponding to a time duration of radio wave travel between the transmitter (45), the target zone (26), and the receiver (59) at a carrier frequency (112). A beacon signal (34), modulated (108) by the DSSS code (120), is transmitted (152) from the transmitter (45) toward the target zone (26) and a return signal (38) is received (156) at the receiver (56). The return signal (38) is compared (170) to a replica signal (168) characterized by the DSSS code (120), and presence of an object (32) in the target zone (26) is ascertained (178) when the return signal (38) matches the replica signal (168).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Research Corporation
    Inventor: Steven M. Shope
  • Patent number: 8624772
    Abstract: A method for detecting hidden objects by means of electromagnetic millimeter waves is provided, in which a test object is irradiated with millimeter waves and the millimeter waves that are reflected from the test object are evaluated. The millimeter waves are focused on different depth layers of the test object during the irradiation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jeck, Claudius Volz
  • Patent number: 8624605
    Abstract: The present invention exploits extreme sensitivity to initial conditions in ray-chaotic enclosures to create a method to distinguish nominally identical objects through their unique “wave fingerprints.” The fingerprint can be measured through transmission of a pulsed microwave signal as a function of carrier frequency and time. When internal components are re-arranged, the Electromagnetic Fingerprints (EMF) changes in significant ways. The EMF can be detected by direct injection measurements of the enclosure or through remote measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Sameer Hemmady, Steven M. Anlage
  • Publication number: 20140002292
    Abstract: A ground-penetrating RADAR-based system can include a transmitter configured to transmit multiple RADAR impulses and a receiver configured to receive a signal comprising return waves generated responsive to the transmitted RADAR impulses. The signal can include a direct wave portion and a reflected wave portion. The system can also include a processing unit configured to analyze the return waves by determining the direct wave portion, fitting the direct wave portion to determine parametric information corresponding to the return waves, determining the reflected wave portion, determining characteristics of the reflected wave portion based on the parametric information, and comparing the determined characteristics against known characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Knierim
  • Patent number: 8618976
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Paglieroni, Jeffrey E. Mast, N. Reginald Beer
  • Patent number: 8614577
    Abstract: A method of determining anisotropy in a borehole is disclosed. An array of measurements along the borehole is obtained and a first depth in the borehole is selected. An arbitrary plane oriented with respect to the borehole at the first depth is designated and an anisotropy for the first depth with respect to the arbitrary plane is determined. The arbitrary plane is repositioned at the first depth and an anisotropy for different positions of the arbitrary plane at the first depth is determined. A minimum anisotropy coefficient with respect to the arbitrary plane at the first depth is identified based on anisotropy for different positions of the arbitrary plane. An anisotropy tensor for the first depth is then identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Proett, Tegwyn J. Perkins, Ronald Stamm
  • Publication number: 20130335256
    Abstract: Compressive imaging captures images in compressed form, where each sensor does not directly correspond with a pixel, as opposed to standard image capture techniques. This can lead to faster image capture rates due to lower I/O bandwidth requirements, and avoids the need for image compression hardware, as the image is captured in compressed form. Measuring the transformation of an emitted multimodal signal is one method of compressive imaging. Metamaterial antennas and transceivers are well suited for both emitting and receiving multimodal signals, and are thus prime candidates for compressive imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Duke University
  • Publication number: 20130335257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for determining whether a living person has been buried in collapsed ground. The device consists of a rod provided with a receiver unit and a signal processing unit. The receiver unit is intended to receive reflected radar signals transmitted form a radar transmitting antenna and transfer these signals to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit which is provided with specific detection units determines whether the received signal have been Doppler shifted. By determining that the device can decide whether the Doppler shift depends on the moving chest of a breathing person buried alive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: TOTALFORSVARETS FORSKNINGSINSTITUT
    Inventor: Staffan Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 8604968
    Abstract: An integrated radar-camera sensor is provided which includes a camera sensor component and a radar sensor component both housed within a common single module housing. The sensor module also includes processing circuitry for processing the radar sensor and camera outputs. The sensor module is located behind the windshield of a vehicle and may include glare and/or EMI shields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Alland, Richard C. Lind, William G. Shogren, Lawrence A. Humm, William A. Bauson, Shawn Shi
  • Patent number: 8604971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is devised for detecting objects of interest in which frequency-scanned RF in the HF region of the electromagnetic spectrum is projected out across a given area and returns are detected and converted into image data in which phase, amplitude, range and frequency associated with the incoming data is correlated with frequency-dependent range templates to determine the existence of, the range of and the direction of the objects of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Richard J. Millard
  • Publication number: 20130321191
    Abstract: In a method of detecting an underground object which is at least partially under a surface of ground, a first view of the object determined by transmitting a first radar signal from a first known geolocation. A second view of the object is determined by transmitting a second radar signal from a second known geolocation. The respective first and second trajectories of the first and second radar signals are oblique with respect to the surface of the ground and the respective first and second trajectories are at a first angle with respect to each other. A position of the object is estimated by maximizing a correlation between the first view and the second view by adjusting an estimated dielectric constant associated with medium between the object and the surface of the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce Peetz
  • Patent number: 8593329
    Abstract: The housing of a portable radar unit includes features for providing positioning of auxiliary handles between a first position and a second position, in which: the first position places the auxiliary handles in a position to act as handgrips in conjunction with integral handles and the second position places the auxiliary handles at an angle to the integral handles, so that the radar unit can be held with one hand and supported by a forearm of the same hand. Rotation of each auxiliary handle about a pivot moves the auxiliary handle between the first position and the second position; and a friction mechanism resists the rotation so that the auxiliary handle tends to stay in position until purposefully moved. The housing also includes internal space for housing a radar antenna, a reflector, and a mechanism for adjusting distance between the reflector and the antenna for tuning performance of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Farrokh Mohamadi, David Sharbaugh
  • Publication number: 20130307716
    Abstract: A system includes: a planar antenna array that includes a plurality of right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) antennas and left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP) antennas in a planar surface or in layers, in which each antenna element includes a spiral plate; a feed network connecting a signal to each of the antennas; and amplifiers dispersed in the feed network configured to provide spatial power combining and beam forming of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Farrokh Mohamadi
  • Patent number: 8587474
    Abstract: A radar system includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The radar system further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fuller, John R. Lamberg, John J. Geddes, Michael J. Gawronski
  • Patent number: 8581773
    Abstract: In embodiments a system to generate a dual frequency, circularly polarized beam of rotating electromagnetic radiation comprises a first radiation source to generate a first radiation beam at a first frequency, a second radiation source to generate a second radiation beam at a second frequency, different from the first frequency, and a tee. In some embodiments the tee receives the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam, outputs a third radiation beam which represents a sum of the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam, and outputs a fourth radiation beam which represents a difference between the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam, wherein the third radiation beam and the fourth radiation beam are separated by a ninety-degree phase shift. The system further comprises a combiner to combine the third and fourth beams to produce an output beam. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sandor Holly
  • Patent number: 8581772
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to remotely acquire information from volumes in a snowpack and to analyze the information are disclosed. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted remotely to a region of interest in a snowpack and data about reflections are processed to determine reflection values for different volumes within the snowpack. The frequency of the transmit signal is modulated and the positions from which energy is transmitted and received are changed to create a two-dimensional synthetic aperture that allows reflections from three-dimensional volumes to be discriminated and resolved. The electromagnetic energy is transmitted to ensure that it arrives at the snowpack at shallow grazing angles to maximize returns from volumes in the snow and to minimize boundary reflections from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: David G. Long, Stephen Joseph Preston
  • Patent number: 8576110
    Abstract: A method of detecting a target in a room using a radar system having a transmitter for irradiating the object, a sensor for receiving reflected radiation, and circuitry for analyzing the reflected radiation to determine at least one characteristic thereof, the method including determining at least one parameter for each wall of a plurality of walls of a room containing the target; determining possible signal paths between the target and the sensor for paths including up to N reflections based on the at least one parameter of each wall and the location of the sensor; calculating target image locations based on the possible signal paths; and processing the received radiation to determine a target location based on target image locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Mark L. Valentine
  • Patent number: 8570208
    Abstract: A radar tomography apparatus and method determines one or more material properties of an object at a first number of positions distributed within a region of interest of said object. The apparatus includes one or more transmitters that transmit radiation, in particular microwave radiation, in the direction of the region of interest of the object, a plurality of receivers that receive radiation reflected from or transmitted through the region of interest of the object, a processor that processes the received radiation, said processor including a forward solver that determines electromagnetic field values at a second number of positions distributed in the region of interest from the received radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Michel Sarkis
  • Patent number: 8570207
    Abstract: A method, system, and software for using Brillouin precursors to enhance UWB, RF, and Microwave Remote Sensing systems by providing greater penetration depths and or resolution. Embodiments also include methods, software, and systems which provide a method to detect the formation of Brillouin precursor waveforms in any given dispersive media, for any transmitted signal and any frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Arrowhead Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Dawood, Habeeb Ur Rahman Mohammed, Ana Vazquez Alejos
  • Patent number: 8554587
    Abstract: A rich-media system allows a user to illustrate damage and request payment in accordance with an insurance policy or another arrangement. The rich-media system includes network servers that may operate and appear to remote client applications and remote computers as if the network servers were a single computer. A damage indicator tool resident to one of the network servers enables a remote user to visually illustrate damage to an item through a rich-media application. The damage indicator may support a relative pointing device and an absolute pointing device. An incident animator tool linked to the damage indicator tool in some rich media systems enables the remote user to visually recreate an event in a second rich media application. An optional scheduler linked to the incident animator tool and the damage indicator tool may enable the remote user to schedule an appointment to have the damage inspected or repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Progressive Casualty Insurance Company
    Inventors: Vikki Nowak, Brian Brylinski
  • Patent number: 8547274
    Abstract: A millimeter wave object detection system includes a millimeter wave imager and a data entry device configured to assign assessment information to events where a concealed object is detected by an operator/observer or automated computer program interrogating imagery produced by the millimeter wave imager. A computer is programmed to store assessment data from the data entry device into a database, and statistical operations can be performed upon the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Willem H. Reinpoldt, III
  • Patent number: 8549084
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing information regarding a locate and/or marking operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one notification indicating a status of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to inform at least one party associated with requesting the operation (a “requesting party,” e.g., an excavator, a property owner, a facility owner, a regulatory authority, a damage investigator, etc.) of the status of the operation. In one aspect, a requesting party may designate a preferred format, content, and/or method of receiving notifications regarding the locate and/or marking operation. In another aspect, a computer-generated GUI is provided to facilitate submission of requests, generation of “virtual white line” images to indicate one or more dig areas on a digital image of a work site, and/or selection of notifications and preferences for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Publication number: 20130249730
    Abstract: This invention relates to sense through the wall radar. A main channel of a radar system (12) is operated at a frequency capable of penetrating opaque barriers such as the wall (24) of a building (22) to sense targets (16) therein. The main channel performance may be impaired by multipath interference, i.e., radar returns resulting from targets (20) outside the building (22) illuminated by reflection from the wall (24). A guard channel of the radar, operating at a higher frequency which does not penetrate the wall (24), is used to identify targets (20) outside the building (22) and suppress the multipath interference they produce in the main channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Scott E. Adcook
  • Patent number: 8543651
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing information regarding a locate and/or marking operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one notification indicating a status of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to inform at least one party associated with requesting the operation (a “requesting party,” e.g., an excavator, a property owner, a facility owner, a regulatory authority, a damage investigator, etc.) of the status of the operation. In one aspect, a requesting party may designate a preferred format, content, and/or method of receiving notifications regarding the locate and/or marking operation. In another aspect, a computer-generated GUI is provided to facilitate submission of requests, generation of “virtual white line” images to indicate one or more dig areas on a digital image of a work site, and/or selection of notifications and preferences for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Publication number: 20130234879
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve generating a baseband signal, up-converting the baseband signal to a radar signal frequency, filtering a lower sideband of the up-converted signal, and transmitting the filtered up-converted signal. Systems and methods also involve receiving a return signal, down-converting the return signal using a signal having a frequency offset from the up-converted signal, filtering the upper sideband of the down-converted return signal, and producing a baseband return signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Wilson-Langman, Kenneth J. Ryerson, Walter Rothe
  • Patent number: 8531329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the thickness of material by penetrating the material, in particular a method for measuring the thickness of walls, ceilings and floors, with which a measurement signal (28) in the gigahertz frequency range emitted using a high-frequency transmitter (24) penetrates the material (10) to be investigated at least once and is detected by a high-frequency receiver (38). According to the present invention, it is provided that the thickness (d) of the material (10) is measured via at least two transit-time measurements of the measurement signal (28) performed at various positions (20, 22) of the high-frequency transmitter (24) and/or the high-frequency receiver (34). The present invention also relates to a device system (12; 40, 140, 240, 340) for carrying out the method described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Mahler, Ulli Hoffmann, Reiner Krapf, Christoph Wieland, Felix Wewers
  • Publication number: 20130222172
    Abstract: A through-wall radar system includes a transceiver configured to receive and transmit multiple radar signals, each radar signal associated with a frequency that nominally passes through a barrier. The system includes a processor coupled to an electronic storage, the processor configured to sense a portion of a signal transmitted by the transceiver and analyze the sensed portion of the signal to determine a penetrability of a barrier. The system also includes an output configured to present a perceivable indicator related to the determined penetrability of the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CYTERRA CORPORATION
    Inventor: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CYTERRA CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8514124
    Abstract: In a method for operating a radar system and a radar system for performing the method, in particular a microwave radar system for applications in or on motor vehicles, in which at least one target object and at least one possible concealing object are detected using radar technology, it is provided in particular that a detection is made of whether a concealment situation of the at least one target object by the at least one concealing object exists, and in the case of a detected concealment situation a loss of the target object is not automatically assumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ruediger Jordan, Oliver Schwindt
  • Publication number: 20130207830
    Abstract: A locating device disposable on a surface has a housing, a capacitance sensor, a radar sensor, and an inductance sensor. The locating device also has a motion sensor disposed for detecting at least one motion parameter. A controller receives data from the capacitance sensor, the radar sensor, the inductance sensor and the motion sensor, and determines from the data a presence of objects disposed within or behind the surface. A display is used for displaying a graphical representation of the objects disposed within or behind the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventor: Black & Decker Inc.