Transmission Through Media Other Than Air Or Free Space Patents (Class 342/22)
  • Patent number: 8319678
    Abstract: An active imaging system for imaging a target is described. The system includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, an antenna arrangement coupled to the transmitting unit and/or the receiving unit via a front end unit, and an image processing unit coupled to the receiving unit. The system also includes a control system coupled to the transmitting unit, the receiving unit and/or the image processing unit for controlling operation thereof. The antenna arrangement includes at least one rotating antenna synthetically forming a circular antenna. The image processing unit is configured for creating an image of the object by employing a synthetic aperture radar imaging algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Elta Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Nathan Weiss
  • Patent number: 8319682
    Abstract: A method examining an object using millimeter-wave signals includes: (a) providing at least two millimeter-wave signal sources; (b) transmitting at least two millimeter-wave signals having at least two different frequencies from the signal sources illuminate the object; (c) in no particular order: (1) determining whether a return reflected signal is above a threshold level; [a] if yes, processing the return signal to identify object shape; [b] if not, processing another return signal; and (2) determining whether a return intermodulation product or harmonic signal is detected; [a] if yes, processing the return signal to identify object nature; [b] if not, processing another return signal; (d) determining whether checked all return signals; (1) if not, processing another return signal; (2) if yes, proceeding to step (e); (e) determining whether results are satisfactory; (1) if not, changing frequency of at least one of the wave signals; (2) if yes, terminating the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120291553
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting, measuring and evaluating defects in an object and/or specific material property of an object using a phased array wave technique. The device comprises of a phased array transceiver probe/source and control unit for use in a phased array wave technique for transmitting and receiving wave signals on and from the area to be inspected. The phased array source is divided into a plurality of virtual probes/sources and each virtual probe/source comprises of plurality of elements arranged sequentially but without phasing for excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HT P.O.
    Inventors: Krishnan Balasubramaniam, Saivathan Alavudeen, Chitti Venkatta Krishnamurthy
  • Publication number: 20120293355
    Abstract: A method for detecting hidden explosives or weapons, including transmitting a signal in different polarization channels towards an object, the next stage includes collecting back scattered energy in different polarization channels from the object, the next stage includes determining parameters that are dependent upon the transmitted signal polarization channels and the backscattered energy polarization channels, and providing an indication if there are hidden explosives or weapons in the object based on the parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Shlomo Marianer, Igal Greenberg, Eli Marom, Zeev Shacham
  • Publication number: 20120280849
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of using ground penetrating radar to detect corrosion of steel bars in ferroconcrete components. The method comprises the following steps. Firstly, a ground penetrating radar is used to emit an electromagnetic wave toward a ferroconcrete component. Then, a reflected electromagnetic wave is received. The reflected electromagnetic wave is calculated to obtain characteristic parameters from the interface of the steel bar and the concrete, wherein the characteristic parameters includes reflection electric potential, specific resistance and corresponding specific electric current from the interface. Reference characteristic data which include reference thicknesses of the concrete versus reference reflected electric potential, specific resistance and corresponding specific electric current from the interface are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Che-Way CHANG, Chen-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 8306272
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically altering the analysis methodology of millimeter wave imagery in response to the range and direction of motion of a subject is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an imaging zone of a scene is scanned using at least one millimeter wave camera during a current time frame and a CPU is used to dynamically process millimeter wave imagery of the imaging zone in response to detecting a range and direction of motion of the subject during a previous time frame. In addition, values of a grid of discrete cells are calculated representing the millimeter wave energy associated with the current time frame, which are then compared to values from a grid of corresponding discrete cells associated with the previous time frame in determining a current range and direction of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Willem H. Reinpoldt, III
  • Patent number: 8302875
    Abstract: An air conditioning equipment having an in-room unit connected to one end of the refrigerant pipes and an out-room unit connected to the other end of the refrigerant pipes. The air conditioning equipment includes signal coupling portions which are respectively disposed at both end parts of the refrigerant pipes. Each of the signal coupling portions couples an alternating current (AC) control signal to the refrigerant pipes and exhibits a predetermined impedance with respect to an AC electric signal. The configuration of the air conditioning equipment brings forth the advantages that the electrical insulation devices used in the prior art are dispensed with, and the signal transmissions between the in-room unit and the out-room unit can be performed by a simple apparatus configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Higuma, Noriyuki Kushiro, Yoshiaki Koizumi
  • Publication number: 20120268307
    Abstract: A system comprises a radar transmitter configured to generate a radar signal at a predetermined frequency and a radar receiver configured to receive a reflected signal produced by a reflection of the radar signal. The system further includes a radar antenna system configured to transmit the radar signal into a subterranean region and to receive the reflected signal from the subterranean region. A control system is used for controlling a dwell time of the radar antenna system, and a processor is adapted to generate an image of at least a portion of the subterranean region based at least in part on the reflected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: John L. Tomich, Raymond Samaniego, Enrique A. Santiago, Leslie A. Priebe
  • Publication number: 20120262325
    Abstract: An integrated mine detection system includes a ground penetrating metal detector and a ground penetrating radar detector. The integrated mine detection system includes an integrated search device housing a radio-wave transmitter of the radar detector and a coil of the metal detector. The radio-wave transmitter includes an antenna. The integrated search device includes a radio-wave receiver in the form of a pair of receiving antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CYTERRA CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Steinway, Gregory W. Stilwell, David H. Fine, Paul Crabb, Kevin L. Johnson, Herbert Duvoisin, III, Geoffrey Solomon, Elizabeth Bartosz
  • Publication number: 20120262326
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method to determine whether a water leakage has occurred in ground by means of Doppler radar. The device comprises a radar emitting unit for emitting electromagnetic waves into the ground, a receiver unit for receiving signals reflected from a fluctuating water surface, a signal processing unit which band pass filters the received signal to obtain a signal that only comprises the Doppler shifted frequencies, creates a measure of the derivative of the reflected signal and, in a decision processor, compares this measure with a threshold value corresponding to the signal value of the background. If the measure of the derivative exceeds said threshold value a leakage is considered to have occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Staffan Abrahamson
  • Publication number: 20120262324
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a subterranean imaging apparatus comprises at least two receive channels configured on a land-based vehicle and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. The at least two receive channels are operable to generate electrical signals according to electromagnetic radiation reflected from a subterranean target below a ground surface. The SAR system is operable to receive the electrical signals from the at least two receive channels, generate raw images from the received electrical signals, generate a weighting according to phase statistics of pixels in the raw images, and combine the raw images using the weighting to generate a refined image of the subterranean target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Raymond Samaniego, Christopher M. Pilcher, John L. Tomich
  • Patent number: 8289201
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects located underground. In one advantageous embodiment, a detection system detects objects having electrical non-linear characteristics located underground. The detection system comprises a transmitter unit, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter transmits a plurality of pulsed radio frequency signals having a first frequency and a second frequency into a ground. The receiver monitors for a response radio frequency signal having a frequency equal to a difference between the first frequency and a second frequency, wherein the response radio frequency signal is generated by an object having the non-linear conductive characteristics in response to receiving the plurality of electromagnetic signals. The processor is connected to the transmitter unit and the receiver, wherein the processor controls an operation of the transmitter unit and the receiver, wherein the object is detected when the response radio frequency signal is detected by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sandor Holly, Nicholas Koumvakalis, Robert Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 8289199
    Abstract: An antenna array for use within a microwave imaging system to capture a microwave image of a target is selectively programmed to optimize one or more parameters of the microwave imaging system. The array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each capable of being programmable with a respective phase shift to direct a beam of microwave radiation toward the target such that the microwave radiation from each of the plurality of antenna elements arrives at the target substantially in-phase. To optimize a parameter of the microwave imaging system, the phase shifts of selective ones of the antenna elements are altered, while still maintaining the substantially in-phase microwave radiation at the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Izhak Baharav, Robert C. Taber, Gregory S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20120256777
    Abstract: Described herein is a method by which active millimeter wave radiation may be used to detect and identify the composition of concealed metallic, concealed non-metallic, concealed opaque or concealed semi-transparent materials based on their optical properties. By actively radiating a semi-transparent target anomaly with multiple millimeter wave radiation frequencies, the dielectric properties of the target anomaly can be identified. The dielectric properties of the target anomaly may then be compared to a library of dielectric properties attributed to semi-transparent materials of interest. This method will allow active millimeter wave radiation technology to identify the likely composition of targeted semi-transparent materials through absorption and illumination measurements attributed to the dielectric properties of the targeted composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: United States Department of Homeland Security
    Inventors: Barry Thomas Smith, James Christopher Weatherall, Jeffrey Brian Barber
  • Patent number: 8284096
    Abstract: A system and method to detect uncrushable metallic pieces hidden inside a mineral load directly inside a transport device to a primary crusher includes a directionally adjustable radar having at least one device with electromagnetic wave emitter/receiver antennas, a portal through which the transport device passes, a spectral generator/analyzer connected to the antenna devices that generates the electromagnetic waves and analyzes the echoes of the electromagnetic waves that interact with the mineral load, and a computational device that includes a digital signal processor connected to the spectral generator/analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Technologia Integral S.A.
    Inventors: Gastón Guillermo Martinez Godoy, Pedro Daniel Pedraza Segovia, Miguel Jesús Calderon Maldonado
  • Publication number: 20120249356
    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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Sandia Research Corporation
    Inventor: Steven M. Shope
  • Patent number: 8280634
    Abstract: A system and method of mapping underground utilities and other subsurface objects involves one or more of acquiring utility location data using a number of different detectors and sensors, processing the multiple detector/sensor output data to produce mapping data, storing the mapping data in a database, and providing access to and use of the stored mapping data by subscribing users on a usage fee basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Underground Imaging Technologies
    Inventors: Gary Neal Young, Kevin L. Alft
  • Patent number: 8275572
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects. A first plurality of electromagnetic signals having a first frequency and a second plurality of electromagnetic signals having a second frequency are transmitted. At least one of the first frequency and the second frequency is changed through a range of frequencies. A delayed difference frequency signal substantially equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency is monitored for. The delayed difference frequency signal is generated by an object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to the object receiving the first plurality of electromagnetic signals and the second plurality of electromagnetic signals. A range measurement is generated for the object by comparing the delayed difference frequency signal and an undelayed difference frequency signal. The undelayed difference frequency signal is substantially equal to the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Burns, Donald Elliot Harrington
  • Publication number: 20120235849
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for through the wall radar imaging. An impulse synthetic aperture radar system transmits short, ultra-wideband carrierless microwave pulses at an obstacle behind which a target of interest is located. The return signals are received, stored and analyzed. Portions of the return signals that represent reflections from the obstacle are identified and analyzed in the time domain to estimate the transmission coefficient of the wall, either by estimating wall parameters or by using a novel shift and add procedure. The estimated transmission coefficient is used to filter the received signals to reduce the components of the received signal that are generated by the obstacle, and to compensate for distortion caused by the obstacle in the portions of the transmitted signal that are reflected by the target and returned, through the obstacle, to the radar system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: James Z. Tatoian, Giorgio Franceschetti
  • Publication number: 20120229322
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for remote detection and monitoring of concealed objects are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more transmitting antennae, one or more receiving antennae with a plurality of receiving channels, a pulse sequence generator providing a sequence of pulse signals to the one or more transmitting antennae, and a signal processing unit receiving a sequence of return signals from an object reflecting the sequence of pulse signals. The signal processing unit includes a variable delay generator that receives signal profile of the sequence of pulse signals from the pulse sequence generator, an amplifier that amplifies the sequence of return signals, a multi-channel integrator that integrates the plurality of receiving channels and produces integrated multi-channel signals, and an analog multiplexer that multiplexes the integrated multi-channel signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Kirill Mostov
  • Publication number: 20120229321
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects located underground. In one advantageous embodiment, a detection system detects objects having electrical non-linear characteristics located underground. The detection system comprises a transmitter unit, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter transmits a plurality of pulsed radio frequency signals having a first frequency and a second frequency into a ground. The receiver monitors for a response radio frequency signal having a frequency equal to a difference between the first frequency and a second frequency, wherein the response radio frequency signal is generated by an object having the non-linear conductive characteristics in response to receiving the plurality of electromagnetic signals. The processor is connected to the transmitter unit and the receiver, wherein the processor controls an operation of the transmitter unit and the receiver, wherein the object is detected when the response radio frequency signal is detected by the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Sandor Holly, Nicholas Koumvakalis, Robert Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 8258995
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for imaging material properties in natural-fiber-containing materials can utilize time-domain data. In particular, images can be constructed that provide quantified measures of localized moisture content. For example, one or more antennas and at least one transceiver can be configured to collect time-domain data from radiation interacting with the natural-fiber-containing materials. The antennas and the transceivers are configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation at one or more frequencies, which are between 50 MHz and 1 THz, according to a time-domain impulse function. A computing device is configured to transform the time-domain data to frequency-domain data, to apply a synthetic imaging algorithm for constructing a three-dimensional image of the natural-fiber-containing materials, and to provide a quantified measure of localized moisture content based on a pre-determined correlation of moisture content to frequency-domain data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Kyle J. Bunch, Douglas L. McMakin
  • Patent number: 8253619
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an imager, preferably portable, that includes a source of electromagnetic radiation capable of generating radiation with one or more frequencies in a range of about 1 GHz to about 2000 GHz. An optical system that is optically coupled to the source focuses radiation received therefrom onto an object plane, and directs at least a portion of the focused radiation propagating back from the object plane onto an image plane. The imager further includes a scan mechanism coupled to the optical system for controlling thereof so as to move the focused radiation over the object plane. A detector optically coupled to the lens at the image plane detects at least a portion of the radiation propagating back from a plurality of scanned locations in the object plane, thereby generating a detection signal. A processor that is in communication with the detector generates an image of at least a portion of the object plane based on the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited
    Inventors: David S. Holbrook, Christopher P. Adams, Brent Gregorich, Umesh Rajani, Jason Porter Whitmire, Scott D. Bublitz, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, John S. Scott, Mark Huggins, Matthew J. Mergener
  • Publication number: 20120209113
    Abstract: A non-linear FM pulse compression system includes a non-linear FM transmitter adapted to receive an input signal and transmit an output signal. The non-linear FM transmitter is adapted to modulate the frequency of the output signal by at least one of the following: increasing the frequency of the output signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of samples in the input signal; modulating the frequency of the output signal in inversely proportional relationship to the frequency of samples in the input signal; and modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of the frequency of the input signal. At least one antenna interfaces with the non-linear FM transmitter. A non-linear FM receiver interfacing with the at least one antenna. The non-linear FM receiver is adapted to auto-correlate the output signal with a return signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Pat Sankar
  • Patent number: 8242952
    Abstract: Presented is a system and method for eliminating spurious data in radar cross section (RCS) data. The system and method receives RCS data, and determines an expected number of scattering centers for an object of interest in said RCS data. The RCS data is processed to remove a plurality of frequency components in said RCS data based at least in part upon said expected number of scattering centers, and the RCS data is reconstructed without said plurality of frequency components to produce a reconstructed RCS data for the object of interest. In an embodiment, the TLS-Prony transform is used to transform the RCS data into a set of damped frequency components and coefficients, which are then constrained to the expected number of scattering centers in the known object using a TLS-Prong linear prediction order, and the order of the frequency components is varied until the order yields a least-error approximation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Samuel Allan Barr
  • Publication number: 20120200445
    Abstract: A movable platform has a front end, a back end, a longitudinal axis, and at least one axle oriented generally transverse to the longitudinal axis and located between the front and back ends for supporting wheels of the platform. A position sensor is affixed on the platform at a location other than at a location defined by a plane passing through the axle and normal to the longitudinal axis. The position sensor provides position data as the platform traverses a path. A sensor arrangement is supported by the platform and configured to provide subsurface sensor data as the platform traverses the path. A processor is configured to associate the position data with the sensor data relative to a reference frame and in a manner that accounts for dynamic motion of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ross Peter Jones, Peter John Kelly
  • Patent number: 8237604
    Abstract: Systems and methods include up-converting a UWB frequency pulse from a UWB radar unit to a V band frequency pulse; transmitting the V band frequency pulse via an active array antenna; receiving a V band echo pulse via the active array antenna; down-converting the V band echo pulse from the active array antenna to a UWB pulse; and feeding the UWB pulse to the UWB radar unit for processing by the UWB radar unit. A V band antenna system includes: an antenna board that defines an antenna plane being the plane of the board and comprising a plurality of antenna elements; a mother board providing a corporate combining feed to the antenna board; and a power management board to which the antenna board and mother board are mounted perpendicularly to the antenna plane, wherein the antenna elements provide a beam forming antenna for ultra wide band pulses at V band frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Farrokh Mohamadi, Mohsen Zolghadri
  • Publication number: 20120194376
    Abstract: A millimeter wave energy sensing wand is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator, at least one pixel contained within the housing, where the at least one pixel adapted to detect millimeter or terahertz wave energy emissions, and an alarm, where the alarm is activated when an anomaly of the millimeter wave energy emissions is detected. In addition, the wand may include a digital signal processor for processing millimeter wave emissions detected by the at least one pixel to determine millimeter wave energy values and a memory device for storing the millimeter wave energy values. A comparison module or other similar means may be used for comparing the millimeter wave energy values detected by the at least one pixel to a background millimeter wave energy value that may be a moving average or an absolute value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Patrick Daly
  • Patent number: 8228226
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the alignment of an antenna. In one aspect, there is provided a transceiver. The transceiver may include an antenna and a downconverter module coupled to the antenna. The downconverter module may convert a signal received at the antenna to another signal. The downconverter module may measure received signal strength. The transceiver may also include a sequence detector for detecting an error rate of a sequence included in the other signal. The transceiver may also include an output module for providing an output representative the error rate, the received signal strength, and a combination of the error rate and the received signal strength. The provided output may be used to enable alignment of an antenna. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: E-Band Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Victor J. Chan, Gene Morgan, Bruce Allen Brentlinger, Jimmy Hannan, Andrew Pavelchek
  • Publication number: 20120182171
    Abstract: A system and method for locating a moving target behind a wall or barrier comprising: providing a plurality of images of the region of interest; selecting a reference image from the plurality of images; forming a predetermined number of difference images by subtracting the absolute value of the pixels of the reference image from the absolute values of pixels in a predetermined number of the plurality of images; eliminating negative pixel values in the predetermined number of difference images; minimizing the side lobes to form a combined difference image for each reference frame, selecting another reference image from the plurality of images and performing the steps of forming a plurality of difference images, eliminating negative pixel values, averaging the resulting predetermined number of difference images and minimizing the side lobes for each selected reference image to form a set of combined difference images which contain the moving target signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: U.S. Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Anthony F. Martone, Kenneth I. Ranney, Calvin Duc Le
  • Publication number: 20120176265
    Abstract: A method examining an object using millimeter-wave signals includes: (a) providing at least two millimeter-wave signal sources; (b) transmitting at least two millimeter-wave signals having at least two different frequencies from the signal sources illuminate the object; (c) in no particular order: (1) determining whether a return reflected signal is above a threshold level; [a] if yes, processing the return signal to identify object shape; [b] if not, processing another return signal; and (2) determining whether a return intermodulation product or harmonic signal is detected; [a] if yes, processing the return signal to identify object nature; [b] if not, processing another return signal; (d) determining whether checked all return signals; (1) if not, processing another return signal; (2) if yes, proceeding to step (e); (e) determining whether results are satisfactory; (1) if not, changing frequency of at least one of the wave signals; (2) if yes, terminating the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COPANY
    Inventor: Robert A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8212710
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a synthetic aperture radar includes a back projection processor that is configured to receive multiple return signals from the radar as the radar is moved with respect to an object, wherein the return signals are representative of electro-magnetic radiation reflected from the object. The back projection processor generates a dynamic image of one or more internal features of the object from the return signals by varying a squint angle of the plurality of return signals in which the squint angle varied by modifying a back projection filter. Once generated, the back projection processor displays the dynamic image on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Raymond Samaniego
  • Publication number: 20120162002
    Abstract: A tomography apparatus for producing image data representative of a dielectric and/or conductivity property distribution within an object using electromagnetic radiation having a frequency in the range 0.05 GHz to 10 GHz, the apparatus having: a processing means for producing image data representative of a dielectric and/or conductivity property distribution within an object located in the imaging domain based on measurement data from the measuring means, wherein the tomography apparatus is configured so that electromagnetic radiation incident on the receivers during a second time period t2 is disregarded for the production of said image data when the apparatus is in use, the second time period t2 being subsequent to a first time period t1 during which electromagnetic radiation is emitted by a selected one of the emitters. The tomography apparatus may include waveguide antennae, the real component ?r? of the complex relative permeability ?r of each waveguide antenna being substantially more than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: KEELE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Serguei Semenov
  • Patent number: 8207886
    Abstract: A model-based approach to estimating wall positions for a building is developed and tested using simulated data. It borrows two techniques from geophysical inversion problems, layer stripping and stacking, and combines them with a model-based estimation algorithm that minimizes the mean-square error between the predicted signal and the data. The technique is designed to process multiple looks from an ultra wideband radar array. The processed signal is time-gated and each section processed to detect the presence of a wall and estimate its position, thickness, and material parameters. The floor plan of a building is determined by moving the array around the outside of the building. In this paper we describe how the stacking and layer stripping algorithms are combined and show the results from a simple numerical example of three parallel walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: David H Chambers, Sean K Lehman, Dennis M Goodman
  • Patent number: 8207885
    Abstract: A ground penetrating radar system is described that is able to create both low frequency, wide pulses, and high frequency, narrow pulses, to enable both deep and shallow operation of the ground penetrating radar on demand, including simultaneous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Niitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hibbard, Howard Bandell
  • Publication number: 20120146832
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Michael JECK, Claudius VOLZ
  • Publication number: 20120139773
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a device, which includes a transceiver for outputting a reception signal according to an echo intensity of a transmission signal, a reception signal monitoring module for monitoring an intensity of the reception signal based on a saturation condition, and a transmitting condition setting module for controlling a transmitting power according to the intensity of the reception signal monitored by the reception signal monitoring module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi MISONOO, Yasunobu ASADA
  • Patent number: 8193965
    Abstract: An explosive detection system includes an unmanned vehicle and a manned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle includes a reflector. The manned vehicle includes a ground penetrating radar. The manned vehicle also includes electronics configured to process radar signals that are reflected by the reflector to detect an explosive device. The manned vehicle follows the unmanned vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: L-3 Communications CyTerra Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. O'Donnell, Donald Wright, Debra D. Weber
  • Patent number: 8193966
    Abstract: In one embodiment a system to detect, from a remote location, one or more wires in a target location comprises a radiation targeting assembly to direct a rotating polarization radiation field at the target location, a reflected radiation collecting assembly that collects radiation reflected from the target location, and a signal processing module to monitor radiation from the rotating radiation field reflected from the target location and generate a signal when the radiation reflected from the target location indicates the presence of a wire in the target location. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sandor Holly, Donald E. Harrington, Nicholas Koumvakalis
  • Publication number: 20120133544
    Abstract: There is provided a method and associated apparatus for measurement. Specifically, a method for determining a distance travelled by a signal in a medium, or the time of flight of a signal travelled. The method comprises considering an unambiguous range wherein the unambiguous range greater than a distance to be travelled by a signal. A signal is then transmitted across the distance to be determined, the signal comprising at least two frequency components, the frequency components based on the unambiguous range and the speed of the signal in the medium. The distance travelled (or the time of flight) is determined by using the variance of the received phase characteristics, such as phase angle) of one frequency component of the received signal with the received phase characteristics of another frequency component of the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Wayne Rudd, Allison Mason, Laurie Linnett
  • Publication number: 20120133543
    Abstract: A dual mode ground penetrating radar includes an enclosure which houses radar electronics. The dual mode ground penetrating radar includes an 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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tariq A. AL-KHALEFAH, Khaled F.R. Almutairi, Arne Vincent Utsi
  • Patent number: 8188745
    Abstract: A method for determining the location of an underground sonde transmitter is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring a set of complex electromagnetic field magnitude and phase strengths at one or more of positions while traversing a target sonde path at any angle using one or more electromagnetic coil sensors, modeling a set of expected complex electromagnetic strengths of a hypothetical sonde at the one or more of positions for one or more of the electromagnetic coil sensors, the set of expected electromagnetic field values corresponding to a model for the target sonde, and estimating parameters related to the target sonde based on the residual error between the measured set of complex electromagnetic field values and the modeled set of expected complex electromagnetic field strengths, wherein a final estimated parameter set is determined after the residual error has converged to a minimum tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Metrotech Corporation Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Överby, James W. Waite, Dimitar Gargov, Kun Li
  • Publication number: 20120119935
    Abstract: A system includes: a radar scanner disposed to scan the interior of a container; an interrogator in communication with the scanner; and a processing system in communication with the interrogator, in which the processing system displays information about the interior of the container. A method includes: mounting a radar scanner antenna to a container so as to scan the interior of the container; connecting a coupler to the scanner so that the scanner communicates scanning data via the coupler to the exterior of the container. Another method includes: coupling an interrogator and radar processing system to a scanner mounted on a container; and processing radar scan data from the interior of the container. Another method includes: linking a radar processing system via a communications link to an interrogator that is coupled to a scanner mounted on a container; and processing radar scan data from the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Tialinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Farrokh Mohamadi, Mikko Oijala, Paul Strauch
  • Patent number: 8179300
    Abstract: A method surpresses clutter in a space-time adaptive processing system. The method achieves low-complexity computation via two steps. First, the method utilizes an improved fast approximated power iteration method to compress the data into a much smaller subspace. To further reduce the computational complexity, a progressive singular value decomposition (SVD) approach is employed to update the inverse of the covariance matrix of the compressed data. As a result, the proposed low-complexity STAP procedure can achieve near-optimal performance with order-of-magnitude computational complexity reduction as compared to the conventional STAP procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Man-On Pun, Zafer Sahinoglu
  • Publication number: 20120112949
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of wideband RF detection. The method may include transmitting a signal from a plurality of transmit positions along a drive path. Reflections of the transmitted signal are received at a plurality of receive positions along the drive path. A signature is formed based on arrival angles of the reflections at each of the receive positions. The signature includes the arrival angles of the reflections at each of the receive positions with respect to a distance along the drive path of a corresponding transmit position and a corresponding receive position of each of the reflections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8175393
    Abstract: Method and system for utilizing multiple phenomenological techniques to resolve closely spaced objects during imaging includes detecting a plurality of closely spaced objects through the imaging of a target area by an array, and spreading electromagnetic radiation received from the target area across several pixels. During the imaging, different phenomenological techniques may be applied to capture discriminating features that may affect a centroid of the electromagnetic radiation received on the array. Comparing the locations of the centroids over multiple images may be used to resolve a number of objects imaged by the array. Examples of such phenomenological discriminating techniques may include imaging the target area in multiple polarities of light or in multiple spectral bands of light. Another embodiment includes time-lapse imaging of the target area, to compare time lapse centroids for multiple movement signal characteristics over pluralities of pixels on the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Ian S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8174430
    Abstract: A process is provided to detect an object within a defined region using standing longitudinal cavity mode waves. The process includes disposing first and second conductive lines substantially parallel to the axis, transmitting an electromagnetic signal through the first line at a set frequency, returning the transmitted signal through the second line, measuring power from a reflected signal through the first line, adjusting the set frequency based on the measured power; extracting an appropriate parameter from the reflected signal to obtain a reflected characteristic, comparing the reflected characteristic to an established characteristic that lacks the object to obtain a characteristic differential, and analyzing the characteristic differential to obtain a position of the object along the length. The first and second conductive lines have specified length and width that bound a defined region. The analyzing can be performed by Fourier transform across wave modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Louis F. DeChiaro, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8174429
    Abstract: An integrated mine detection system includes a ground penetrating metal detector and a ground penetrating radar detector. The integrated mine detection system includes an integrated search device housing a radio-wave transmitter of the radar detector and a coil of the metal detector. The radio-wave transmitter includes an antenna. The integrated search device includes a radio-wave receiver in the form of a pair of receiving antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: L-3 Communications CyTerra Corporation
    Inventors: William Steinway, Gregory Stilwell, David H. Fine, Paul Crabb, Kevin Johnson, Herbert Duvoisin, III, Geoffrey Solomon, Elizabeth Bartosz
  • Publication number: 20120105268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a scatterer in a structure, such as a building structure. The method comprises the steps of transmitting from one or a multiple number of positions exterior to a structure, a wall probing radar signal towards the structure. The method also comprises the step of receiving, at one or a multiple number of positions exterior to the structure, signals that have been reflected by scatterers in the structure. Further, the method comprises the step of filtering, from the received signals, reflection information of a specific scatterer at a specific position. In addition, the method comprises the step of identifying a geometry of the specific scatterer, based on the reflection information. The filtering step comprises applying a phase change algorithm corresponding to a specific scatterer type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Felix Maria Antonius Smits, Jacobus Johannes Maria de Wit, Wilhelmus Lambertus van Rossum
  • Publication number: 20120105267
    Abstract: A surveillance system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the surveillance system may include at least one controller adapted to control operation of first and second screening apparatus and to produce image data and screening data, to relate the image data to the screening data, and to produce relational information data from the related image data and screening data. In some embodiments, the system may include a first screening apparatus adapted to screen a subject in a subject position, a second screening apparatus adapted to screen the subject in the subject position, and a controller adapted to produce first and second screening data from the first and second screening apparatus, respectively, relate the first and second screening data, and to produce relational information data from the related first and second screening data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul DeLia, Scott T. TROSPER, Thomas E. BREEN, John J. Reilly, Paul J. Hurd, Michael J. LANZARO, Maya M. Radzinski, Thomas W. GRUDKOWSKI, Edward E. BROMBERG, Joseph Carter