Abstract: A security system senses intrusions into a shipping container through the opening of doors, cutting an opening, or removing the doors from their hinges. Intrusion information is transmitted to a remote receiver without interrogation, thereby reducing power consumption. Sensing is accomplished by employing a range-gated micro-impulse radar (“RGR”) that generates microwave pulses that bounce around the interior of the container. The RGR includes a range gate that enables measuring reflected signals during the time gate period that is set for the time it takes a pulse to propagate a maximum distance within the container and reflect back. A direct current signal level is produced that represents the average reflected signal level within the container, and a Doppler shift measurement is made that represents motion inside the container. The signals are conveyed to the transmitter for conveyance to the remote receiver.

Abstract: A pulse wave radar device transmits at a constant period a transmitting signal in which identification data for identifying of pulse wave radar devices is added to a distance-measuring signal so that any other pulse wave radar device can identify a receiving wave reflected by a target owing to a transmitting wave that itself has transmitted.

Abstract: A spacecraft (102) can include a communications receiver (210) for receiving a selected list of targets (114, 116) for which desired information is to be acquired by the spacecraft (102). In addition to location data concerning the targets, the list can also include a predetermined priority value assigned to each target on the list. The list can include data acquisition targets that collectively comprise more data than can be stored on the spacecraft's onboard solid state recorder (204). One or more computer processors (206) can be also be provided onboard the spacecraft. The processor (206) can process the acquired data onboard the spacecraft to determine whether the data contains at least a predetermined portion of the desired information and can overwrite lesser priority data (316) when the solid state recorder (204) is otherwise full.

Abstract: A projectile launch detection system utilizes a continuous wave radio frequency signal (CW/RF) to confirm muzzle exit. The projectile launch detection system can be used in smoothbore, fin-stabilized, non-air breathing projectiles. The gun tube appears as a waveguide to the projectile launch detection system during projectile launch. The projectile launch detection system transmits a CW/RF signal down the gun tube during launch of the projectile. A portion of the CW/RF signal is reflected back by an impedance mismatch at the boundary between the muzzle of the gun tube and free space. Upon exit by the projectile from the gun tube, an exit signature is detected that is defined by the impedance of the gun tube and by a ratio of the diameter of the gun tube to the frequency of the CW/RF signal. The projectile launch detection system processes the exit signature to detect a muzzle launch of the projectile from a specific gun tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a combined radar and laser detector that enables a driver to drive safely and, more particularly, to a combined radar and laser detector, in which a signal receiving module for receiving various kinds of signals including traffic information and an information display module for informing a driver of the signals are separated, the signal receiving module and information display module are constructed to communicate with each other using wireless communication, and the information display module is integrated with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver detecting GPS data related to the location and speed of a moving vehicle, so that the combined radar and laser detector can not only provide accurate traffic information to the driver, but also allow the installation thereof to be easy, the miniaturization thereof to be achieved, and power consumption to be minimized.

Abstract: A system and method provide for the collection of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data. In the system, a first space vehicle configured for emitting electro-magnetic energy and collecting the reflection from a region of interest (ROI), may be directed along a first orbital track. The collected image data may be stored and later provided to a ground station for image and interferometric processing. A second space vehicle may also be configured for emission and collection of electro-magnetic energy reflected from the plurality of ROI's. The second space vehicle is positioned in an aligned orbit with respect to the first space vehicle where the separation between the vehicles is known. In order to minimize decorrelation of the ROI during image processing, the lead and trail satellite are configured to substantially simultaneously emit electromagnetic pulses image data collection.

Abstract: SAW devices such as interdigital transducers (IDTs) have been widely used in RADAR applications and as filters. An IDT produces a SAW when excited by a single electrical pulse and can be fabricated to embody a code, which code provides for a passive autocorrelation of a SAW input to the IDT and thereby lends itself to further application as a signal generator in a communication device. However, internal dimensions of IDTs are inversely proportional to operating frequency, such that high frequency IDTs present significant manufacturing difficulties. Fabrication of IDTs for high frequency applications is simplified by exploiting a harmonic frequency SAW generated by IDTs. An IDT may therefore be designed according to fundamental frequency internal dimension criteria but can operate at a multiple of the fundamental frequency, thereby providing much higher frequency operation than conventional SAW systems.

Abstract: A system for the detection and determination of the success of interception of incoming missiles, used in conjunction with a defense weapon system capable of identifying and tracking incoming missiles and interceptors. The system comprises at least one of a plurality of sensing units. Each sensing unit comprises: an optical sensor for detecting optical signals within a predetermined range; tracking means coupled to the optical sensor for tracking an intercepting missile or an incoming missile; processing means for processing optical input detected by the optical sensor and analyzing the optical input to identify an optical signature and determine detonation of interceptor or incoming missile; communicating means for communicating data between the sensing unit and the defense weapon system; and control means for controlling the tracking means, the processing means and the communicating data.

Abstract: A device for data transmission in a motor vehicle and/or from a motor vehicle in its vicinity includes a first transceiver unit in or on the motor vehicle and a second transceiver unit. which is provided in at least one transponder unit whose spatial position relative to the vehicle may be variable or any desired position. In the first transceiver unit is a radar unit equipped for distance measurement, expanded by adding a two-channel data transmission system. The second transceiver unit is also a two-channel data transmission unit, and the microwave frequencies for two-channel communication of the data transmission system are selected so that their difference yields an intermediate frequency which is processable using conventional components in a heterodyne receiver in the reception part of each of the first and second transceiver units.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for accurately locating moving targets. The system includes a targeting aircraft that has a radar system with a simultaneous SAR radar/moving target mode that generates an image and identifies moving targets in the generated image. The targeting aircraft also includes a mapping component that matches the generated image to a stored digital map, and generates moving target location information based on the matched image and map and the identified moving targets.

Abstract: A network, sensor and method are provided that utilize the capabilities of impulse radio technology to help monitor and/or control the environment within a building. In particular, the network includes a sensor attached to a first impulse radio unit that is capable of transmitting an impulse radio signal containing sensor related information to a second impulse radio unit. The second impulse radio unit is attached to a control station that uses the sensor related information (e.g., environmental related information, safety related information or surveillance related information) to monitor and/or control the environment within a building. In one aspect of the present invention, the control system can better control and monitor the environment within the building because the sensor may be moved around within the building and reference impulse radio units may interact with the first impulse radio unit to enable the determination of the current position of the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices, and apparatus to interrogate a clothed individual with electromagnetic radiation to determine one or more body measurements at least partially covered by the individual's clothing. The invention further includes techniques to interrogate an object with electromagnetic radiation in the millimeter and/or microwave range to provide a volumetric representation of the object. This representation can be used to display images and/or determine dimensional information concerning the object.

Abstract: A computer generated pilot instruction system for providing spatial information to a pilot corresponding to the difference between the actual landing fight path and optimal landing flight path.

Abstract: A collision countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The collision countermeasure system (10) includes an object detection system (14) having at least one transceiver (34). The object detection system (14) generates and wirelessly transmits an object detection signal via a first transceiver. A countermeasure controller (16) wirelessly receives said object detection signal via a second transceiver and performs a countermeasure in response to said object detection signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: SAW devices such as interdigital transducers (IDTs) have been widely used in RADAR applications and as filters. An IDT produces a SAW when excited by a single electrical pulse and can be fabricated to embody a code, which code provides for a passive autocorrelation of a SAW input to the IDT and thereby lends itself to further application as a signal generator in a communication device. However, conventional SAW expanders and compressors typically have insertion losses greater than 20 dB, which can have a profound effect on an RF link budget in a communication system. Insertion losses are drastically reduced by using a single phase unidirectional transducer (SPUDT-type) instead of a conventional IDT as a SAW expander/compressor. A SPUDT-type reflects SAW components which are lost in conventional IDT designs so that a stronger SAW is directed toward a transmission element. In a receiver, a SPUDT-type directs a stronger SAW toward a compressor IDT.

Abstract: A convection induced turbulence (CIT) detection system performs a nowcast algorithm to detect CIT along the flight path of an aircraft using power returns from an airborne whether radar. Additional meteorological data is optionally provided by onboard sensors and/or data link from ground sources. A nowcast predicting turbulence along the flight path in the near future alerts the pilot to the likelihood of encountering clear air turbulence.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices, and apparatus to interrogate a clothed individual with electromagnetic radiation to determine one or more body measurements at least partially covered by the individual's clothing. The invention further includes techniques to interrogate an object with electromagnetic radiation in the millimeter and/or microwave range to provide a volumetric representation of the object. This representation can be used to display images and/or determine dimensional information concerning the object.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system including a combined radar and wireless communication system coupling a plurality of vehicles. Preferably, the system also includes a plurality of access points which are coupled for wireless communication to the vehicles. There is also shown a method for vehicle communication including coupling a plurality of vehicles by means of a combined radar and wireless communication system.

Abstract: A passive millimeter-wave imaging system (10) that includes a millimeter-wave camera (12) positioned at the end of an aircraft landing strip (14) to provide an image (20) of the aircraft (16) approaching the landing strip (14) along a landing glidepath (18). The camera (12) broadcasts the image (20) of the aircraft (16) approaching the landing strip (14) to the aircraft (16) and to a control tower (24). With this information, the pilot of the aircraft (16) sees his aircraft's position relative to the glidepath (18), and can make landing adjustments accordingly. Likewise, the tower personnel can monitor the aircraft landing glidepath (18) to insure that the aircraft (16) maintain a safe distance relative to the ground.

Abstract: The velocity vector of a moving object is precisely determined by using radar measurements of the angle to and the radial speed of a moving object. This can be done in a radar system comprising one or more units. The technique also makes it possible to precisely determine the range to a moving object from a single moving radar unit.

Abstract: A clear air turbulence (CAT) detection system performs a nested grid modeling algorithm to detect CAT along the flight path of an aircraft. The aircraft stores coarse simulation information and utilizes the information to perform large scale weather modeling over a large grid. On board sensors are utilized to generate observational information to model atmospheric conditions within a smaller grid, nested within the larger grid, and including the flight path of the aircraft. A nowcast predicting turbulence along the flight path in the near future alerts the pilot to the likelihood of encountering clear air turbulence. A data link may be utilized to receive coarse simulation data or observational data from sources external to the aircraft. Additionally, the coarse simulation information may include turbulence forecast data and the observational information is used to refine the turbulence forecast to more accurately predict clear air turbulence along the flight path of the aircraft.

Abstract: A mobile space lift range system using a ground control station and an unmanned airborne vehicle that relayed data to and from a space lift vehicle to control it. The unmanned airborne vehicle may selectively include one or more sensor systems, a radar system, a command and telemetry system, and a user test system. The unmanned airborne vehicle is a high attitude, long endurance vehicle that provides a flexible, mobile range to support launch-anywhere space lift scenarios.

Abstract: A procedure and a device transmit information in a pulse radar device simultaneously with the ordinary radar function of the pulse radar device. The radar device includes a control unit, a radar transmitter and an antenna. The control unit controls the radar transmitter to generate radar pulses in pulse groups that are transmitted via the antenna. The pulse groups for the ordinary radar function are information coded by position coding by the control unit of the information that is to be transmitted. The pulse groups are position coded by transmitting radar pulses with time displacements relative to their nominal radar pulse positions. Pulses are received and information decoded to thereby recreate, in the form of an information copy, information that has been positions coded and transmitted by a radar device.

Abstract: A system for transmitting messages, such as safety hazard warning messages, to vehicles causes alerts to be generated in conventional radar detectors and more detailed messages to be provided to drivers with message capable radar receivers. The transmitted radar signal is modulated in frequency or phase or swept in frequency in different directions or at different rates to define the logical state of each bit of the message. A continuous wave (CW) maker signal may also be transmitted to assure detection by a conventional police radar detector and to allow a receiver capable of decoding messages to make adjustments that center an intermediate frequency (IF) generated from the received signal in the receiver IF passband. A message capable receiver decodes the modulated signal to communicate to the vehicle operator the contents of the transmitted message or a stored message corresponding to a transmitted code.

Abstract: An optical RF stereo systems includes multiple remote vehicles, a processing center, and optical RF link systems for transmitting RF signals from remote vehicles to the processing center and for transmitting command and control signals from the processing center to remote vehicles.

Abstract: An impulse radar that forms a predetermined radar pulse train in space by transmitting individual spectral components thereof. Thus, a train of extremely short pulses is obtained without switching a radio frequency signal on and off at a high rate. An oscillator is coupled to a harmonic generator, and a power divider distributes the output of the harmonic generator to a multiplicity of amplifiers. Each amplifier has a phase-locked VCO circuit that provides frequency accuracy, spectral purity, low noise and frequency stability. Thus, each amplifier provides one of the spectral components of the predetermined radar pulse train. The amplifiers are coupled to a multiplexing feed that illuminates a reflector. On receive, the multiplexing feed separates the spectral components of the incoming pulse train. Each spectral component is coupled to its own narrow band receiver, and one receiver is used to amplify and detect each spectral component.

Abstract: A communication system includes a base station, called a "Controller" and one or more remote or satellite stations, each called a "Communicator". The controller arbitrates, controls and communicates with the communicators which are in range to receive its transmissions. The communicators receiving a particular controller's transmission form a network for that controller for the period in which reception occurs. The controller is the only generator of electromagnetic radiation which it modulates with information relating to its own identity, transactions it undertakes and information it transfers. Each communicator modulates and re-radiates the received transmission using back-scatter. Back-scatter re-radiation keeps the communicator design simple and allows for very sensitive receiver design in the controller. In operation, the controller initiates communication with each communicator by establishing, through a handshake exchange, the unique communications channel it will maintain with that communicator.

Abstract: A range tone system for determining the range between a satellite or spacecraft and a ground station FM modulates one of a 3968 Hz, 283 Hz or 35 Hz range tone onto a 27.77 Khz range tone. Modulation is accomplished by simultaneously addressing a plurality of PROMs by related clocks. The PROMs are preprogrammed with data representing the 27.77 KHz tone frequency-modulated by another range tone. Narrow-band filtering recovers the 27.77 KHz range tone from the received signal, and frequency demodulation coupled with narrowband filtering recovers the lower-frequency tone. The two recovered tones are processed simultaneously to provide both high resolution range information together with ambiguity resolution.

Abstract: A radar system, such as a tracking radar installation or other radar installation which is of the pulse compression type, transmits data during transmission of the radar signal. The data is transmitted by inserting, into the radar signal, at least one short nonpulse interval. The position of the nonpulse interval within the radar pulse can be modulated.

Abstract: A radar system operating by the line-of-sight method requires an accurate measurement of the relative position of at least two objects. By sending out coded radar transmission pulses, control data are transmitted to a guided flying body in a radar beam, which sends back an echo signal to the receiver via a transponder. In order to measure the passive signal and the transponder echo signal in the radar beam as accurately as possible, common reception channels are provided for both echo signals containing, inter alia, arrangements to equalize the dynamic levels of the echo signals. The returned transponder echo signal corresponds with respect to coding and bandwidth to the transmission pulses originally generated in the transmitter and that are phase-coded but not provided with the control code.

Abstract: An improved direct, two-way data link is disclosed. The improved data link is used with an electronically steerable active array 10. The uplink comprises a transmitter radar means 60 mounted in a first vehicle for providing a first data signal and transmitting this first data signal as a first radar data signal to a second vehicle and radar receiver means 130 mounted in this second vehicle for extracting the first data signal from the first radar data signal. The downlink comprises transmitter radar means 150 mounted in the second vehicle for providing a second data signal and transmitting this second data signal as a second radar data signal and radar receiver means 80 mounted in the first vehicle for extracting the second data signal from the second radar data signal.

Abstract: A first plurality of spaced radar ground systems and a second plurality of radar ground systems positioned in between adjacent pairs of the first systems. The first systems, when employed in an early warning radar chain, preferably have antennas which are mechanically rotatable. The second systems are then provided with phased arrays to enable two-way communication without it being necessary to stop any scanning movement of a corresponding first system antenna.

Abstract: A first plurality of spaced radar ground systems and a second plurality of radar ground systems positioned in between adjacent pairs of the first systems. The first systems, when employed in an early warning radar chain, preferably have antennas which are mechanically rotatable. The second systems are then provided with phased arrays to enable two-way communication without it being necessary to stop any scanning movement of a corresponding first system antenna.

Abstract: Pulse position coding is used to transmit several channels of data from a ground radar transmitter to a receiver in an airborne, remotely-piloted vehicle. The system is designed to ignore interfering pulses, especially those which are synchronized with the transmitter's PRF, by combining a number of noise reduction devices. These include the redundant transmission of address and channel information, the transmission of true and complemented data, the tracking of channels transmitted in a predetermined order, developing an interference count to recognize synchronous pulses, comparing data received for a given channel with data subsequently received for that channel, the use of windows around the expected positions of pulses, and the use of parity. There is also a novel programming arrangement which enables several programs to be stored in a reduced amount of memory space.

Abstract: A method and a system which allows for simultaneous radar tracking and data communication. The method of the invention includes the steps of (a) encoding a radar transmit signal with message data in a transmitter; (b) receiving transmitted returns of said encoded radar signal in a first receiver; (c) decoding said received return signal to eliminate message data; (d) receiving said encoded radar signal in a second receiver; and (e) decoding said received radar signal to extract said message data. The system of the invention includes a transmitter equipped for encoding a radar transmit signal with message data; a first receiver capable of decoding returns from said transmitter signal to eliminate said message data; and a second receiver capable of decoding said radar signal to extract the message data.

Abstract: An audio signal transmission system to be used on commercial airlines for the discrete transmission of voice conversations emanating from the cockpit of the aircraft automatically to a ground tracking station or a tracking aircraft in an emergency situation, sich as a hijacking, unbeknownst to occupants of the cockpit other than the crew members. The transmission system comprises an audio switching assembly which, when activated, transfers audio signals from a voice recorder assembly normally found on commercial aircraft to a radio transceiver of the aircraft for automatic transmission to ground tracking stations. Activation of the system can occur by a crew member carrying out his normal activities therefore not alerting hijackers when performing either one or both of the duties relating to setting the dual transponder control to a preselected code setting and/or the frequency channel selector of the radio transceiver to a preselected frequency.

Abstract: A communications system for conveying information angle-modulated onto a carrier includes a modulator which angle-modulates the data onto the carrier and which also randomly changes the phase of the carrier. Since the carrier phase is randomly changed, an unauthorized receiver or interceptor of the signal who frequency-multiplies the signal and integrates over a long period in order to reconstruct the carrier produces a carrier which has a broader bandwidth and relatively less amplitude than in the case in which the carrier phase is not randomly changed. The probability of intercept and demodulation by the unauthorized receiver is thereby reduced. The authorized receiver frequency-multiplies and integrates for the known frame interval to recover the carrier.

Abstract: An optical RF stereo systems includes multiple remote vehicles, a processing center, and optical RF link systems for transmitting RF signals from remote vehicles to the processing center and for transmitting command and control signals from the processing center to remote vehicles.