Abstract:
A phased array radar configured to transmit two or more slightly misaligned beams, for improved angular resolution. The transmitting array is split into two or more subarrays that transmit slightly misaligned beams that may have a common carrier frequency and each of which has a different modulation. Each subarray may include alternate elements in the rows of the transmitting array, and alternate elements in the columns of the transmitting array. The width of each transmitted beam may be greater than or comparable to the diffraction-limited width, but the region in which the beams overlap may be significantly narrower than any of the transmitted beams. The reflected beam from a target contains one or more of the modulations of the transmitted beams, in proportions depending on the location of the target, and the extent to which it is illuminated by each beam.
Abstract:
Technology for measuring orientation is described. Signals can be received from a signal source having a known location via at least two antennas of the interferometer that are separated by a predefined distance. A delay between receiving the signals from the signal source at the at least two antennas of the interferometer can be calculated. A line of bearing (LOB) of the interferometer with respect to the signal source can be determined based on the delay between receiving the signals at the at least two antennas from the signal source. The orientation of the interferometer can be measured in a global coordinate system using the LOB of the interferometer with respect to the signal source.
Abstract:
A system/device, such as a gradiometer probe for detecting RF signals, or for example for explosive detection, has the shape of the coils in its adjustment mechanism that minimizes the cross-talk between the receiver probe (Rx) and the transmitting antenna (Tx) in such a way as to minimize (or reduce) the areas where the distance between the coils during the adjustment is the smallest. Moving coils along the plain of the coils is one mechanism of achieving it. Having the coils of different shapes, e.g., circular receiver and oval transmitter coils, is another. Many shapes are possible, including circular, oval, elliptical, and polygonal, to give a few examples. In some embodiments both of these methods/approaches are combined in a single device.
Abstract:
A system/device, such as a gradiometer probe for detecting RF signals, or for example for explosive detection, has the shape of the coils in its adjustment mechanism that minimizes the cross-talk between the receiver probe (Rx) and the transmitting antenna (Tx) in such a way as to minimize (or reduce) the areas where the distance between the coils during the adjustment is the smallest. Moving coils along the plain of the coils is one mechanism of achieving it. Having the coils of different shapes, e.g., circular receiver and oval transmitter coils, is another. Many shapes are possible, including circular, oval, elliptical, and polygonal, to give a few examples. In some embodiments both of these methods/approaches are combined in a single device.
Abstract:
A ground-penetrating radar system or other low-frequency radar system that operates at a wavelength that is comparable to or larger than the dimensions of the transmitting and receiving antennas. In one embodiment, a radar transmitter includes two drive coils, misaligned with respect to each other, that produce respective field patterns, each modulated with a respective modulation. A radar receiver includes a composite sense coil that senses the effect a target has on the fields, and generates a corresponding signal that carries the two modulations. From the proportion of the two modulations in the received signal, which depends on the extent to which the target is in each of the two field patterns, the receiver estimates the angle (e.g., the azimuth angle) to the target. An additional measurement of the angle may be made by comparing the phases of the carrier in the two received modulations. The composite sense coil may consist of two coils wired in series and configured to generate no output when the only field incident on the composite sense coil is that of the two drive coils, in the absence of a target.
Abstract:
Technology for performing magnetic field gradient measurements is described. The magnetic field gradient measurements for specific positions on the Earth can be performed from a moving platform. The magnetic field gradient measurements can be identified as being affected by a level of error that exceeds a defined threshold. A correction value can be generated to compensate for the error in the magnetic field gradient measurements. The correction value can be applied to the magnetic field gradient measurements in order to obtain magnetic field gradient measurements with a reduced level of error.
Abstract:
A radar system for detecting stealth vehicles, e.g., stealth aircraft. Relatively long-wavelength very high frequency (VHF) or ultra high frequency (UHF) radar radiation is used to reduce the ability of the stealth vehicle to direct the reflected radar radiation away from the radar receiver. The radar is operated with two or more transmitting beams. The beams are separately modulated and misaligned relative to each other. When the stealth vehicle is nearer to a first beam than to a second beam of the transmitting beams, the vehicle reflects more of the first beam radar radiation, and more of the corresponding modulation, back toward the receiver. The receiver measures the magnitudes of the modulations in the reflected radar radiation and infers, from the difference between these magnitudes, the direction to the stealth vehicle.
Abstract:
A ground-penetrating radar system or other low-frequency radar system that operates at a wavelength that is comparable to or larger than the dimensions of the transmitting and receiving antennas. In one embodiment, a radar transmitter includes two drive coils, misaligned with respect to each other, that produce respective field patterns, each modulated with a respective modulation. A radar receiver includes a composite sense coil that senses the effect a target has on the fields, and generates a corresponding signal that carries the two modulations. From the proportion of the two modulations in the received signal, which depends on the extent to which the target is in each of the two field patterns, the receiver estimates the angle (e.g., the azimuth angle) to the target. An additional measurement of the angle may be made by comparing the phases of the carrier in the two received modulations. The composite sense coil may consist of two coils wired in series and configured to generate no output when the only field incident on the composite sense coil is that of the two drive coils, in the absence of a target.
Abstract:
A phase detection system includes first and second phase mixing circuits in signal communication with a signal phase adjuster module. The first mixing circuit generates a first digital modulated frequency signal based on an input signal and a first reference phase signal. The second mixing circuit generates a second digital modulated frequency signal based on the input signal and a second reference phase signal, which phase shifted with respect to the first reference phase signal. The phase detection system further includes a phase identification (ID) module in signal communication with the first mixing circuit and the second mixing circuit. The phase ID module generates a phase signal based on the first digital modulated frequency signal and the second digital modulated frequency signal. The phase signal indicates a phase of the input signal.
Abstract:
A phase detection system includes first and second phase mixing circuits in signal communication with a signal phase adjuster module. The first mixing circuit generates a first digital modulated frequency signal based on an input signal and a first reference phase signal. The second mixing circuit generates a second digital modulated frequency signal based on the input signal and a second reference phase signal, which phase shifted with respect to the first reference phase signal. The phase detection system further includes a phase identification (ID) module in signal communication with the first mixing circuit and the second mixing circuit. The phase ID module generates a phase signal based on the first digital modulated frequency signal and the second digital modulated frequency signal. The phase signal indicates a phase of the input signal.