Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080218400 | DOUBLE-SIDEBAND SUPPRESSED-CARRIER RADAR TO NULL NEAR-FIELD REFLECTIONS FROM A FIRST INTERFACE BETWEEN MEDIA LAYERS - A ground-penetrating radar comprises a software-definable transmitter for launching pairs of widely separated and coherent continuous waves. Each pair is separated by a constant or variable different amount double-sideband suppressed carrier modulation such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 30 MHz Processing suppresses the larger first interface reflection and emphasizes the smaller second, third, etc. reflections. Processing determines the electrical parameter of the natural medium adjacent to the antenna. | 09-11-2008 |
20080238757 | System and Methods for Remote Sensing Using Double-Sideband Signals - A sensing system ( | 10-02-2008 |
20080246647 | SUBSURFACE IMAGING RADAR - The present invention can be summarized by use of a diffraction limited SAR giving large integration angle and a short depth of field which gives that energy from underground targets is focused independently at different depths to enable 3d imaging. The radar device according to the invention should be implemented by considering the following parameters: Choice of the appropriate illumination geometry, i.e. elevation angle θ, and the appropriate use of low frequency diffraction limited SAR processing to obtain 3D imaging, and the choice of an appropriately low radar frequency. | 10-09-2008 |
20080266165 | SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYMENT OF A MILLIMETER WAVE CONCEALED OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM - A system for deployment of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a storage container modified as a security check point includes an entry point disposed at a first end of the container and an exit point disposed at an opposing second end of the container. A detection area is disposed within the container and between the entry point and exit point. The detection area is isolated from the entry point and exit point so that an explosive blast is substantially contained within the detection area of the container. The system provides a standard platform for deployments of concealed object detection systems across extremely variable environments. | 10-30-2008 |
20080272954 | HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF NATURAL-FIBER-CONTAINING MATERIALS - The present invention includes methods and apparatuses for imaging material properties in natural-fiber-containing materials. In particular, the images can provide quantified measures of localized moisture content. Embodiments of the invention utilize an array of antennas and at least one transceiver to collect amplitude and phase 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. A conveyance system passes the natural-fiber-containing materials through a field of view of the array of antennas. A computing device is configured to apply a synthetic imaging algorithm to construct a three-dimensional image of the natural-fiber-containing materials that provides a quantified measure of localized moisture content. The image and the quantified measure are both based on the amplitude data, the phase data, or both. | 11-06-2008 |
20080284636 | Object detection method and apparatus - Method and apparatus for detecting objects. In one embodiment, a person entering a secured zone is illuminated with low-power polarized radio waves. Differently polarized waves which are reflected back from the person are collected. Concealed weapons are detected by measuring various parameters of the reflected signals and then calculating various selected differences between them. These differences create patterns when plotted as a function of time. Preferably a trained neural network pattern recognition program is then used to evaluate these patterns without creating an image of the object and autonomously render a decision on the presence of a weapon or other object. An interrupted continuous wave system may be employed. Multiple units may be used to detect various azimuthal angles and to improve accuracy. The units may be used in a bistatic configuration which enables comparison of off-axis signals. | 11-20-2008 |
20080291076 | Method and Device for a Material-Penetrative Localization of a Measurement Signal - The invention relates to a method for the material-penetrative localization of a measurement signal, in particular a material-penetrative positioning method for use on walls, ceilings, and floors. | 11-27-2008 |
20080303708 | STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE OF A MILLIMETER WAVE CONCEALED OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM - A structural system for optimizing the performance of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a shell is provided to house and protect the millimeter wave concealed object detection system so that the detection system can operate optimally in a controlled and managed environment by eliminating or mitigating spurious millimeter wave emissions or reflections from outside or inside the shell. The shell can be free-standing or attached to a parent structure. The entry and exit to the system is controlled by entry and exit barriers. In addition, an inspection lane is configured according to each particular application to guide a subject through the detection system. | 12-11-2008 |
20080309544 | Method of Explosives Detection and Identification - A proposed method of detection and identification of explosives and drugs in an object comprises the steps of: generating an emitted UHF signal carried by pulse fixed carrier frequency electromagnetic waves with predetermined carrier frequency, deviation, duration, and amplitude; exposure of the object to the emitted signal; reception of a reflected signal; its amplification and processing; measuring its phase and intensity, the emitted and received signals difference and an absorption ratio, determining a phase lag between the received and emitted signals; comparing the lag with a preset lag value stored in memory, obtaining a lag difference; detecting and identifying the explosives and drugs based on the lag difference and taking into account the absorption ratio, wherein the ratio and lag difference are correlated to predetermined dielectric properties of certain types explosives or drugs inclusions. The emitted signal can be formed as a sequence of waves with increasing or decreasing frequencies. | 12-18-2008 |
20080316085 | APPARATUS FOR POSITION DETECTION USING MULTIPLE HCF TRANSMISSIONS - An apparatus a transmitter section, a receiver section, and a processing module. The transmitter section transmits a plurality of high carrier frequency beamformed signals in a loop manner until a desired number of signals has been transmitted. The receiver section receives the plurality of high carrier frequency beamformed signals and determines reception properties of the plurality of high carrier frequency beamformed signals. The processing module determines at least one of: reflection, absorption, refraction, and pass through based on the reception properties. The processing module then distinguishes an animate entity from an inanimate entity based on the at least one of the reflection, absorption, refraction, and pass through. The processing module then determines position of the animate entity within a given physical area. | 12-25-2008 |
20090015459 | Method for Reducing Interference Signal Influences on a High-Frequency Measurement Device and High-Frequency Measurement Device - A method for reducing interference signal influences on a high-frequency measurement device, in particular a method for operating a high-frequency position finder, in which an analog measurement signal ( | 01-15-2009 |
20090021417 | Method and system for detection of objects - A method for detection of an object, the method including irradiating a target with two electromagnetic wave energy beams, a first beam at a first frequency and a second beam at a second frequency, the first frequency being lower than the second frequency, both beams being polarized in a first direction, and determining a presence of an object by analyzing reflections of the first and second beams, wherein if there is a dominant reflection polarization in the first direction for both the first and second frequencies, then the target is considered not to have the object, and if there is a dominant reflection polarization in the first direction for only one of the first and second frequencies and a depolarized reflection at the other of the first and second frequencies, then the target is considered to have the object. | 01-22-2009 |
20090033539 | Through-the-wall motion detector with improved antenna - A flat panel antenna used at a wall in a through-the-wall CW radar application is spaced from the wall by a half wavelength to eliminate the effects of energy reflected by the wall back to the antenna. In one embodiment, a ½-wavelength dielectric absorbing material insert is placed adjacent the flat panel antenna, which allows the flat panel antenna to be pressed against the wall for antenna stabilization, with the index of refraction of the material desirably being 3. | 02-05-2009 |
20090040092 | BROADBAND ENERGY ILLUMINATOR - The present invention is a broadband energy illuminator for creating contrast between the broadband energy emanating from a scene and an individual within the scene. A millimeter wave camera is focused toward the individual to detect millimeter wave frequencies reflected from the scene. As an individual passes through scene the millimeter wave camera detects concealed objects by identifying differences in the millimeter wave energy reflected by the individual's body and a concealed object. The broadband energy illuminator focuses a cold source of broadband energy on the scene thereby enhancing the ability of the millimeter wave camera to distinguish the individual's body from concealed objects. A composite image is generated by a central processing unit and displayed on a monitor showing the concealed object on the individual through optical contrast. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040093 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING COLLIMATED AND LINEARLY POLARIZED MILLIMETER WAVE BEAMS AT BREWSTER'S ANGLE OF INCIDENCE IN GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO DETECT OBJECTS LOCATED IN THE GROUND - A detection system comprises a transmitter unit, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter unit is capable of transmitting a first collimated beam having a first frequency and a second collimated beam having a second frequency into a ground, wherein the first collimated beam and the second collimated beam overlap in the ground. The receiver is capable of monitoring for a response radio frequency signal having a frequency equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The response radio frequency signal is generated by an object having non-linear conductive characteristics in response to receiving the first collimated beam and the second collimated beam. The processor is capable of controlling an operation of the transmitter unit and the receiver. The processor is connected to the transmitter unit and the receiver. The object is detected when the response radio frequency signal is detected by the receiver. | 02-12-2009 |
20090058710 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THREATS USING RADAR - Methods and apparatus for early detection and identification of a threat such as individuals carrying hidden explosive materials, land mines on roads, etc. are disclosed. One method comprises illuminating a target with radiation at a first polarization, collecting first radiation reflected from the target which has the same polarization as the first polarization, illuminating a target with radiation at a second polarization, and collecting second radiation reflected from the target which has the same polarization as the second polarization. A threat determination is then made based on the difference between the energy values of the first and second collected radiations. In other embodiments, the difference between energy values is used in conjunction with an evaluation of the returned energy in comparison with returned energy from other targets in order to additionally assess whether the primary target is a threat. | 03-05-2009 |
20090073023 | Millimeter Wave (MMW) Screening Portal Systems, Devices and Methods - A millimeter-wave (MMW) based screening system is provided that may operate with an active sensor, a passive sensor, or in a dual mode using both the active and passive sensors. One or more such sensors are mounted so as to rotate along an axis that passes through a target region of detection, in which a person or object is positioned for screening. A reflector is disposed radially outward from the one or more rotating sensors to reflect MMW radiation between the sensors and the target region. The system may be employed as a portal screening system, and may include a structure having a wall and a roof, for rapidly screening persons for concealed objects. Algorithms may be employed to provide data output that avoids privacy issues. | 03-19-2009 |
20090109081 | Positioning correction system and method for single and multi-channel ground penetrating radar - A mobile geophysical instrument produces geophysical data sets each associated with a position computed by use of a position sensor. A variable time delay results between a time when data for each geophysical data set is collected and a time when a position associated with each geophysical data set is recorded. A module receives distance transducer data and includes circuitry configured to generate a module signal based on trigger signals from the distance transducer and a calibration value. A data acquisition system (DAS) receives geophysical data sets from the geophysical instrument, positioning data from the positioning sensor, and the module signals. The DAS generates a DAS timestamp in response to each module signal and associates the DAS timestamp with each geophysical data set and a position associated with the geophysical data set, so as to substantially eliminate the variable time delay. | 04-30-2009 |
20090135044 | Combined Radar and communications link - In a CW radar system for detecting motion behind a wall ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090135045 | THROUGH-THE-OBSTACLE RADAR SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION - There are provided a through-the-obstacle radar system and method of operating thereof comprising recording signals and/or derivatives thereof collected during a certain substantial monitoring period, and using the recorded information for generating patterns informative of a monitoring scene. There are further provided a method of motion detection based on through-the-obstacle radar and the system thereof. The method comprises collecting signals and/or derivatives thereof acquired by the radar system during a certain substantial monitoring period and accommodating respective records, said records comprising information characterizing the signals and/or derivatives thereof and information indicative, at least, of the time the signals were obtained; processing the accommodated records and generating at least one histogram characterizing a normative motion level at different time intervals; comparing an actual motion level with the level in the normative histogram corresponding to the same time intervals; and recording the motion as detected if its actual level fits a certain relationship with the corresponding level in the normative histogram. | 05-28-2009 |
20090140907 | DETECTION OF A CONCEALED OBJECT - Disclosed are systems, methods, devices, and apparatus to determine if a clothed individual is carrying a suspicious, concealed object. This determination includes establishing data corresponding to an image of the individual through interrogation with electromagnetic radiation in the 200 MHz to 1 THz range. In one form, image data corresponding to intensity of reflected radiation and differential depth of the reflecting surface is received and processed to detect the suspicious, concealed object. | 06-04-2009 |
20090140908 | SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYMENT OF A MILLIMETER WAVE CONCEALED OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM USING AN OUTDOOR PASSIVELY ILLUMINATED STRUCTURE - A system for deployment of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system using an outdoor passively illuminated structure is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the structure includes at least one sidewall with at least one louvered panel within the sidewall. The louvered panel is orientated to reflect millimeter energy into the structure that is used in part by a concealed object detection system for detecting concealed objects. The louvered panel includes a plurality of adjustable parallel slats for obtaining an optimum deployment angle. The structure further includes at least one detection lane for guiding a subject through the structure and is configured between a controlled entry barrier and an exit barrier of the structure. | 06-04-2009 |
20090146864 | Loran-based underground geolocation, navigation and communication system - A system is provided for underground mapping, location determination and communications utilizing existing LORAN transmitters and a subterranean H-field antenna coupled to a conventional LORAN receiver. The result is an underground LORAN grid from which mapping and location can be ascertained as well as terrestrial-to-subterranean communications using the LORAN bit streams. Subterranean-to-terrestrial communication is established by a low-frequency handheld transmitter using repeat processing to transmit digital data from the subterranean location to the surface of the earth using modulated H-field waves. | 06-11-2009 |
20090153392 | MICROWAVE DATUM TOOL - In one aspect, a measurement system is disclosed that includes a source of microwave radiation having one or more wavelengths capable of penetrating through a visibly opaque obstruction, e.g., a wall. The source can be movably positioned on one side of the obstruction for illuminating thereof. The system can further include a microwave reflecting element disposed on another side of the obstruction, where the reflecting element is capable of reflecting at least a portion of the radiation transmitted through the obstruction. A plurality of radiation sensors are positioned relative to the obstruction so as to differentially detect at least a portion of the reflected radiation transmitted through the obstruction so as to determine a position of the source relative to the reflective element. | 06-18-2009 |
20090167589 | EARTH-PENETRATING RADAR WITH INHERENT NEAR-FIELD REJECTION - A ground-penetrating radar comprises a transmitter for launching pairs of widely separated and coherent continuous waves. Each pair is separated by a different amount, such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 30 MHz. These are equivalent to modulation that have a phase range that starts at 0-degrees at the transmitter antenna which is near the ground surface. Deep reflectors at 90-degrees and 270-degrees will be illuminated with modulation signal peaks. Quadrature detection, mixing, and down-conversion result in 0-degree and 180-degree reflections effectively dropping out in demodulation. | 07-02-2009 |
20090184861 | INCLUSION OF ASSESSMENT DATA IN MILLIMETER WAVE CONCEALED OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEMS - 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. | 07-23-2009 |
20090195435 | HAND-HELD DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING CONCEALED WEAPONS AND HIDDEN OBJECTS - The present invention is an inexpensive, hand-held, and easy to operate millimeter-wave detection device that employs a non-imaging sensor which radiates a pulse of millimeter waves of a certain amplitude and frequency towards a target located at a distance from the detection device. The sensor receives pulses of millimeter waves that are reflected from the target and generates a voltage waveform that is characteristic mainly of the target material, while other parameters such as distance to the target are known. The processor of the detection device measures both the peak voltage and the rate of increase of the voltage until it reaches the maximum. Using an algorithm stored in a software module, the deviation between the rate of the voltage rise and the peak voltage is compared with values of similar parameters for a number of test targets made of different materials that were previously collected and stored in a calibration table in the memory of the device. A concealed object, e.g. a weapon, is positively identified when the measured voltage rise is found to be similar to one of the stored voltage rises. The circuitry of the detection device generates a visual and/or audio output to a display device which is indicative to the operator as to whether a concealed object is present and, if a match is found with the data in the calibration table, the nature of the concealed object is also displayed. In addition to the basic mode of operation described, various other operation modes can be employed with the detection device of the invention. | 08-06-2009 |
20090207067 | Radar Imaging of Buildings Using Model-Based Focusing and Data-Based Focusing - According to one embodiment, an image generating device includes an image former coupled to a radar that transmits and receives electro-magnetic radiation at multiple frequencies. The image former generates an image using information received from the radar, adjusts the image according to a material characteristic of the object, and combines the image with other images received at differing frequencies to form a resulting image. | 08-20-2009 |
20090212988 | Real time imaging expandable passive millimeter wave system for detecting concealed objects - A passive millimeter wave system of this invention is comprised of; human body detector sensors which detect human bodies passing a scanner; passive millimeter wave image sensor modules arranged horizontally or vertically to acquire millimeter wave images radiated from human body in horizontal and vertical axes at certain time intervals; amplifier which amplifies the DC voltage from passive millimeter image sensor modules to a certain level; analog-digital converter which transforms the amplified DC voltage to digital signals; mobility detector which detects movement of human body passing predetermined position to acquire millimeter wave signals from human body; digital signal processor which interlinks and reconstructs signals with the time and position of the object obtained from mobility detector and the signals obtained by passive millimeter image sensor modules; monitor which displays the image of the signals processed with digital signal processor. | 08-27-2009 |
20090212990 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND LOCATING HIDDEN OBJECTS - An apparatus and method for detecting and locating hidden objects employs a symmetrical array of five directional antennas, including a central transmit antenna and a pair of receive antennas at each side of the transmit antenna, respectively. All of the antennas are pointed in the same general direction toward an object field of interest. The transmit antenna radiates a beam of high-frequency electromagnetic energy, and the receive antennas receive high-frequency electromagnetic energy returned by hidden objects. Each pair of receive antennas has an associated phase detector, the output of which represents the phase difference between receive antenna signals corresponding to the received electromagnetic energy. A circuit determines when the outputs of the phase detectors represent predetermined phase differences and operates indicator devices. | 08-27-2009 |
20090262005 | MOVING-ENTITY DETECTION - A system and method for enabling transmission of a stepped-frequency radar signal can involve a first antenna and a second antenna. The system can also involve receiving circuitry configured to receive detected reflections from the antennas and to generate data including information associated with frequency and phase shifts. The system can further involve a processor configured to receive the generated data from the receiving circuitry and to analyze the generated data to determine information associated with a moving object located at a side of a wall opposite to the system by differentiating reflections of the transmitted signal detected with the first antenna from reflections of the transmitted signal detected with the second antenna. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262006 | MOVING-ENTITY DETECTION - A system and method for detecting entities based on movement can involve transmission circuitry configured to enable transmission of a stepped-frequency radar signal, an antenna, and receiving circuitry configured to generate data including information associated with frequency and phase shifts between the transmitted signal and the reflections of the transmitted signal. The system also can involve a processor configured to analyze the generated data to determine information associated with a moving object located at a side of a wall different than a side of the wall of which the system is located. The analyzing can involve compensating for the effect of motion of the system on the phase shifts between the transmitted signal and the reflections of the transmitted signal. | 10-22-2009 |
20090278725 | IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF UNDERGROUND FACILITIES - A system or method of creating a map of voids in the ground based on a scattered electromagnetic signal includes traversing a receiver/probe in a near field above a target area; generating a signal from a signal transmitter, the signal having a predetermined wavelength λ; receiving a scattered signal with the receiver/probe, the scattered signal including indications of subsurface variations via reflection of the generated signal; and detecting evanescent components of the scattered signal to provide a predetermined resolution. The method includes the use of an electrically small antenna for resolution of subwavelength features. The metamaterial-based antenna is on the order of meters and has an efficient transmit/receive capability. The ESA is 1/10 of the length of the equivalent dipole length, and may be scaled down to 1/10,000. Such an antenna may include phase sensitive current injection in the metamaterial resonant structures for loss-compensation. | 11-12-2009 |
20090284405 | Passive Detection Apparatus - A passive detection device is disclosed comprising a plurality of antennas, receivers, and a digital beamformer, wherein the antennas and receivers are adapted to receive radiation of millimetre wavelengths from a near field region, to process and digitise it. The beamformer is adapted to process the received information and to generate static image information relating to the region. An indication means is provided to indicate the presence of objects of interest. The beamformer is preferentially adapted to generate information simultaneously in a plurality of planes at different distances from the apparatus. The indication means may comprise an array of pixels along the length of the apparatus to display image information, and may use the multi-planar information to construct images of the region comprising data from a plurality of planes. The invention has utility in security scanning applications such as at airports or other locations where security detection equipment is employed. | 11-19-2009 |
20090289830 | ILLUMINATION SOURCE FOR MILLIMETER WAVE IMAGING - Methods and apparatuses of scene illumination for millimeter wave sensing are presented. One embodiment features illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by at least one fluorescent light, generating an image with a passive sensor using the millimeter wave radiation reflected from the subject, and analyzing the image to detect representations corresponding to concealed objects associated with the subject. Another embodiment features at least one fluorescent light which illuminates a subject with millimeter wave radiation, and passive millimeter wave sensor which receives the millimeter wave radiation effected from the subject, and generates an image which is analyzed to detect image representations corresponding to concealed objects. Another embodiment features at least one florescent light behind an optically opaque medium which is transparent to millimeter wave radiation, and illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by the fluorescent light. | 11-26-2009 |
20090295617 | System, Method, and Computer Program Product Providing Three-Dimensional Visualization of Ground Penetrating Radar Data - A system for analyzing and displaying radar information comprises: a transmit and receive unit operable to transmit radar signals to a survey volume and to receive radar returned radar signals, a processing unit operable to: receive radar data from the returned radar signals, reduce the data into depth bins, each with a score based on received signal strength, create connections among depth bins based on respective scores, and to eliminate ones of the depth bins that do not meet a threshold number of connections, the system further comprising a display unit operable to create a display of at least a subset of the depth bins that are not eliminated by the processing unit. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295618 | Through-Wall Imaging Device - A through-wall imaging device having antenna elements for transmitting and receiving signals adapted to pass through a wall for imaging objects therebehind, having a base with a carrier portion and a plurality of spaced-apart extensions connected thereto. At least a portion of the antenna elements are mounted on the extensions. The area between adjacent extensions is free of any material of the base at least when the extensions are in an operative state. | 12-03-2009 |
20100026550 | Handheld Instrument Capable of Measuring Heartbeat and Breathing Motion at a Distance - The apparatus of the present invention consists of a MicroPower Radar (MPR), a data acquisition (DAQ) element and a PDA. The radar sends a short, low-amplitude signal of radio-frequency (RF) energy toward the target scene. This signal reflects from the target and is received as a Doppler change. RF has the advantages of penetrating clothing while operating at one fiftieth the power of a cellular or cordless phone. This Doppler change in signal amplitude is filtered, amplified and presented to the DAQ. The DAQ converts the analog Doppler signal into a digital bit-stream and passed to the processor. Proprietary software analysis is performed to further filter and to make a Live/Dead determination. The radar antenna is located at the back of the device and should be pointed toward the victim, the display facing the operator. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026551 | Railroad surveying and monitoring system - A Railroad Surveying and Monitoring System configured on a mobile platform for surveying, monitoring, and analyzing rail position and superstructure and terrain substructure of railroad tracks ( | 02-04-2010 |
20100039309 | RELATING TO SCANNERS - 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 millimetre 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 behavioural 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. | 02-18-2010 |
20100052969 | MOTION COMPENSATION FOR RADAR IMAGING - In one embodiment, a radar is provided that is configured to construct an image of a target within or adjacent to a substrate according to scan points associated with a surface of the substrate while the radar is scanned in a first direction. The radar includes a transceiver that transmits radar pulses and receives reflected radar pulses using an antenna directed at the surface; and an image processor configured to use a plurality of processed received radar pulses to generate an image portion according to each scan point; and at least one laser range finder being configured to illuminate a first surface portion within a surface portion illuminated by the antenna and to illuminate a second surface portion displaced in the first direction from the first surface portion, the laser range finder determining a first range between the laser range finder and the first surface portion and determining a second range between the laser range finder and the second surface portion, wherein the radar is configured to process the first and second ranges to determine a range translation of the radar during the scan in the first direction, and wherein the image processor is further configured to compensate the image portions according to the determined range translation so at construct an image of the target. | 03-04-2010 |
20100052970 | Ground penetrating synthetic aperture radar - A method and system for examining subsurface targets utilizing an elevated or airborne platform. A broad spectrum of frequencies is transmitted from the platform and is directed at the various subsurface targets. A plurality of chirp signals would be utilized to transmit the entire frequency range. These signals are reflected from the various subsurface targets and are received by the platform. The received chirp signals are combined in a manner to allow the visualization of the subsurface target. | 03-04-2010 |
20100052971 | Device and Method to Evaluate Condition of Concrete Roadways Employing a Radar-based Sensing and Data Acquisition System - A vehicle mounted device for producing enhanced images of an underlying roadbed for the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling. The device employs a first RF transmission and second RF transmission communicated through the same individual section of roadbed, to produce two images of the section using software adapted to the task. The two individual images are then combined to yield an enhanced view of the section of roadbed in a third image. Images of sequential adjacent roadbed sections may be stored on a computer and employed to provide a three dimensional image of the underlying roadbed anywhere along the distance traveled and imaged by the device. | 03-04-2010 |
20100060509 | MODEL-BASED TOMOGRAPHIC RECONSTRUCTION - 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. | 03-11-2010 |
20100066585 | ADJUSTABLE PULSE WIDTH GROUND PENETRATING RADAR - 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. | 03-18-2010 |
20100085234 | MINE DETECTION - 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. | 04-08-2010 |
20100103019 | MILLIMETER WAVE (MMW) SCREENING PORTAL SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS - A millimeter-wave (MMW) based screening system is provided that may operate with an active sensor, a passive sensor, or in a dual mode using both the active and passive sensors. One or more such sensors are mounted so as to rotate along an axis that passes through a target region of detection, in which a person or object is positioned for screening. A reflector is disposed radially outward from the one or more rotating sensors to reflect MMW radiation between the sensors and the target region. The system may be employed as a portal screening system, and may include a structure having a wall and a roof, for rapidly screening persons for concealed objects. Algorithms may be employed to provide data output that avoids privacy issues. | 04-29-2010 |
20100109933 | Underwater remote sensing - An underwater remote sensing system comprising a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic signal, a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic signal reflected from an object and determining means for determining the location of the object, wherein at least one of the transmitter and receiver is underwater. The determining means may be operable to determine the location of the object using signals received at three or more receiver positions. To do this, three or more receiver antennas may be provided. Alternatively, a single receiver antenna may be provided and moved between three or more different measurement locations. | 05-06-2010 |
20100117885 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SCANNING IMAGER - 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. | 05-13-2010 |
20100141502 | CONTRABAND SCREENING SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED PRIVACY - An inspection system that can detect contraband items concealed on, in or beneath an individual's clothing. One embodiment relates to a method of generating an image of a person to identify contraband items. The method comprising receiving a first image from a camera, wherein the first image comprises a first depiction of a person and a first indication of at least one contraband item. The method further comprises using the first image, generating a second image comprising a second depiction of the person and a second indication of the at least one contraband item. The second depiction of the person has enhanced privacy with respect to the first depiction of the person. | 06-10-2010 |
20100182189 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING NON-LINEAR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS OR CIRCUITS ESPECIALLY OF A BOOBY TRAP OR THE LIKE - The invention relates to a device and a method wherein tunable transmitters and detectors (receivers) are integrated into a non-linear detection system and a narrow-band signal having a variable frequency is used. The scanable frequency range should be between 10-100 MHz. The frequency acceptance range for the second and third harmonic is adjusted according to the transmit frequency. | 07-22-2010 |
20100207803 | Circularly Polarized Antennas for Active Holographic Imaging through Barriers - Circularly-polarized antennas and their methods of use for active holographic imaging through barriers. The antennas are dielectrically loaded to optimally match the dielectric constant of the barrier through which images are to be produced. The dielectric loading helps to remove barrier-front surface reflections and to couple electromagnetic energy into the barrier. | 08-19-2010 |
20100214150 | MILLIMETER WAVE IMAGING SYSTEM WITH FREQUENCY SCANNING ANTENNA - A millimeter wave imaging system. The system includes one or more millimeter wave frequency scanning antenna for collecting frequency dependent beams of millimeter wave radiation from a narrow one-dimensional field of view and millimeter wave amplifier components for amplifying the millimeter wave radiation collected by each antenna. The system includes a beam-former that separates the amplified radiation to produce frequency dependent signals corresponding to the frequency dependent beams. The beam-former includes delay lines, a millimeter wave lens, and an array of millimeter wave power detectors for detecting the power in each frequency dependent beam. A sampling circuit reads out the frequency dependent signals to produce a one-dimensional image of the antenna field of view. A two dimensional image of a target may be obtained by moving the target (or having the target move) across the field of view of the scanning antenna or by moving the antenna in order to scan its line of focus over the target. In preferred embodiments a 2×2 Dicke switch is provided to permit sampling a reference thermal source for gain control while continuing to collect image information. This 2×2 Dicke switch provides a square root of 2 improvement in temperature sensitivity over a single receiver version. Preferred embodiments also include features for focusing the antenna within a range of about 5 feet to infinity. | 08-26-2010 |
20100220001 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A radar imaging system for capturing an image of an object within an area of interest through at least one visual impairment. The radar imaging system comprises at least one radar array. The radar array includes a plurality of transmitter elements and a plurality of receiver elements for receiving a plurality of coded return signals from an object through the at least one visual impairment. The system further comprises at least one processor coupled to the transmitter and receiver elements, which is adapted to transmit a plurality of differently coded signals toward the object and the at least one visual impairment; decode the plurality of coded return signals received by each of the receiver elements; extract from the decoded return signals a multiplicity of captured signals for each transmitter to receiver path; focus the multiplicity of signals on all points of interest within the area of interest by aligning the multiplicity of captured signals to be co-incident from a particular point within the area of interest; and sum the aligned signals to produce an image of the object. A method for capturing an image of an object in an area of interest through at least one visual impairment is also provided. | 09-02-2010 |
20100259438 | Sensor cart positioning system and method - 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. | 10-14-2010 |
20100265117 | System and method for imaging objects - 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. | 10-21-2010 |
20100277358 | Detection of surface and buried objects - A sensor head includes a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system and a continuous-wave metal detector (CWMD). The GPR system includes a transceiver configured to transmit radiation toward an object and to receive radiation from the object. The CWMD includes a transmission antenna configured to produce a first magnetic field in the vicinity of the object sufficient to generate a current in the object, and a receive antenna configured to sense a second magnetic field produced by the current generated in the object. | 11-04-2010 |
20100315280 | Multi-Platform Radar with Forced Resonating Antennas for Embedded Detection and Volumetric Imaging - An electromagnetic interrogation system and methods for analyzing a target in a test bed are disclosed. A forced resonating antenna unit has a transmit element and a receive element both mounted on a platform movable over the test bed. An interrogation signal source generates a continuous stepped-frequency radio frequency (RF) signal. A plurality of receiver channels are connected to the receive element, and ratios of the scattered continuous stepped-frequency RF signal on a first one of the receiver channels and on a second one of the receiver channels each relative to a reference one of the receiver channels is derived as a measurement for each frequency step. A triggering module linked to the receiver channels generates a positional data value corresponding to a set of measurements for one or more stepped frequency sweeps. An analysis module generates test bed analysis results based upon multiple sets of measurements over time and the corresponding positional data values. | 12-16-2010 |
20110006940 | Method and Device for Detection of Motion of the Surface of an Object - The invention relates to a method for detection of motion of the surface of an object by means of a detection device, the object being stationary during a detection process, and situated in a space on the opposite side of a wall in relation to the detection device, and having a relative dielectric constant ∈r greater than 1.1. The method comprises steps of transmitting radar signals and receiving radar signals reflected by the object, and if a motion has been detected, in addition visualising the motion in a three-dimensional combined radar model and data model. The invention also relates to a detection device for carrying out the method. | 01-13-2011 |
20110025545 | Method and system for motion compensation for hand held MTI radar sensor - Methods to quantify the amount of radial platform motion of a portable sensor are described. In an exemplary embodiment, the method uses the frequency domain phase data in the range bin corresponding to a large stationary object. A correction factor is computed and applied back into the time domain samples prior to processing by Doppler filters used to measure motion in the scene. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025546 | Mobile sense through the wall radar system - A method and apparatus for sensing a target through a wall or obstruction by a Moving Target Indicator (MTI) radar sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, a series of radar pulses are transmitted at frequencies less than about 5 GHz. Radar return signals are received at a plurality of receive antenna array subapertures. The radar return signals are processed by a digital beamformer to form multiple beams. Target detection processing detects moving and stationary targets through a plurality of parallel target detection signal processing paths. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025547 | DETERMINATION OF HOSTILE INDIVIDUALS ARMED WITH WEAPON, USING RESPIRATION AND HEARTBEAT AS WELL AS SPECTRAL ANALYSIS AT 60 GHZ - A system includes a plurality of radar units configured to provide scan data to a network; a signal processing and imaging module connected to the network and configured to receive the scan data, identify a target, and determine a type of the target based on a radar profile of the target; and a display unit in communication with the signal processing and imaging module and configured to provide a tracking display of the target position and type. A method includes scanning an inhabitable area using a plurality of radar detector units to produce scan data; processing the scan data to construct a digitized representation of a target in the inhabitable area; using recovered information of the target to differentiate between a live person, an animal or an object as the target type; and displaying the target type and position on an image display. | 02-03-2011 |
20110037639 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING, LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING OBJECTS LOCATED ABOVE THE GROUND AND BELOW THE GROUND IN A PRE-REFERENCED AREA OF INTEREST - The invention relates to a system and method for detecting, locating and identifying objects located above ground or below ground in an area of interest, comprising an airborne vehicle which circumscribes the area of interest and which includes a built-in radar having an antenna with a respective transmitter and receiver, signal-processing means, data-storage means and graphical interface means. According to the invention, the area of interest has been pre-referenced and the radar is a heterodyne ground penetration radar (GPR). The signal transmitted by the antenna generates a beam that illuminates a strip of earth, consisting of a sinusoidal electromagnetic signal having a frequency that is varied in precise pre-determined progressive steps. This signal is mixed with the received (reflected) signal, thereby producing two sets of values corresponding to the phases of each frequency step or stage Said sets of values, which are obtained throughout successive sweeps (as the antenna moves), are stored in the storage means and subsequently processed in the processing means in order to obtain a final map or image of the location of the objects above ground or below ground. | 02-17-2011 |
20110050479 | STATIC RF IMAGING FOR INSIDE WALLS OF A PREMISES - A system includes a radar unit configured to provide raw data from scanning an exterior of a structure; and a signal processing and imaging module configured to: process the raw data into markers of interior locations of the structure; and display an image of interior structural features based on the markers. A method includes: scanning a building structure from the exterior of the structure using a radar unit to provide raw data; processing the raw data into markers of interior locations of the structure; estimating locations of interior structural features of the structure from the markers; and displaying an image of the interior structural features. | 03-03-2011 |
20110063157 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A RADAR SYSTEM IN THE EVENT OF POSSIBLE CONCEALMENT OF THE TARGET OBJECT AND RADAR SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD - 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. | 03-17-2011 |
20110074619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTION OF UNCRUSHABLE METALLIC PIECES IN MINERAL LOADS - 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. | 03-31-2011 |
20110084868 | VARIABLE RANGE MILLIMETER WAVE METHOD AND SYSTEM - A variable range millimeter wave method and system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a primary mirror having an aperture to reflect millimeter wave energy to a secondary mirror, where the secondary mirror is disposed in front of the primary mirror and adapted to redirect the millimeter wave energy to a millimeter wave sensor/detector of a millimeter wave camera. The millimeter wave camera is configured to process the millimeter wave energy to visually detect concealed objects hidden on a target and an operating frequency of the millimeter wave camera is between 225 GHz and 275 GHz. In addition, the system includes a laser rangefinder, GPS and altimeter to determine a location of the target and to optimize a focus of the millimeter wave camera. A video monitor displays millimeter wave imagery and video images spatially and temporally relative to the millimeter wave imagery to aid targeting. | 04-14-2011 |
20110102233 | Active millimeter-wave imaging system - An active millimeter wave imaging system and method. The system includes a spatially distributed broadband millimeter-wave illuminating source for illuminating a field of view and a millimeter-wave imaging receiver for imaging the field of view. The subject area to be imaged is illuminated simultaneously from many different angles by the distributed source. Reflections from the subjected area are then collected and used to form images. These images in preferred embodiments are compared with passive images made without the millimeter wave illumination from the millimeter wave source. The spatially distributed illumination source in preferred embodiments includes a broadband millimeter-wave noise generator producing millimeter wave radiation at frequencies at which the passive receiver is sensitive and a large reflector. In preferred embodiments the reflector has the shape of a section of an ellipse defining two foci. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102234 | STANDOFF RANGE SENSE THROUGH OBSTRUCTION RADAR SYSTEM - A standoff range, sense-through-obstruction radar system is capable of detecting micro-Doppler, or life form signatures, and movements through obstructions at stand-off ranges and displaying the target information over a live video feed of the area under surveillance. The sense-through-obstruction radar system comprises an antenna assembly that includes a horn antenna and a reflector configured to reflect radio frequency (RF) energy to/from the horn antenna. An antenna pointing assembly supports the antenna assembly. The antenna pointing assembly is configured to move the antenna assembly to point the antenna assembly toward an obstruction. A sensor assembly is mounted to the antenna assembly so that the sensor assembly is aligned with the RF beam formed from the RF energy reflected from the reflector to the horn antenna. The sensor assembly is configured to detect the location of the obstruction and to provide information to assist pointing of the antenna assembly toward the obstruction. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102235 | IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL THREAT MATERIALS USING ACTIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES - Electrical properties of concealed dielectric objects, such as the dielectric permittivity, can be deduced from incident, reflected, and transmitted electromagnetic waves in an imaging system. In a confocal arrangement a horn illuminates a reflect array and the reflect array is configured to focus the radiation at an element in the scan volume. The reflections are in turn refocused by a reflect array at the horn aperture. The reflect array is electronically configured to scan the focal point throughout the scan volume in a systematic way. Knowledge of the horn pattern and the scan strategy allows the system to compute the geometry associated with each volume element. Amplitude and phase variations between the object and the surrounding volume and the computed geometry are used to estimate the relative permittivity and thus facilitate categorization of the object using a database of material relative permittivities. | 05-05-2011 |
20110115666 | Highway Speed Ground Penetrating Radar System Utilizing Air-Launched Antenna and Method of Use - Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise an air-launched antenna system with interference-rejection technology that operates in analog hardware as well as by way of a digital filtering technique. Using an inline analog hardware filter combined with a digital filter, to determine transversal (and/or recursive) coefficients, in a calibration phase, a measurement system may be configured to remove interference and the effects (such as a delay or temperature variation) which result from use of an analog filter. In this manner, the resulting measurements of a composition of road surface are more accurate and useful. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115667 | Ultra-wideband Radar Waveform Calibration for Measurements of a Heterogeneous Material - Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a ground penetrating radio device and methods of use for obtaining greater resolution. This is achieved by measuring the composition/reflection off a homogeneous material (e.g., metal plate), determining coefficients to correct the measured/reflection in order to make the measurements look like an idealized reference signal, and then using these coefficients in a digital filter to correct measurements/a reflection off a heterogeneous material, such as a road surface. In this manner, the composition of the heterogeneous material is determined with greater accuracy. | 05-19-2011 |
20110128179 | SCANNING NEAR FIELD ELECTROMAGNETIC PROBE - 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. | 06-02-2011 |
20110148686 | MOVING-ENTITY DETECTION - Sensing moving entities includes transmitting a stepped-frequency radar signal including multiple frequencies through a wall from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall. Portions of the radar signal that are reflected by entities located beyond the second side of the wall are detected. The reflected portions are processed to generate processed data including information associated with frequency shifts between the transmitted signal and the detected signal. The processed data is analyzed to determine if reflected portions are associated with moving entities. | 06-23-2011 |
20110148687 | ADJUSTABLE ANTENNA - A device includes a compressible conductive element including a first end and a second end, and an adjustment element coupled to the compressible conductive element, the adjustment element configured to adjust the compressible conductive element to a state of compression between an uncompressed mode and a compressed mode. The compressible conductive element is configured to couple to a source of electrical current at the first end and to radiate electromagnetic energy from the second end. | 06-23-2011 |
20110169683 | FILTERING SENSOR DATA TO PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF STRUCTURES - According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving sensor data generated by one or more sensors in response to sensing a structure. The sensor data is filtered to identify edge data and reverberation data each describing the same structural feature of the structure. Image data for a filtered image of the structure is generated from the edge data, but not from the reverberation data. | 07-14-2011 |
20110175765 | Device for Detecting Objects, Notably Dangerous Objects - The present invention relates to a device for detecting objects. The device comprises at least one microwave-frequency transmitter and one microwave-frequency receiver. The receiver makes a relative rotary movement about the transmitter, a signal being transmitted toward an individual for several positions of the receiver on the circle of relative rotation, the signals reflected by points of an object and received by the receiver at the positions being supplied to processing means in order to form a radar image. The receiver and the transmitter can be installed on a disk with a very low moment of inertia. The invention applies notably for the detection of weapons or explosives carried by persons. | 07-21-2011 |
20110187577 | Resolution Radar Using Metamaterials - 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. | 08-04-2011 |
20110221624 | Apparatus and Method Using a Radar in a Wireless and/or Wireline Sensor Node and Operating Radar In the Ground to Detect and Count Vehicles in Roadway, Parking Lot and Airport Applications - A package, wireless sensor module, wireless sensor node and wireline sensor node are disclosed including a radar configured to embed beneath vehicles in pavements, walkways, parking lot floors and runways referred to herein as in ground usage. An access point interfacing to at least one of the sensors is disclosed to provide traffic reports, parking reports, landing counts, takeoff counts, aircraft traffic reports and/or accident reports based upon the sensor's messages regarding the radar and possibly magnetic sensor readings. A runway sensor network is disclosed of radar sensors embedded in lanes of at least one runway for estimating the landing count and/or takeoff count effect of aircraft. | 09-15-2011 |
20110227777 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL ARRAY ANTENNA AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING INTERNAL OBJECT USING THE SAME - Provided are a two-dimensional array antenna and a device for detecting an internal object using the same. The device includes a plurality of unit antennas in a two-dimensional array of m columns and n rows on a board (where m and n are integers greater than 1), a first switch selecting one or more transmitting antenna to radiate a pulse signal onto an internal object in a structure from among the unit antennas; a second switch selecting one or more receiving antenna to collect a signal reflected from the internal object from among the unit antennas, and a transceiving analysis module analyzing information about the position and shape of the internal object. | 09-22-2011 |
20110227778 | Hand-Held See-Through-The-Wall Imaging And Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Detection System - 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. The housing provides external access without intrusion into the housing for operating the adjusting mechanism. | 09-22-2011 |
20110260905 | Millimeter Wave Imaging Apparatus - A millimeter wave imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device including a plurality of millimeter wave sensors that are arranged in a planar manner and receive millimeter waves radiated from a subject to detect signal levels thereof; a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the imaging device; a storage device that stores, with respect to the each of the millimeter wave sensors, temperature characteristics data indicating a relationship between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the output from the millimeter wave sensor; and an image data generation device that obtains a deviation of an output from the each of the millimeter wave sensors from reference temperature characteristics based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the temperature characteristics data stored by the storage device, corrects the output from the each of the millimeter wave sensors based on the deviation, and thereby generates the image data. | 10-27-2011 |
20110267215 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING THE PHASE CONSTANT FOR A DIELECTRIC MEDIUM - A method for determining a phase constant for a dielectric medium is provided. The method includes deploying a calibration object with a known free-space spectral response within a dielectric medium of interest, determining the spectral response of the calibration object deployed in the dielectric medium, and determining the phase constant for the dielectric medium using a relationship between the free-space spectral response of the calibration object and the spectral response of the calibration object when deployed in the dielectric medium. | 11-03-2011 |
20110298647 | Method, Apparatus, and System to Remotely Acquire Information from Volumes in a Snowpack - 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. | 12-08-2011 |
20110304495 | BEAT-PRODUCT RADIO IMAGING METHOD (RIM) - A beat-product radio imaging method (RIM) system uses a matched continuous wave (CW) transmitter and receiver to electronically image material in between. Signal attenuation measurements are taken from a number of different transmitter and receiver perspectives around the material. The transmitter and receiver each have a crystal oscillator rated at 10-ppm or better frequency uncertainty. The receiver's crystal oscillator is used as a local oscillator to beat down the transmitter's carrier frequency to baseband. The frequency error between the local oscillator and the transmitter carrier frequencies produces a beat product of less than one Hertz in frequency and its magnitude is inversely proportional to the path attenuation between the transmitter and receiver. An extremely low-pass filter is used to remove everything above one Hertz in the detector. The receiver sensitivity is therefore extraordinarily high. | 12-15-2011 |
20120019406 | RADAR TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a radar tomography apparatus and method for determining one or more material properties of an object at a first number of positions distributed within a region of interest of said object. To reduce the acquisition and processing time of data radar tomography apparatus is proposed comprising:
| 01-26-2012 |
20120062407 | Forward-Looking Detection Radar - 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. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062408 | UNSYNCHRONIZED RADIO IMAGING - An unsynchronized acoustic or radio-frequency (RF) computed tomography (CT) imaging system with matched, but independent, continuous wave (CW) transmitters and receivers configured to radiate acoustic or RF transmissions in a plurality of vector paths through solid geologic material. A computer calculates and displays tomographic images constructed from individual acoustic or RF path signal travel time or attenuation measurements logged from registered locations from the CW transmitters and receivers after their being shuttled amongst a number of different transmitter and receiver perspectives available around said geologic material to generate data necessary for computed tomography. Each of the transmitters and receivers include independent unsynchronized crystal oscillators rated at 10-ppm or better frequency uncertainty to produce and to detect CW radio frequency (RF) transmissions. | 03-15-2012 |
20120068875 | Radar Image Generation System - 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. | 03-22-2012 |
20120092206 | METAL DETECTOR AND GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR HYBRID HEAD AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A hybrid ground penetrating radar (GPR)/metal detector (MD) head includes a V-dipole GPR antenna and transmit and receive MD coils. One of the MD coils is arranged in a quadrupole configuration with a crossbar, and the V-dipole antenna is perpendicular to the crossbar. The legs of the V-dipole antenna may straddle the crossbar or may be on one side of the crossbar. The MD coils may be fabricated on a printed circuit board, which may be at a non-normal angle with respect to a central axis of the V-dipole antenna. | 04-19-2012 |
20120105267 | SURVEILLANCE WITH SUBJECT SCREENING - 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. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105268 | Method of Detecting a Scatterer in a Structure, a Radar System and a Computer Program Product - 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. | 05-03-2012 |
20120112949 | WIDEBAND RF DETECTION - 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. | 05-10-2012 |
20120119935 | REMOTE INTERROGATION FOR DETECTION OF ACTIVITY OR LIVING ORGANISMS INSIDE ELECTRONICALLY CONDUCTIVE CONTAINERS - 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. | 05-17-2012 |
20120133543 | DUAL MODE GROUND PENETRATING RADAR (GPR) - 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. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133544 | MEASUREMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 05-31-2012 |
20120139773 | DETECTION DEVICE, DETECTING METHOD AND DETECTION PROGRAM - 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. | 06-07-2012 |
20120146832 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING HIDDEN OBJECTS BY MEANS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC MILLIMETER WAVES - 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. | 06-14-2012 |
20120162002 | ELECTROMAGNETIC TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUSES AND METHODS - 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 t | 06-28-2012 |
20120176265 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING AN OBJECT USING ELECTROMAGNETIC MILLIMETER-WAVE SIGNAL ILLUMINATION - 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. | 07-12-2012 |
20120182171 | CHANGE DETECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USE IN DETECTING MOVING TARGETS BEHIND WALLS, BARRIERS OR OTHERWISE VISUALLY OBSCURED - 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. | 07-19-2012 |
20120194376 | Millimeter Wave Energy Sensing Wand and Method - 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. | 08-02-2012 |
20120200445 | Sensor Cart Positioning System and Method - 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. | 08-09-2012 |
20120229321 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING NON-LINEAR GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO DETECT OBJECTS LOCATED IN THE GROUND - 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. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229322 | Apparatus For Remote Detection and Monitoring of Concealed Objects - 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. | 09-13-2012 |
20120249356 | SURFACE PENETRATING RADAR SYSTEM AND TARGET ZONE INVESTIGATION METHODOLOGY - A radar system ( | 10-04-2012 |
20120256777 | Method for Identifying Materials Using Dielectric Properties through Active Millimeter Wave Illumination - 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. | 10-11-2012 |
20120262324 | Subterranean Image Generating Device And Associated Method - 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. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262325 | MINE DETECTION - 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. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262326 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF WATER FLOW IN GROUND - 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. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268307 | Systems and Methods for Mapping the Crust of the Earth - 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. | 10-25-2012 |
20120280849 | METHOD OF USING GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO DETECT CORROSION OF STEEL BARS IN FERROCONCRETE COMPONENTS - 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. The obtained interface characteristic parameters and the thickness of the concrete are compared with the reference characteristic data to derive the corrosion condition of steel bars in the ferroconcrete component. | 11-08-2012 |
20120293355 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING CONCEALED EXPLOSIVES AND WEAPONS - 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. | 11-22-2012 |
20130021192 | MILLIMETER WAVE ENERGY SENSING WAND AND METHOD - A millimeter wave energy sensing wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator. A number of sensors may be coupled with the housing and include comprising at least one millimeter or terahertz wave energy sensor. A controller coupled with the housing and electrically coupled with the sensors receives signals from the sensors in two or more sensing modes, including an active sending mode and a passive sensing mode, and generates feedback when an anomaly is detected in the received signals. The sensors may also operate in a metal detection sensing mode, and the controller may further generate feedback based on the metal detection sensing mode. The sensors may further be configured to operate in a proximity sensing mode. One or more LEDs may illuminate a portion of a scanning area. | 01-24-2013 |
20130050007 | SUB-MILLIMETER WAVE RF AND ULTRASONIC CONCEALED OBJECT DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION - Active and passive sub-millimeter wave RF and ultrasonic systems can be used to detect a concealed object, such as an object concealed under the clothing of a subject, and identify material properties of the object. A concealed object detection system can include an antenna configured to receive an RF signal in the sub-millimeter wave range, the RF signal having been emitted by an object, a detector configured to convert the RF signal into an electrical signal, a signal integrator configured to integrate the electrical signal and provide an integrated signal over an observation period and a processor configured to extract object information from the integrated signal. An object indication device provides an indication of a detected object and material properties of the detected object based on the extracted object information. The extracted object information can include object image data and object material identification data. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050008 | MOBILE COHERENT CHANGE DETECTION GROUND PENETRATING RADAR - Described are a method and system for detecting and locating changes in an underground region. Changes are detected using a mobile coherent change detection ground penetrating radar (GPR). The GPR system is located on a mobile platform that makes two more measurement passes over the same route to acquire GPR images of an underground region at different times. A lateral offset between the GPR images for the two different times is determined and applied to one of the GPR images to generate a GPR shifted image that is spatially aligned with the other GPR image using a correlation process or other technique. A GPR difference image is generated from the GPR shifted image and the other GPR image. The GPR difference image includes data representative of changes to the underground region that occurred between the two measurement passes. | 02-28-2013 |
20130069814 | LARGE RESISTIVE VEE DIPOLE ANTENNA COMBINED WITH VEE DIPOLE ARRAY - A radar array comprising a panel, the panel comprising a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of high-frequency antennas coupled into a high-frequency array coupled to the panel; at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole transmitting antenna; and at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole receiving antenna, wherein the at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole transmitting antenna and the at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole receiving antenna are coupled into a low-frequency array. | 03-21-2013 |
20130076556 | Active differential reflectometry - A millimeter wave method and apparatus for detecting objects on humans, for example, that might be hidden, for example, under the human's clothing includes an active w-band radiation source to illuminate the human subject; a diffuser on the active illumination source; a receiver to acquire an active mode and a passive mode image; apparatus and methods to minimize background environmental millimeter waves; and a device to form and display a differential image. The resulting differential image may show contraband at high resolution while avoiding display of the human anatomy. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076557 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSOR - Disclosed is a probe for use in a fluid pipeline, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting an RF signal via an antenna ( | 03-28-2013 |
20130082856 | REAL-TIME SYSTEM FOR IMAGING AND OBJECT DETECTION WITH A MULTISTATIC GPR ARRAY - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082857 | DISTRIBUTED ROAD ASSESSMENT SYSTEM - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082858 | CLASSIFICATION OF SUBSURFACE OBJECTS USING SINGULAR VALUES DERIVED FROM SIGNAL FRAMES - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082859 | SPATIALLY ADAPTIVE MIGRATION TOMOGRAPHY FOR MULTISTATIC GPR IMAGING - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082860 | BURIED OBJECT DETECTION IN GPR IMAGES - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082861 | SPOT RESTORATION FOR GPR IMAGE POST-PROCESSING - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082862 | RADAR SIGNAL PRE-PROCESSING TO SUPPRESS SURFACE BOUNCE AND MULTIPATH - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082863 | SPATIALLY ASSISTED DOWN-TRACK MEDIAN FILTER FOR GPR IMAGE POST-PROCESSING - 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. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082864 | DETERMINING ROOT CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN PREVIOUSLY AND NEWLY DETECTED OBJECTS - A system that applies attribute and topology based change detection to networks of objects that were detected on previous scans of a structure, roadway, or area of interest. The attributes capture properties or characteristics of the previously detected objects, such as location, time of detection, size, elongation, orientation, etc. The topology of the network of previously detected objects is maintained in a constellation database that stores attributes of previously detected objects and implicitly captures the geometrical structure of the network. A change detection system detects change by comparing the attributes and topology of new objects detected on the latest scan to the constellation database of previously detected objects. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082865 | Sensor Head - An apparatus includes a sensor head including a continuous wave metal detector (CWMD), a radar, and a transceiver electrically connected to the radar. The radar includes a transmit antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation, and a receive antenna configured to sense electromagnetic radiation. The transceiver is enclosed in a metal housing. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082866 | Sensor Fusion Framework Using Multiple Sensors to Assess Buried Structures - A method of surveying the condition of an underground conduit by positioning a propelled carriage assembly within the underground conduit. The carriage assembly includes (i) at least one transmitter/receiver unit capable of transmitting a pulsed signal toward at least a portion of an inner wall of the conduit, and (ii) a secondary sensor positioned on the carriage assembly. The data derived from the pulsed signal at a given lateral location within an underground conduit is read as is a secondary sensor condition derived from secondary sensor data taken at the given lateral location. Then it is determined whether the secondary sensor condition indicates a basis for a false void detection by the data derived from the pulsed signal and if the basis for false void detection exists, providing an indication of such basis. | 04-04-2013 |
20130093611 | IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system ( | 04-18-2013 |
20130106642 | SUBTERRANEAN RADAR SYSTEM AND METHOD | 05-02-2013 |
20130113647 | MOVING-ENTITY DETECTION - A stepped-frequency radar signal is transmitted through a barrier. A transmitter of the stepped-frequency radar is on a first side of the barrier, a first object is on a second side of the barrier, and a second object that is distinct from the first object is on the second side of the barrier. A signal including a reflection of the transmitted signal from the first object and a reflection of the transmitted signal from the second object is sensed. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine that a first detection is associated with the first object and a second detection is associated with a second object. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113648 | SENSOR HEAD - Detection systems for scanning regions are disclosed. The detection systems may be used to detect various objects that are, for example, buried in the ground or obscured by being hidden on the body of a person. The detection systems include a sensor head having a continuous wave metal detector (CWMD) coil, radar antennas, and a transceiver electrically connected to a radar. The radar includes a transmit antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation, and a receive antenna configured to sense electromagnetic radiation. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113649 | DETECTION OF AN ASYMMETRIC OBJECT - An apparatus for detecting objects includes a transceiver configured to generate a radar signal, a transmit antenna coupled to the transceiver and configured to emit the radar signal, the radar signal comprising a first circular polarization, and a receive antenna coupled to the transceiver and configured to receive a return signal, the return signal comprising the first circular polarization. | 05-09-2013 |
20130120181 | OBJECT DETECTION WITH A MULTISTATIC ARRAY USING SINGULAR VALUE DECOMPOSITION - A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across a surface and that travels down the surface. The detection system converts the return signals from a time domain to a frequency domain, resulting in frequency return signals. The detection system then performs a singular value decomposition for each frequency to identify singular values for each frequency. The detection system then detects the presence of a subsurface object based on a comparison of the identified singular values to expected singular values when no subsurface object is present. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120182 | WORK AREA MONITOR - A Work Area Monitor comprising a radar module mounted on a motorised vehicle. The Work Area Monitor provides early warning of slope failure in a work area by generating an alarm if movement detected in movement data derived from interferometrically processed radar images exceeds a threshold. | 05-16-2013 |
20130135136 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An imaging system and method in which the system carries out the method which includes the steps of: (a) determining an incident field, (b) using the incident field and a volume integral equation (VIE) to determine a total field, (c) predicting voltage ratio measurement at a receiving antenna by using the volume integral equation (VIE), wherein the VIE includes a vector Green's function, (d) collecting voltage ratio measurements from one or more receiving antennas, and (e) comparing the predicted voltage ratio measurements to the collected voltage ratio measurements to determine one or more properties of the object being evaluated. An S-parameter based inverse scattering method using the vector Green's function and VIE as its core is also described. | 05-30-2013 |
20130169466 | RF METAL DETECTOR AND ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM USING SAME - A radio frequency (RF) metal detector and an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system are disclosed. The RF metal detector in example embodiments transmits an RF signal. A receiver measures the power and phase of the signal as reflected from metallic objects in an interrogation zone. The RF metal detector can be deployed in a combined system that performs multiple functions. For example, the RF metal detector can be integrated with an EAS system that also sends RFID commands and receives RFID responses. In some embodiments the metal detector can discriminate between moving metal objects and stationary metal objects, and/or discriminate between objects in the interrogation zone and objects outside the interrogation zone. An antenna or antennas can be connected in a mono-static or bi-static configuration and the phase and power signals can be either DC-coupled or AC-coupled into the system through a mixer. | 07-04-2013 |
20130207830 | HANDHELD LOCATING DEVICE - 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. | 08-15-2013 |
20130222172 | DETERMINING PENETRABILITY OF A BARRIER - 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. | 08-29-2013 |
20130249730 | INTERFERENCE MITIGATION IN THROUGH THE WALL RADAR - This invention relates to sense through the wall radar. A main channel of a radar system ( | 09-26-2013 |
20130307716 | INTEGRATED ULTRA WIDEBAND, WAFER SCALE, RHCP-LHCP ARRAYS - 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. A method for detecting concealed objects includes: scanning with a first transmitted signal having a first polarization; receiving reflected signals from the first transmitted signal; scanning with a second transmitted signal having a second polarization different from the first polarization; receiving reflected signals from the second transmitted signal; performing image processing using reflected signals with the first polarization; performing image processing using reflected signals with the second polarization; and combining the image processing from both polarizations to provide enhanced image resolution. | 11-21-2013 |
20130321191 | DETECTING AN UNDERGROUND OBJECT - 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. | 12-05-2013 |
20130335256 | METAMATERIAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - 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. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335257 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEARCHING THROUGH COLLAPSED GROUND - 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. | 12-19-2013 |
20140002292 | ALMOST REAL-TIME SAMPLING FOR GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR IMPULSES | 01-02-2014 |
20140015705 | TRANSMITTING ELECTRIC POWER USING ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES - 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. | 01-16-2014 |
20140022106 | SENSOR HEAD - 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. | 01-23-2014 |
20140043183 | ACOUSTIC HETERODYNE RADAR - 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. | 02-13-2014 |
20140049418 | Realization of Time-Domain Ultra Wideband Ground-Penetrating Radar Using High Speed Accumulation and Interpolated Sampling - 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. | 02-20-2014 |
20140062754 | REMOTE DETECTION, CONFIRMATION AND DETONATION OF BURIED IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES - 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. | 03-06-2014 |
20140104094 | Hand-held Radar Device With Direct Printing Based on Radar Input - 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. | 04-17-2014 |
20140118179 | RADAR SENSOR MODULE - 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. | 05-01-2014 |
20140125508 | LARGE AREA GROUND MONITORING - 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. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125509 | RADAR FOR REJECTING AND LOOKING PAST SURFACE REFLECTIONS - 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. | 05-08-2014 |
20140152486 | NEAR FIELD SUBWAVELENGTH FOCUSING SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR WITH CHEMICAL DETECTION MODE - Detection of objects such as a buried explosive device while operating from a moving platform using a radio frequency emission system having two modes. An electromagnetic wave emission and detection system operates in a first mode to locate objects of interest and in a second mode to determine if an object contains explosive materials. In the first mode, the emission and detection system preferably operates as a subwavelength focusing, wideband, superlens using a near field super gain synthetic aperture continuous wave (CW) swept radar. In the second mode the system preferably enabled after detection of an object in the first mode, uses chemical detection methods such as Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR). | 06-05-2014 |
20140159936 | METHOD AND SYSTEM USING COORDINATED AIRBORNE AND GROUND PLATFORMS FOR DETECTING OIL COVERED BY ICE - A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting alert data at a first probability of detection using an airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice. An alert area having a likelihood of an oil mass covered by the ice is determined based upon the alert data. Confirmation data is collected at a second probability of detection higher than the first probability of detection using a ground platform moved over the alert area. An oil mass covered by the ice is detected based upon the confirmation data. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159937 | METHOD AND SYSTEM USING A POLARIMETRIC FEATURE FOR DETECTING OIL COVERED BY ICE - A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting polarimetric radar data at different depths into the ice using at least one airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice so that the polarimetric radar data defines polarimetric volumetric radar data. The polarimetric volumetric radar data is processed based upon at least one polarimetric feature to thereby detect an oil mass covered by the ice. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159938 | METHOD AND SYSTEM USING RADIOMETRIC VOLUMETRIC DATA FOR DETECTING OIL COVERED BY ICE - A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting radiometric data different frequencies, corresponding to respective different depths into the ice, using at least one airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice so that the radiometric data defines radiometric volumetric data. The radiometric volumetric data is processed to thereby detect an oil mass covered by the ice. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159939 | SUBTERRANEAN MAPPING SYSTEM INCLUDING SPACED APART ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE WELL PIPES AND RELATED METHODS - A subterranean mapping system may include a pair of spaced electrically conductive well pipes in a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon resource. The pair of electrically conductive well pipes may include a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe. The subterranean mapping system may further include a radiofrequency (RF) source coupled to the pair of electrically conductive well pipes to generate an electromagnetic (EM) field in the subterranean formation. The subterranean mapping system may further include a subterranean mapping device configured to be carried along with a fluid flow along a path of travel from the fluid inlet pipe to the fluid outlet pipe and while sensing the EM field versus time. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159940 | SUBTERRANEAN MAPPING SYSTEM INCLUDING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT AND RELATED METHODS - A subterranean mapping system may include at least one electrically conductive element associated with a subterranean formation having a passageway therein. The subterranean mapping system may also include a radiofrequency (RF) source coupled to the at least one electrically conductive element to generate an electromagnetic (EM) field in the subterranean formation. The subterranean mapping system may also include a subterranean mapping device configured to be carried along a path of travel within the passageway and while sensing the EM field versus time. | 06-12-2014 |
20140197979 | ADAPTIVE SENSING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to the fields of electromagnetic sensing, automatic security screening and contraband detection. The present invention especially relates to an adaptive sensing system, a sensing method and a corresponding computer program product. The adaptive sensing system according to the present invention comprises an optical or infrared camera for generating image information relating to a region of observation, a passive sensor for receiving electromagnetic radiation, an active sensor for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation, an image processing unit adapted to detect the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings in the region of observation based on the generated image information and a control unit. In case the presence of a human being is detected, the control unit is adapted to control the passive sensor so as to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least the region where the human being is detected and, in case the presence of an object other than a human being is detected, the control unit is adapted to control the active sensor so as to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least the region where the object is detected. By using the camera together with an image processing unit, the type of sensor that is applied for sensing is adapted according to the sensed object. This allows individuals to roam freely thereby increasing the convenience for the individuals and allows for a sensing which is unperceived by the individuals. Further, exposition of individuals to electromagnetic radiation is low as individuals are sensed with a passive sensor. | 07-17-2014 |
20140218225 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GROUND PENETRATING RADAR COMMUNICATION USING ANTENNA CROSSTALK - An object detection system ( | 08-07-2014 |
20140232585 | OBJECT DETECTOR - An object detector comprising: a transmitter arranged to generate a transmit signal; a transmit loop antenna, coupled to said transmitter and arranged to radiate said transmit signal; and a receive loop antenna arranged to generate a receive signal from received radio waves; wherein said received radio waves include said radiated transmit signal and, in the presence of objects within range of the device which reradiate said transmit signal, one or more radio waves reradiated by such objects; said receive signal includes a component corresponding to said transmit signal and, in the presence of reradiated radio waves, one or more components corresponding to said reradiated radio waves; and said object detector further comprises a signal detector, coupled to said receive loop antenna and said transmitter, the signal detector arranged to detect changes in the amplitude and/or phase of said receive signal which are due to changes in said components corresponding to said reradiated radio waves. | 08-21-2014 |
20140240162 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Subsurface Targets Using Data Inversion and a Temporal Transmission Line Model - A method and apparatus for detects one or more subsurface targets by receiving a reflectivity data from two or more subsurface reflectors using a ground penetrating radar. The two or more subsurface reflectors may include the one or more subsurface targets and a medium surrounding the one or more subsurface targets. An impedance data for the two or more subsurface reflectors is calculated by inverting the reflectivity data using a temporal transmission line model with a “layer-peeling” method. One or more constitutive parameters of the two or more subsurface reflectors are calculated based on the impedance data. The one or more subsurface targets are detected based on a change in the one or more constitutive parameters. | 08-28-2014 |
20140300502 | Millimeter Wave Energy Sensing Wand and Method - 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. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300503 | MILLIMETER WAVE ENERGY SENSING WAND AND METHOD - A millimeter wave energy sensing wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator. A number of sensors may be coupled with the housing and include comprising at least one millimeter or terahertz wave energy sensor. A controller coupled with the housing and electrically coupled with the sensors receives signals from the sensors in two or more sensing modes, including an active sending mode and a passive sensing mode, and generates feedback when an anomaly is detected in the received signals. The sensors may also operate in a metal detection sensing mode, and the controller may further generate feedback based on the metal detection sensing mode. The sensors may further be configured to operate in a proximity sensing mode. One or more LEDs may illuminate a portion of a scanning area. | 10-09-2014 |
20140320331 | Footwear Scanning Systems and Methods - Methods and apparatus for scanning articles, such as footwear, to provide information regarding the contents of the articles are described. According to one aspect, a footwear scanning system includes a platform configured to contact footwear to be scanned, an antenna array configured to transmit electromagnetic waves through the platform into the footwear and to receive electromagnetic waves from the footwear and the platform, a transceiver coupled with antennas of the antenna array and configured to apply electrical signals to at least one of the antennas to generate the transmitted electromagnetic waves and to receive electrical signals from at least another of the antennas corresponding to the electromagnetic waves received by the others of the antennas, and processing circuitry configured to process the received electrical signals from the transceiver to provide information regarding contents within the footwear. | 10-30-2014 |
20150009060 | Sensor Cart Positioning System and Method - 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. | 01-08-2015 |
20150015432 | SUB-CARRIER SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATION MILLIMETER WAVE RADAR FOR HIGH-ACCURACY 3D IMAGING - A sub-carrier successive approximation (SCSA) radar having a sufficiently high accuracy to capture 3D images of concealed objects. The invention is phase-based, and directly measures round trip time by estimating the phase delay of the carrier. One of its advantages is that the carrier does not need to sweep across a wide frequency range, thereby relaxing RF front-end bandwidth and linearity requirements. SCSA radar accuracy is limited only by the extent of system noise, allowing very high accuracy to be achieved with a sufficient integration period. The SCSA radar can be readily implemented in CMOS, as well as other device technologies, and fabricated within one or more small integrated circuits. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015433 | WORK AREA MONITOR - A Work Area Monitor comprising a radar module mounted on a motorised vehicle. The Work Area Monitor provides early warning of slope failure in a work area by generating an alarm if movement detected in movement data derived from interferometrically processed radar images exceeds a threshold. | 01-15-2015 |
20150022390 | Method and System for Through-the-Wall Imaging using Sparse Inversion for Blind Multi-Path Elimination - Targets are detected in a scene behind a wall by first transmitting a pulse through the wall. Then, a primary impulse response is detected by a sparse regularized least squares inversion applied to received signals corresponding to the reflected pulse. A delay operator that matches the primary impulse response to similar impulse responses in the received signals is also determined. A distortion of the pulse after the pulse passes through the wall but before the pulse is reflected by the target can also be determined. The distortion is used in an iterative process to refine the detection of the target and to suppress ghosting artifacts. | 01-22-2015 |
20150022391 | SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR ILLUMINATION AND IMAGING OF AN OBJECT - The invention relates to a system for the illumination and imaging of objects with the assistance of electromagnetic radiation, for example, millimeter radiation. Such a system comprises at least one transmitting antenna, at least one receiving antenna, and at least one reflector element. An actively polarizing material layer is present on the reflector element. A processing unit determines an image of the object on the basis of the radiation received from the receiving antenna. | 01-22-2015 |
20150035693 | Ground Penetrating Radar with Variable Dwell Time - An object detection system may be capable of sensing a buried object and providing an estimate of the object's depth. The object detection system may comprise a signal generator transmitting one or more signals. At least one of the signals may be directed toward the buried object and reflected off of the object back to the system. At least one of the signals may be transmitted along a variable length path. A correlator may then receive the signals and determine an offset between their arrival times at the correlator. The variable length path may then be adjusted over a range which includes a minimum offset indicating a distance to the object. | 02-05-2015 |
20150048964 | MILLIMETER WAVE THREE DIMENSIONAL HOLOGRAPHIC SCAN IMAGING APPARATUS AND INSPECTING METHOD THEREOF - A millimeter wave three dimensional holographic scan imaging apparatus and a method for inspecting an object to be inspected using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a millimeter wave transceiver module with a millimeter wave transceiver antenna array for transmitting and receiving a millimeter wave signal. The apparatus also includes a guide rail device, to which the millimeter wave transceiver module is connected in slidable form. The millimeter wave transceiver module is moveable along the guide rail device to perform a plane scan on an object to be inspected. A data processing device generates a millimeter wave holographic image from the plane scan. | 02-19-2015 |
20150123835 | System and Method Using Near and Far Field ULF and ELF Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar for Subsurface Imaging - This invention relates to devices and processes for geophysical prospecting, subsurface fluid monitoring and, more particular, to the use of interferometric techniques using Control Source Electromagnetic (“CSEM”) and Magnetoturelic (“MT”) signals to create images of sub-surface structures and fluids. | 05-07-2015 |
20150293219 | MOBILE COHERENT CHANGE DETECTION GROUND PENETRATING RADAR - Described are a method and system for detecting and locating changes in an underground region. Changes are detected using a mobile coherent change detection ground penetrating radar (GPR). The GPR system is located on a mobile platform that makes two more measurement passes over the same route to acquire GPR images of an underground region at different times. A lateral offset between the GPR images for the two different times is determined and applied to one of the GPR images to generate a GPR shifted image that is spatially aligned with the other GPR image using a correlation process or other technique. A GPR difference image is generated from the GPR shifted image and the other GPR image. The GPR difference image includes data representative of changes to the underground region that occurred between the two measurement passes. | 10-15-2015 |
20150293220 | Hand-held Radar Device With Direct Printing Based on Radar Input - 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. | 10-15-2015 |
20150301167 | DETECTION OF MOVABLE OBJECTS - A device includes a radar system configured to be placed in a hiding mechanism, the radar system having one or more transmit antennas oriented within the hiding mechanism and configured to transmit one or more radar signals toward a barrier, one or more receive antennas oriented within the hiding mechanism and configured to receive reflection signals of the transmitted radar signal back through the barrier and back through the hiding mechanism, one or more transceivers coupled to the one or more transmit antennas and the one or more receive antennas, and an electronic processor to analyze the received reflection signals of the transmitted one or more radar signals, and determine, based on the analyzed received reflection signals, locations of the one or more individuals within a region at a side of the barrier. | 10-22-2015 |
20150309166 | MOVING-ENTITY DETECTION - A stepped-frequency radar signal is transmitted through a barrier. A transmitter of the stepped-frequency radar is on a first side of the barrier, a first object is on a second side of the barrier, and a second object that is distinct from the first object is on the second side of the barrier. A signal including a reflection of the transmitted signal from the first object and a reflection of the transmitted signal from the second object is sensed. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine that a first detection is associated with the first object and a second detection is associated with a second object. | 10-29-2015 |
20150323664 | MILLIMETER WAVE THREE DIMENSIONAL HOLOGRAPHIC SCAN IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING A HUMAN BODY OR AN ARTICLE - A millimeter wave three dimensional holographic scan imaging apparatus and a method for inspecting a human body or an article are disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a first and second millimeter wave transceiver module. The apparatus also includes a guide rail device for each millimeter wave transceiver module. Each guide rail is connected to its respective transceiver module in slidable form. A driver drives each millimeter wave transceiver module to move along its guide rail device. Each millimeter wave transceiver module performs plane scans on the human body or article being inspected. A data processing device generates a millimeter wave holographic image from the plane scans. | 11-12-2015 |
20150355314 | System and Method for Through-the-Wall-Radar-Imaging using Total-Variation Denoising - A system and method determines a noise free image of a scene located behind a wall. A transmit antenna emits a radar pulse from different locations in front of the wall, wherein the radar pulses propagate through the wall and are reflected by the scene as echoes. A set of stationary receive antennas acquire the echoes corresponding to each pulse transmitted from each different location. A radar imaging subsystem connected to the transmit antenna and the set of receive antennas determines a noisy image of the scene for each location of the transmit antenna. A total variation denoiser denoises each noisy image to produce a corresponding denoised image. A combiner combines incoherently the denoised images to produce the noise free image. | 12-10-2015 |
20150369910 | ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE DEVICE - A method and apparatus for communication and the detection of objects comprising signal generating means for generating and transmitting at least one electromagnetic pulse having an asymmetrical shape; signal processing means for receiving a signal or a reflected return signal, and processing the return signal to derive useful information; and at least one antenna for sending and/or receiving signals. | 12-24-2015 |
20150377616 | METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR SURFACE DETERMINATION BY MEANS OF MICROWAVES - An apparatus comprises: (1) measuring unit configured to transmit a signal towards the object and to determine a plurality of voxels, each comprising phase and magnitude of a reflected signal and spatial coordinates (comprising Z-axis, X-axis and Y-axis), and the voxels comprise a plurality of series of voxels along the Z-axis, each having a same X-coordinate and a same Y-coordinate; and (2) surface-determining unit comprising (a) magnitude unit configured to determine a maximum magnitude voxel for each series of voxels, (b) phase unit configured to determine, for each maximum magnitude voxel, phases of at least three voxels (maximum magnitude voxel and voxels adjacent thereto), (c) angle unit configured to determine, for each maximum magnitude voxel, a normal vector based on the respective phases, and (d) reconstructing unit configured to determine the object surface based on the spatial coordinates of the maximum magnitude voxels and the respective normal vectors. | 12-31-2015 |
20160018517 | DETECTING AN UNDERGROUND OBJECT - 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. | 01-21-2016 |
20160025851 | Ground Penetrating Radar with Multiple Correlators - A subsurface detection system may be capable of sensing a buried feature and providing an estimate of the feature's depth. Such a subsurface detection system may comprise a signal generator transmitting at least one signal toward a buried feature and at least one signal along a plurality of various length paths. Each of a plurality of correlators may be associated with one of the various length paths and receive both a signal reflected by the feature and a signal transmitted along one of the various length paths. Each of the correlators may correspond to a distance to the buried feature. As the reflected signal reaches each correlator it may identify a time offset between the arrival of the reflected signal and the signal transmitted along one of the various length paths. By so doing, a distance to the buried feature may be estimated by detecting the correlator with the shortest time offset. | 01-28-2016 |
20160061948 | Moving Multi-Polarization Multi-Transmitter/Receiver Ground Penetrating Radar System and Signal Processing for Buried Target Detection - A moving ground penetrating radar is comprised of multiple transmitters and receivers with multiple, e.g., Horizontal and Vertical, polarizations to detect buried targets with standoff capability. Novel signal and imaging techniques are used to form high quality radar imagery with low artifacts that are due to various sources of self-induced resonances, e.g., transmitter-receiver coupling, calibration errors, and motion errors in the multi transmitter/receiver channels of the radar system. The irradiated target area image is formed via exploiting both the spatial diversity of the physical multi-transmitter and multi-receiver array and synthetic aperture/array that is generated by the motion of the platform that carries the radar system. The images that are formed from the multiple polarizations are combined to remove surface targets/clutter and, thus, enhance signatures of buried targets. | 03-03-2016 |
20160097851 | Ground Survey and Obstacle Detection System - The present disclosure is directed to a ground survey and obstacle detection system using one or multiple detection devices, such as aerial detection devices. Aerial detection devices are sent ahead of the primary vehicle to survey a territory and map out any obstacles. The aerial detection device is equipped with sensors to scan the ground below it and detect obstacles. The aerial detection device is not affected by or prone to triggering dangerous obstacles. The aerial detection device flies above the ground and may be configured to send a signal back alerting the primary vehicle to the existence of obstacles. | 04-07-2016 |
20160097852 | Remote Detection And Measurement Of Objects - Provided are methods of using electromagnetic waves for detecting metal and/or dielectric objects. Methods include directing microwave and/or mm wave radiation in a predetermined direction using a transmission apparatus, including a transmission element; receiving radiation from an entity resulting from the transmitted radiation using a detection apparatus; and generating one or more detection signals in the frequency domain using the detection apparatus. Methods may include operating a controller, wherein operating the controller includes causing the transmitted radiation to be swept over a predetermined range of frequencies, performing a transform operation on the detection signal(s) to generate one or more transformed signals in the time domain, and determining, from one or more features of the transformed signal, one or more dimensions of a metallic or dielectric object upon which the transmitted radiation is incident. A system and method for remote detection and/or identification of a metallic threat object using late time response (LTR) signals is also disclosed. | 04-07-2016 |
20160097879 | METHOD OF ELECTRONICALLY MAPPING UNDERGROUND UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURES FROM THE SURFACE - A non-invasive method of buried-utility-mapping includes using a long wavelength gradiometric ground penetrating radar to “see” patches of conductive material below ground and buried pipes and electrical conductors that are all constantly radio-illuminated by local AM radio broadcasts. The underground infrastructure of entire cities can be surveyed this way, point-by-point over time. A short wavelength part of the gradiometric ground penetrating radar operates shoulder-to-shoulder with the magnetic part and is able to improve shallow object resolution, map moisture build-ups under roads, and spot contaminated soils. Two gradiometric ground penetrating radar technologies, cameras, and navigation receivers can be mounted on city vehicles and a daily collection of their data batch transformed by digital processing algorithms into detailed and automatically updating false-color maps of the underground utilities of the whole city and other buried infrastructures. | 04-07-2016 |
20160103215 | HANDHELD LOCATING DEVICE - 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. | 04-14-2016 |
20160116580 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY AND ESTIMATE RELAXATION FREQUENCIES FOR GROUND PENETRATING RADARS - A system and associated methodology identifies and estimates relaxation frequencies, which are used by a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). These estimated relaxation frequencies are used to characterize and interpret a reflected GPR signal from a ground. The system also identifies the number of relaxation frequencies and estimates their magnitudes and values. The system also exhibits high resistance to noise. | 04-28-2016 |
20160178746 | HANDHELD MULTI-SENSOR SYSTEM FOR SIZING IRREGULAR OBJECTS | 06-23-2016 |
20160178747 | HANDHELD MULTI-SENSOR SYSTEM FOR SIZING IRREGULAR OBJECTS | 06-23-2016 |
20190145909 | Automated Detection of Fatigue Cracks Around Fasteners Using Millimeter Waveguide Probe | 05-16-2019 |
20190145910 | MEASURING A WATER CUT OF HYDROCARBON FLUID IN A PRODUCTION PIPE | 05-16-2019 |
20190146080 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING BURIED NON-CONDUCTIVE PIPES | 05-16-2019 |