Raytheon Company

Valeo Radar Systems, Inc.

H Barteld Van Rees

Mark E Russell

Walter Gordon Woodington

Michael Joseph Delcheccolo

Joseph S Pleva

Delbert Lippert

John Michael Firda

Caroline Breglia

Stephen P Leblanc

James T Hanson

Thomas W French

Richard Paul Donovan

Barry J Liles

Luis M Viana

Keith L Wansley

Paul E Whittier, Jr

Albert C Wohlert

John M Firda

A radar system and method use a radar FMCW chirp having variable chirp characteristics.

Radar detection method and apparatus

A radar detection process includes computing a derivative of an FFT output signal to detect an object within a specified detection zone. In one embodiment, a zero crossing in the second derivative of the FFT output signal indicates the presence of an object. The range of the object is determined as a function of the frequency at which the zero crossing occurs. Also described is a detection table containing indicators of the presence or absence of an object within a respective radar beam and processing cycle. At least two such indicators are combined in order to detect the presence of an object within the detection zone and with changing range gates in each of the antenna beams the coverage of the detection zone can be varied.

Technique for changing a range gate and radar coverage

A video amplifier for a radar receiver includes a temperature compensating attenuator. The attenuator includes a temperature sensitive device, such as a thermistor, arranged in a voltage divider network and is coupled in cascade between two filter stages. Each of the filter stages has a bandpass characteristic in order to filter low-frequency leakage signals and provide sensitivity control based on frequency and thus range, while also filtering high frequency signals to reduce aliasing.

Video amplifier for a radar receiver

A radar detection process includes computing a derivative of an FFT output signal to detect an object within a specified detection zone. In one embodiment, a zero crossing in the second derivative of the FFT output signal indicates the presence of an object. The range of the object is determined as a function of the frequency at which the zero crossing occurs. Also described is a detection table containing indicators of the presence or absence of an object within a respective radar beam and processing cycle. At least two such indicators are combined in order to detect the presence of an object within the detection zone.

A near object detection (NOD) system includes a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors for providing detection coverage in a predetermined coverage zone and each of the sensors including a transmit antenna for transmitting a first RF signal, a receive antenna for receiving a second RF signal and means for sharing information between each of the plurality of sensors in the NOD system.

Near object detection system

In accordance with the present invention, an adaptive cruise control system includes a radio frequency (RF) transmit receive (TR) sensor module (or more simply &ldquo;sensor&rdquo;) disposed such that a detection zone is deployed in front of a vehicle. The sensor includes a sensor antenna system which comprises a transmit antenna for emitting or transmitting an RF signal and a receive antenna for receiving portions of the transmitted RF signal which are intercepted by one or more objects within a field of view of the transmit antenna and reflected back toward the receive antenna. With this particular arrangement, a detection system that detects objects in a region about a front of a vehicle is provided. If the system determines that the vehicle is approaching an object or that an object is approaching the vehicle, then the sensor initiates steps that are carried out in accordance with a set of rules that control an accelerator of the vehicle. The accelerator is adjusted to maintain a safe trailing distance behind the detected object.

Safe distance algorithm for adaptive cruise control

A docking information system disposed on a ship provides navigational information to the operator of the ship. The system includes a short range radar system and a display to provide a range between the ship and a dock or an obstacle and, optionally, a relative velocity between the ship and the dock or the obstacle.

Docking information system for boats

A radar transmitter includes a digital ramp generator circuit for generating a VCO control signal. The ramp generator includes a digital signal processor and a digital-to-analog converter. In one embodiment, the VCO output signal is up-converted to provide the transmit signal and in another embodiment, the VCO operates over the transmit frequency. Also described is a VCO comprising a DR and a phase shifter. A temperature compensation feature includes detecting the transmit frequency and comparing the DSP output generating the detected frequency to a DSP output stored in association with the detected frequency. Also described is a technique for compensating for non-linear VCO operation in which the DSP output words are adjusted to provide a waveform complementary in shape to the non-linear VCO characteristic. Susceptibility of the radar to interference is reduced by randomly varying at least one parameter of the ramp signal, such as offset interval or voltage range, in at least one ramp signal cycle.

Radar transmitter circuitry and techniques

Technique for changing a range gate and radar for coverage

An auto-docking system has been provided that can automatically dock a ship. The auto-docking system provides a close in radar system and a secondary propulsion system that is under control of a docking processor.

Auto-docking system

A near object detection (NOD) system includes a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors for providing detection coverage in a predetermined coverage zone. Each of the sensors includes a transmit antenna for transmitting a first RF signal, a receive antenna for receiving a second RF signal and a means for sharing the target data between each of the plurality of sensors in the NOD system.

There is disclosed a vehicle equipped with two multibeam electronically scanned radar systems that function as side object detection systems. The transmit/receive modules of the radar are illustratively located on right and left side panels of the vehicle at the rear of its body. Each radar system generates eight equal-angle beams. The radar systems are programmed so that targets are detected only within a predefined range for each of its eight beam patterns corresponding to the adjacent highway lane. As an overtaking vehicle approaches in an adjacent lane, its approach is detected sequentially by the beams on that side of the vehicle. Each radar system generates eight signals, corresponding to the eight beams positions, which are coupled individually to eight LEDs configured in an array. Detection of an overtaking vehicle within a scanned beam causes illumination of a corresponding LED. Thus, the driver of a host vehicle can easily determine the presence and position of an overtaking vehicle in an adjacent lane relative to his or her own from the position of the illuminated LED or LEDs in the array, and can also determine the closing speed of the overtaking vehicle from the rapidity of the transition of LEDs in the array being illuminated. In a preferred embodiment, the arrays are affixed to the outside mirrors in a vertical columnar configuration.

Automotive lane changing aid indicator

A multiple beam array antenna system comprises a plurality of radiating elements provided from stripline-fed open-ended waveguide coupled to a Butler matrix beam forming network. The Butler matrix beam forming network is coupled to a switched beam combining circuit. The antenna can be fabricated as a single Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) circuit.

Growing community of inventors

Needham, MA, United States of America

H Barteld Van Rees