Honeywell International Inc.

Alliedsignal Inc.

John B McKitterick

Yunqian Ma

Michael Ray Elgersma

Wesley J Hawkinson

Richard A Burne

Benjamin Mohr

Dongsong Zeng

James M O'Connor

James A Freebersyser

Anthony L Caviglia

Andras F Cserhati

Systems and method for improving the presentation of sensed data (e.g., radar) by including a priori data. The a priori data is recast as if it were the output of a sensor. This allows the inclusion of the a priori data into an evidence grid that is combined with data from multiple types of sensors. Before the sensor data is combined into the evidence grid, the sensor data is aligned with the a priori data using an optimization algorithm. The optimization algorithm provides an optimum probability of a match between the sensor data and the a priori data by adjusting position or attitude associated with the sensor device. This removes any navigational errors associated with the sensor device data.

Systems and methods for combining a priori data with sensor data

Systems and methods for navigation using cross correlation on evidence grids are provided. In one embodiment, a system for using cross-correlated evidence grids to acquire navigation information comprises: a navigation processor coupled to an inertial measurement unit, the navigation processor configured to generate a navigation solution; a sensor configured to scan an environment; an evidence grid creator coupled to the sensor and the navigation processor, wherein the evidence grid creator is configured to generate a current evidence grid based on data received from the sensor and the navigation solution; a correlator configured to correlate the current evidence grid against a historical evidence grid stored in a memory to produce displacement information; and where the navigation processor receives correction data derived from correlation of evidence grids and adjusts the navigation solution based on the correction data.

Systems and methods for navigation using cross correlation on evidence grids

A method for navigation comprises constructing a current map that includes two-dimensional or three dimensional representations of an area, detecting one or more edge features on the current map, and generating a first fine-edge map based on the edge features. The method further comprises retrieving a historical map that includes two-dimensional or three dimensional representations of the area, detecting one or more edge features on the historical map, and generating a second fine-edge map based on the edge features. Thereafter, a coarse version of the current map is generated from the first fine-edge map, and a coarse version of the historical map is generated from the second fine-edge map. The coarse versions of the current and historical maps are then correlated to determine a first position and orientation. The first fine-edge map is then correlated with the second fine-edge map to determine a second, more accurate, position and orientation.

Method of correlating images with terrain elevation maps for navigation

A system includes an Interferometric radar that transmits a first detection signal over a first spatial region and a second detection signal over a second spatial region. The second region has a first sub-region in common with the first region. The system further includes a processing device that assigns a first occupancy value to a first cell in an evidence grid. The first cell represents the first sub-region, and the first occupancy value characterizes whether an object has been detected by the first detection signal as being present in the first sub-region. The processing device calculates, based on the first and second detection signals, the probability that the first occupancy value accurately characterizes the presence of the object in the first sub-region, and generates a data representation of the first sub-region based on the probability calculation.

Systems and methods for using an evidence grid to eliminate ambiguities in an interferometric radar

A system includes at least one sensor device configured to transmit a first detection signal over a first spatial region and a second detection signal over a second spatial region. The second region has a first sub-region in common with the first region. The system further includes a processing device configured to assign a first occupancy value to a first cell in an evidence grid. The first cell represents the first sub-region, and the first occupancy value characterizes whether an object has been detected by the first detection signal as being present in the first sub-region. The processing device is further configured to calculate, based on the first and second detection signals, the probability that the first occupancy value accurately characterizes the presence of the object in the first sub-region, and generate a data representation of the first sub-region based on the probability calculation.

Construction of evidence grid from multiple sensor measurements

A communication system is provided. The communication system comprises a remote transmitter, at least one central unit, and M number of nodes distributed in a coverage area to form a distributed array antenna in order to receive signals from the at least one remote transmitter and retransmit the received signals to the at least one central unit such that when combined the retransmitted signals form a composite signal with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) array gain of approximately M and the time to receive the retransmitted signals at the at least one central unit is increased by an inflation rate of approximately M or less.

Distributed array reception

Improved systems and methods for mapping are provided. In one embodiment, a system for mapping is provided. The system comprises a rangefinder adapted to output range measurements; an inertial sensor adapted to capture inertial measurements including inertial forces acting on the rangefinder and the attitude of the rangefinder; and a processor coupled the rangefinder and the inertial sensor and adapted to receive a set of range measurements from the rangefinder and inertial measurements from the inertial sensor. The processor is adapted to produce a virtual room reconstruction based on the set of range measurements from the rangefinder and inertial measurements from inertial sensor.

Mapping systems and methods

A method for detecting significant events using neuronal sensor networks is provided. The method includes monitoring an environment surrounding a plurality of sensors for the presence of an event, when one or more events are detected, integrating the detected events over space and time using one or more collectors responsive to the plurality of sensors, determining when the one or more events are significant events and identifying and tracking significant events using processors responsive to the one or more collectors.

Neuronal sensor networks

A method for fabricating an all silicon absolute pressure sensor employing silicon-on-insulator structures. More particularly, a method for fabricating an all silicon absolute pressure sensor based upon an ungated metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor which offers a high degree of immunity to temperature effects, increased reliability, minimal substrate parasitics, reduced manufacturing variations from device to device, as well as inexpensive and simple fabrication.

Method for fabricating a silicon pressure sensor incorporating

Means for compensating for threshold voltage shifts of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOS FETs) of a Large Scale Integrated Circuit device (LSI), where the threshold voltage shifts are induced by radiation dosage. The FETs are formed in a relatively thin layer of silicon on an insulator film supported by a substrate. The compensating means includes a pair of sensor FETs formed integrally with the LSI device, an operational amplifier and a back gate formed opposite the channel regions of the FETs of the LSI device. The sensor FETs develop an output voltage that is applied as one input to the operational amplifier. A reference voltage, equal to the sensor output voltage prior to exposure to radiation, is applied as a second input to the operational amplifier. The amplifier output is applied to the back gate. The sensor output voltage changes as a result of radiation dosage. The amplifier output then changes, altering the back gate voltage in a manner tending to restore the sensor output to the original value. Such change in the back gate voltage compensates for radiation induced changes in the threshold voltages of the FETs of the LSI device.

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Columbia, MD, United States of America

John B McKitterick