Virtual Aperture Radar

• US 20140028494A1
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Inventors: Ksienski, David A., Osofsky, Samuel S., Chandler, Adam M.
• Application Number:
  US13/558,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20140028494A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/25.A
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S13/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons

Abstract

A VAR system is disclosed. The VAR system may steer a beam to create an illusion of a moving aperture. As a result, a target may be illuminated at different angles to form an image. For example, the VAR system may include a transmission and receiving unit configured to steer a beam, such that a plurality of virtual aperture radars are created behind a reflector. The reflector may be configured to direct the beam to a target, and redirect a plurality of reflected beams from the target to the transmission and receiving unit.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a transmitting and receiving unit configured to steer a beam, such that a plurality of virtual aperture radars are created behind a reflector, wherein

the reflector is configured to redirect the beam to a target, and redirect a plurality of reflected beams from the target to the transmission and receiving unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a continuous reflector, a piecewise continuous reflector, a plurality of discontinuous reflectors, or any combination of the continuous reflector, the piecewise continuous reflector, and the plurality of discontinuous reflectors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a static reflector or a movable reflector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit comprises a static transmitting and receiving unit or a movable transmitting and receiving unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the target comprises a moving target or a static target.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit is further configured to determine a location of the target, a speed of the target, a location of the reflector, attributes of the reflector, or a combination thereof, prior to transmitting the beam to the target.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit is further configured to adjust a direction of transmission of the beam based on the determined location of the target, the speed of the target, the location of the mirror, the attributes of the reflector, or a combination thereof.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission and receiving unit is further configured to transmit the beam to a location on the reflector, such that the beam is redirected to the target.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of locations on the reflector are configured to redirect the plurality of reflected beams from the target to the transmission and receiving unit.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a processing unit configured to process the received plurality of reflected beams to generate a three-dimensional image of the target.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam comprises a chirp signal, a chaotic signal, a continuous wave signal, short pulses, modulated pulses, or non-modulated pulses.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a beam to the target, such that the beam, upon contact with the target, is split into a plurality of reflected beams moving towards a plurality of locations on the reflector.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the beam directly to the target.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the beam to the target using at least one reflector.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein each location on the reflector is configured to redirect a corresponding reflected beam to the transmission and receiving unit.

16. A system, comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a beam to a target; and

a reflector configured to produce a plurality of virtual aperture radars behind the reflector to redirect a plurality of beams produced by the target to a transmission and receiving unit.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the reflector comprises a curved surface, such that each location on the reflector is configured to redirect a corresponding reflected beam from the target to the transmission and receiving unit.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein each location on the reflector is configured to act as a virtual aperture radar.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the transmission and receiving unit is configured to receive each of the plurality of beams simultaneously.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein, when the beam from the transmitter contacts the target, the plurality of beams are produced by the target.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

a transmission and receiving unit configured to determine geometrical coordinates to ascertain a direction of transmission of a beam, and to steer the beam, such that a plurality of virtual aperture radars are created behind a reflector.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the transmission and receiving unit is further configured to transmit the beam to a location on a reflector, such that the reflector redirects the beam to a target.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the beam is configured to bounce off of the target into a plurality of beams.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the transmission and receiving unit is further configured to receive the plurality of beams from the target via different locations on the reflector.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the geometrical coordinates are based on a location of the target, a speed of the target, a location of the reflector, attributes of the reflector, or a combination thereof.