Transient event data acquisition apparatus for use with radar systems and the like
First Claim
1. Data acquisition apparatus for use with radar-type systems having a transmitter driven at a particular pulse repetition rate for producing a series of return signals from targets illuminated by each transmitted pulse, said apparatus providing real-time processing of preselected transient-event targets of a type capable of producing return signals initially greater than other signals in each of said return signal series, comprising:
- resettably-gated peak detector means trackably acquiring the peak value present in each of said return signal series from one transmitter pulse and holding said peak value until the next transmitter pulse, said held value being produced as a peak detector output signal,transient event detector means generating an output signal marking the occurrence of each of said preselected transient events,sample and hold means triggered by said transient event output signal for producing an output signal representing the range of the transient event and for holding said output signal for a predetermined period of time, andpeak detector control means coupled to the output of said sample and hold means for gating said peak detector into "ON" and "OFF" modes with the "ON" mode centered about the range of said transient event and having a short duration period relative to said transmitter pulse repetition rate whereupon said peak detector samples each series of return signals only during said "ON" period for providing the amplitude of said transient event signal,said hold periods of said peak detector and said sample and hold means facilitating the recording of the transient event amplitude and range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus detects in real time the amplitude and range of certain traent events such as lightning discharges, the arrangement being such that a transient event which is capable of producing a return echo signal initially greater than other return signals is detected and the amplitude and range acquired in a manner which permits recording on moderate speed recording devices. A conventional sample and hold circuit acquires the range and its output gates a peak detector into "on" and "off" modes with the "on" period being centered about the range acquired by the sample and hold circuit. The "on" period is of relatively short duration and, importantly, the output acquired during the "on" period is held by the peak detector circuit until the initiation of the next transmitter pulse. The range output of the sample and hold circuit also is held for a predetermined length of time or until another transient event occurs. The `hold` periods permit the use of moderate speed recording devices. Consequently, amplitude and range are processed in real time and applied to the recorder. A photodiode also is used to view the space illuminated by the radar beam. This optical detection triggers both the peak detector and the sample and hold circuit and, additionally, is applied to the recorder to verify the relationship between the event and the recorded data.
20 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Data acquisition apparatus for use with radar-type systems having a transmitter driven at a particular pulse repetition rate for producing a series of return signals from targets illuminated by each transmitted pulse, said apparatus providing real-time processing of preselected transient-event targets of a type capable of producing return signals initially greater than other signals in each of said return signal series, comprising:
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resettably-gated peak detector means trackably acquiring the peak value present in each of said return signal series from one transmitter pulse and holding said peak value until the next transmitter pulse, said held value being produced as a peak detector output signal, transient event detector means generating an output signal marking the occurrence of each of said preselected transient events, sample and hold means triggered by said transient event output signal for producing an output signal representing the range of the transient event and for holding said output signal for a predetermined period of time, and peak detector control means coupled to the output of said sample and hold means for gating said peak detector into "ON" and "OFF" modes with the "ON" mode centered about the range of said transient event and having a short duration period relative to said transmitter pulse repetition rate whereupon said peak detector samples each series of return signals only during said "ON" period for providing the amplitude of said transient event signal, said hold periods of said peak detector and said sample and hold means facilitating the recording of the transient event amplitude and range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification