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Synthetic aperture radar system and method for local positioning

  • US 7,250,901 B2
  • Filed: 07/03/2003
  • Issued: 07/31/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A positioning system, comprising:

  • a passive, isotropic reflecting landmark at a fixed position; and

    a device configured to transmit an electromagnetic pulse, the pulse having a polarization;

    the device further configured to receive a return signal over a period of time, the return signal including a reflected pulse from the landmark, and to process the return signal so as to isolate the reflected pulse from the return signal and to determine a range from the device to the reflecting landmark;

    the reflecting landmark comprising;

    a first passive reflector for reflecting electromagnetic pulses;

    a second passive reflector for reflecting electromagnetic pulses; and

    a static structure configured to statically position the second passive reflector at an angle relative to the first passive reflector, wherein the angle is about 90°

    ;

    the device includinga data processor;

    at least one program module, executed by the data processor, the at least one program module containing instructions for;

    transmitting the pulse multiple times, each transmission of the pulse having a respective transmission beam pattern with a null over a different respective range of angles;

    determining from the return signals from the multiple pulse transmissions a first set of range candidates, each range candidate representing a possible range to the landmark, each range candidate having an associated range of angles; and

    analyzing the range of angles associated with each range candidate to produce a reduced set of range candidates that are consistent with one or more potential landmark positions.

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