System for detecting, tracking, and reconstructing signals in spectrally competitive environments

• US 7,643,377 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Uzes
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Uzes
• Inventors: Uzes, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PIHULIC, DANIEL T
• Application Number:
  US12/215,648
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 367/135, 367/906, 367/124, 367/125, 367/134, 367/93, 342/118, 342/147, 342/192, 342/195, 455/501, 455/39, 706/22, 706/24
• US Class Current: 367/135
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/04 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/143 by vectorial combination of signals derived from differently oriented antennae
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/801 Details G01S3/82, G01S3/84, G01S3/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/802 Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence

Abstract

A system applicable to acoustic, seismic, electromagnetic, hydrodynamic, and shock waves utilizing a map between signal time series and signal vectors defining the mathematical wave field model characterizing the signal'"'"'s wave field. This map is developed from wave models relating field values to those on surfaces and corresponding uniqueness theorems. The system should allow for improved resolving power in bearing and elevation for discrimination of sources; detection and direction finding for signals below the average background level; detection based upon resolving power and signal vector characteristics rather than signal to noise ratio; reconstruction of signals of resolved sources for their transmitted information content; and multiple modes of operation. Adaptive incorporation of known undesired signals into the noise background and/or treatment of asymmetric background noise fields is permitted through use of a noise metric-based map yielding signal direction in the presence of diffraction effects.

Claims

1. A method for determining the range to a source of supersonic projectile blast and shockwave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the method comprising:

providing an antenna;

using at least one processor to characterize the physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of the physical wave field in the neighborhood of said antenna;

determining blast and shockwave signal vectors using at least one processor to represent said blast and shock wave contributions by resolving said blast and shockwave contributions to said physical wave field using said physical wave field signal vector; and

using said blast and shock wave signal vectors to determine the range to said source.

2. An apparatus for determining the range and direction to sources of supersonic projectiles having blast and shock waves contributing to fluctuations of a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the apparatus comprising:

an antenna that generates output signals enabling definition of a signal vector;

said antenna having a neighborhood;

said signal vector enabling a mathematical model of the physical wave field in said neighborhood;

a processor;

said processor and said antenna jointly defining at least one resolving power; and

a range determiner that determines the range and direction to said sources of said supersonic projectiles using said signal vector, said processor, and said resolving power.

3. A method for determining the range to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the method comprising:

providing an antenna;

using at least one processor to characterize said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

using at least one processor to resolve said blast and shock wave contributions by determining blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector;

using said blast and shock wave signal vectors to obtain at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

using said blast and shock wave signal vectors and said at least one reconstructed time series to determine the range to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles.

4. A method for determining the direction to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the method comprising:

providing an antenna;

using at least one processor to characterize said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

using at least one processor to resolve said blast and shock wave contributions by constructing blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector;

using said blast and shock wave signal vectors to obtain at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

using said blast and shock wave signal vectors and said at least one reconstructed time series to determine the direction to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles.

5. A system for determining the range to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the system comprising:

an antenna;

at least one processor to characterize said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

at least one resolver that resolves said blast and shock wave contributions by constructing blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector;

at least one processor that obtains at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

at least one processor that determines the range to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles using said blast and shock wave signal vectors and said reconstructed time series.

6. A system for determining the direction to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the system comprising:

an antenna;

at least one processor to characterize said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

at least one resolver that resolves said blast and shock wave contributions by constructing blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector;

at least one processor that obtains at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

at least one processor that determines the direction to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles using said blast and shock wave signal vectors and said reconstructed time series.

7. A method for determining the range of a point of approach of at least one moving source generating a contribution to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the method comprising:

using at least one processor to characterize the physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of the physical wave field;

using at least one processor to resolve said contribution of said source by constructing a source signal vector representing said contribution using said physical wave field signal vector; and

using said source signal vector to determine the range to said point of approach.

8. A method for determining the direction of a point of approach of at least one moving source generating a contribution to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the method comprising:

using at least one processor to characterize the physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of the physical wave field;

using at least one processor to resolve said contribution of said source by constructing a source signal vector representing said contribution using said physical wave field signal vector; and

using said source signal vector to determine the direction to said point of approach.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

using said source signal vector to determine the motion of said multiple moving sources.

10. A method for determining the range to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the method comprising:

providing an antenna;

using at least one processor to characterize said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

using at least one processor to provide a library of signal vectors having library elements specifying mathematical models of physical wave fields with known properties;

using at least one processor to resolve said blast and shock wave contributions by constructing blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector and said library elements;

using said blast and shock wave signal vectors to obtain at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

using said blast and shock wave signal vectors, said library, and said at least one reconstructed time series to determine the range to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles.

11. A method for determining the direction to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the method comprising:

providing an antenna;

using at least one processor to characterize said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

using at least one processor to provide a library of signal vectors having library elements specifying mathematical models of physical wave fields with known properties;

using at least one processor to resolve said blast and shock wave contributions by constructing blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector and said library elements;

obtaining at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

determining the direction to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles using said blast and shock wave signal vectors, said library of signal vectors, and said at least one reconstructed time series.

12. A system for determining the range to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the system comprising:

an antenna;

at least one processor that characterizes said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

a library of signal vectors having library elements specifying mathematical models of physical wave fields with known properties;

at least one processor that resolves said blast and shock wave contributions by constructing blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector and said library elements;

at least one processor that obtains at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

at least one process that determines the range to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles using said blast and shock wave signal vectors, said library of signal vectors, and said at least one reconstructed time series.

13. A system for determining the direction to the point of origin of at least one supersonic ballistic projectile generating blast and shock wave contributions to a physical wave field, the properties of the physical wave field being detectable over three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, the system comprising:

an antenna;

at least one processor that characterizes said physical wave field by a physical wave field signal vector specifying a mathematical model of said physical wave field in a neighborhood of said antenna;

a library of signal vectors having library elements specifying mathematical models of physical wave fields with known properties;

at least one processor that resolves said blast and shock wave contributions by constructing blast and shock wave signal vectors representing said blast and shock wave contributions using said physical wave field signal vector and said library elements;

at least one processor that obtains at least one reconstructed time series of at least one of said blast and shock wave signal vectors; and

at least one processor that determines the direction to said point of origin of at least one of said supersonic projectiles using said blast and shock wave signal vectors, said library of signal vectors, and said at least one reconstructed time series.