Vehicular surveillance system using a synthetic aperture radar

• US 8,035,545 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2009
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Moshenrose, Christopher T., Pruett, James A., Grimm, Jerry M., Adams, Timothy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brainard; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US12/404,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20100231441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 342/25.R, 296 243- 2615, 296/76
• US Class Current: 342/25.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/90 using synthetic aperture techniques , e.g. synthetic aperture radar [SAR] techniques

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system for gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information comprises a synthetic aperture radar that is housed within an enclosure coupled to a land vehicle. The synthetic aperture radar includes an antenna array that transmits and receives electro-magnetic radiation for generating images of objects around the land vehicle while the land vehicle is in motion.

Claims

1. A system for gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information comprising:

a truck;

an enclosure rigidly coupled to the truck, the enclosure having a shape and a visual characteristic that mimics the appearance of a conventional truck;

a synthetic aperture radar comprising a plurality of antenna elements that transmit and receive electro-magnetic radiation, the synthetic aperture radar operable to;

generate images of objects, using the received electro-magnetic radiation, around the truck while the truck is in motion; and

a drop-down box coupled to the enclosure, the drop-down box forming a depression in the bottom surface of the enclosure for housing a portion of the plurality of antenna elements.

2. A system for gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information comprising:

a land vehicle;

an enclosure coupled to the land vehicle; and

a synthetic aperture radar housed in the enclosure and comprising an antenna array that transmits and receives electro-magnetic radiation, the synthetic aperture radar operable to;

generate images of objects, using the received electro-magnetic radiation, around the land vehicle while the land vehicle is in motion;

wherein the antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna elements and the enclosure comprises a drop-down box coupled to the enclosure, the drop-down box forming a depression in the bottom surface of the enclosure for housing a portion of the plurality of antenna elements.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the land vehicle comprises a truck having a frame that is rigidly coupled to the enclosure.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the enclosure comprises an outer surface having a shape and a visual characteristic that mimics the appearance of a conventional land vehicle.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the antenna array has a plurality of antenna elements disposed adjacent a portion of the enclosure, each of the plurality of antenna elements having a boresight axis that extends through a portion of the enclosure, the portion of the enclosure comprising a radome.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the radome is made of at least two polyurethane sheets overlying a honeycomb-shaped core.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the radome comprises an outer surface having a visual characteristic that matches a visual characteristic of the enclosure.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising an electrical power generator housed in the enclosure, the electrical power generator operable to power the synthetic aperture radar.

9. The system of claim 2, further comprising a climate control apparatus configured on the enclosure, the climate control apparatus operable to control the climate within the enclosure.

10. A self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system comprising:

a synthetic aperture radar comprising a computing system and an antenna array operable to transmit and receive electro-magnetic radiation, the computing system operable to receive signals from the antenna array and generate images of objects using the received electro-magnetic radiation;

an electrical power generator operable to power the synthetic aperture radar; and

an enclosure that houses the synthetic aperture radar and the electrical power generator, the enclosure operable to be moved while the synthetic aperture radar generates the images;

wherein the antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna elements and the enclosure comprises a drop-down box coupled to the enclosure, the drop-down box forming a depression in the bottom surface of the enclosure for housing a portion of the plurality of antenna elements.

11. The self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is rigidly coupled to a land vehicle.

12. The self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system of claim 11, wherein the enclosure comprises an outer surface having a shape and a visual characteristic that mimics the appearance of a conventional land vehicle.

13. The self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system of claim 10, wherein the antenna array has a plurality of antenna elements disposed adjacent a portion of the enclosure, each of the plurality of antenna elements having a boresight axis that extends through a portion of the enclosure, the portion of the enclosure comprising a radome.

14. The self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system of claim 13, wherein the radome is made of at least two polyurethane sheets overlying a honeycomb-shaped core.

15. The self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system of claim 13, wherein the radome comprises an outer surface having a visual characteristic that matches the visual characteristic of the enclosure.

16. The self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a plurality of vertically oriented columns.

17. The self-contained intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system of claim 10, further comprising a climate control apparatus configured within the enclosure, the climate control apparatus operable to control the climate within the enclosure.