Transient event data acquisition apparatus for use with radar systems and the like

US3973258A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• Todd A. Cerni · Longmont, US
• Edmund Philip Krider · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 1975
• Grant date: Aug 3, 1976
• Expiry date: Jan 24, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S13/10
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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 bo…