Patent · US Expired

Locating an object of interest using back tracked-rays derived from multipath signals

US7212160B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
2References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 17, 2004
Grant dateMay 1, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 26, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S5/0273
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Multipath signals (rays) emanating from an object of interest are processed to locate the object. Multipath signals may be accepted, screened, and associated with a specific object by an observer. Information (time, amplitude, and angle information) may be recorded for each ray. A set of incoming rays associated with a signal from an object are traced back toward the emanating object generating traceback ray segments. Candidate crossings of ray traceback segments are tested for time and/or amplitude consistency with ray information, and candidate crossings with inconsistent amplitude and/or time information may be eliminated from consideration. If there is only one candidate crossing remaining, it may be used to define the object location. Otherwise, the remaining crossings may be grouped, each grouping with a crossing cardinality, and location. Multiple crossings of multiple rays may be grouped into clusters with a cluster cardinality and diameter. The location may then be determined using crossing cardinality, cluster cardinality, and/or cluster diameter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.