Use of E-field sensors for situation awareness/collision avoidance

US7397351B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. · US

Inventors

• Eugene S. Rubin · Newton, US
• Paul A. Zank · Brookline, US
• Paul D. Zemany · Amherst, US
• Eldon M. Sutphin · Merrimack, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 20, 2005
• Grant date: Jul 8, 2008
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V3/088
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

E-field sensors are used to establish a protection zone around a vehicle so as to detect the presence of objects within the protection zone, be they other vehicles or individuals. In one embodiment the direction to the intruding object is established by virtue of the use of pairs of E-field sensors. In a further embodiment the range of the E-field sensors determines the limited protection zone around the vehicle. Because of the limited protection zone, false alarms are greatly reduced.