A sensing system includes a sensor with transmitters and detectors. A light source is optically coupled to a light guide disposed in the field of view of the sensor. The light guide is generally planar and the light source illuminates the light guide from an edge, or side, to illuminate the length of the light guide. A housing for the sensing system has a surface configured to reflect or diffract light from the light source towards the surrounding environment.

The present disclosure relates to digital signal processing architectures, and more particularly to a modular object-oriented digital system architecture ideally suited for radar, sonar and other general purpose instrumentation which includes the ability to self-discover modular system components, self-build internal firmware and software based on the modular components, sequence signal timing across the modules and synchronize signal paths through multiple system modules.

The present disclosure relates to digital signal processing architectures, and more particularly to a modular object-oriented digital system architecture ideally suited for radar, sonar and other general purpose instrumentation which includes the ability to self-discover modular system components, self-build internal firmware and software based on the modular components, sequence signal timing across the modules and synchronize signal paths through multiple system modules.

Radar systems and methods for imaging surfaces. A processor receives raw data from the radar and executes an image data generation. A display unit displays an image representing the targeted surface. The radar unit may be incorporated in a handheld scanner. Rectangular antenna arrays may be configured and processors may be operable such that the image data generated may be processed and displayed in real time.

A method for estimating noise in a radar sensor, which generates a digital spectrum which indicates a received signal strength as a function of at least one discrete locating parameter, and on this spectrum a CFAR detection is carried out to decide whether an examined cell in the locating space contains a genuine radar target or just noise and a determination of a noise level is also carried out on the basis of the signal strengths in a selection of neighboring cells in the vicinity of the examined cell. The CFAR detection precedes the determination of the noise level and cells identified in the CFAR detection as target cells are excluded from the selection of the neighboring cells.

An apparatus and a method for estimating rainfall of hail and rain using a dual-polarization weather radar improve accuracy of classification of hail and rain zones and estimation of rainfall intensity by classifying hail and rain zones using a distribution of horizontal reflectivity and differential reflectivity of radar observation values, discriminating between a convective zone and a stratiform zone depending on reflection intensity, and applying a dual-polarization-based rainfall estimating relational equation for each type in a weighted mean technique.

In one embodiment, a modular sensor assembly configured for mounting on a vehicle includes a first set of sensors and a second set of sensors. The modular sensor assembly includes a coordinate frame baseplate including a continuous surface, and sensor mounting elements coupled to the continuous surface for mounting the first set of sensors at a first height. The coordinate frame baseplate includes a sensor platform configured for mounting the second set of sensors at a second height. The first set of sensors and the second set of sensors are coupled to the coordinate frame baseplate so as to impart a common coordinate frame for the first set of sensors mounted at the first height and the second set of sensors mounted at the second height. The modular sensor assembly includes a bridging support structure coupled to the coordinate frame baseplate and capable of being mounted on a vehicle.

In one embodiment, a modular sensor assembly configured for mounting on a vehicle includes a first set of sensors and a second set of sensors. The modular sensor assembly includes a coordinate frame baseplate including a continuous surface, and sensor mounting elements coupled to the continuous surface for mounting the first set of sensors at a first height. The coordinate frame baseplate includes a sensor platform configured for mounting the second set of sensors at a second height. The first set of sensors and the second set of sensors are coupled to the coordinate frame baseplate so as to impart a common coordinate frame for the first set of sensors mounted at the first height and the second set of sensors mounted at the second height. The modular sensor assembly includes a bridging support structure coupled to the coordinate frame baseplate and capable of being mounted on a vehicle.

Certain aspects provide a method for radar detection by an apparatus. The method including transmitting a radar waveform in transmission time intervals (TTIs) to perform detection of a target object. The method further includes varying the radar waveform across TTIs based on one or more radar transmission parameters.

A method is described that can be used in a radar system. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the method includes calculating a first spectrum, which represents a spectrum of a segment of a complex baseband signal. The segment is assignable to a specific chirp of a chirp sequence contained in a first RF radar signal. The method further includes estimating a second spectrum, which represents a spectrum of an interference signal contained in the complex baseband signal, based on a portion of the first spectrum that is assigned to negative frequencies.