A sensing system. In some embodiments, the system includes a first imaging radio frequency receiver, a second imaging radio frequency receiver, a first optical beam combiner, a first imaging optical receiver, a second optical beam combiner, and an optical detector array. The first optical beam combiner may be configured to combine optical signals of the imaging radio frequency receivers. The second optical beam combiner may be configured to combine the optical signals of the imaging radio frequency receivers, and the optical signal of the first imaging optical receiver.

A method for increasing the effective aperture of radar switch/MIMO antenna array, using a low number of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) army elements, according to which an array of radar physical receive (Rx)/Transmit (Tx) elements are arranged in at least two opposing Rx rows and at least two opposing Tx columns, such that each row includes a plurality of receive (Rx) elements uniformly spaced from each other and each column includes a plurality of transmit (Tx) elements uniformly spaced from each other, the array forming a rectangular physical aperture. Used as a switch array, a first Tx element from one column is activated to transmit a radar pulse during a predetermined time slot. Reflections of the first transmission are received in all Rx elements, thereby virtually replicating the two opposing Rx rows about an origin determined by the location of the first Tx element within the rectangular physical aperture. This process is repeated for all remaining Tx elements during different time slots, thereby virtually replicating the two opposing Rx rows about an origin determined by the location of each activated Tx element within the rectangular physical aperture, while each time, receiving reflections of the transmission from each Tx element in all Rx elements. This way, a rectangular virtual aperture having dimensions which are twice the dimensions of the rectangular physical aperture is paved with replicated two opposing Rx rows. This virtual aperture determines the radar beam widths and side-lobes.

A multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) for measuring a distance (1) of an object (22) from the multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) The multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) has a housing (12) that includes an antenna structure (14) that is arranged in or close to a side (19) of the housing (12). The antenna structure (14) is set up for emitting an electromagnetic transmission free space wave (20) and for receiving an electromagnetic reflection wave (24) reflected on the object (22). The multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) has sensor electronics (16) which are set up to determine the distance (l) of the object (22) from the multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) based on the received reflection wave (24).

A multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) for measuring a distance (1) of an object (22) from the multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) The multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) has a housing (12) that includes an antenna structure (14) that is arranged in or close to a side (19) of the housing (12). The antenna structure (14) is set up for emitting an electromagnetic transmission free space wave (20) and for receiving an electromagnetic reflection wave (24) reflected on the object (22). The multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) has sensor electronics (16) which are set up to determine the distance (l) of the object (22) from the multi-field zone proximity sensor (10) based on the received reflection wave (24).

A radar system and a corresponding method for a radar system are described herein. In accordance with one example, the method includes receiving—via a first RF port of a coupler—an antenna signal from an antenna, receiving—with an auxiliary receiver—a representation of the antenna signal via a second RF port of the coupler, and generating—with the auxiliary receiver—an auxiliary base-band signal from the representation of the antenna signal. Based on the auxiliary base-band signal, an external radar interference signal transmitted from an external radar device incident at the antenna is detected.

A telescopic sensor system for an autonomous vehicle enables sensors located on movable telescopic apparatuses to obtain sensor data when an object obstructs an area scanned by fixed sensors. An example method of controlling a movable telescopic apparatus on an autonomous vehicle includes obtaining, from a first sensor located on the autonomous vehicle, a first sensor data of a first area relative to a location of the autonomous vehicle, performing, from the first sensor data, a first determination that a view of the first area is obstructed, causing, in response to the first determination, a second sensor coupled to the movable telescopic apparatus to extend to a pre-determined position, and obtaining, from the second sensor, a second sensor data of a second area relative to the location of the autonomous vehicle, where the second area includes at least some of the first area.

A telescopic sensor system for an autonomous vehicle enables sensors located on movable telescopic apparatuses to obtain sensor data when an object obstructs an area scanned by fixed sensors. An example method of controlling a movable telescopic apparatus on an autonomous vehicle includes obtaining, from a first sensor located on the autonomous vehicle, a first sensor data of a first area relative to a location of the autonomous vehicle, performing, from the first sensor data, a first determination that a view of the first area is obstructed, causing, in response to the first determination, a second sensor coupled to the movable telescopic apparatus to extend to a pre-determined position, and obtaining, from the second sensor, a second sensor data of a second area relative to the location of the autonomous vehicle, where the second area includes at least some of the first area.

A vehicle component is configured to be arranged in a path of an electromagnetic wave transmitted and received by a radar device. The vehicle component includes a dielectric layer including a dielectric, a metal layer made of metal, and a heater wire. The metal layer includes an electromagnetic wave passage portion through which the electromagnetic wave passes and an electromagnetic wave reflection portion that reflects the electromagnetic wave. The heater wire is located on the electromagnetic wave passage portion of the metal layer. The heater wire generates heat when energized.

A wideband direction finding (WBDF) aperture employs a limited number of extreme wideband end-fire antenna elements capable of covering a wide frequency bandwidth. Arranging variable sized antenna elements in a specific pattern, the WBDF aperture enables direction finding capability covering an extreme wide frequency band. The pattern arrangement of variable sized elements offers the signal discernment to limit ambiguities in signal angle of arrival. This small form factor design enables the WBDF aperture to be mounted on the surface of a missile, munition, or small UAS wing or fuselage. The WBDF aperture offers a combination of differing sized antenna elements arranged in a specific pattern, combined with direction finding and signal tracking to provide an unambiguous relative azimuth and elevation angle of the target.

A wideband direction finding (WBDF) aperture employs a limited number of extreme wideband end-fire antenna elements capable of covering a wide frequency bandwidth. Arranging variable sized antenna elements in a specific pattern, the WBDF aperture enables direction finding capability covering an extreme wide frequency band. The pattern arrangement of variable sized elements offers the signal discernment to limit ambiguities in signal angle of arrival. This small form factor design enables the WBDF aperture to be mounted on the surface of a missile, munition, or small UAS wing or fuselage. The WBDF aperture offers a combination of differing sized antenna elements arranged in a specific pattern, combined with direction finding and signal tracking to provide an unambiguous relative azimuth and elevation angle of the target.