Methods and systems involve generating a family of codewords. Each codeword of the family of codewords including three segments with one of the three segments being a hyperbolic frequency modulation (HFM) segment and two of the three segments being linear frequency modulation (LFM) segments. A method includes transmitting each codeword of the family of codewords using a different transmit antenna element.

Processing of a fractalet radio detection and ranging (RADAR) signal is described. A reference fractalet waveform is received. The fractalet waveform includes self-similar waveforms having lower frequency bands and frequency bands. A reflected fractalet waveform received via one or more antennae is decoded. A waveform profile of chirplet transforms of signals in the lower frequency bands within the reflected fractalet waveform are compared to the reference fractalet waveform. Time spans corresponding to the subset of lower frequency bands are determined. Signals from the higher frequency bands are extracted from the reflected fractalet waveform. Chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands are determined for the determined time spans. Spatial frequency components along azimuth direction and elevation directions are calculated for targets based on the chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands.

Methods and systems for the image processing of a three-dimensional imaging system include a multi-processor embodiment wherein the image output by an image sensor is divided amongst the several multi-processors for processing in order to improve the frame rate of the three-dimensional imaging system. Since the frame rate of a three-dimensional imaging system utilizing an image-intensifier is not limited by the amount of useful signal light available for imaging but is instead limited by image processing capacity, this technology provides for the use of multi-core or multi-processor image processing methods to improve the frame rate. Additionally, locating the image processor in close proximity to the image sensor allows for faster image data communication between the image sensor and image processor, which further improves the frame rate of the three-dimensional imaging system.

An apparatus is described that, according to an exemplary embodiment, has an RF oscillator for generating an RF oscillator signal at a first frequency and a frequency divider having a division ratio that is fixed during operation. The frequency divider is supplied with the RF oscillator signal and is configured to provide an oscillator signal at a second frequency. The apparatus further has a monitor circuit, to which the oscillator signal at the second frequency is supplied and which is configured to measure the second frequency and to provide at least one digital value that is dependent on the second frequency of the oscillator signal. The at least one digital value is provided on a test contact.

A distance measuring apparatus according to an embodiment includes, a filter section configured to perform band limitation on a transmission signal and output the transmission signal, and to perform band limitation on a reception signal from an antenna section and output the reception signal, a distance measuring section configured to perform a distance measurement computation based on the transmission signal and the reception signal, and to obtain a delay of a signal passing through the filter section and perform calibration of the distance measurement computation, a signal interruption section configured to interrupt transmission of a signal between the filter section and the antenna section, and a control section configured to control the signal interruption section to interrupt the transmission of the signal during a period of the calibration.

Methods and systems involve generating a family of codewords. Each codeword of the family of codewords including three segments with one of the three segments being a hyperbolic frequency modulation (HFM) segment and two of the three segments being linear frequency modulation (LFM) segments. A method includes transmitting each codeword of the family of codewords using a different transmit antenna element.

An on-vehicle radar system is described, and includes a phased array antenna including a plurality of transmit antennas, and a corresponding plurality of transmitters, wherein each of the transmitters is in communication with a respective one of the transmit antennas. A controller is operatively connected to each of the plurality of transmitters. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to generate a plurality of Non-Linear Frequency Modulated (NLFM) radar signals corresponding to individual ones of the plurality of transmitters. Each of the NLFM radar signals that is generated for a respective one of the transmitters is determined based upon a desired beam steering angle and a position of the respective one of the transmit antennas of the phased array antenna.

An apparatus is described that, according to an exemplary embodiment, has an RF oscillator for generating an RF oscillator signal at a first frequency and a frequency divider having a division ratio that is fixed during operation. The frequency divider is supplied with the RF oscillator signal and is configured to provide an oscillator signal at a second frequency. The apparatus further has a monitor circuit, to which the oscillator signal at the second frequency is supplied and which is configured to measure the second frequency and to provide at least one digital value that is dependent on the second frequency of the oscillator signal. The at least one digital value is provided on a test contact.

A vehicle radar system (3, 3) and related method including a transceiver arrangement (7, 7) that is arranged to generate and transmit at least a first radar signal over a cycle (4a) and a following second radar signal over a cycle (4b). For the first radar signal cycle (4a), a corresponding first received signal (5a) and corresponding first received signal information (20a, 28a) is obtained, and for a following second radar signal cycle (4b), a corresponding second received signal (5b) and corresponding second received signal information (20b, 28b) is obtained. The vehicle radar system (3, 3) is arranged to calculate a difference between the first received signal information (20a, 28a) and the second received signal information (20b, 28b).

A frequency estimation signal generator component arranged to receive an input frequency signal and to generate therefrom a frequency estimation signal. The frequency estimation signal generator component comprises a counter component arranged to sequentially output a sequence of control signal patterns over a plurality of digital control signals under the control of an oscillating signal derived from the received input frequency signal terns. The frequency estimation signal generator further comprises a continuous waveform generator component arranged to receive the plurality of digital control signals and a weighted analogue signal for each of the received digital control signals, and to output a continuous waveform signal comprising a sum of the weighted analogue signals for which the corresponding digital control signals comprise an asserted logical state. The frequency conversion component is arranged to derive the frequency estimation signal from the continuous waveform signal output by the continuous waveform generator component.