To obtain an appropriate evaluation value in an acoustic quality evaluation by a conversational test. An acoustic quality evaluation apparatus 3 evaluates the acoustic quality of a call performed between a near-end terminal 1 and a far-end terminal 2 via a voice communication network 4. An evaluation value presenting unit 31 displays, on a display unit 13, evaluation categories obtained by classifying each of a plurality of evaluation viewpoints into a predetermined number of levels. An input unit 14 transmits the evaluation category selected by the evaluator for each of the evaluation viewpoints, to an evaluation value determination unit 32. The evaluation value determination unit 32 determines the lowest evaluation value among evaluation values assigned to the evaluation category received from the input unit 14 as a subjective evaluation value for acoustic quality.

A method for processing telemetry data for estimating a wind speed. The method includes a hybridization by temporal combination, and/or by weighting, and/or by averaged projection.

This invention relates to a method of improving performance of a SODAR system adapted to locate discontinuities in the atmosphere by transmitting pulse compression signals such as a plurality of acoustic chirps, the method comprising: transmitting one or more acoustic chirps; receiving one or more acoustic echoes of the transmitted chirps; processing the acoustic echoes to provide an indication of the discontinuities in the atmosphere, thereby providing a wind shear profile; processing the wind shear profile to correct systematic Doppler errors associated with the acoustic echoes by: subtracting a first measured wind speed from the wind shear profile; and adding a second measured wind speed to the wind shear profile.

The technology relates to determining general weather conditions affecting the roadway around a vehicle, and how such conditions may impact driving and route planning for the vehicle when operating in an autonomous mode. For instance, the on-board sensor system may detect whether the road is generally icy as opposed to a small ice patch on a specific portion of the road surface. The system may also evaluate specific driving actions taken by the vehicle and/or other nearby vehicles. Based on such information, the vehicle's control system is able to use the resultant information to select an appropriate braking level or braking strategy. As a result, the system can detect and respond to different levels of adverse weather conditions. The on-board computer system may share road condition information with nearby vehicles and with remote assistance, so that it may be employed with broader fleet planning operations.

A Sodar apparatus is disclosed for sounding the atmosphere. The apparatus includes a transducer for converting an electrical signal to an acoustic wave and/or vice-versa and transferring means associated with the transducer for transferring the acoustic wave towards the atmosphere and/or for transferring a reflected acoustic wave from the atmosphere. The apparatus further includes isolating means or structure for isolating or attenuating the acoustic wave such that energy of the acoustic wave transferred in a substantially horizontal direction is reduced below energy of the acoustic wave transferred in a substantially vertical direction by a factor of at least 45 dB and more preferably by a factor of at least 70 dB. A method for sounding the atmosphere is also disclosed.

A detection system includes: a detection portion that has an output function outputting a detection wave toward surroundings of a vehicle, and a detection function detecting an object around the vehicle based on a reflected wave; a determination section that determines that the object is definitely present around the vehicle when a number of times of detection of the object by the detection function exceeds a predetermined number of times; a control section that causes operation of the detection function without operation of the output function when the vehicle travels at a predetermined speed or higher; and an adjustment section that adjusts and increases the predetermined number of times designated for the determination section when the object is detected by the detection function operated by the control section during traveling of the vehicle at the predetermined speed or higher.

This invention relates to a method of improving performance of a SODAR system adapted to locate discontinuities in the atmosphere by transmitting pulse compression signals such as a plurality of acoustic chirps, the method comprising: transmitting one or more acoustic chirps; receiving one or more acoustic echoes of the transmitted chirps; processing the acoustic echoes to provide an indication of the discontinuities in the atmosphere, thereby providing a wind shear profile; processing the wind shear profile to correct systematic Doppler errors associated with the acoustic echoes by: subtracting a first measured wind speed from the wind shear profile; and adding a second measured wind speed to the wind shear profile.

The technology relates to determining general weather conditions affecting the roadway around a vehicle, and how such conditions may impact driving and route planning for the vehicle when operating in an autonomous mode. For instance, the on-board sensor system may detect whether the road is generally icy as opposed to a small ice patch on a specific portion of the road surface. The system may also evaluate specific driving actions taken by the vehicle and/or other nearby vehicles. Based on such information, the vehicle's control system is able to use the resultant information to select an appropriate braking level or braking strategy. As a result, the system can detect and respond to different levels of adverse weather conditions. The on-board computer system may share road condition information with nearby vehicles and with remote assistance, so that it may be employed with broader fleet planning operations.

[Object] To appropriately evaluate reliability of a reception signal. [Solving Means] A signal processing unit 20 includes a first integration unit 21, a Doppler detection unit 22, and a comparator circuit 28 as a reliability index calculation unit. The first integration unit 21 intermittently integrates a pulse train corresponding to a reception signal by using two systems and obtains two pieces of integrated data. The Doppler detection unit 22 divides each of the two pieces of integrated data into a plurality of range bins in time series, obtains a relationship between a frequency and intensity in each range bin for each of the two pieces of integrated data, and detects a Doppler shift amount from the relationship. The comparator circuit 28 calculates a reliability index of the reception signal by comparing the Doppler shift amounts (wind velocity values) of the two pieces of integrated data.

A measurement configuration of a remote sensing device for use in implementing a remote sensing measurement campaign is improved. One method includes adjusting a scan geometry configuration of the remote sensing device during the measurement campaign based on measurement data acquired in a previous scan geometry configuration. In another method, the remote sensing device is configured in a scan geometry configuration having a plurality of scan geometries, and following acquisition of a measurement data set by the remote sensing device at a first time interval, one of the scan geometries indicative of an improved or optimal scan geometry at the first time interval is selected. The remote sensing device forms part of a remote sensing system and includes an optical source emitting a probe as a light beam along different lines of sight. The remote sensing device includes or is operatively associated with a receiver for detecting the reflected probe.