US3755813A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Moving target signal processor
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1971-11-01
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1991-11-01
Abstract
Abstract The moving target signal processor of one disclosed embodiment is adapted for use with a pulse compression type radar, and includes: a plurality of clutter canceller units having clutter rejection characteristics which are a function of the number of consecutive range sweeps, from any given antenna scan location, processed thereby; clutter detection circuits for providing alarm signals indicative of excessive clutter content in the uncompressed received signals and the canceller units'' uncompressed output signals, respectively; and logic control circuits responsive to the alarm signals, for controlling the number of transmissions at each scan location so that the processor''s output signals have less than a predetermined clutter energy content.
Inventors
- 👤 N Evans
- 👤 D Effinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/50; G01S13/52; G01S13/522; G01S13/524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A moving target signal processor for use with a scanning type energy transmission and reception system, said processor comprising: a plurality of clutter canceller units each adapted for processing successive range sweeps of received signals and having differing clutter cancellation characteristics which are a function of the number of range sWeeps of received signals from the same scan location processed thereby; and means for sensing the clutter energy content in said received signals and in the output signals of said clutter canceller units, and for commanding additional transmissions at the same scan location, if during the current range sweep period the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units is in excess of predetermined amounts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A moving target signal processor for use with a scanning type energy transmission and reception system, said processor comprising: a plurality of clutter canceller units each adapted for processing successive range sweeps of received signals and having differing clutter cancellation characteristics which are a function of the number of range sWeeps of received signals from the same scan location processed thereby; and means for sensing the clutter energy content in said received signals and in the output signals of said clutter canceller units, and for commanding additional transmissions at the same scan location, if during the current range sweep period the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units is in excess of predetermined amounts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
The processor of claim 1 wherein said means for sensing clutter energy and for commanding additional transmissions includes: clutter detection means for providing alarm signals during each range sweep period, which are indicative of clutter energy content in excess of said predetermined amounts in said received signals and in the output signals of said clutter canceller units, respectively, and logic control means responsive to said alarm signals, for providing control signals for commanding additional transmissions at the same scan location, if during the current range sweep period the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units is in excess of said predetermined amounts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The processor of claim 2 wherein said clutter detection means includes means for providing an alarm signal associated with any given clutter canceller unit only during selected range sweep periods in which effective output signals of reduced clutter content can be provided by said any given clutter canceller unit, said selected range sweep periods being predetermined as a function of the characteristics of said given clutter canceller unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The processor of claim 1 further comprising a signal output terminal; and selection means for determining if said received signals or one of said output signals from said clutter canceller units has less than said predetermined amounts of clutter energy, and for applying said signals with less than said predetermined amount of clutter energy to said output terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The processor of claim 3 further comprising a signal output terminal; and selection means for determining if said received signals, or one of said output signals from said clutter canceller units during the respective selected range sweep periods associated with each of the clutter canceller units, has less said predetermined amounts of clutter energy, and for applying said signal with less than said predetermined amount of clutter energy to said output terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The processor of claim 1 further including a doppler processor unit; and means for commanding a pulse doppler burst of successive transmissions, if the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units is in excess of said predetermined amounts during a predetermined number of range sweep periods at the same scan location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The processor of claim 5 further comprising a doppler processor unit; and means for commanding a pulse doppler burst of successive transmissions if the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units during the respective selected range sweep periods associated with each of the clutter canceller units, is in excess of said predetermined amounts, during a predetermined number of range sweep periods at the same scan location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The processor of claim 7 including means for sensing the completion of the pulse doppler burst and for then coupling the output of said doppler processor to said output terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The processor of claim 2 adapted for use with a pulse compression type scanned energy transmission and reception system; and wherein said clutter detection means includes counter means for statically determining during each range sweep period if clutter energy content in excess of predetermined amounts is present in the uncompressed received signals and in the uncompressed output signals of said canceller units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
The processor of claim 9 wheRein said counter means includes a plurality of processing channels, each of which is coupled to receive said received signals or the output signals from one of said clutter canceller units, and including: a threshold circuit for providing an output signal during range bin intervals in which the signals applied to said channel exceeds a threshold level; an up-down counter mechanized to count up towards a preselected maximum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is provided by said threshold circuit, and for counting down towards a preselected minimum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is not provided by said threshold circuit; and alarm means responsive to the count of said up-down counter for providing an alarm signal indicative of a clutter content in the applied signals in excess of said predetermined amount.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The processor of claim 10 further comprising a signal output terminal; and selection means for determining if said received signal or one of said output signals from said clutter canceller units has less than said predetermined amounts of clutter energy, and for applying said signal with less than said predetermined amount of clutter energy to said output terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The processor of claim 11 further comprising a pulse compressor unit coupled to said signal output terminal for processing said signal having less than said predetermined amount of clutter energy content, so as to provide signals compressed in the range dimension.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The processor of claim 10 wherein said alarm means includes clutter gate counter means for counting range bin intervals, during a clutter gate interval starting when the count of said up-down counter is greater than a first number, and ending when the count is less than a second number; and means for providing said alarm signal in response to the count of said clutter gate counter means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
The processor of claim 13 wherein said clutter gate counter means includes a clutter gate circuit for providing a clutter gate signal during said clutter gate interval; a ring counter enable by said clutter gate signal for providing an output signal indicative of a group of a predetermined number of range bins having occurred during said clutter gate interval; and a clutter gate counter circuit for counting the number of said group of range bins occurring each range sweep period; and said alarm means includes an alarm logic circuit adapted to provide an alarm output signal when the count of said clutter gate counter circuit exceed a selected value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The processor of claim 14 wherein said alarm means includes means for inhibiting the generation of said alarm output signal except during selected ones of the range sweeps at the same scan location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
A moving target signal processor for use with a scanning, pulse compression type energy transmission and reception system, said processor comprising: a plurality of clutter canceller units each adapted for processing range sweeps of uncompressed received signals; clutter detection means for statically determining during each range sweep if clutter energy content in excess of predetermined amounts is present in said uncompressed received signals and in the output signals of said clutter canceller units, respectively; and logic control means coupled to said clutter detection means for commanding an additional transmission at the same scan location if during the current range sweep the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units is in excess of said predetermined amounts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
A moving target signal processor for use with a scanning, pulse compression type energy transmission and reception system, said processor comprising: a plurality of clutter canceller units each adapted for processing range sweeps of uncompressed received signals; clutter detection means for statically determining during each range sweep if clutter energy content in excess of predetermined amounts is present in said uncompressed received signals and in the output signals of said clutter canceller units, respectively; and logic control means coupled to said clutter detection means for commanding an additional transmission at the same scan location if during the current range sweep the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units is in excess of said predetermined amounts.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The processor of claim 16 further comprising a signal output terminal; and selection means coupled to said clutter detection means for determining if said received signals or if one of said output signals from said clutter canceller units has less than said predetermined amount of clutter energy, and for applying said signals with less than said predetermined amount of clutter energy to said output terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The processor of claim 17 further comprising a pulse compressor unit coupled to said signal output terminal for processing said signals having less than said predetermined amounts of clutter energy, so as to provide time compressed output signals having less than said predetermined amount of clutter content.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
The processor of claim 17 further comprising a doppler processor unit; and said logic control means includes means for providing a doppler command signal for commanding a pulse doppler burst of successive transmissions if the clutter energy content of said received signals and the output signals from said clutter canceller units is in excess of said predetermined amounts during a predetermined number of range sweep periods at the same scan location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The processor of claim 19 wherein said selection means includes means for sensing the completion of the pulse doppler burst and for then coupling the output of said doppler processor to said output terminal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
The processor of claim 16 wherein said clutter detection means includes counter means for statically determining during each range sweep period if clutter energy content in excess of predetermined amounts is present in the uncompressed received signals and in the uncompressed output signals of said canceller units.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
147 words
The processor of claim 21 wherein said counter means includes a plurality of processing channels, each of which is coupled to receive said received signals or the output signals from one of said clutter canceller units, and including: a threshold circuit for providing an output signal during range bin intervals in which the signals applied to said channel exceeds a threshold level; an up-down counter mechanized to count up towards a preselected maximum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is provided by said threshold circuit, and for counting down towards a preselected minimum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is not provided by said threshold circuit; and alarm means responsive to the count of said up-down counter for providing an alarm signal indicative of a clutter content in the applied signals in excess of said predetermined amount.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
The processor of claim 22 wherein said alarm means includes clutter gate counter means for counting range bin intervals during a clutter gate interval starting when the count of said up-down counter is greater than a first number, and ending when the count is less than a second number; and means for providing said alarm signal in response to the count of said clutter gate counter means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
109 words
The processor of claim 23 wherein said clutter gate counter means includes a clutter gate circuit for providing a clutter gate signal during said clutter gate interval; a ring counter enabled by said clutter gate signal for providing an output signal indicative of a group of a predetermined number of range bins having occurred during said clutter gate interval; and a clutter gate counter circuit for counting the number of said group of range bins occuring each range sweep period; and said alarm means includes an alarm logic circuit adapted to provide an alarm output signal when the count of said clutter gate counter circuit exceed a selected value.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for detecting clutter energy in the received signals from a pulse compression type energy transmission and reception system, said device comprising: a threshold circuit for providing an output signal during range bins intervals in which the received signals exceeds a threshold level; an up-down counter mechanized to count up towards a preselected maximum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is provided by said threshold circuit, and for counting down towards a preselected minimum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is not provided by said threshold circuit; and alarm means responsive to the count of said up-down counter for providing an alarm signaL indicative of a clutter content in the applied signal in excess of a predetermined amount.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for detecting clutter energy in the received signals from a pulse compression type energy transmission and reception system, said device comprising: a threshold circuit for providing an output signal during range bins intervals in which the received signals exceeds a threshold level; an up-down counter mechanized to count up towards a preselected maximum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is provided by said threshold circuit, and for counting down towards a preselected minimum count during each range bin interval in which an output signal is not provided by said threshold circuit; and alarm means responsive to the count of said up-down counter for providing an alarm signaL indicative of a clutter content in the applied signal in excess of a predetermined amount.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said alarm means includes clutter gate counter means for counting range bin intervals, during a clutter gate time interval starting when the count of said up-down counter is greater than a first number, and ending when the count is less than a second number; and means for providing said alarm signal in response to the count of said clutter gate counter means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
109 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said clutter gate counter means includes a clutter gate circuit for providing a clutter gate signal during said clutter gate interval; a ring counter enable by said clutter gate signal for providing an output signal indicative of a group of a predetermined number of range bins having occurred during said clutter gate interval; and a clutter gate counter circuit for counting the number of said group of range bins occuring each range sweep period; and said alarm means includes an alarm logic circuit adapted to provide an alarm output signal when the count of said clutter gate counter circuit exceed a selected value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |