Abstract A dual receiver energy-amplifying signal-selecting sensor for sampling base-band signals, such as subnanosecond signals reflected from dangerous objects, is arranged to provide a substantial actuating signal for the operation of apparatus such as, for example, passenger protective or restraining apparatus for use in the event of a vehicular collision. The sensor system includes dual broad-band transmission line receiver antennas cooperating with biased semiconductor avalanche detector elements located within the transmission lines for detecting substantially the total energy of any received base-band echo signal. The signal sensor detects the presence of a dangerous object in a limited forward azimuthal zone and only within a limited range span with respect to the protected vehicle, even though the transmission and reception antennas employed lack correspondingly high directionality.
Inventors
👤 G Ross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-25 04:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/0209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
Vehicle borne protective precollision apparatus comprising: transmitter means for radiating base-band electromagnetic pulses into a region of space in a portion of which a collision with an object will probably occur, first and second receiver means symmetrically disposed with respect to said transmitter means for receiving base-band electromagnetic pulses reflected from said object when in said region of space, AND circuit means responsive to substantially simultaneous pulse outputs of said first and second receiver means and providing a pulse response only when said object is in a limited azimuth sector of said portion, gate circuit means synchronously responsive to said transmitter means and responsive to said AND circuit means for producing a pulse output only when said object is in a limited range zone of said limited azimuth sector of said portion spaced from said transmitter means, and utilization means responsive to said gate circuit means including: actuator means, and means actuatable by said actuator means, said AND circuit means including: first and second diode means respectively coupling said first and second receiver means to a common junction, source means coupled to said common junction for supplying electrical bias to said first and second diode means, and impedance means for coupling said common junction to said gate circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
Vehicle borne protective precollision apparatus comprising: transmitter means for radiating base-band electromagnetic pulses into a region of space in a portion of which a collision with an object will probably occur, first and second receiver means symmetrically disposed with respect to said transmitter means for receiving base-band electromagnetic pulses reflected from said object when in said region of space, AND circuit means responsive to substantially simultaneous pulse outputs of said first and second receiver means and providing a pulse response only when said object is in a limited azimuth sector of said portion, gate circuit means synchronously responsive to said transmitter means and responsive to said AND circuit means for producing a pulse output only when said object is in a limited range zone of said limited azimuth sector of said portion spaced from said transmitter means, and utilization means responsive to said gate circuit means including: actuator means, and means actuatable by said actuator means, said AND circuit means including: first and second diode means respectively coupling said first and second receiver means to a common junction, source means coupled to said common junction for supplying electrical bias to said first and second diode means, and impedance means for coupling said common junction to said gate circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said gate circuit means comprIses: range gate generator means synchronously responsive to said transmitter means, current source means, and range gated avalanche detector means responsive to said range gate generator means, to said current source means, and to said impedance means when generating an output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 additionally including in series relation between said transmitter means and said range gated avalanche detector means: pulse stretcher means, and adjustable delay means.