US5602876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Advanced parameter encoder with pulse-on-pulse detection and pulse fragment reconstruction
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract In an RF receiver a system is provided to digitally determine when a pulse has stabilized and when a pulse has restabilized after becoming unstable. The restabilized levels can be detected whether they are above or below the initial stabilization level. The system uses the stable information to determine if a pulse-on-pulse signal is being received or if a trailing edge pulse is being received. The system can provide separate information about each pulse in a pulse-on-pulse situation and can provide separate information concerning the leading pulse and trailing pulse when the trailing pulse occurs in the shadow of the leading pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E. Noneman
- 👤 Donald A. Porter
- 👤 Donald L. Lochhead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:35
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K5/00; H03K5/19; G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A system for identifying pulses having a stable amplitude comprising: receiver means for receiving an electronic signal, converter means for generating amplitude samples by converting said electronic signal to digital data at a periodic rate, said converter means being connected to said receiver means, threshold means for establishing a threshold voltage, hit window means, coupled to said converter means and said threshold means, for establishing a voltage hit window with an upper limit above the amplitude of said sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said sample when the amplitude of said sample exceeds said threshold voltage, said voltage hit window being established every time the amplitude of a new sample occurs above said threshold voltage and outside of a previously established hit window, miss window means, coupled to said converter means and said hit window means, for establishing a voltage miss window having an upper limit and a lower limit, said miss window being established when a first predetermined number of amplitude samples fall within a previously established hit window; and stability identifying means, associated with said hit window means and said miss window means, for identifying that a pulse is stable when N consecutive pulses lie within the same hit window and for identifying that a pulse has lost stable when M consecutive pulses lie outside of the same miss window.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A system for identifying pulses having a stable amplitude comprising: receiver means for receiving an electronic signal, converter means for generating amplitude samples by converting said electronic signal to digital data at a periodic rate, said converter means being connected to said receiver means, threshold means for establishing a threshold voltage, hit window means, coupled to said converter means and said threshold means, for establishing a voltage hit window with an upper limit above the amplitude of said sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said sample when the amplitude of said sample exceeds said threshold voltage, said voltage hit window being established every time the amplitude of a new sample occurs above said threshold voltage and outside of a previously established hit window, miss window means, coupled to said converter means and said hit window means, for establishing a voltage miss window having an upper limit and a lower limit, said miss window being established when a first predetermined number of amplitude samples fall within a previously established hit window; and stability identifying means, associated with said hit window means and said miss window means, for identifying that a pulse is stable when N consecutive pulses lie within the same hit window and for identifying that a pulse has lost stable when M consecutive pulses lie outside of the same miss window.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
181 words
A system for identifying and reconstructing first and second overlapping pulses having variable pulse lengths wherein said first pulse has an amplitude lower than an amplitude of said second pulse and said second pulse has a duration shorter than a duration of said first pulse comprising: receiver means for receiving electronic signals: converter means, connected to said receiver means, for generating amplitude samples by converting said electronic signals to digital data at a periodic rate; threshold means for generating a threshold signal; acquisition and tracking means, coupled to said converter means and said threshold means, for establishing amplitude-based track and acquisition windows and for generating hit signals when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said threshold signal and becomes stable; comparison means, coupled to said acquisition and tracking means, for storing and comparing the amplitude of said amplitude samples that occur when said hit signals are generated to distinctly identify said first pulse from said second pulse and to provide separate signal data including time of arrival, time of departure and amplitude for said first pulse and said second pulse.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
181 words
A system for identifying and reconstructing first and second overlapping pulses having variable pulse lengths wherein said first pulse has an amplitude lower than an amplitude of said second pulse and said second pulse has a duration shorter than a duration of said first pulse comprising: receiver means for receiving electronic signals: converter means, connected to said receiver means, for generating amplitude samples by converting said electronic signals to digital data at a periodic rate; threshold means for generating a threshold signal; acquisition and tracking means, coupled to said converter means and said threshold means, for establishing amplitude-based track and acquisition windows and for generating hit signals when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said threshold signal and becomes stable; comparison means, coupled to said acquisition and tracking means, for storing and comparing the amplitude of said amplitude samples that occur when said hit signals are generated to distinctly identify said first pulse from said second pulse and to provide separate signal data including time of arrival, time of departure and amplitude for said first pulse and said second pulse.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for detecting trailing edge pulses comprising: receiver means for receiving electronic signals, converter means connected to said receiver means for generating amplitude samples by converting said electronic signals to digital data at a periodic rate, threshold means for generating a voltage threshold and for comparing said voltage threshold to said amplitude samples to determine when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said voltage threshold, hit window means for establishing a hit window when the amplitude of one of said amplitude samples occurs above said threshold voltage level, said hit window including an upper limit above the amplitude of said one of said amplitude samples and a lower limit below the amplitude of said one of said amplitude samples, miss window means for establishing a miss window, having an upper limit and a lower limit, when a first predetermined number of amplitude samples fall within a previously established hit window, said hit window means establishing a new hit window each time the amplitude of said amplitude samples falls outside of a previously established hit window, said miss window means establishing a new miss window each time a second predetermined number of amplitude samples fall outside of a previously established miss window, and trailing edge means for determining when a trailing edge pulse is present when an amplitude sample is taken whose amplitude is above the upper limit of a miss window that is established after said electronic signal is no longer stable.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
244 words
A system for detecting trailing edge pulses comprising: receiver means for receiving electronic signals, converter means connected to said receiver means for generating amplitude samples by converting said electronic signals to digital data at a periodic rate, threshold means for generating a voltage threshold and for comparing said voltage threshold to said amplitude samples to determine when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said voltage threshold, hit window means for establishing a hit window when the amplitude of one of said amplitude samples occurs above said threshold voltage level, said hit window including an upper limit above the amplitude of said one of said amplitude samples and a lower limit below the amplitude of said one of said amplitude samples, miss window means for establishing a miss window, having an upper limit and a lower limit, when a first predetermined number of amplitude samples fall within a previously established hit window, said hit window means establishing a new hit window each time the amplitude of said amplitude samples falls outside of a previously established hit window, said miss window means establishing a new miss window each time a second predetermined number of amplitude samples fall outside of a previously established miss window, and trailing edge means for determining when a trailing edge pulse is present when an amplitude sample is taken whose amplitude is above the upper limit of a miss window that is established after said electronic signal is no longer stable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
157 words
A detection system for identifying pulses having a stable amplitude in a receiver which receives radio frequency (RF) signals, said detection system comprising: converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate; threshold means for generating a threshold signal; acquisition means, coupled to said threshold means and said converting means, for defining an acquisition window when the amplitude of a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above the amplitude of said first amplitude sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said first amplitude sample, said acquisition means for establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample exceeds the threshold signal and occurs outside of said acquisition window; and stability identifying means, associated with said acquisition means, for identifying that a pulse is stable when a first predetermined number of consecutive pulses lie within the same acquisition window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A detection system for identifying pulses having a stable amplitude in a receiver which receives radio frequency (RF) signals, said detection system comprising: converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate; threshold means for generating a threshold signal; acquisition means, coupled to said threshold means and said converting means, for defining an acquisition window when the amplitude of a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above the amplitude of said first amplitude sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said first amplitude sample, said acquisition means for establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample exceeds the threshold signal and occurs outside of said acquisition window; and stability identifying means, associated with said acquisition means, for identifying that a pulse is stable when a first predetermined number of consecutive pulses lie within the same acquisition window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The detection system of claim 4 further comprising: tracking means, coupled to said acquisition means, for defining a track window to identify pulses which have lost a stable amplitude, said track window being established when the amplitude of said first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within the same acquisition window, wherein said track window includes an upper limit and a lower limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The detection system of claim 5 wherein said tracking means terminates said track window and said stability identifying means identifies a pulse having an unstable amplitude when the amplitude of a second predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples fall outside said track window.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for identifying pulses having a stable amplitude in a receiver which receives radio frequency (RF) signals, comprising the steps of: generating digital amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate; generating a threshold signal; defining an acquisition window when an amplitude of a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above the amplitude of said first amplitude sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said first amplitude sample; and establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample occurs outside of said acquisition window, and signalling a stable pulse when a first predetermined number of amplitude samples lie within the same acquisition window.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for identifying pulses having a stable amplitude in a receiver which receives radio frequency (RF) signals, comprising the steps of: generating digital amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate; generating a threshold signal; defining an acquisition window when an amplitude of a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above the amplitude of said first amplitude sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said first amplitude sample; and establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample occurs outside of said acquisition window, and signalling a stable pulse when a first predetermined number of amplitude samples lie within the same acquisition window.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: defining a track window to identify a pulse having a stable amplitude when the amplitude of a first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within said acquisition window, wherein said track window includes an upper limit and a lower limit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: terminating said track window to identify a pulse having an unstable amplitude when the amplitude of a second predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples fall outside said track window.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
A pulse-on-pulse identification system for identifying and reconstructing first and second overlapping pulses having variable pulse lengths in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising: threshold means for generating a threshold signal; detecting means, coupled to said converting means and said threshold means, for generating hit signals when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said threshold signal and become stable; and reconstruction means, coupled to said detecting means, for storing and comparing the amplitudes of said amplitude samples that occur when said hit signals are generated to identify said first and second overlapping pulses and to provide separate signal data including time of arrival, time of departure and amplitude for said first pulse and said second pulse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
138 words
A pulse-on-pulse identification system for identifying and reconstructing first and second overlapping pulses having variable pulse lengths in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising: threshold means for generating a threshold signal; detecting means, coupled to said converting means and said threshold means, for generating hit signals when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said threshold signal and become stable; and reconstruction means, coupled to said detecting means, for storing and comparing the amplitudes of said amplitude samples that occur when said hit signals are generated to identify said first and second overlapping pulses and to provide separate signal data including time of arrival, time of departure and amplitude for said first pulse and said second pulse.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The pulse-on-pulse identification system of claim 10 wherein said first pulse has a duration longer than said second pulse and said second pulse has an amplitude greater than said first pulse.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
The pulse-on-pulse identification system of claim 10 wherein said detecting means includes: acquisition means, coupled to said threshold means and said converting means, for defining an acquisition window when the amplitude of a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above the amplitude of first amplitude sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said first amplitude sample, said acquisition means for establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample occurs outside of said acquisition window.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The pulse-on-pulse identification system of claim 12 further comprising: tracking means, coupled to said acquisition means, for defining a track window to identify a pulse having a stable amplitude after the amplitude of a first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within said acquisition window, wherein said track window includes an upper limit and a lower limit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The pulse-on-pulse identification system of claim 13 wherein said tracking means terminates said track window to identify a pulse having an unstable amplitude when the amplitude of a second predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples fall outside said track window.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The pulse-on-pulse identification system of claim 10 wherein said reconstruction means includes: a controller coupled to said detecting means; a queue coupled to said controller; and a stack coupled to said queue and said controller.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of identifying and reconstructing first and second overlapping pulses having variable pulse lengths in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising the steps of: generating a threshold signal; generating hit signals when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said threshold signal and becomes stable; storing and comparing the amplitudes of said amplitude samples that occur when said hit signal is generated to identify said first and second overlapping pulses; and providing separate signal data including time of arrival, time of departure and amplitude for said first pulse and said second pulse.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of identifying and reconstructing first and second overlapping pulses having variable pulse lengths in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising the steps of: generating a threshold signal; generating hit signals when the amplitude of said amplitude samples exceeds said threshold signal and becomes stable; storing and comparing the amplitudes of said amplitude samples that occur when said hit signal is generated to identify said first and second overlapping pulses; and providing separate signal data including time of arrival, time of departure and amplitude for said first pulse and said second pulse.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
144 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said step of generating said hit signal includes the steps of: defining an acquisition window when a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above the amplitude of said first amplitude sample and a lower limit below the amplitude of said second amplitude sample; establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal and occurs outside of said acquisition window; defining an upper limit for said new acquisition window above said subsequent amplitude sample and a lower limit for said new acquisition window below said subsequent amplitude sample; and defining a track window, corresponding to a stable pulse, with an upper limit and a lower limit when the amplitude of a first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within said acquisition window.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: terminating said track window corresponding to an unstable pulse when the amplitude of a second predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples fall outside said track window.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
243 words
A detection system for identifying trailing edges of pulses in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising: threshold means for generating a threshold signal; acquisition means, coupled to said threshold means and said converting means, for defining an acquisition window when a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above said first amplitude sample and a lower limit below said amplitude sample, said acquisition means for establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample occurs outside of said acquisition window; tracking means, coupled to said acquisition means, for defining a track window, corresponding to a stable pulse, with an upper limit and a lower limit when the amplitude of a first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within said acquisition window; and edge detection means, coupled to said tracking means and said acquisition means, for identifying a trailing edge pulse, wherein after said tracking means identifies a stable pulse, if the amplitude of said amplitude samples decreases, said tracking means establishes a new track window based on the amplitude of said amplitude samples, and if the amplitude of said amplitude samples increases, said tracking means fixes said track window and designates said trailing edge pulse once the amplitude of a first predetermined number of amplitude samples exceed said track window.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
243 words
A detection system for identifying trailing edges of pulses in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising: threshold means for generating a threshold signal; acquisition means, coupled to said threshold means and said converting means, for defining an acquisition window when a first amplitude sample exceeds said threshold signal, said acquisition window including an upper limit above said first amplitude sample and a lower limit below said amplitude sample, said acquisition means for establishing a new acquisition window when the amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample occurs outside of said acquisition window; tracking means, coupled to said acquisition means, for defining a track window, corresponding to a stable pulse, with an upper limit and a lower limit when the amplitude of a first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within said acquisition window; and edge detection means, coupled to said tracking means and said acquisition means, for identifying a trailing edge pulse, wherein after said tracking means identifies a stable pulse, if the amplitude of said amplitude samples decreases, said tracking means establishes a new track window based on the amplitude of said amplitude samples, and if the amplitude of said amplitude samples increases, said tracking means fixes said track window and designates said trailing edge pulse once the amplitude of a first predetermined number of amplitude samples exceed said track window.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for identifying trailing edges of pulses in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising the steps of: generating a threshold signal; defining an acquisition window with an upper limit and a lower limit based upon an amplitude of a first amplitude sample received above said threshold signal; establishing a new acquisition window when an amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample occurs outside of said acquisition window; defining a track window, corresponding to a stable pulse, with an upper limit and a lower limit when an amplitude of a first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within said acquisition window; identifying a trailing edge pulse, wherein, after said tracking means identifies a stable said step of identifying said trailing edge pulse includes the steps of: determining if the amplitude of said amplitude samples are increasing or decreasing; establishing a new track window if the amplitude of said amplitude samples is decreasing; and if the amplitude of said amplitude samples is increasing, fixing said track window and designating said trailing edge pulse when the amplitudes of a first predetermined number of amplitude samples exceed said track window.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for identifying trailing edges of pulses in radio frequency (RF) signals which are received by a receiver with a converting means for generating amplitude samples from said RF signals at a periodic rate, comprising the steps of: generating a threshold signal; defining an acquisition window with an upper limit and a lower limit based upon an amplitude of a first amplitude sample received above said threshold signal; establishing a new acquisition window when an amplitude of a subsequent amplitude sample occurs outside of said acquisition window; defining a track window, corresponding to a stable pulse, with an upper limit and a lower limit when an amplitude of a first predetermined number of consecutive amplitude samples occur within said acquisition window; identifying a trailing edge pulse, wherein, after said tracking means identifies a stable said step of identifying said trailing edge pulse includes the steps of: determining if the amplitude of said amplitude samples are increasing or decreasing; establishing a new track window if the amplitude of said amplitude samples is decreasing; and if the amplitude of said amplitude samples is increasing, fixing said track window and designating said trailing edge pulse when the amplitudes of a first predetermined number of amplitude samples exceed said track window.
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