US5673050A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-dimensional underground imaging radar system
Assignee: Mirage Systems Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1997-09-30
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An ultra-wide band ground penetrating radar (GPR) system providing non-invasive detection and three-dimensional mapping of underground objects and voids. The performance of this radar provides improved underground object detection, location and identification over existing radars through the use of a novel interrupted, frequency modulated, continuous wave (FMCW) signal waveform. A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technique known as spotlight mode focused (SAR) operation is used to collect data for the underground area of interest, by circumscribing this area with a radar beam provided on an airborne or ground based vehicle. Near-Brewster angle illumination of the ground is used to reduce losses.
Inventors
- 👤 George Moussally
- 👤 Robert Ziernicki
- 👤 Philip A. Fialer
- 👤 Fred Judson Heinzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/0209; G01S13/74; G01S13/06; G01S13/08; G01S13/32; G01S13/34; G01S13/88; G01S13/885; G01S13/89; G01S13/90; G01S13/904; G01S13/9052; G01S13/9088; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/40; G01S7/4004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for investigating a subsurface area of interest, comprising: a radar platform circumscribing the subsurface area of interest; a radar antenna including a transmitter and a receiver provided on said radar platform for transmitting an interrupted frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) directed to the subsurface area of interest and receiving a reflected wave from the subsurface are of interest, said FMCW being transmitted as said vehicle circumscribes the subsurface area of interest, and said reflected wave being received by said radar antenna when said vehicle circumscribes the subsurface area of interest; processing device in communication with said radar antenna for processing said reflected wave; memory device in communication with said processing device including a library of known characteristics of underground objects and ground characteristics, said processing device providing an output based upon a comparison of said reflected wave and said library of known characteristics of underground objects and ground characteristics; and a first display device for displaying said output produced by said processing device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for investigating a subsurface area of interest, comprising: a radar platform circumscribing the subsurface area of interest; a radar antenna including a transmitter and a receiver provided on said radar platform for transmitting an interrupted frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) directed to the subsurface area of interest and receiving a reflected wave from the subsurface are of interest, said FMCW being transmitted as said vehicle circumscribes the subsurface area of interest, and said reflected wave being received by said radar antenna when said vehicle circumscribes the subsurface area of interest; processing device in communication with said radar antenna for processing said reflected wave; memory device in communication with said processing device including a library of known characteristics of underground objects and ground characteristics, said processing device providing an output based upon a comparison of said reflected wave and said library of known characteristics of underground objects and ground characteristics; and a first display device for displaying said output produced by said processing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system in accordance with claim 1, further including a second display for displaying said reflected wave on a real time basis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first display displays a three-dimensional image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first display displays a three-dimensional image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a waveform generator is provided between said transmitter and said receiver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said radar platform is an airborne vehicle or spaceborne vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said radar platform is a ground based vehicle or an individual or group of individuals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system in accordance with claim 1, further including a positioning means in communication with said radar antenna for locating said radar antenna relative to the subsurface area of interest.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said positioning means includes at least three phase repeaters provided on the earth's surface around the subsurface area of interest.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said positioning means utilizes GPS data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said FMCW is directed at the subsurface area of interest at approximately the Brewster angle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for investigating a subsurface area of interest, comprising: irradiating the subsurface area of interest with an interrupted frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) from an antenna, as said antenna circumscribes the subsurface area of interest; receiving a reflected wave from the subsurface area of interest, said reflected wave received by said antenna, said reflected wave containing information relating to said subsurface area of interest; processing said reflected wave to provide output data; determining the location of an object in the subsurface area of interest by comparing said output data to stored data relating to ground characteristics of the subsurface area of interest and underground objects; and providing a three-dimensional output display based upon said determining step.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for investigating a subsurface area of interest, comprising: irradiating the subsurface area of interest with an interrupted frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) from an antenna, as said antenna circumscribes the subsurface area of interest; receiving a reflected wave from the subsurface area of interest, said reflected wave received by said antenna, said reflected wave containing information relating to said subsurface area of interest; processing said reflected wave to provide output data; determining the location of an object in the subsurface area of interest by comparing said output data to stored data relating to ground characteristics of the subsurface area of interest and underground objects; and providing a three-dimensional output display based upon said determining step.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said antenna is provided on an airborne vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said antenna is provided on a ground based vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method in accordance with claim 12, further including the step of locating the position of said antenna relative to the subsurface area of interest.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein said locating step includes the step of providing at least three phase repeaters provided on the earth's surface around the subsurface area of interest, each of said repeaters transmitting a unique signal received by said antenna.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein said locating step includes the step of said antenna receiving GPS data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said FMCW is directed at the subsurface are of interest at approximately the Brewster angle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said determining step includes initially providing a coarse resolution of data by utilizing large volume elements for the entire output data produced by said processing step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method in accordance with claim 12, further including the step of analyzing regions of significant interest using a fine grain object processing step to produce smaller volume elements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-31 | 2001-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-29 | 2005-03-31 | 2005-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-29 | 2009-03-31 | 2009-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |