US5680139A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Compact microwave and millimeter wave radar
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 1995-10-02
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2015-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Compact microwave and millimeter wave radars operating at 77 Ghz and having resolution of no less than 3.2 meters at a distance of 100 meters. The exemplary dimensions of the radars are 145 millimeters in diameter and 100 or 85 millimeters long. The antenna of the radars employs folded optic design, with the actual focal length of the radar being less than that of the lens in the antenna alone.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Richard Huguenin
- 👤 Ellen L. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V8/00; G01V8/005; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/03; G01S7/032; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/24; H01Q15/242; H01Q15/246; H01Q15/248; H01Q19/00; H01Q19/06; H01Q19/062; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/08; G01S13/32; G01S13/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a biconvex lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a biconvex lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said biconvex lens has two opposing convex surfaces, where said transreflector is formed on the convex surface of the lens that is opposing said twistreflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said biconvex lens has two opposing convex surfaces, where said transreflector is formed on the convex surface of the lens that is farthest to said twistreflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna of claim 3 wherein said transreflector is a dielectric mounted grid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said biconvex lens is a zoned biconvex lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said twistreflector comprises a metal plate having metal grid formed on a surface of said plate, the height of the metal grid is about a quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted from the antenna, and the metal grid is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said twistreflector comprises a free standing metal wire grid parallel to and disposed above a metallic surface, the distance between the grid and the surface being about a quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted from said antenna, and the metal wire grid is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the twistreflector comprises a metal plate, a dielectric film formed on the plate, and a thin metal grid formed on the dielectric film, the thickness of the dielectric film being about a quarter wavelength of an electromagnetic radiation in the dielectric film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the twistreflector comprises a metal plate and a quarterwave plate formed on or attached to said metal plate, and the quarterwave plate is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna of claim 1 wherein the twistreflector has a central opening exposing the radiation source or detector to the antenna.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a zoned lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a zoned lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna of claim 11 wherein said zoned lens is a zoned convex-concave lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna of claim 11 wherein said zoned lens is a zoned plano-convex lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna of claim 13 wherein said zoned lens is a zoned plano-convex lens having a zoned planar surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna of claim 13 wherein said zoned lens is a zoned plano-convex lens having a zoned convex surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna of claim 15 wherein said zoned plano-convex lens is arranged to have a planar surface facing said twistreflector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna of claim 15 wherein said zoned plano-convex lens is arranged to have a convex surface facing said twistreflector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna of claim 17 wherein said transreflector is formed on a planar surface of said zoned plano-convex lens.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna of claim 18 wherein said transreflector is a dielectric mounted grid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The antenna of claim 11 wherein said twistreflector comprises a metal plate having metal grid formed on a surface of said plate, the height of the metal grid is about a quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted from the antenna, and the metal grid is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The antenna of claim 11 wherein said twistreflector comprises a free standing metal wire grid parallel to and disposed above a metallic surface, the distance between the grid and the surface being about a quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted from said antenna, and the metal wire grid is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The antenna of claim 11 wherein the twistreflector comprises a metal plate, a dielectric film formed on the plate, and a thin metal grid formed on the dielectric film, the thickness of the dielectric film being about a quarter wavelength of an electromagnetic radiation in the dielectric film.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The antenna of claim 11 wherein the twistreflector comprises a metal plate and a quarterwave plate formed on or attached to said metal plate, and the quarterwave plate is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna of claim 11 wherein the twistreflector has a central opening exposing the radiation source or detector to the antenna.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a zoned plate for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the plate; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the plate such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the plate than the focal point of the plate alone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a zoned plate for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the plate; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the plate such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the plate than the focal point of the plate alone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
The antenna of claim 25 wherein said twistreflector comprises a metal plate having metal grid formed on a surface of said plate, the height of the metal grid is about a quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted from the antenna, and the metal grid is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
The antenna of claim 25 wherein said twistreflector comprises a free standing metal wire grid parallel to and disposed above a metallic surface, the distance between the grid and the surface being about a quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted from said antenna, and the metal wire grid is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The antenna of claim 25 wherein the twistreflector comprises a metal plate, a dielectric film formed on the plate, and a thin metal grid formed on the dielectric film, the thickness of the dielectric film being about a quarter wavelength of an electromagnetic radiation in the dielectric film.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The antenna of claim 25 wherein the twistreflector comprises a metal plate and a quarterwave plate formed on or attached to said metal plate, and the quarterwave plate is positioned to face the lens.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The antenna of claim 25 wherein the twistreflector has a central opening exposing the radiation source or detector to the antenna.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a Fresnel lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
112 words
An antenna for directing electromagnetic radiation to or from a radiation source or detector comprising: a Fresnel lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna; a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens; and a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a biconvex lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a biconvex lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a zoned lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a zoned lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The radar of claim 33 wherein said zoned lens is a zoned biconvex lens.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The radar of claim 33 wherein said zoned lens is a zoned plano-convex lens.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The radar of claim 33 wherein said zoned lens is a zoned convex-concave lens.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a zoned plate for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the plate, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the plate Such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the plate than the focal point of the plate alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a zoned plate for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the plate, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the plate Such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the plate than the focal point of the plate alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a Fresnel lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
151 words
A compact microwave and millimeter wave radar for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation comprising: an antenna comprising: a Fresnel lens for focusing such electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis of the antenna, a transreflector in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a first distance from the lens, a twistreflector substantially in a plane orthogonal to and disposed on said axis at a second distance greater than said first distance from the lens such that the far field along the axis is focused at a point near the intersection of the twistreflector and the axis, which point is closer to the lens than the focal point of the lens alone, RF circuit means for generating and receiving the electromagnetic radiation; and means for coupling the EM radiation from the RF circuit means to the antenna, and for coupling EM radiation from the antenna to the RF circuit means.
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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) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-04-21 | 2001-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-20 | 2005-04-21 | 2005-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-20 | 2009-04-21 | 2009-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |