Motion extended array synthesis for use in high resolution imaging applications
AssigneeLeidos, Inc.
InventorJohn R. Kendra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process and systems for constructing arbitrarily large virtual arrays using two or more collection platforms (e.g. AUX and MOV systems) having differing velocity vectors. Referred to as Motion Extended Array Synthesis (MXAS), the resultant imaging system is comprised of the collection of baselines that are created between the two collection systems as a function of time. Because of the unequal velocity vectors, the process yields a continuum of baselines over some range, which constitutes an offset imaging system (OIS) in that the baselines engendered are similar to those for a real aperture of the same size as that swept out by the relative motion, but which are offset by some (potentially very large) distance.
Claims15
An offset-spatial-frequency imaging system for imaging a target, comprising:
- a first antenna system and second antenna system, wherein the first and second antenna systems are in relative rotational motion and the first antenna system is rotating in a first plane, and further wherein the first and second antenna systems collect temporally distributed individual signals from one or more target emitters;
- and
- a processor for receiving the temporally distributed individual signals from the first and second antenna systems and constructing a continuum of temporally distributed interferometric signal baselines of the one or more target emitters projected as a virtual array in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.