Timing and Synchronization of Radio Waves for Scanning, Detection, and Measurement of Surface Non-uniformity
AssigneeThe Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorJohn Suarez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments that pertain to surface non-uniformity detection through use of radio waves are described. A vehicle can transmit radio waves to an area the vehicle is traveling to, such as a road in front of an automobile. The automobile can receive and process returned radio waves to determine if the road has a non-uniformity, such as a significant pothole or speed bump. If the road has the non-uniformity, then a driver of the automobile can be alerted so the driver can decide if evasive action should be taken and take such action if appropriate.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a signal generator configured to generate a signal;
- and
- an antenna set configured to transmit a transmitted version of the signal and receive a reflected version of the signal,
- where the transmitted version, after transmission, propagates, at least in part, along a ground,
- where the reflected version is a reflection of the transmitted version contacting a non-uniformity of the ground.
A system, comprising:
- a first antenna, resident on a vehicle, that outputs a radio wave set while the vehicle is in travel;
- and
- a second antenna that collects at least part of the radio wave set after the radio wave set returns, after being output, from interaction with a non-uniformity of a surface,
- where the radio wave set, at least in part, propagates along the surface after being outputted.
A method, comprising:
- emitting a first incident radio wave that propagates along a surface;
- and
- emitting a second incident radio wave that propagates along the surface;
- receiving a first reflected radio wave that is a reflection of the first incident radio wave;
- receiving a second reflected radio wave that is a reflection of the second incident radio wave;
- and
- determining if the surface has a non-uniformity through use of the first incident radio wave, the second incident radio wave, the first reflected radio wave, and the second reflected radio wave,
- where the first reflected radio wave is received after the first incident radio wave is emitted and after the second incident radio wave is emitted and
- where the second reflected radio wave is received after the first incident radio wave is emitted and after the second incident radio wave is emitted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.