Blip scan analyzer
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorRoger H. Peabody
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved signal processing technique for providing rapid evaluation of rget echoes on a pulse by pulse basis. An analyzing circuit is constructed to receive pulse echoes from a signal transmitting system and convert the pulses to provide amplitude data through a pulse height to pulse width converter. When used in a radar system, each echo pulse is converted to a fixed amplitude pulse with a pulse width proportional to the echo amplitude as the antenna sweeps by the target. The pulses are thereafter transmitted to a display device in place of the normal radar video. The resultant display provides a real time two-dimensional amplitude pattern which enhances target detectability in the presence of noise and in multiple target environments.
Claims2
A device for improving target detection and identification in a signal processing system comprising:
- means for providing a plurality of variable amplitude echo signals representing target information;
- and
- means responsive to said signals for forming a two-dimensional amplitude pattern representing a target wherein said amplitude pattern is formed as a plurality of illuminated line segments with each segment extending from a target range for a length proportional to an individual echo signal amplitude, said means for forming the two-dimensional amplitude pattern comprising,
- a charging circuit coupled to receive each of said variable amplitude echo signals and provide a voltage output for each received signal,
- a discharge circuit coupled to receive each voltage output and discharge said voltage at a given rate,
- a threshold circuit coupled to said voltage output for providing a threshold signal when said voltage output is above a predetermined threshold,
- means responsive to said threshold signal for providing a constant amplitude pulse having a pulse width equal to the time that the voltage exceeds said threshold, and
- means responsive to each of said pulses for forming the line segments.
A device for improving target detection and identification in a signal processing system comprising:
- means for providing a plurality of variable amplitude signals representing target information;
- a charging circuit coupled to receive each of said variable amplitude signals and provide a voltage output for each received signal;
- a discharge circuit coupled to receive each voltage output and provide a constant discharge rate;
- a threshold circuit coupled to said voltage output for providing a threshold signal when said voltage output is above a predetermined threshold;
- means responsive to said threshold signal for providing a constant amplitude pulse having a pulse width equal to the time that the voltage exceeds said threshold;
- and
- means responsive to each of said pulses for developing a two-dimensional amplitude pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.