An echo tracker/range finder or altimeter is described in which the pulse repetition frequency (PFR) of a predetermined number of transmitted pulses is adjusted so that echo pulses received from a reflecting object are positioned between transmitted pulses and divide their interpulse time interval into two time intervals having a predetermined ratio with respect to each other. The thus-adjusted PRF is related to the range of the reflecting object. In addition, the invention provides a means whereby the arrival time of a plurality of echo pulses is defined as the time at which a composite echo pulse formed of a sum of the individual echo pulses has the highest amplitude. An especially useful application is in determining altitude information for an aircraft or an orbiting spacecraft utilizing a synthetic aperture imaging radar system. However, it could be used with sonar systems, laser ranger finders, or any other kind of rangefinding application in which a number of pulses are received.


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    Title :

    Echo Tracker/Range Finder for Radars and Sonars


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1979


    Size :

    22 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Echo tracker/range finder for radars and sonars

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