Patent ID: 6392747
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A method, comprising the steps of:transmitting a pulse of electromagnetic energy toward a scene; using a specified detector element to generate an output signal representative of electromagnetic energy which is received by said detector element and which includes energy of said pulse reflected from said scene; generating a matched filter signal by effecting matched filtering of a signal which is a function of said output signal from said detector element, said matched filtering being matched to said transmitted pulse; comparing said matched filter signal to a predetermined threshold to determine when said matched filter signal exceeds said threshold; producing a series of data samples by effecting periodic sampling of a signal which is a function of said output signal from said detector element; saving a predetermined number of successive said data samples, including the step of being responsive to each new data sample produced in said sampling step by saving the new data sample while discarding the oldest of said predetermined number of saved data samples; responding to a determination that said matched filter signal exceeds said threshold by waiting while a selected number of subsequent said data samples are saved in said saving step and by then inhibiting further execution of said saving step; and thereafter processing said predetermined number of data samples saved in said saving step.