Patent ID: 7973704

Claim:
A handheld radar apparatus comprising: an antenna adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals, a direction sensor that outputs an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the antenna, a radar coupled to the antenna, the radar adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal for transmission via the antenna, and adapted to receive a reflected version of the electromagnetic signal via the antenna reflected from an object, the radar comprising a processor for generating location information indicative of the location of the object using the received reflected electromagnetic signal and the orientation of the antenna as indicated by the orientation signal, and a screen adapted to display indicia representing the object and its location based on the location information, wherein the direction sensor comprises a fluxgate compass adapted to obtain a first measure indicative of the orientation of the antenna, and a rate gyroscope adapted to obtain a second measure indicative of the orientation of the antenna, wherein the fluxgate compass and rate gyroscope in combination provide an orientation signal that adapts to rapid movements of the handheld radar by a user.