SRC Awarded Patent for Airborne Look-Down Radar System

Syracuse, NY – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued SRC, Inc. a patent for “Angle-Doppler Keystone Formatting for Airborne Look-Down Radar System,” a unique means of efficiently suppressing clutter interference in radar data to enhance the detection and tracking of moving ground targets.

"We are thrilled to receive this patent recognizing the groundbreaking work of our talented engineers,” said Kevin Hair, president and CEO of SRC. “This patent represents a significant advancement in airborne radar technology and underscores SRC's ongoing efforts to develop leading-edge technology for our customers.”

The filter is constructed from data confined to multiple Doppler cells within the range cell under test for a target. No data from other near-by range cells are required. Following a unique means of aligning the data in angle-Doppler space – using only data from the test range cell – Angle-Doppler Keystone Formatting enhances the effectiveness of look-down airborne radar by avoiding the commonly applied method of constructing the clutter suppression filter from data of range cells other than the test cell. Clutter from these other range cells may differ in keyways from that of the test range cell, thus diminishing the effectiveness of the filter.

The inventors for this patent are senior principal systems engineers Harvey Schuman and Jason Steeger and engineering subject matter expert Dan Thomas. Schuman has over 55 years of experience in signal processing and electromagnetics and is recognized as a fellow at SRC. Steeger, responsible for developing cutting-edge technology for Department of Defense customers, was recently honored as the 2023 "Technologist of the Year" by the Technology Alliance of Central New York. Thomas, a radar technology expert, has been instrumental in advancing SRC's radar capabilities since becoming the company's first fellow in 1993.

 

About SRC

SRC, Inc. (@SRCDefense), a not-for-profit research and development company, combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve “impossible” problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence. Across a family of companies, SRC applies bright minds, fresh thinking and relentless determination to deliver innovative products and services that are redefining possible^® for the challenges faced by America and its allies.

Since 1957, SRC’s commitment to the customer and the best solution — not the bottom line — has remained a core value that guides its efforts. This passion for quality carries through to the technologies the company invents and manufactures, the laboratories and facilities it builds, the people they hire, and communities where they work. Today, more than 1,400 engineers, scientists and professionals work together at SRC to protect people, the environment and our way of life.