SRC Employees Awarded Patent for Detecting Ballistic Targets

Syracuse, NY – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued SRC, Inc. a patent for “System and Method for Detecting Ballistic Targets,” a mathematical algorithm that determines the flight path of a bullet when the observation time is limited to a short period.

“This achievement speaks to the exceptional talent and dedication of our engineers,” said Kevin Hair, president and CEO of SRC. “We remain committed to developing cutting-edge solutions that address critical challenges faced by our armed forces.”

The inventors for this patent are senior principal systems engineers John Dougherty, acting as the Lead Systems Engineer for the AN/TPQ-49 and AN/TPQ-50 family of radars, and Robert Hiemenz, who focuses on the hardware development of prototype systems, data analysis, system engineering, program management and engineering production support.

The technique uses the Doppler frequency of the bullet measured by a radar. The observed change in the measured Doppler frequency along with other radar measurements are used to determine the trajectory of the bullet as it passes by the radar, and its trajectory is then used to estimate the shooter’s location. All of this can be performed in the radar’s signal processor within a fraction of a second. Using this algorithm, the radar can issue an alert to personnel in the area in an effort to reduce the number of American casualties.

Dougherty has been named on seven additional patents. He received his bachelor’s in electrical engineering from The University at Buffalo and masters’ in electrical engineering and business management from Syracuse University. Hiemenz holds another patent for "Constant Pulse Repetition Frequency Techniques for Eliminating Second Time Around Returns in Pulsed Doppler Radar." He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University and a master’s in electrical engineering from Syracuse University.

 

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.