Traffic radar system with electronic test signal generation

Abstract

A mobile test unit for verifying an accuracy of vehicle speeds determined by a traffic radar system comprises a test signal generator and a signal mixer. The test signal generator is configured to generate an electronic test signal having a first frequency. The signal mixer is configured to receive the test signal and a radar beam having a second frequency, wherein the radar beam is transmitted from a radar transceiver of a traffic radar system. The signal mixer is further configured to mix the electronic test signal and the radar beam and to generate a mixed signal having frequency components that include the first frequency and the second frequency, wherein the mixed signal is received by the radar transceiver.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The current patent application is a non-provisional application which claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 569,667, entitled “TRAFFIC RADAR SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE ZONE TARGET DETECTION”, and filed Oct. 9, 2017; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 569,923, entitled “GPS ASSISTED PATROL SPEED SEARCH FOR DSP TRAFFIC RADAR”, and filed Oct. 9, 2017; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 570,446, entitled “TRAFFIC RADAR SYSTEM WITH ELECTRONIC TUNING FORK TEST FEATURE”, and filed Oct. 10, 2017. The earlier-filed provisional applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into the current application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]Embodiments of the current invention relate to electronic test circuitry to test traffic radar systems.Description of the Related Art[0003]Traffic radio and ranging (radar) systems that are implemented in law enforcement patrol vehicles typically include at least one ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The current invention provides a mobile test unit and a traffic radar system that can automatically test traffic radar systems. The mobile test unit generates an electronic test signal and mixes it with a radar beam from the traffic radar system to complete the test. The mobile test unit can generate the test signal with different frequencies to mimic the speed of a vehicle. This invention allows for more efficient and accurate testing of traffic radar systems.

Problems solved by technology

There are numerous drawbacks to using a mechanical tuning fork to verify the accuracy of the traffic radar system.

In extreme heat or cold, the frequency output of the tuning fork may be off from its designed output by dozens of Hertz (Hz)—resulting in a false negative determination by the traffic radar system.

Second, each tuning fork outputs only a single frequency.

However, the magnitude of the output of the tuning fork is difficult to control since the magnitude varies with the type of surface against which the fork is struck and the force with which it is struck.

Fourth, the amount of time that the tuning fork output lasts is limited, possibly requiring the tuning fork to be struck repeatedly to perform the test.

Fifth, the frequency output of each tuning fork used to test the traffic radar system at multiple speeds is typically a non-standard frequency that cannot readily be used for other purposes, such as tuning musical instruments.

Sixth, there is no communication between the tuning fork and the traffic radar system to automate the testing process.

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