Sonar, radar and laser radar have evolved to the point where many commercial, scientific and military applications exist for these sensing systems. Each of these sensors involves problems peculiar to themselves. Deals with solutions to the problems currently associated with signal detection by the application of a variety of subsets of Communication and Estimation Theory. Covers such topics as noise and random processes; noise statistics; how to detect signals in noise; waveform analysis; non-coherent detection of a single pulse and more.

Active remote sensing is the principal tool used to study and to predict short- and long-term changes in the environment of Earth - the atmosphere, the oceans and the land surfaces - as well as the near space environment of Earth. All of these measurements are essential to understanding terrestrial weather, climate change, space weather hazards, and threats from asteroids. Active remote sensing measurements are of inestimable benefit to society, as we pursue the development of a technological civilization that is economically viable, and seek to maintain the quality of our life. A Strategy for Active Remote Sensing Amid Increased Demand for Spectrum describes the threats, both current and future, to the effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum required for active remote sensing. This report offers specific recommendations for protecting and making effective use of the spectrum required for active remote sensing.

This book describes recent work on active sensors for mobile robots. An active sensor interacts with its surroundings to supply data on demand for a particular function, gathering and abstracting information according to need rather than acting as a generic data gatherer. Details of the physical operation are hidden.The book deals mainly with active range sensors, which provide rapid information for local planning, describing extraction of two-dimensional features such as lines, corners and cylinders to reconstruct a plan of a building. It is structured according to the physical principles of the sensors, since to a large extent these determine the function of the sensors and the methods of processing. Recent work using sonar, optoelectronic sensors and radar is described. Sections on vision and on sensor management develop the idea of software adaptation for efficient operation in a changing environment.

Building on the unique features that made the first edition a bestseller, this second edition includes additional solved problems and web access to the large collection of MATLABTM scripts that are highlighted throughout the text. The book offers expanded coverage of audio engineering, transducers, and sensor networking technology. It also includes new chapters on digital audio processing, as well as acoustics and vibrations transducers. The text addresses the use of meta-data architectures using XML and agent-based automated data mining and control. The numerous algorithms presented can be applied locally or network-based to solve complex detection problems.

This comprehensive textbook and reference provides a solid background in active sensing technology. Beginning with an introduction to signal generation, filtering, and modulation, it goes through the derivation of the radar range equation, fundamental to the understanding of radar, sonar, and lidar.