RF self-identification and triggering of fast moving objects

This paper deals with a RF self-identification and triggering system suited for the detection of fast moving objects. The system consists of a fixed transmitter, located in the path side, and of a receiver unit mounted aboard the vehicle. A slotted waveguide antenna array is used to accurately define the position of the moving object. When the latter crosses the antenna beam a triggering pulse is generated by the receiver: such a pulse can be used to reset and update the electronics aboard the vehicle. A digital transmission of Gold sequences and a post-processing unit has been exploited to increase the reliability and the accuracy of the system.