Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-08-28
Vo, Cliff N. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C345S424000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281901
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods for displaying 3D (three-dimensional) data in a two-dimensional space. More specifically, but without limitation thereto, the present invention relates to a method for displaying 3-D data on a video display terminal and overlaying the 3-D data with an interactively adjustable visual boundary surface.
In evaluating the performance of an antenna design, it is desirable to examine the far field pattern radiated by the antenna. The far field radiation pattern may be computed using electromagnetic equations and by measuring the antenna pattern at an antenna pattern range. The far field radiation pattern of an antenna defines the performance of the antenna for a given environment. If the antenna is situated in free space, then it has an associated ideal radiation pattern. In practical applications, however, the antenna is surrounded by interfering structures. For example, high frequency (HF) antennas on a ship are interfered with by the structure of the ship. A measurement of the antenna pattern is typically made by modeling the antenna and the ship on which the antenna is mounted to determine how the structure of the ship affects the antenna pattern. Energy from the radiating antenna couples into the structure of the ship and is re-radiated, creating blockages or nulls in the antenna pattern that may result in extreme degradation of the far field antenna pattern.
An antenna pattern test range typically includes a small scale model of the antenna, the interfering structures, and an electromagnetic sensor. The sensor is typically moved along a track to measure the relative magnitude and phase of electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the antenna at a wavelength appropriate to the scale of the model. The signal received by the sensor is measured over a wide range of elevation and azimuth angles as the sensor is moved along the track. The sensor relays the measurements to a data logger that records the data in a file for analysis and display.
The performance of a communications system is closely linked to the performance of its antennas. A need therefore exists for a method to evaluate antenna performance and to identify any blockages or sidelobes in the antenna pattern.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems described above, and may provide further related advantages. No embodiment of the present invention described herein shall preclude other embodiments or advantages that may exist or become obvious to those skilled in the art.
An interactive overlay for displaying 3-D data of the present invention provides a method for analyzing 3-D data by superimposing an adjustable, semi-transparent bounding surface on a display of the 3-D data. The bounding surface makes visually apparent nulls on the 3-D data surface that fall below the selected value of the bounding surface. The bounding surface also provides a visual reference for estimating relative magnitudes.
An advantage of the interactive overlay for displaying 3-D data of the present invention is that nulls and peaks in a complex 3-D surface relative to a selected threshold value may be visually recognized.
The features and advantages summarized above in addition to other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the description, presented in conjunction with the following drawings.
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Firman Carl M.
Russell Linda C.
Fendelman Harvey
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Vo Cliff N.
Ward James A.
Whitesell Eric James
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