Traffic Radar System with Automated Tuning Fork Test Feature

Abstract

A traffic radar system (TRS) utilizing an automated test process which aids the operator in quickly conducting comprehensive system tuning fork tests that includes front and rear antennas and stationary, moving opposite, and moving same-lane operations. The automated process has the ability to select the proper radar antenna and proper mode of operation for each step of the test. The process will measure the input fork signals and report if the signals are within the specified tolerance. Optionally, the process can be set to not allow the radar system to enter the normal operating mode if the tuning fork tests have not been successfully completed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by this patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . In combination with a traffic radar system, a tuning fork test method comprising:
 transmitting a radar signal from a first antenna;   placing a first tuning fork vibrating at a first frequency in front of said first antenna;   determining a first speed of said first tuning fork;   placing a second tuning fork vibrating at a second frequency in front of said first antenna;   determining a second speed of said second tuning fork;   determining a differential speed between said first speed and said second speed; and   indicating a pass or fail from predetermined criteria.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising prompting a user to strike and place said first tuning fork in front of said first antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising comparing said first speed to a first expected speed. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising determining if said first speed is within a predetermined tolerance of said first expected speed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising displaying a pass/fail message for said first speed for a predetermined time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first speed is stored. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising prompting a user to strike and place said second tuning fork in front of said first antenna. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising comparing said second speed to a second expected speed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising determining if said second speed is within a predetermined tolerance of said second expected speed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising displaying a pass/fail message for said second speed for a predetermined time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining if a second antenna is present. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein if a second antenna is present,
 transmitting a radar signal from said second antenna; 
 placing said second tuning fork vibrating at said second frequency in front of said second antenna; 
 determining said second speed of said second tuning fork; 
 placing said first tuning fork vibrating at said first frequency in front of said second antenna; 
 determining said first speed of said first tuning fork; 
 determining a differential speed between said second speed and said first speed; and 
 indicating a pass or fail from predetermined criteria. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising prompting a user to strike and place said second tuning fork in front of said second antenna. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising comparing said second speed to said second expected speed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising determining if said second speed is within said predetermined tolerance of said second expected speed. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising displaying a pass/fail message for said second speed for a predetermined time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said second speed is stored. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising prompting a user to strike and place said first tuning fork in front of said second antenna. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising comparing said first speed to said first expected speed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising determining if said first speed is within said predetermined tolerance of said first expected speed. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising displaying a pass/fail message for said first speed for a predetermined time.