A shipborne multi-band co-planar high integration phased array radar RCS measurement system

Abstract

The application provides a shipborne multiband coplanar high-integration phased array radar RCS measurement system, which is characterized by comprising a four-band radar unit, a stable platform, a power supply, a radome, a temperature stabilizing unit and a comprehensive information processing unit; wherein the four-band radar unit comprises a C-band radar, an X-band radar, a Ku-band radar and a Ka-band radar, and the stable platform is provided with a control unit; the control unit is in communication connection with each band radar of the four-band radar unit respectively, and is used for transmitting monitoring and data signals with each band radar of the four-band radar unit; the power supply supplies power to the stable platform and the control unit of the stable platform, and comprises a power supply interface, which is used for externally supplying power to the shipborne multiband coplanar high-integration phased array radar RCS measurement system; the four-band radar unit, the stable platform and the like are installed in the radome. The application adopts a wide bandwidth scanning active phased array system, adopts a multiband high-integration coplanar design, and has multiband, multi-angle and co-view field measurement capacity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of radar systems and radar measurement technology, specifically relating to a shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system. Background Technology

[0002] Electromagnetic stealth technology has become a widely adopted technology in weapon systems worldwide, and is extensively used in various weapon systems such as aircraft and missiles. Its core objective is to reduce the radar cross-section (RCS) of a target through various means.

[0003] To assess stealth performance, appropriate measurement techniques are required. Phased array radar, a widely used technology in recent years, boasts advantages such as high transmission power and strong anti-jamming capabilities. Applying phased array radar to the field of RCS measurement can fully leverage its advantages. Shipborne platforms have high payload capacity and good mobility, enabling long-range mobile testing and meeting the needs of various measurement scenarios.

[0004] In the past, phased array radar equipment could not establish the relationship between echo power and target RCS. In order to perform RCS measurement, a multi-band, shipborne RCS measurement system needed to be designed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, this invention proposes a shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system. This system can obtain the electromagnetic scattering characteristics of multi-band targets, has a long measurement range, and also possesses search and tracking capabilities. Addressing the problem of significant swaying of shipborne platforms in wind and waves, this invention designs a stable platform capable of performing accurate tests even when the ship is swaying.

[0006] A shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system, characterized in that it comprises a four-band radar unit, a stabilization platform, a power supply, an antenna radome, a temperature stabilization unit, and a comprehensive information processing unit; wherein:

[0007] The four-band radar unit includes a C-band radar, an X-band radar, a Ku-band radar, and a Ka-band radar. Among them, the C-band, X-band, and Ku-band radars are array radars, which are directly mounted on the radiating surface of the four-band radar unit frame. The antenna array of the Ka-band radar is mounted on the radiating surface of the four-band radar unit frame, and the integrated electronic unit of the Ka-band radar is mounted on the base of the four-band radar unit frame.

[0008] The stabilization platform has a control unit, which transmits and receives monitoring signals from the stabilization platform and controls the pose of the stabilization platform. The control unit is communicatively connected to each band radar of the four-band radar unit and is used to transmit monitoring and data signals to each band radar of the four-band radar unit.

[0009] The power supply provides power to the stabilization platform and its control unit, and includes a power interface for externally supplying power to the shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system.

[0010] The four-band radar unit, stabilization platform, temperature stabilization unit, and power supply are installed inside the radome. The temperature stabilization unit is used to control the temperature inside the radome to keep it stable.

[0011] The integrated information processing unit is used to control the system's operating mode and process radar data; the integrated information processing unit is communicatively connected to the control unit of the stabilization platform for bidirectional transmission of commands / data and stabilization platform monitoring signals.

[0012] 2. The shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: the four-band radar unit is installed on a stabilizing platform, the stabilizing platform is fixedly installed at a high position outside the ship's cabin, the four-band radar unit, stabilizing platform, temperature stabilizing unit and power supply outside the cabin are installed inside the radome, and the integrated information processing unit is installed on a standard cabinet inside the ship's cabin.

[0013] 3. The shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: the four-band radar unit is designed as a single-station fully coherent pulse active phased array, the four-band radar unit frame carries C-band radar, X-band radar, Ku-band radar and Ka-band radar, and the four-band radar arrays are installed coplanarly, so that multiple band radars can work simultaneously on the same plane, so as to ensure the accuracy of multi-band RCS measurement of moving targets.

[0014] 4. The shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that:

[0015] The Ka-band and Ku-band radars are positioned on the upper part of the four-band radar unit frame's radiating surface, away from the base and the left and right arm-shaped support structures; the radar array is installed on the upper part and inwards of the unit frame's radiating surface.

[0016] 5. The measurement method of the shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: the integrated information processing unit controls the system to operate in the following working modes according to external instructions:

[0017] (1) 360° detection mode for sea / air targets

[0018] The 360° detection of sea / air targets is performed using a scan-while-track (TWS) mode. While tracking the detected targets, new targets are searched. In the scan-while-track (TWS) mode, the search and tracking are actually bundled together, and the period of the search airspace is the refresh rate of the tracking data.

[0019] (2) Sector / small sector detection modes for sea / air targets

[0020] A scan-while-track (TWS) working mode is designed for the detection of sea / air targets in sectors / small sectors. For key targets that have been detected, a sector / small sector detection mode is adopted.

[0021] (3) High-resolution one-dimensional range profile (HRRP) mode

[0022] The High Resolution One-Dimensional Range Profile (HRRP) mode can quickly obtain high-resolution range images of targets and acquire range contour, shape and structure information. After detecting a target in scanning mode or obtaining the target position by other means, the beam is pointed at the ship target to complete range pulse compression and azimuth noncoherent accumulation. The change of the target scattering center with the radar observation range is obtained, and the target RCS is obtained or the target is identified through the distribution of the scattering center.

[0023] (4) Inverse Synthetic Aperture (ISAR) Imaging Mode

[0024] After the inverse synthetic aperture (ISAR) imaging mode can detect the target in the scanning mode or obtain the target location information by other means, it points the beam at the target and completes the ISAR imaging processing after the dwell pulse is accumulated.

[0025] (5) Target RCS Measurement Mode

[0026] The target RCS measurement mode can perform RCS measurement after the target location is determined, or perform RCS measurement by setting parameters to transmit different waveforms such as point frequency pulse waveform, frequency step pulse waveform, and linear frequency modulated pulse waveform according to requirements;

[0027] (6) Marine and meteorological environmental data acquisition mode

[0028] Under different sea areas and sea conditions, parameters can be set according to needs to collect echo data, which can enrich the environmental database and obtain current meteorological information to process meteorological echo data.

[0029] (7) External calibration mode

[0030] External calibration test modes are conducted for different calibration scenarios.

[0031] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0032] 1. This invention adopts a wideband active phased array system and a multi-band high-integration coplanar design, which has the ability to measure multiple bands, multiple angles and common field of view.

[0033] 2. The stabilization platform of this invention uses two-dimensional mechanical scanning of azimuth and elevation to provide stable beam pointing of the antenna array, which can avoid beam pointing errors caused by wind and waves.

[0034] 3. The radars of this invention employ electronic scanning spectroscopy (ESS) in each band to achieve rapid target detection and high-precision RCS measurement. They also possess search and tracking measurement capabilities.

[0035] 4. This invention enables real-time tracking of complex moving targets under various complex sea conditions while simultaneously performing multi-band RCS measurements. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the composition and interconnection of a shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a physical diagram of a shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the composition and interconnection of a single-band radar unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a design diagram of a C-band phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a design diagram of an X-band phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a design diagram of a Ku-band phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 7 This is a design diagram of a Ka-band phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 8 This is a high-resolution one-dimensional range image of different targets obtained by a shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The present invention includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.

[0045] like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment provides a shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system. Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a four-band radar unit, a stabilization platform, a power supply, an antenna radome, a temperature stabilization unit, and an integrated information processing unit.

[0046] The four-band radar unit includes C-band radar, X-band radar, Ku-band radar, and Ka-band radar.

[0047] The four-band radar unit is mounted on a stabilization platform, which is fixedly installed high outside the ship's cabin to avoid radar beam obstruction. The four-band radar unit, stabilization platform, and power supply are housed inside the radome. The integrated information processing unit is installed in a standard cabinet inside the ship's cabin. The multi-band measurement system's external interfaces include a display and control interface, a data interface, and a power interface.

[0048] The four-band radar unit performs functions such as generating, transmitting, receiving, and acquiring C / X / Ku / Ka band radar signals. It consists of four radar arrays and the four-band antenna adopts a common-plane integrated design, which can reduce measurement errors.

[0049] To achieve a four-band coplanar design, this invention features a highly integrated hardware design and employs a partitioned arrangement of TR components for different bands to achieve multi-band coplanar aperture. This breakthrough solves the interference problem when different bands operate simultaneously, resulting in a highly integrated coplanar phased array radar RCS testing system.

[0050] The stabilization platform has a control unit that transmits and receives monitoring signals and controls the platform's attitude. The control unit is communicatively connected to each band of the four-band radar unit to transmit monitoring and data signals.

[0051] The stabilization platform consists of a support structure, an azimuth drive and measurement mechanism, a pitch drive and measurement mechanism, and an attitude measurement device, performing functions such as supporting, rotating in azimuth, rotating in pitch, and servo controlling the four-band antenna elements. Combined with the stabilization platform, this invention can be deployed not only on fixed platforms but also on mobile platforms, especially ship-based platforms. Through the stable support structure, this invention can achieve the measurement of target and background electromagnetic scattering characteristics under complex sea conditions.

[0052] The power supply provides power to the stabilization platform and its control unit, and includes a power interface for externally supplying power to the shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system. The power supply unit converts the shipborne power supply into secondary power required for the four-band radar unit to operate, and distributes it to each component unit. The power interface serves as the system's external interface.

[0053] The four-band radar unit, stabilization platform, temperature stabilization unit, and power supply are installed inside the radome. The temperature stabilization unit is used to control the temperature inside the radome to maintain a stable temperature. The main function of the radome is to protect the external radar equipment from rain, wind, and salt spray under radar-transparent conditions.

[0054] The integrated information processing unit is used to control the system's operating mode and process radar data. It has a display and control interface and an echo data interface, which are the system's external interfaces for interacting with external data. The integrated information processing unit is also connected to the control unit of the stabilization platform for bidirectional transmission of commands / data and stabilization platform monitoring signals.

[0055] The air conditioner provides heat dissipation for the equipment inside the radome, ensuring that the invention can perform long-term measurements under all weather and all-day conditions.

[0056] Figure 2 This is a physical diagram of a shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The four-band radar unit is mounted on a stabilization platform, which is fixedly mounted high outside the ship's cabin to avoid radar beam obstruction. The four-band radar unit, stabilization platform, temperature stabilization unit, and power supply are installed inside the radome, while the integrated information processing unit is installed on a standard cabinet inside the ship's cabin.

[0057] The four-band radar unit is designed as a monostation fully coherent pulse active phased array. The four-band radar unit frame houses C, X, Ku, and Ka band radars, with the four radar arrays mounted coplanarly. This allows multiple band radars to operate simultaneously on the same plane, ensuring accurate multi-band RCS measurements of moving targets. The azimuth mechanical scan range is 360°, and the elevation mechanical scan range is -30° to +60°. The coplanar design of the C, X, Ku, and Ka band antennas reduces measurement errors and facilitates RCS comparison between different bands.

[0058] The C, X, and Ku band radars are array radars, which are directly mounted on the radiating surface of the four-band radar unit frame. The antenna array of the Ka band radar is mounted on the radiating surface of the four-band radar unit frame, and the integrated electronic unit of the Ka band radar is mounted on the base of the four-band radar unit frame.

[0059] Considering the impact of the stabilizing platform base and the left and right arm-shaped support structures on the near-field of radar waves during radar operation, the layout of the four-band radar on the radiating surface of the four-band radar unit frame is as follows:

[0060] (1) Considering that Ka and Ku band radars are more sensitive to near-field influences, the Ka band radar and Ku band radar are positioned on the upper part of the radiation surface of the four-band radar unit frame, away from the base and the left and right arm-shaped support structures.

[0061] (2) The radar array is installed on the upper part and inward on the radiation surface of the unit frame.

[0062] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the composition and interconnection of a single-band radar unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. All bands employ an active phased array system, consisting of a radiating array, a T / R module array, a feed network, a beam control power supply, an RF synthesizer, a digital synthesizer, and a radar frame. The radiating array, T / R module array, feed network, RF synthesizer, and digital synthesizer are connected sequentially. The beam control power supply is connected to both the T / R module array and the digital synthesizer. The single-band radar unit's external interface includes a power interface and transmits monitoring and data signals to the control unit of the stabilization platform via optical fiber.

[0063] C-band phased array antenna radiating surface as follows Figure 4 As shown. The C-band phased array antenna radiating surface includes multiple C-band radiating elements. The electrical dimensions of the C-band phased array antenna radiating surface layer are 318 mm in the range direction and 318 mm in the azimuth direction. There are 12 C-band radiating elements in the range direction and 12 C-band radiating elements in the azimuth direction. The spacing between the C-band radiating elements is designed to be 26.5 mm in both the range and azimuth directions. The entire radiating surface adopts a rectangular arrangement, with a total of 144 C-band radiating elements. The 12 C-band radiating elements in the range direction form one C-band transceiver channel, and there are 12 transceiver channels in the azimuth direction.

[0064] X-band phased array antenna radiating surface, such as Figure 5 As shown. The electrical dimensions of the X-band phased array surface layer are 256mm in the range direction and 256mm in the azimuth direction. There are 16 X-band radiating elements in the range direction and 16 X-band radiating elements in the azimuth direction. To meet the antenna scanning requirements, the spacing between the X-band radiating elements is designed to be 16mm in the range direction and 16mm in the azimuth direction. The entire radiating array adopts a rectangular grid with chamfered corners.

[0065] Ku-band phased array antenna radiating surface, such as Figure 6 As shown, the Ku-band phased array antenna radiating surface includes multiple Ku-band radiating elements. The electrical dimensions of the Ku-band phased array antenna radiating surface layer are 192mm in the range direction and 304mm in the azimuth direction. There are 16 Ku-band radiating elements in the range direction and 32 Ku-band radiating elements in the azimuth direction. The spacing between the Ku-band radiating elements is designed to be 12mm in the range direction and 9.5mm in the azimuth direction. The entire radiating surface adopts a rectangular arrangement.

[0066] Ka-band phased array antenna radiating surface as follows Figure 7As shown, the Ka-band phased array antenna radiating surface adopts the form of a waveguide slot array antenna, with 96 Ka-band radiating elements in the azimuth direction and 1 Ka-band radiating element in the range direction. Each Ka-band radiating element is driven by a single-channel T / R module, and the entire array contains a total of 192 T / R modules.

[0067] The main features of this system are its coplanar multi-band active phased array antenna, which boasts high integration and a small size. Employing a phased array design, it can perform electronic beam scanning, ultimately enabling target RCS measurement based on tracking and detection. Different radar bands can acquire different target electromagnetic scattering characteristics. The Ku and Ka bands, with their higher frequencies, can more accurately describe the subtle shapes of targets; the C and X bands are less affected by atmospheric attenuation. Therefore, this invention designs a C / X / Ku / Ka four-band system.

[0068] The integrated information processing unit controls the system to operate in the following modes based on external instructions:

[0069] (1) 360° detection mode for sea / air targets

[0070] 360° detection of sea / air targets utilizes a Track-while-Scan (TWS) operating mode. TWS is the most commonly used mode, referring to the simultaneous tracking of already detected targets and searching for new targets. In TWS, search and tracking are essentially intertwined; the search airspace period is the refresh rate of the tracking data.

[0071] (2) Sector / small sector detection modes for sea / air targets

[0072] A scan-while-track (TWS) mode was designed for sector / small sector detection of sea / air targets. Based on the flexibility of phased array radar beam scanning, the sector / small sector detection mode is beneficial for confirming the target's position and angle information and for coarse measurement of electromagnetic scattering characteristics for key targets that have been detected.

[0073] (3) High-resolution one-dimensional range profile (HRRP) mode

[0074] High-Resolution One-Dimensional Range Profile (HRRP) mode can quickly obtain high-resolution range images of targets, acquiring information related to range contours and shape structures. After detecting a target in scanning mode or obtaining the target's position using other means, the beam is directed towards the ship target, completing range pulse compression and azimuth noncoherent accumulation. Figure 8 To acquire high-resolution one-dimensional range profiles of different targets. It can obtain the variation of the target's scattering center with the radar observation range, and can obtain the target's RCS or perform target identification through this scattering center distribution.

[0075] (4) Inverse Synthetic Aperture (ISAR) Imaging Mode

[0076] Inverse synthetic aperture (ISAR) imaging mode can detect targets in scanning mode or obtain target location information using other means, then point the beam at the target and complete ISAR imaging processing after accumulating dwell pulses.

[0077] (5) Target RCS Measurement Mode

[0078] The target RCS measurement mode can perform RCS measurement after the target location is determined, or it can perform RCS measurement by setting parameters to transmit different waveforms such as point frequency pulse waveform, frequency step pulse waveform, and linear frequency modulation pulse waveform according to requirements.

[0079] (6) Marine and meteorological environmental data acquisition mode

[0080] Echo data is collected under different sea areas and sea conditions, with parameters set according to requirements to enrich the environmental database. Simultaneously, it can acquire current meteorological information and process meteorological echo data.

[0081] (7) External calibration mode

[0082] External calibration test modes are conducted for different calibration scenarios.

[0083] This system has the capabilities of power-on self-test, periodic self-test, and maintenance self-test, and is equipped with automatic equipment monitoring and fault location functions.

[0084] This system has single-polarization, dual-polarization, and quad-polarization measurement modes. Different polarizations result in different electromagnetic scattering characteristics of the target. In the case of multiple polarizations, more target feature information can be obtained.

[0085] This system is capable of displaying point-frequency pulse waveforms, frequency-stepped pulse waveforms, and linear frequency-modulated pulse waveforms. The instantaneous bandwidth of the signal is greater than 1 GHz.

[0086] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. The content of these embodiments should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system, characterized in that: It includes a four-band radar unit, a stabilization platform, a power supply, a radome, a temperature stabilization unit, and an integrated information processing unit; among which: The four-band radar unit includes a C-band radar, an X-band radar, a Ku-band radar, and a Ka-band radar. Among them, the C-band, X-band, and Ku-band radars are array radars, which are directly mounted on the radiating surface of the four-band radar unit frame. The antenna array of the Ka-band radar is mounted on the radiating surface of the four-band radar unit frame, and the integrated electronic unit of the Ka-band radar is mounted on the base of the four-band radar unit frame. The stabilization platform has a control unit, which transmits and receives monitoring signals from the stabilization platform and controls the pose of the stabilization platform. The control unit is communicatively connected to each band radar of the four-band radar unit and is used to transmit monitoring and data signals to each band radar of the four-band radar unit. The power supply provides power to the stabilization platform and its control unit, and includes a power interface for externally supplying power to the shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system. The four-band radar unit, stabilization platform, temperature stabilization unit, and power supply are installed inside the radome. The temperature stabilization unit is used to control the temperature inside the radome to keep it stable. The four-band radar unit is designed as a monostation fully coherent pulse active phased array. The four-band radar unit frame carries C-band radar, X-band radar, Ku-band radar and Ka-band radar. The four radar arrays are installed on the same plane, so that multiple radars can work on the same plane at the same time, so as to ensure the accuracy of multi-band measurement of the RCS of moving targets. Considering the impact of the stable platform base and left and right arm-shaped support structures on the near field of radar waves during radar operation, the Ka-band radar and Ku-band radar are positioned on the upper part of the four-band radar unit frame radiating surface, away from the base and left and right arm-shaped support structures; the radar array is installed on the upper part and inward of the unit frame radiating surface. The integrated information processing unit is used to control the system's operating mode and process radar data; the integrated information processing unit is communicatively connected to the control unit of the stabilization platform for bidirectional transmission of commands / data and stabilization platform monitoring signals. The integrated information processing unit controls the system to work in the target RCS measurement mode according to external instructions: the target RCS measurement mode can perform RCS measurement after the target position is determined, or perform RCS measurement by setting parameters to transmit different waveforms such as point frequency pulse waveform, frequency step pulse waveform, and linear frequency modulation pulse waveform according to requirements.

2. The shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four-band radar unit is mounted on a stabilization platform, which is fixedly installed at a high position outside the ship's cabin. The four-band radar unit, stabilization platform, temperature stabilization unit, and power supply are installed inside the radome, while the integrated information processing unit is installed on a standard cabinet inside the ship's cabin.

3. The measurement method of the shipborne multi-band coplanar highly integrated phased array radar RCS measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The integrated information processing unit controls the system to operate in the following modes based on external instructions: (1) 360° detection mode for sea / air targets The 360° detection of sea / air targets is performed using a scan-while-track (TWS) mode. While tracking the detected targets, it searches for new targets. In the scan-while-track (TWS) mode, the search and tracking are actually bundled together, and the period of searching the airspace is the refresh rate of the tracking data. (2) Detection modes for sea / air targets sector / small sector A scan-while-track (TWS) working mode is designed for the detection of sea / air targets in sectors / small sectors. For key targets that have been detected, a sector / small sector detection mode is adopted. (3) High-resolution one-dimensional range image HRRP mode The high-resolution one-dimensional range profile (HRRP) mode can quickly obtain high-resolution range images of targets and acquire range profile, shape and structure information. After detecting a target in scanning mode and obtaining its position, the beam is directed towards the ship target to complete range pulse compression and azimuth noncoherent accumulation. The change of the target scattering center with the radar observation range is obtained, and the target RCS is obtained or the target is identified through the distribution of the scattering center. (4) Inverse Synthetic Aperture ISAR Imaging Mode Inverse synthetic aperture ISAR imaging mode can detect targets in scanning mode and obtain target location information. After pointing the beam at the target, the ISAR imaging process is completed after the dwell pulse is accumulated. (5) Marine and meteorological environmental data acquisition mode Under different sea areas and sea conditions, parameters can be set according to needs to collect echo data, which can enrich the environmental database and obtain current meteorological information to process meteorological echo data. (6) External calibration mode External calibration test modes are conducted for different calibration scenarios.

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