Synthetic aperture subarray multiplexing structure and construction method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of comprehensive aperture subarray multiplexing structure and construction method, aperture subarray multiplexing structure is made of at least 31 identical subarrays, and subarray is made of 8*8 unit array antenna, wherein 30 subarrays constitute 6*5 layout structure, and the remaining subarray is at least one 6*6 position;Aperture subarray multiplexing structure includes interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray and at least three groups of amplitude comparison beam subarray;Interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray includes three interferometer subarrays respectively at the corresponding position of the first longitudinal column and the last horizontal row baseline end point;Amplitude comparison beam subarray includes azimuth dimension amplitude comparison beam subarray and pitch dimension amplitude comparison beam subarray.The application realizes that target discovery and target detection / imaging equipment design installation are on the same platform, solves the timeliness and comprehensive application problem of two detection methods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of target detection and electromagnetic wave monitoring technology, and in particular to a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure and its construction method. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements, the demand for integrated target detection and imaging applications is increasing. Target detection and imaging are two distinct equipment products, and currently, these two technologies and products are still being designed according to their respective characteristics in terms of aperture, reception, and processing. In existing technologies, the aperture design of radar imaging aperture equipment for space platforms generally employs a phased array system. A phased array consists of multiple subarrays, each containing dozens of array elements. Each element is connected to a T / R module at its rear end to form an active channel. The T / R modules of the entire array are connected through a feed network and aggregated into the radar signal receiving and processing system. In contrast, the aperture equipment used for target detection on space platforms typically uses non-uniformly spaced element antennas (or subarrays), calculating target direction information through the spacing (baseline) formed by the different element antennas.

[0003] Currently, the two types of equipment are set up independently, making it difficult to integrate them into a single application. They also have issues with detection timeliness. There is an urgent need for an array design that can achieve both detection functions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a combined aperture subarray multiplexing structure and construction method. By adopting a common aperture and integrated design approach, it meets the requirements of limited mounting surfaces, realizes the array required for two detection functions, and enables the design and installation of target discovery and target detection / imaging equipment on the same platform, thus solving the timeliness and integrated application challenges of the two detection methods.

[0005] This invention provides a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure, the specific technical solution of which is as follows:

[0006] The aperture subarray multiplexing structure consists of several identical subarrays, each composed of an 8*8 unit array antenna, wherein the subarrays form an m*n layout structure based on the longest baseline in the azimuth and elevation dimensions.

[0007] The aperture subarray multiplexing structure includes an interferometer direction finding baseline subarray and at least three sets of amplitude comparison beam subarrays; the interferometer direction finding baseline subarray includes three interferometer subarrays respectively located at the baseline endpoints of the first column and the last row;

[0008] The amplitude-ratio beam array includes an azimuth amplitude-ratio beam array and an elevation amplitude-ratio beam array; the azimuth amplitude-ratio beam array consists of three longitudinally adjacent subarrays, and the elevation amplitude-ratio beam array consists of three laterally adjacent subarrays, with each azimuth amplitude-ratio beam array and each elevation amplitude-ratio beam array arranged adjacent to each other.

[0009] Furthermore, the aperture subarray multiplexing structure consists of at least 31 identical subarrays, of which 30 of the subarrays form a 6*5 layout structure, and the remaining subarray is located in a 6*6 position. The first column and the last row of subarrays in the structure form the longest baselines in the longitudinal pitch dimension and the lateral azimuth dimension, respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, the azimuth amplitude beam subarray is provided in three groups, respectively located in the third to fifth columns of the first three horizontal rows; the elevation amplitude beam subarray is located in the third to fifth columns of the last three horizontal rows.

[0011] Furthermore, the aperture subarray multiplexing structure also includes a sidelobe shadow array, which includes an azimuth-dimensional sidelobe shadow array and an elevation-dimensional sidelobe shadow array.

[0012] The pitch dimension sub-lobes shadow array is located in the first to second columns of the second to third horizontal rows, and consists of two vertically adjacent sub-arrays; the azimuth dimension sub-lobes shadow array is located in the first to second columns of the fourth to fifth horizontal rows, and consists of two horizontally adjacent sub-arrays.

[0013] This invention also discloses a method for constructing a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0014] S1: Based on an 8*8 unit array, several subarrays are constructed to form a 6*5 aperture layout structure, thus forming the radar imaging aperture.

[0015] S2: Design the longest baseline length in the azimuth and elevation dimensions, and construct the interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray based on the longest baseline;

[0016] S3: In the third to fifth column regions of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three adjacent subarrays in the horizontal and vertical directions are selected respectively to form an amplitude comparison beam subarray, and the beam signals of the three subarrays are combined into a narrow beam.

[0017] Furthermore, in step S2, the construction of the interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray is as follows:

[0018] An interferometer subarray is set after the last column of the sixth row of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, and interferometer subarrays are set at the beginning and end of the first column to form an interferometer direction finding baseline subarray.

[0019] Furthermore, in step S3, the amplitude comparison beam array includes an elevation-dimensional amplitude comparison beam array and an azimuth-dimensional amplitude comparison beam array. The elevation-dimensional amplitude comparison beam array is constructed adjacent to each other laterally, and the azimuth-dimensional amplitude comparison beam array is constructed adjacent to each other longitudinally.

[0020] Furthermore, the construction of the pitch-dimensional amplitude beam subarray is as follows:

[0021] In the third to fifth column regions of the first to third horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to form a set of elevation dimensional amplitude beam subarrays.

[0022] Based on the adjacent column positions of the current pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarray, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to construct the pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarray, until three sets of pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarrays are constructed.

[0023] Furthermore, the construction of the azimuth-dimensional amplitude beam subarray is as follows:

[0024] In the third to fifth column region of the fourth to sixth horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three horizontally adjacent subarrays are selected to form a set of azimuth amplitude beam subarrays.

[0025] Based on the adjacent horizontal positions of the current azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarray, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to construct the azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarray, until three sets of azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarrays are constructed.

[0026] Furthermore, after step S3, the following is also included:

[0027] S4: In the first to second column regions of the second to fifth horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, select two horizontally and vertically adjacent subarrays to construct a sidelobe shadow array, including at least one set of elevation-dimensional sidelobe shadow array and azimuth-dimensional sidelobe shadow array.

[0028] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0029] The integrated aperture subarray multiplexing structure designed in this invention adopts a common aperture design. Based on the subarrays divided in the radar imaging aperture scheme, it makes full use of the topological relationship between the subarrays to realize the simultaneous fulfillment of target detection and detection / imaging function requirements on a space platform with limited size. It solves the problem of integrating long baseline direction finding of interferometers, multi-beam direction finding ambiguity resolution, and amplitude comparison multi-beam coverage sidelobe concealment design, and realizes the timeliness and integrated application of the two functions. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an aperture subarray multiplexing structure.

[0031] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of beam coverage for azimuth and elevation dimension amplitude unambiguity resolution.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an interferometer and amplitude comparison beam coverage.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of amplitude beamforming and stealth beamforming coverage.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the construction method process. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the following description. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the indicated orientation or positional relationship is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the invention is conventionally placed during use, or the orientation or positional relationship in which those skilled in the art conventionally understand it during use. This is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] Embodiment 1 of the present invention discloses a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure, such as Figure 1 As shown, the details are as follows:

[0040] Combination Figure 1 As shown, each subarray is assigned a number for ease of explanation.

[0041] The aperture subarray multiplexing structure consists of at least 31 identical subarrays, each composed of an 8x8 element array antenna. Subarrays 1-30 form a 6x5 layout, and subarray 31 is positioned at a 6x6 location. If other subarrays are provided, they can be placed in the sixth column of the layout; otherwise, the column can be empty.

[0042] The first column and the last row of subarrays in the structure form the longest baselines for the longitudinal elevation dimension and the transverse azimuth dimension, respectively. That is, in this embodiment, subarray No. 1 and subarray No. 26 form the longest baseline to meet the elevation dimension baseline length required for target orientation. When the orientation and elevation dimensions require the same orientation accuracy, the azimuth dimension that does not meet the longest baseline needs to be appropriately extended. That is, subarray No. 26 and subarray No. 31 form the longest baseline to meet the azimuth dimension baseline length required for target orientation.

[0043] In this embodiment, the aperture subarray multiplexing structure includes an interferometer direction finding baseline subarray and at least three sets of amplitude comparison beam subarrays; the interferometer direction finding baseline subarray includes three interferometer subarrays respectively located at the baseline endpoints of the first column and the last row;

[0044] The amplitude-ratio beam array includes an azimuth-dimensional amplitude-ratio beam array and an elevation-dimensional amplitude-ratio beam array; the azimuth-dimensional amplitude-ratio beam array consists of three longitudinally adjacent subarrays, and the elevation-dimensional amplitude-ratio beam array consists of three laterally adjacent subarrays.

[0045] The azimuth amplitude beam subarrays and the elevation amplitude beam subarrays are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0046] The azimuth amplitude beam subarray is provided in three groups, respectively located in the third to fifth columns of the first three horizontal rows; the elevation amplitude beam subarray is located in the third to fifth columns of the last three horizontal rows.

[0047] In traditional interferometer direction finding, multiple short baselines are set up to progressively de-blur the direction finding result of the longest baseline. However, based on the radar imaging aperture structure in this embodiment, at least two other short baselines that are integer multiples of the longest baseline are required to meet the de-blurring requirements. For example, if subarray 1 is selected to form the longest baselines in the elevation and azimuth dimensions with subarray 26, and subarray 26 and subarray 31 respectively, it is difficult to select one or more suitable subarrays (27, 28, 29, and 30) between subarray 26 and subarray 31 to de-blur the baseline formed by subarrays 26 and 31.

[0048] Therefore, in this embodiment, by simultaneously synthesizing three narrow beams from three subarrays, the direction-finding ambiguity of the interferometer is resolved using a three-beam amplitude comparison method. Specifically, this is combined with... Figure 1As shown, subarrays 18, 19, and 20; subarrays 23, 24, and 25; and subarrays 28, 29, and 30 form three narrow-beam azimuth beams to resolve azimuth direction-finding ambiguity in the interferometer. Subarrays 3, 8, and 13; subarrays 4, 9, and 14; and subarrays 5, 10, and 15 form three narrow-beam elevation beams to resolve elevation direction-finding ambiguity in the interferometer. The interferometer and amplitude comparison beam coverage are as follows. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown.

[0049] In this embodiment, the aperture subarray multiplexing structure further includes a sidelobe shadow array, which includes an azimuth-dimensional sidelobe shadow array and an elevation-dimensional sidelobe shadow array.

[0050] The pitch dimension sub-lobes shadow array is located in the first to second columns of the second to third horizontal rows, and consists of two vertically adjacent sub-arrays; the azimuth dimension sub-lobes shadow array is located in the first to second columns of the fourth to fifth horizontal rows, and consists of two horizontally adjacent sub-arrays.

[0051] In practice, outside the overlapping coverage area of ​​the interferometer subarray and the amplitude comparison beam, other target signals may enter the receiver. In order to avoid these signals from entering and causing direction finding errors, it is necessary to perform sidelobe masking processing on signals outside the coverage area.

[0052] Specifically, in this embodiment, subarrays 16 and 17, and subarrays 21 and 22 form two camouflage beams in the azimuth dimension that are used to mask the amplitude beams in the azimuth dimension; subarrays 6 and 11, and subarrays 7 and 12 form two camouflage beams in the pitch dimension that are used to mask the amplitude beams in the pitch dimension.

[0053] Two stealth beams are synthesized using antenna elements in columns 7 and 8 of subarray 16 and columns 1 and 2 of subarray 17. The coverage of the three amplitude-comparison beams and the coverage of the two stealth beams are illustrated in the diagram below. Figure 4 As shown.

[0054] Example 2

[0055] Embodiment 2 of the present invention discloses a method for constructing a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the specific steps are as follows:

[0056] S1: Based on an 8*8 unit array antenna, several subarrays are constructed to form a 6*5 aperture layout structure, thus forming the radar imaging aperture.

[0057] S2: Design the longest baseline length in the azimuth and elevation dimensions, and construct the interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray based on the longest baseline;

[0058] Specifically as follows:

[0059] An interferometer subarray is set after the subarray corresponding to the last column of the sixth horizontal row of the radar imaging aperture layout structure. At the same time, interferometer subarrays are set at the beginning and end of the first column to form an interferometer direction finding baseline subarray.

[0060] Subarrays 1, 26, and 31 constitute the interferometer direction finding baseline subarrays. Subarray 1 and subarray 26 form the longest baseline, satisfying the elevation baseline length required for target direction finding. When the azimuth and elevation dimensions require the same direction finding accuracy, the azimuth dimension, which does not satisfy the longest baseline, needs to be appropriately extended. That is, subarray 26 and subarray 31 form the longest baseline, satisfying the azimuth baseline length required for target direction finding.

[0061] S3: In the third to fifth column regions of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three adjacent subarrays in the horizontal and vertical directions are selected respectively to form an amplitude comparison beam subarray, and the beam signals of the three subarrays are combined into a narrow beam.

[0062] The amplitude ratio beam array includes an elevation amplitude ratio beam array and an azimuth amplitude ratio beam array. The elevation amplitude ratio beam arrays are constructed adjacent to each other laterally, and the azimuth amplitude ratio beam arrays are constructed adjacent to each other longitudinally.

[0063] The construction of the pitch-dimensional amplitude beam subarray is as follows:

[0064] In the third to fifth column regions of the first to third horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to form a set of elevation dimensional amplitude beam subarrays.

[0065] Based on the adjacent column positions of the current pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarray, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to construct the pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarray, until three sets of pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarrays are constructed.

[0066] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 As shown, subarrays 18, 19, and 20; subarrays 23, 24, and 25; and subarrays 28, 29, and 30 form three narrow-beam azimuth dimensions to resolve azimuth-dimensional interferometer direction-finding ambiguity.

[0067] The construction of the azimuth-dimensional amplitude beam subarray is as follows:

[0068] In the third to fifth column region of the fourth to sixth horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three horizontally adjacent subarrays are selected to form a set of azimuth amplitude beam subarrays.

[0069] Based on the adjacent horizontal positions of the current azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarray, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to construct the azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarray, until three sets of azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarrays are constructed.

[0070] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 As shown, subarrays 3, 8, and 13; subarrays 4, 9, and 14; and subarrays 5, 10, and 15 form three narrow beams in the elevation dimension to resolve the elevation dimension interferometer direction finding ambiguity.

[0071] S4: In the first to second column regions of the second to fifth horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, select two horizontally and vertically adjacent subarrays to construct a sidelobe shadow array, including at least one set of elevation-dimensional sidelobe shadow array and azimuth-dimensional sidelobe shadow array.

[0072] Specifically, in combination Figure 1 As shown, subarrays 16 and 17, and subarrays 21 and 22 form two octagonal beams that are eclipsed by amplitude comparison in the octagonal dimension; subarrays 6 and 11, and subarrays 7 and 12 form two pitch beams that are eclipsed by amplitude comparison in the pitch dimension.

[0073] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The invention extends to any new feature or combination disclosed in this specification, as well as any new method or process step or combination disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure, characterized in that, The aperture subarray multiplexing structure consists of several identical subarrays, each subarray consisting of 8... The antenna array consists of 8 element arrays, wherein the subarrays are configured according to the longest baselines in the azimuth and elevation dimensions, forming an m-array. The layout structure of n; The aperture subarray multiplexing structure includes an interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray and at least three sets of amplitude comparison beam subarrays; the interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray includes three interferometer subarrays respectively located at the baseline endpoints of the first column and the last row; The aperture subarray multiplexing structure consists of at least 31 identical subarrays, of which 30 subarrays form a 6 The layout structure is 5, with the remaining subarray placed at 6. At position 6, the first column and the last row of subarrays in the structure form the longest baselines for the longitudinal pitch dimension and the lateral azimuth dimension, respectively. The amplitude-ratio beam subarray includes an azimuth-dimensional amplitude-ratio beam subarray and an elevation-dimensional amplitude-ratio beam subarray; The azimuth amplitude beam subarray consists of three longitudinally adjacent subarrays, and the elevation amplitude beam subarray consists of three laterally adjacent subarrays. Each azimuth amplitude beam subarray and each elevation amplitude beam subarray are arranged adjacent to each other.

2. The integrated aperture subarray multiplexing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The azimuth amplitude beam subarray is provided in three groups, respectively located in the third to fifth columns of the first three horizontal rows; the elevation amplitude beam subarray is located in the third to fifth columns of the last three horizontal rows.

3. The integrated aperture subarray multiplexing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aperture subarray multiplexing structure also includes a sidelobe shadow array, which includes an azimuth-dimensional sidelobe shadow array and an elevation-dimensional sidelobe shadow array; The pitch dimension sub-lobes shadow array is located in the first to second columns of the second to third horizontal rows, and consists of two vertically adjacent sub-arrays; the azimuth dimension sub-lobes shadow array is located in the first to second columns of the fourth to fifth horizontal rows, and consists of two horizontally adjacent sub-arrays.

4. A method for constructing a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure, characterized in that, include: S1: Based on 8 An 8-cell array is used to construct several subarrays, forming a 6-cell array. A 5-aperture layout structure forms the radar imaging aperture; S2: Design the longest baseline lengths for the azimuth and elevation dimensions, and construct the interferometer direction-finding baseline subarray based on the longest baselines, as detailed below: An interferometer subarray is set after the subarray corresponding to the last column of the sixth horizontal row of the radar imaging aperture layout structure. At the same time, interferometer subarrays are set at the beginning and end of the first column to form an interferometer direction finding baseline subarray. S3: In the third to fifth column regions of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three adjacent subarrays in the horizontal and vertical directions are selected respectively to form an amplitude comparison beam subarray, and the beam signals of the three subarrays are combined into a narrow beam. The amplitude ratio beam array includes an elevation amplitude ratio beam array and an azimuth amplitude ratio beam array. The elevation amplitude ratio beam arrays are constructed adjacent to each other laterally, and the azimuth amplitude ratio beam arrays are constructed adjacent to each other longitudinally.

5. The method for constructing a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The construction of the pitch-dimensional amplitude beam subarray is as follows: In the third to fifth column regions of the first to third horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to form a set of elevation dimensional amplitude beam subarrays. Based on the adjacent column positions of the current pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarray, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to construct the pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarray, until three sets of pitch dimensional amplitude beam subarrays are constructed.

6. The method for constructing a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The construction of the azimuth-dimensional amplitude beam subarray is as follows: In the third to fifth column region of the fourth to sixth horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, three horizontally adjacent subarrays are selected to form a set of azimuth amplitude beam subarrays. Based on the adjacent horizontal positions of the current azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarray, three vertically adjacent subarrays are selected to construct the azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarray, until three sets of azimuth dimensional amplitude beam subarrays are constructed.

7. The method for constructing a composite aperture subarray multiplexing structure according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The process after step S3 also includes: S4: In the first to second column regions of the second to fifth horizontal rows of the radar imaging aperture layout structure, select two horizontally and vertically adjacent subarrays to construct a sidelobe shadow array, including at least one set of elevation-dimensional sidelobe shadow array and azimuth-dimensional sidelobe shadow array.

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