Radar system

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter aims to a radar system capable of providing complete coverage of a surveillance field. The radar system comprises a housing including: (a) a plurality of receivers, and (b) a plurality of transmitters, wherein: (i) each given receiver of the plurality of receivers is located between a distinct pair of transmitters of the plurality of transmitters, configured to be fed by both transmitters; and, (ii) each given transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is located between a distinct pair of receivers of the plurality of receivers, configured to serve both receivers.

Description

[0001] RADAR SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of radar systems.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Radar is a radiolocation system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (ranging), angle (azimuth and elevation), and radial velocity of objects relative to a site. The system enables the detection and tracking of aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, and motor vehicles, as well as weather formations and terrain.

[0006] Traditionally, a radar system consists of (a) a transmitter producing electromagnetic waves in the radio or microwave domain, (b) a transmitting antenna, (c) a receiving antenna (often the same antenna is used for transmitting and receiving), and (d) a receiver and (e) processor to determine properties of objects. Radio waves (pulsed or continuous) from the transmitter reflect off the objects and return to the receiver, giving information about the objects' locations and speeds.

[0007] One of the most commonly used radar systems nowadays is the pulse-Doppler radar system. This system determines the range to a target using pulse-timing techniques and uses the Doppler effect of the returned signal to determine the target object's velocity. In doing so, the system combines the features of pulse radars and continuous-wave radars, which were formerly separate due to the complexity of the electronics.

[0008] Standard pulse Doppler radar systems generally possess between one and four surfaces, with transmitting and receiving elements (i.e., receivers and transmitters) located together, so a T / R module controls the switching between receiving and transmitting modes.

[0009] Though these systems provide complete coverage of a radar coverage area, they remain insufficient due to beam shape loss and antenna pattern loss at high angles.

[0010] Thus, there is a need in the art for a new radar system. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a radar system capable of providing complete coverage of a surveillance field, the radar system comprises a housing including: a plurality of receivers; and a plurality of transmitters; wherein: (i) each given receiver of the plurality of receivers is located between a distinct pair of transmitters of the plurality of transmitters, configured to be fed by both transmitters; and, (ii) each given transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is located between a distinct pair of receivers of the plurality of receivers, configured to serve both receivers.

[0012] In some cases, each given receiver is fed by at least one of its distinct pair of transmitters by receiving signals returned in response to one or more data transmissions executed by the at least one of the given receiver's distinct pair of transmitters.

[0013] In some cases, each given transmitter is configured to serve at least one of its distinct pair of receivers by transmitting data at an angle permitting the data to be included in an angular coverage of the at least one of the distinct pair of receivers.

[0014] In some cases, the system further includes a processing circuitry configured to: (i) synchronize one or more transmission time windows of at least one transmitter of the plurality of transmitters, at which the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit data, with one or more reception time windows of at least one receiver of the at least one transmitter's distinct pair of receivers, at which the at least one receiver is configured to receive data, and (ii) synchronize one or more reception time windows of at least one receiver of the plurality of receivers, at which the at least one receiver is configured to receive data, with one or more transmission time windows of at least one transmitter of the at least one receiver's distinct pair of transmitters.

[0015] In some cases, the radar system is composed of a plurality of surfaces, such that the plurality of receivers and transmitters are each located on a distinct surface of the plurality of surfaces.

[0016] In some cases, each of the plurality of surfaces faces a different direction, such that each surface is associated with a different portion of the surveillance field.

[0017] In some cases, (i) the portion of the surveillance field associated with the given receiver at least partially overlaps with the portion of the surveillance field associated with at least one of the given receiver's distinct pair of transmitters, and (ii) the portion of the surveillance field associated with the given transmitter at least partially overlaps with the portion of the surveillance field associated with at least one of the given transmitter's distinct pair of receivers.

[0018] In some cases, the plurality of surfaces form a geometrical shape.

[0019] In some cases, the geometrical shape is one of: a pyramid, a cone, or a hexagonal.

[0020] In some cases, the complete coverage is a three dimensional coverage.

[0021] In some cases, the complete coverage is 360-degree coverage.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to understand the presently disclosed subject matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice, the subject matter will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Fig- 1 is a schematic illustration of a radar system, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter; and,

[0025] Fig- 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of components of a radar system, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well- known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0028] In the drawings and descriptions set forth, identical reference numerals indicate those components that are common to different embodiments or configurations.

[0029] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “synchronizing”, “receiving”, “transmitting”, or the like, include action and / or processes of a computer that manipulate and / or transform data into other data, said data represented as physical quantities, e.g., such as electronic quantities, and / or said data representing the physical objects. The terms “computer”, “processor”, “processing resource”, “processing circuitry”, and “controller” should be expansively construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, a personal desktop / laptop computer, a server, a computing system, a communication device, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart television, a processor (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), a group of multiple physical machines sharing performance of various tasks, virtual servers co- residing on a single physical machine, any other electronic computing device, and / or any combination thereof.

[0030] The operations in accordance with the teachings herein may be performed by a computer specially constructed for the desired purposes or by a general-purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose by a computer program stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The term "non-transitory" is used herein to exclude transitory, propagating signals, but to otherwise include any volatile or non-volatile computer memory technology suitable to the application.

[0031] As used herein, the phrase "for example," "such as", "for instance" and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to "one case", "some cases", "other cases" or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in a least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "one case", "some cases", "other cases" or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s).

[0032] It is appreciated that, unless specifically stated otherwise, certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0033] Fig- 1 illustrate a general schematic of the system architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Each module in Fig. 2 may be made up of any combination of software, hardware and / or firmware that performs the functions as defined and explained herein. The modules in Fig. 2 may be centralized in one location or dispersed over more than one location. In other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, the system may comprise fewer, more, and / or different modules than those shown in Fig. 2.

[0034] Any reference in the specification to a method should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing the method and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that once executed by a computer result in the execution of the method.

[0035] Any reference in the specification to a system should be applied mutatis mutandis to a method that may be executed by the system and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that may be executed by the system.

[0036] Any reference in the specification to a non-transitory computer readable medium should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium and should be applied mutatis mutandis to method that may be executed by a computer that reads the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0037] Bearing this in mind, attention is drawn to Fig. 1, showing a schematic illustration of an environment in which a radar system (also interchangeably referred to herein as “system”), in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, operates.

[0038] As shown in the schematic illustration, environment 100 includes a surveillance field, denoted 102, and a radar system, denoted 104, configured to cover said field, optionally completely. In some cases, complete coverage of surveillance field 102 may be defined as a three-dimensional field coverage. In other cases, alternatively or additionally to the above, complete coverage of surveillance field 102 may be defined as 360-degree field coverage.

[0039] Surveillance field 102 may optionally contain one or more stationary and / or mobile objects (e.g., aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, and motor vehicles, etc.), denoted 106a to 106n (n being an arbitrary letter representing any possible integer number of objects), scattered throughout, which may be detected and tracked by said radar system 104.

[0040] Radar system 104, optionally mounted on a stationary or mobile platform (e.g., an aerial platform, a ground platform, etc.), may include a housing 108 composed of a plurality of surfaces, denoted 110a to HOj (j being an arbitrary letter representing any possible integer number of surfaces), combined to form a geometrical shape (e.g., a pyramid, a cone, or a hexagonal, etc.), and (a) a plurality of receivers, denoted 112a to 112m, and (b) a plurality of transmitters, denoted 114a to 114m (m being an arbitrary letter representing any possible integer number of receivers and / or transmitters), dispersed on said surfaces.

[0041] Each of said plurality of surfaces 110a to HOj may face a different direction, such that each surface may be associated with a different portion of surveillance field 102. The different portions may overlap at least partially with adjacent portions, thereby creating common sections.

[0042] It should be of note, in relation to 'm' and 'j' mentioned above, that the integer number 'm' may be half of the integer number 'j', though other options may also be applicable.

[0043] The plurality of receivers 112a to 112m and transmitters 114a to 114m may be positioned on the plurality of surfaces 110a to HOj such that each receiver or transmitter may be located on a distinct surface. In such cases, each given receiver may be located between a pair of transmitters (optionally a distinct pair) configured to feed it, while each given transmitter may be located between a pair of receivers (optionally a distinct pair) and serve both.

[0044] In some cases, a given transmitter, located between a pair of receivers, may be configured to serve at least one of its respective receivers by transmitting data at an angle permitting it to be included in an angular coverage of said at least one receiver, whereas a given receiver, located between a pair of transmitters, may be fed by at least one of its respective transmitters by receiving returned signals in response to one or more data transmissions executed by said at least one transmitter.

[0045] In some cases, radar system 104 may include a processing circuitry 202, described in detail hereinafter in relation to Fig. 2, directed at performing a synchronization process in which operations of a given receiver(s) and / or transmitted s) match those of their corresponding pairs. In one example, the processing circuitry 202 may synchronize a given transmitter with at least one receiver of its corresponding pair of receivers by synchronizing one or more transmission time windows of the given transmitter, at which said given transmitter is configured to transmit data, with one or more reception time windows of its at least one receiver of the corresponding pair of receivers, at which said at least one receiver is configured to receive data. In another example, the processing circuitry 202 may synchronize a given receiver with at least one transmitter of its corresponding pair of transmitters by synchronizing one or more reception time windows of the given receiver, at which said given receiver is configured to receive data, with one or more transmission time windows of its at least one transmitter of the corresponding pair of transmitters, at which said at least one transmitter is configured to transmit data.

[0046] In some cases, the transmission of data executed by a given transmitter (optionally at a specific angle included in the angular coverage of at least one of its receivers) may be synchronized with that of at least one additional transmitter, optionally all transmitters, such that said transmitters work in unison and transmit data (optionally at the same angle), simultaneously, thus serving the same receiver out of their pair of receivers at the same time.

[0047] By way of a non-limiting example, presented merely for better understanding of the disclosed subject matter and not intended in any way to limit its scope, as shown in Fig. 1, radar system 104 is directed to detect and track objects scattered within surveillance field 102. The Radar system includes a housing 108 composed of six surfaces, forming a hexagonal shape, on which three receivers and three transmitters are dispersed. The three receivers and transmitters are each located on a different surface of the surfaces assembling said hexagonal shape, such that each of said receivers is situated between a distinct pair of transmitters, while each of said transmitters is situated between a distinct pair of receivers.

[0048] In operation, the three transmitters work in unison and transmit data at the same angle, simultaneously, thus serving the same receiver out of their pair of receivers at the same time. The transmitted data reflects off objects within surveillance field 102, forming returned signals, at least some of which are traveling toward said radar system. Once at radar system 104, the returned signals are received by the served receivers, providing information about said objects (e.g., locations and speeds).

[0049] By repeating the unison operation of said transmitters at different angles of the surveillance field (while feeding the same receiver of each of said transmitters at the same time), the radar system 104 is capable of providing complete coverage of surveillance field 102 (i.e., a three-dimensional 360-degree coverage). It should be of note that any numbering mentioned in the non-limiting example above serves as a mere example and that other numbers of the above may also be applicable.

[0050] Attention is now drawn to several additional possible components of radar system 104.

[0051] Fig- 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of the radar system 104, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0052] In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, the radar system 104 (also interchangeably referred to herein as “system 104”) may comprise a network interface 206. The network interface 206 (e.g., a network card, a Wi-Fi client, 3G / 4G client, or any other component), enables system 104 to communicate over a network with external systems and handles inbound and outbound communications from such systems.

[0053] System 104 may further comprise or be otherwise associated with a data repository 204 (e.g., a database, a storage system, a memory including Read Only Memory - ROM, Random Access Memory - RAM, or any other type of memory, etc.) configured to store data. Some examples of data that may be stored in the data repository 204 include:

[0054] • One or more reception time windows;

[0055] • One or more transmission time windows;

[0056] • One or more objects detected and tracked within the surveillance field; etc.

[0057] Data repository 204 may be further configured to enable retrieval and / or update and / or deletion of the stored data. It is to be noted that in some cases, data repository 204 may be distributed, while the system 104 has access to the information stored thereon, e.g., via a wired or wireless network to which system 104 is able to connect (utilizing its network interface 206).

[0058] System 104 further comprises processing circuitry 202. Processing circuitry 202 may be one or more processing units (e.g., central processing units), microprocessors, microcontrollers (e.g., microcontroller units (MCUs)) or any other computing devices or modules, including multiple and / or parallel and / or distributed processing units, which are adapted to independently or cooperatively process data for controlling relevant system 104 resources and for enabling operations related to system’s 104 resources. The processing circuitry 202 comprises a synchronization module 208, configured to perform a synchronization process, detailed in the description above.

[0059] It is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Hence, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present presently disclosed subject matter.

[0060] It will also be understood that the system according to the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented, at least partly, as a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the disclosed method. The presently disclosed subject matter further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the disclosed method.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A radar system capable of providing complete coverage of a surveillance field, the radar system comprises a housing including: a plurality of receivers; and a plurality of transmitters; wherein: (i) each given receiver of the plurality of receivers is located between a distinct pair of transmitters of the plurality of transmitters, configured to be fed by both transmitters, (ii) each given transmitter of said plurality of transmitters is located between a distinct pair of receivers of said plurality of receivers, configured to serve both receivers, and (iii) during operation of said system, the plurality of transmitters are configured to repeatedly work in unison and transmit, simultaneously, at the same angle of their respective angular coverage, signals capable of being refracted off objects within said surveillance field, wherein each refracted signal is configured to be received by the same respective receiver of the pair of receivers of each of said transmitters, directed of collecting signals arriving from said angle.

2. The radar system of claim 1, wherein said system further includes a processing circuitry configured to: (i) synchronize one or more transmission time windows of at least one transmitter of said plurality of transmitters, at which said at least one transmitter is configured to transmit data, with one or more reception time windows of at least one receiver of said at least one transmitter's distinct pair of receivers, at which said at least one receiver is configured to receive data, and (ii) synchronize one or more reception time windows of at least one receiver of said plurality of receivers, at which said at least one receiver is configured to receive data, with one or more transmission time windows of at least one transmitter of said at least one receiver's distinct pair of transmitters.

3. The radar system of claim 1, wherein said radar system is composed of a plurality of surfaces, such that the plurality of receivers and transmitters are each located on a distinct surface of the plurality of surfaces.

4. The radar system of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of surfaces faces a different direction, such that each surface is associated with a different portion of the surveillance field.

5. The radar system of claim 4, wherein (i) the portion of the surveillance field associated with the given receiver at least partially overlaps with the portion of the surveillance field associated with at least one of said given receiver's distinct pair of transmitters, and (ii) the portion of the surveillance field associated with the given transmitter at least partially overlaps with the portion of the surveillance field associated with at least one of said given transmitter's distinct pair of receivers.

6. The radar system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of surfaces form a geometrical shape.

7. The radar system of claim 6, wherein said geometrical shape is one of: a pyramid, a cone, or a hexagonal.

8. The radar system of claim 1, wherein said complete coverage is a three dimensional coverage.

9. The radar system of claim 1, wherein said complete coverage is 360-degree coverage.

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