Radar apparatus, radar image display method, and radar image display program

Abstract

A radar apparatus (201) includes a transmission unit (13), a reception unit (31), a display signal generation unit (32), and a control unit (15). The transmission unit (13) transmits a first pulse signal (Ps1), which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width, and a second pulse signal (Ps2), which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal (Ps1). The reception unit (31) receives a reflected signal (Rs) from which the pulse signal is reflected. The display signal generation unit (32) generates a display signal based on the reflected signal (Rs). The control unit (15) performs a first control to control a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than a transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

Description

RADAR APPARATUS, RADAR IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND RADAR IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radar apparatus, a radar image display method, and a radar image display program.Background

[0002] Conventionally, in radar, a technology has been developed to monitor a power of a transmitted pulse signal and to control the transmission power of the pulse signal based on the monitoring result. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-159550) discloses a radar control apparatus as follows. Specifically, the radar control apparatus includes a signal generation unit for generating a transmission pattern signal composed of one or a plurality of types of pulse signals set among the pulse signals, including a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal having a pulse width longer than the first pulse signal; a transmission unit for transmitting the transmission pattern signal generated by the signal generation unit to the outside via a radar antenna; a detection unit for detecting the transmission power of the pulse signal included in the transmission pattern signal transmitted by the transmission unit; and a control unit for controlling the transmission power using a control value calculated based on the transmission power of the second pulse signal detected by the detection unit when the transmission pattern signal generated by the signal generation unit includes the second pulse signal. When the transmission pattern signal generated by the signal generation unit is composed of only the first pulse signal, the control unit controls the transmission power of the first pulse signal by using the control value which was previously used to control the transmission power of the second pulse signal.

[0003] In addition to the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to have a technology capable of improving the detection accuracy of a target in a short-range region in a radar apparatus which transmits pulse signals with the different pulse widths.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a radar apparatus, a radar image display method, and a radar image display program which can improve a detection accuracy of a target in a short-range region in a radar apparatus which transmits pulse signals with different pulse widths.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a radar apparatus includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, a display signal generation unit, and a control unit. The transmission unit transmits a first pulse signal, which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width, and a second pulse signal, which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal. The reception unit receives a reflected signal from which the pulse signal is reflected. The display signal generation unit generates a display signal based on the reflected signal. The control unit performs a first control to control a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power of the first pulse signal is greater than a transmission power of the second pulse signal.

[0006] As described above, by making the transmission power of the first pulse signal greater than the transmission power of the second pulse signal, for example, a detection accuracy of a target based on the reflected signal of the first pulse signal can be improved while suppressing an occurrence of range side lobes in the reflected signal of the pulse-compressed second pulse signal, so that the detection accuracy of the target in the short-range region can be improved. Therefore, in the radar apparatus which transmits pulse signals with different pulse widths, the detection accuracy of the target in the short-range region can be improved.

[0007] In the above aspect of the invention, the transmission unit may alternately transmit the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal. The control unit may further perform a second control to adjust the transmission power of the pulse signal based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal. In the second control, the control unit may adjust the transmission power of the first pulse signal transmitted in a second transmission period after a first transmission period based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the first pulse signal transmitted in the first transmission period. Additionally, in the second control, the control unit may adjust the transmission power of the second pulse signal transmitted in a fourth transmission period after a third transmission period based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the second pulse signal transmitted in the third transmission period.

[0008] With such a configuration, the transmission power of the first pulse signal and the transmission power of the second pulse signal can be brought close to their respective target values while making the transmission power of the first pulse signal greater than the transmission power of the second pulse signal, thereby further improving the target detection accuracy.

[0009] In the above aspect of the invention, the transmission unit may alternately transmit the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal. The control unit may further perform a second control for adjusting the transmission power of the pulse signal based on the monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal. In the second control, the control unit may commonly adjust the transmission power of the first pulse signal and the transmission power of the second pulse signal transmitted in a sixth period after a fifth period based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal transmitted in the fifth period.

[0010] With such a configuration, when the monitoring results of the transmission power of the first pulse signal and the second pulse signals cannot be obtained individually, the average values of the transmission power of the first pulse signal and the transmission power of the second pulse signal can be brought close to their respective target values, while making the transmission power of the first pulse signal larger than the transmission power of the second pulse signal. This enables further improvement in the target detection accuracy.

[0011] In any of the above aspects of the invention, in the first control, the control unit may control the transmission power of the pulse signal by adjusting an attenuation amount of an attenuator for attenuating the pulse signal, so that the transmission power of the first pulse signal becomes greater than the transmission power of the second pulse signal.

[0012] With such a configuration, the first control described above can be performed at a lower cost than a configuration in which the amplification amount of a variable amplifier is adjusted.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a radar image display method in a radar apparatus is provided. The method includes transmitting a first pulse signal, which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width, and a second pulse signal, which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal; receiving a reflected signal from which the pulse signal is reflected; generating a display signal based on the reflected signal; and performing a first control to control a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power of the first pulse signal is greater than a transmission power of the second pulse signal.

[0014] As described above, by the method of making the transmission power of the first pulse signal greater than the transmission power of the second pulse signal, for example, a detection accuracy of a target based on the reflected signal of the first pulse signal can be improved while suppressing the occurrence of range side lobes in the reflected signal of the pulse-compressed second pulse signal, so that the detection accuracy of the target in the short-range region can be improved. Therefore, in the radar apparatus which transmits the pulse signals with different pulse widths, the detection accuracy of the target in the short-range region can be improved.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to execute a method is provided. The method includes transmitting a first pulse signal, which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width, and a second pulse signal, which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal; receiving a reflected signal from which the pulse signal is reflected; generating a display signal based on the reflected signal; and performing a first control for controlling a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power of the first pulse signal is greater than a transmission power of the second pulse signal.

[0016] As described above, by the configuration in which the transmission power of the first pulse signal is greater than the transmission power of the second pulse signal, for example, a detection accuracy of a target based on the reflected signal of the first pulse signal can be improved while suppressing the occurrence of range side lobes in the reflected signal of the pulse-compressed second pulse signal, so that the detection accuracy of the target in the short-range region can be improved. Therefore, in the radar apparatus which transmits pulse signals with different pulse widths, the detection accuracy of the target in the short-range region can be improved.Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of a target in a short-range region in a radar apparatus which transmits pulse signals with different pulse widths.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of a present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pulse signal generated by a signal generation unit in the radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an attenuation amount of a variable attenuator and a transmission power of the pulse signal in the radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure when the radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs a power control.

[0019] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.Configuration and Basic Operation

[0020] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, a radar apparatus 201 includes a radar unit 101 and a display apparatus 111. The radar unit 101 includes a signal generation unit 11, a variable attenuator 12, a transmission unit 13, a power detection unit 14, a control unit 15, a circulator 21, an antenna 22, a reception unit 31, and a display signal generation unit 32. The display signal generation unit 32 includes a received signal processing unit 32A and a video generation unit 32B. Part or all of the signal generation unit 11, the variable attenuator 12, the transmission unit 13, the power detection unit 14, the control unit 15, the reception unit 31, and the display signal generation unit 32 are realized by, for example, a processing circuit (circuitry) including one or more processors.

[0021] For example, the radar apparatus 201 is a solid-state radar that transmits a pulse signal Ps using a semiconductor element. The radar apparatus 201 is mounted on a ship. The radar apparatus 201 performs processing for displaying a radar image which indicates a presence or an absence of a target in a detection target area, which is a region monitored by the ship, and the distance between the radar apparatus 201 and the target.

[0022] The signal generation unit 11 generates a pulse signal Ps in an RF (Radio Frequency) band of a predetermined level at a transmission timing of the pulse signal Ps according to a predetermined generation cycle.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pulse signal generated by the signal generation unit in the radar apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 2, a horizontal axis indicates a time, and a vertical axis indicates a level of the pulse signal Ps.

[0024] Referring to Fig. 2, the signal generation unit 11 alternately generates a pulse signal Ps1, which is the pulse signal Ps, and a pulse signal Ps2, which is the pulse signal Ps having a pulse width wider than the pulse signal Ps1. The pulse signal Ps1 is an example of a first pulse signal. The pulse signal Ps2 is an example of a second pulse signal. For example, the pulse width of the pulse signal Ps1 is 50 nanoseconds or more and 1 microsecond or less. For example, the pulse width of the pulse signal Ps2 is 5 microseconds or more and 20 microseconds or less.

[0025] The pulse signal Ps1 is an unmodulated pulse signal Ps used for detecting a target in a short-range region. The pulse signal Ps2 is a modulated pulse signal Ps used for detecting a target in a long-range region. The signal generation unit 11 includes an amplifier, for example, and amplifies the generated pulse signal Ps and outputs it to the variable attenuator 12.

[0026] Referring again to Fig. 1, the variable attenuator 12 attenuates the pulse signal Ps received from the signal generation unit 11 and outputs the attenuated pulse signal Ps to the transmission unit 13. An attenuation amount Att of the pulse signal Ps by the variable attenuator 12 is set by the control unit 15. The details of setting the attenuation amount Att by the control unit 15 will be described later.

[0027] The transmission unit 13 transmits the pulse signal Ps1 and the pulse signal Ps2. For example, the transmission unit 13 alternately transmits the pulse signal Ps1 and the pulse signal Ps2. More specifically, the transmission unit 13 transmits the pulse signal Ps received from the variable attenuator 12 to the detection target area via the circulator 21 and the antenna 22. The transmission unit 13 outputs the pulse signal Ps to the power detection unit 14.

[0028] The power detection unit 14 detects a transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps transmitted by the transmission unit 13. More specifically, the power detection unit 14 generates a voltage of a level corresponding to the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps received from the transmission unit 13, and holds a peak value of the generated voltage. The power detection unit 14 detects the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps transmitted by the transmission unit 13 based on the held peak value. The power detection unit 14 outputs a detection result of the transmission power Pt to the control unit 15.

[0029] The control unit 15 performs a feedback control for adjusting the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps based on the monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal Ps. The feedback control is an example of the second control. More specifically, the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps can vary according to the temperature of the radar unit 101 or the like. The control unit 15 receives the detection result of the transmission power Pt from the power detection unit 14 and, based on the received detection result, adjusts the attenuation amount Att of the variable attenuator 12 so that the difference between the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps transmitted by the transmission unit 13 and a predetermined target value becomes small.

[0030] The reception unit 31 receives a reflected signal Rs of the RF band from which the pulse signal Ps has been reflected. More specifically, the reception unit 31 receives, via the antenna 22 and the circulator 21, reflected signals Rs1 and Rs2, which are reflected signals Rs obtained by reflecting the pulse signals Ps1 and Ps2 transmitted by the transmission unit 13 at the target, respectively. The reception unit 31 down-converts the received reflected signals Rs1 and Rs2 into an IF (Intermediate Frequency) band, and outputs the down-converted reflected signals Rs1 and Rs2 to the display signal generation unit 32.

[0031] The display signal generation unit 32 generates a display signal based on the reflected signal Rs. More specifically, the received signal processing unit 32A digitally converts the reflected signal Rs1 and the reflected signal Rs2 received from the reception unit 31, and performs a signal processing on the digitally converted reflected signals Rs1 and Rs2. For example, the received signal processing unit 32A performs a quadrature detection of the reflected signals Rs1 and Rs2, and a pulse compression of the reflected signal Rs2 as a signal processing. The received signal processing unit 32A outputs the signal processed reflected signals Rs1 and Rs2 to the video generation unit 32B.

[0032] The video generation unit 32B generates a radar image showing the detection result of the target based on the reflected signals Rs1 and Rs2 received from the received signal processing unit 32A. More specifically, the video generation unit 32B calculates the distance to the target based on the time difference between the timing when the pulse signal Ps is transmitted by the transmission unit 13 and the timing when the reflected signal Rs is received by the reception unit 31. The video generation unit 32B calculates the direction in which the target exists based on the orientation of the antenna 22 when the pulse signal Ps is transmitted by the transmission unit 13. The video generation unit 32B generates the radar image indicating the calculated distance to the target and the direction of the target.

[0033] For example, the video generation unit 32B detects a SART (Search And Rescue Transponder) and the response signal of the racon based on the reflected signal Rs, and generates the radar image further indicating the detection result of the response signal.

[0034] The video generation unit 32B generates the display signal indicating the generated radar image, and outputs the generated display signal to the display apparatus 111.

[0035] The display apparatus 111 displays the radar image on a display using the display signal received from the radar unit 101.

[0036] Disclosed is a technology capable of improving the detection accuracy of a target in a short-range region in the radar apparatus 201. More specifically, when the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps is increased in order to improve the detection accuracy of the target, since the reflected signal Rs2 is pulse-compressed, a range sidelobe is generated in the reflected signal Rs2 after signal processing in the display signal generation unit 32, and the quality of the radar image is degraded.

[0037] Therefore, the radar apparatus 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure solves the above problem by the following configuration.Power Control

[0038] Each time the signal generation unit 11 completes the output of the pulse signal Ps1 to the variable attenuator 12, it outputs to the control unit 15 an output notification N1 indicating that the output of the pulse signal Ps1 has been completed. Each time the signal generation unit 11 completes the output of the pulse signal Ps2 to the variable attenuator 12, it outputs to the control unit 15, an output notification N2 which indicates that the output of the pulse signal Ps2 has been completed.

[0039] The control unit 15 performs power control for controlling the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps so that the transmission power Pt1, which is the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps1, becomes larger than the transmission power Pt2, which is the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps2. The power control is an example of the first control. More specifically, in the power control, the control unit 15 controls the transmission powers Pt1 and Pt2 so that the transmission power Pt1 of the pulse signal Ps1 becomes larger than the transmission power Pt2 of the pulse signal Ps2 by adjusting the attenuation amount Att of the variable attenuator 12 based on the output notifications N1 and N2 received from the signal generation unit 11.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator and the transmission power of the pulse signal in the radar apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a timing chart showing a level of the pulse signal Ps generated by the signal generation unit 11, the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12, and the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps transmitted by the transmission unit 13.

[0041] Referring to Fig. 3, the control unit 15 controls the transmission power Pt so that the transmission power Pt1 becomes larger than the transmission power Pt2 by making an attenuation amount Att1 of the pulse signal Ps1 by the variable attenuator 12 smaller than an attenuation amount Att2 of the pulse signal Ps2 by the variable attenuator 12.

[0042] More specifically, the transmission unit 13 transmits the pulse signal Ps2 with the transmission power Pt2 during a transmission period Ta, from a time t1 to a time t2.

[0043] The control unit 15 receives the output notification N2 from the signal generation unit 11 at the time t2, and performs control to reduce the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12 from the Att2 to the Att1.

[0044] Next, the transmission unit 13 transmits the pulse signal Ps1 with the transmission power Pt1 during a transmission period Tb, from a time t3 to a time t4, after the time t2.

[0045] At the time t4, the control unit 15 receives the output notification N1 from the signal generation unit 11 and performs control to increase the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12 from the Att1 to the Att2.

[0046] Next, the transmission unit 13 transmits the pulse signal Ps2 with the transmission power Pt2 during a transmission period Tc, from a time t5 to a time t6 after the time t4.

[0047] At the time t6, the control unit 15 receives the output notification N2 from the signal generation unit 11 and performs control to decrease the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12 from the Att2 to the Att1.

[0048] Next, the transmission unit 13 transmits the pulse signal Ps1 with the transmission power Pt1 during a transmission period Td from a time t7 to a time t8 after the time t6.

[0049] In this way, by making the transmission power Pt1 of the pulse signal Ps1, in which the range sidelobe is not generated in the reflected signal Rs1, larger than the transmission power Pt2 of the pulse signal Ps2, the detection accuracy of the target based on the reflected signal Rs1 can be improved while suppressing the generation of the range sidelobe in the reflected signal Rs2, so that the detection accuracy of the target in the short-range region can be improved. Thus, it is possible to extend the detectable distance of the response signals of the SART and the RAKON, for example.Feedback Control

[0050] The control unit 15 performs feedback control in parallel with the power control. In the feedback control, the control unit 15 adjusts the transmission power Pt2 of the pulse signal Ps2 transmitted in a transmission period Tc after a transmission period Ta based on the monitoring result of the transmission power Pt2 of the pulse signal Ps2 transmitted in the transmission period Ta. In the feedback control, the control unit 15 adjusts the transmission power Pt1 of the pulse signal Ps1 transmitted in the transmission period Td after the transmission period Tb based on the monitoring result of the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps1 transmitted in the transmission period Tb. The transmission period Ta is an example of the third transmission period. The transmission period Tb is an example of the first transmission period. The transmission period Tc is an example of the fourth transmission period. The transmission period Td is an example of the second transmission period.

[0051] More specifically, the power detection unit 14 can individually detect the transmission power Pt of the pulse signals Ps1 and Ps2.

[0052] The control unit 15 receives the detection result of the transmission power Pt2 of the pulse signal Ps2 transmitted by the transmission unit 13 during the transmission period Ta from the power detection unit 14, and adjusts the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12 during the transmission period Tc based on the received detection result.

[0053] The control unit 15 receives the detection result of the transmission power Pt1 of the pulse signal Ps1 transmitted by the transmission unit 13 in the transmission period Tb from the power detection unit 14, and adjusts the attenuation of the variable attenuator 12 in the transmission period Td based on the received detection result. Modified Example of Feedback Control

[0054] The control unit 15 may be configured to commonly adjust the transmission power Pt of the pulse signals Ps1 and Ps2 transmitted in the period from the time t5 to the time t8 later than the period, based on the monitoring result of the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps transmitted in the period from the time t1 to the time t4. The period from the time t1 to the time t4 is an example of a fifth period. The period from time t5 to time t8 is an example of a sixth period.

[0055] More specifically, the power detection unit 14 may not be able to individually detect the transmission power Pt of the pulse signals Ps1 and Ps2 due to a limitation of a detection resolution of the transmission power Pt.

[0056] In this case, the control unit 15 receives the detection result of the transmission power Pt of the pulse signal Ps transmitted by the transmission unit 13 during the period from the time t1 to the time t4, from the power detection unit 14, and adjusts the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12 in the period from the time t5 to the time t8, based on the received detection result.Flow of Operation

[0057] The radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer including a memory, and a processor such as a CPU in the computer reads a program including part or all of the steps of the following flowchart from the memory and executes the program. The program of the apparatus can be installed from the outside. The program of the apparatus is distributed in a state stored in a recording medium or via a communication line.

[0058] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure when the radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs power control.

[0059] Referring to Fig. 4, the radar apparatus 201 first waits for the transmission timing of the pulse signal Ps1 (No in step S11), and when the transmission timing of the pulse signal Ps1 arrives (Yes in step S11), transmits the pulse signal Ps1 attenuated in the variable attenuator 12 (step S12).

[0060] Next, after the transmission of the pulse signal Ps1, the radar apparatus 201 increases the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12 from the Att1 to the Att2 (step S13).

[0061] Next, the radar apparatus 201 waits for the transmission timing of the pulse signal Ps2 (No in step S14), and when the transmission timing of the pulse signal Ps2 arrives (Yes in step S14), transmits the pulse signal Ps2 attenuated in the variable attenuator 12 (step S15).

[0062] Next, after the transmission of the pulse signal Ps2, the radar apparatus 201 decreases the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator 12 from the Att2 to the Att1 (step S16).

[0063] Next, the radar apparatus 201 waits for a new transmission timing of the pulse signal Ps1 (No in step S11).

[0064] It should be noted that the radar apparatus 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the variable attenuator 12 for attenuating the pulse signals Ps1 and Ps2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The radar apparatus 201 may include, instead of the variable attenuator 12, a variable attenuator 12A for attenuating the pulse signal Ps1 and a variable attenuator 12B for attenuating the pulse signal Ps2. In this case, in power control, the control unit 15 controls at least one of the transmission powers Pt1 and Pt2 so that the transmission power Pt1 of the pulse signal Ps1 is greater than the transmission power Pt2 of the pulse signal Ps2 based on the output notifications N1 and N2 received from the signal generation unit 11. More specifically, the control unit 15 adjusts the attenuation amount of at least one of the variable attenuators 12A and 12B based on the output notifications N1 and N2 received from the signal generation unit 11.

[0065] In the radar apparatus 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit 15 adjusts the attenuation amount Att of the variable attenuator 12 in power control, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead of adjusting the attenuation amount Att of the variable attenuator 12, the control unit 15 may adjust the amplification amount of a variable amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the pulse signal Ps.

[0066] The present disclosure may be implemented as described in each embodiment and each modification described above. However, the above description should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims and not by the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the scope of the present disclosure includes meanings equivalent to the claims and all changes within the scope of the claims.Terminology

[0067] It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain embodiments may be configured to operate in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0068] All of the processes described herein may be embodied in, and fully automated via, software code modules executed by a computing system that includes one or more computers or processors. The code modules may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. Some or all the methods may be embodied in specialized computer hardware.

[0069] Many other variations than those described herein will be apparent from this disclosure. For example, depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or functions of any of the algorithms described herein can be performed in a different sequence, can be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the algorithms). Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events can be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors or processor cores or on other parallel architectures, rather than sequentially. In addition, different tasks or processes can be performed by different machines and / or computing systems that can function together.

[0070] The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by a machine, such as a processor. A processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or the like. A processor can include electrical circuitry configured to process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, a processor includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although described herein primarily with respect to digital technology, a processor may also include primarily analog components. For example, some or all of the signal processing algorithms described herein may be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. A computing environment can include any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a device controller, or a computational engine within an appliance, to name a few.

[0071] Conditional language such as, among others, "can", "could", "might" or "may" unless specifically stated otherwise, are otherwise understood within the context as used in general to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0072] Disjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, or Z" unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and / or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

[0073] Any process descriptions, elements or blocks in the flow diagrams described herein and / or depicted in the attached figures should be understood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or elements in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of the embodiments described herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executed out of order from that shown, or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0074] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as "a" or "an" should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as "a device configured to" are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, "a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B and C" can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C. The same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce embodiment recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced embodiment recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations" without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0075] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to" the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least" the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to" etc.).

[0076] For expository purposes, the term "horizontal" as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the floor of the area in which the system being described is used or the method being described is performed, regardless of its orientation. The term "floor" can be interchanged with the term "ground" or "water surface." The term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms such as "above", "below", "bottom", "top", "side", "higher", "lower", "upper", "over" and "under" are defined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0077] As used herein, the terms "attached", "connected", "mated" and other such relational terms should be construed, unless otherwise noted, to include removable, moveable, fixed, adjustable, and / or releasable connections or attachments. The connections / attachments can include direct connections and / or connections having intermediate structure between the two components discussed.

[0078] Numbers preceded by a term such as "approximately", "about" and "substantially" as used herein include the recited numbers, and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "approximately", "about" and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount. Features of embodiments disclosed herein preceded by a term such as "approximately", "about" and "substantially" as used herein represent the feature with some variability that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result for that feature.

[0079] It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

[0080] (1) A radar apparatus (201) comprising: a transmission unit (13), configured to transmit: a first pulse signal (Ps1), which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width, and a second pulse signal (Ps2), which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal (Ps1); a reception unit (31), configured to receive a reflected signal (Rs) from which the pulse signal is reflected; a display signal generation unit (32), configured to generate a display signal based on the reflected signal (Rs); and a control unit (15), configured to perform a first control to control a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than a transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

[0081] (2) The radar apparatus (201) according to (1), wherein: the transmission unit (13) is further configured to alternately transmit the first pulse signal (Ps1) and the second pulse signal (Ps2); and the control unit (15) is further configured to: perform a second control to adjust the transmission power of the pulse signal based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal; adjust the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) transmitted in a second transmission period (Td) after the first transmission period (Tb) based on a monitoring result of the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) transmitted in a first transmission period (t1), in the second control; and adjust the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2) transmitted in a fourth transmission period (Tc) after a third transmission period (Ta) based on a monitoring result of the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2) transmitted in a third transmission period (Ta), in the second control.

[0082] (3) The radar apparatus (201) according to (1), wherein: the transmission unit (13) is further configured to alternately transmit the first pulse signal (Ps1) and the second pulse signal (Ps2); and the control unit (15) is further configured to: perform a second control for adjusting the transmission power of the pulse signal based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal; and commonly adjust the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) and the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2) transmitted in a sixth period (t5 to t8) after a fifth period (t1 to t4), based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal transmitted in the fifth period (t1 to t4), in the second control.

[0083] (4) The radar apparatus (201) according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit (15) is further configured to control the transmission power of the pulse signal in the first control, by adjusting an attenuation amount (Att) of an attenuator (12) for attenuating the pulse signal, so that the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

[0084] (5) A radar image display method in a radar apparatus (201), comprising: transmitting (13) a first pulse signal (Ps1) which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width and a second pulse signal (Ps2) which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal (Ps1); receiving (31) a reflected signal (Rs) from which the pulse signal is reflected; generating (32) a display signal based on the reflected signal (Rs); and performing a first control for controlling (15) a transmission power of the pulse signal so that a transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than a transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

[0085] (6) A non-transient computer-readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to execute the method of: transmitting (13) a first pulse signal (Ps1) which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width and a second pulse signal (Ps2) which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal (Ps1); receiving (31) a reflected signal (Rs) from which the pulse signal is reflected; generating (32) a display signal based on the reflected signal (Rs); and performing a first control (15) for controlling a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than a transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

[0086] 11: Signal Generation Unit, 12, 12A, 12B: Variable Attenuator, 13: Transmission Unit, 14: Power Detection Unit, 15: Control Unit, 21: Circulator, 22: Antenna, 31: Reception Unit, 32: Display Signal Generation Unit, 32A: Received Signal Processing Unit, 32B: Video Generation Unit, 101: Radar Unit, 111: Display Apparatus, 201: Radar Apparatus, Att, Att1, Att2: Attenuation Amount, N1, N2: Output Notification, Ps, Ps1, Ps2: Pulse Signal, Pt, Pt1, Pt2: Transmission Power, Rs, Rs1, Rs2: Reflected Signal, t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6, t7, t8: Period, Ta, Tb, Tc, Td: Transmission Period

[0087] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-159550

Claims

1. A radar apparatus (201) comprising: a transmission unit (13), configured to transmit: a first pulse signal (Ps1), which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width, and a second pulse signal (Ps2), which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal (Ps1); a reception unit (31), configured to receive a reflected signal (Rs) from which the pulse signal is reflected; a display signal generation unit (32), configured to generate a display signal based on the reflected signal (Rs); and a control unit (15), configured to perform a first control to control a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than a transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

2. The radar apparatus (201) according to the claim 1, wherein: the transmission unit (13) is further configured to alternately transmit the first pulse signal (Ps1) and the second pulse signal (Ps2); and the control unit (15) is further configured to: perform a second control to adjust the transmission power of the pulse signal based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal; adjust the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) transmitted in a second transmission period (Td) after the first transmission period (Tb) based on a monitoring result of the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) transmitted in a first transmission period (t1), in the second control; and adjust the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2) transmitted in a fourth transmission period (Tc) after a third transmission period (Ta) based on a monitoring result of the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2) transmitted in a third transmission period (Ta), in the second control.

3. The radar apparatus (201) according to the claim 1, wherein: the transmission unit (13) is further configured to alternately transmit the first pulse signal (Ps1) and the second pulse signal (Ps2); and the control unit (15) is further configured to: perform a second control for adjusting the transmission power of the pulse signal based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal; and commonly adjust the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) and the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2) transmitted in a sixth period (t5 to t8) after a fifth period (t1 to t4), based on a monitoring result of the transmission power of the pulse signal transmitted in the fifth period (t1 to t4), in the second control.

4. The radar apparatus (201) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (15) is further configured to control the transmission power of the pulse signal in the first control, by adjusting an attenuation amount (Att) of an attenuator (12) for attenuating the pulse signal, so that the transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than the transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

5. A radar image display method in a radar apparatus (201), comprising: transmitting (13) a first pulse signal (Ps1) which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width and a second pulse signal (Ps2) which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal (Ps1); receiving (31) a reflected signal (Rs) from which the pulse signal is reflected; generating (32) a display signal based on the reflected signal (Rs); and performing a first control for controlling (15) a transmission power of the pulse signal so that a transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than a transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

6. A non-transient computer-readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to execute the method of: transmitting (13) a first pulse signal (Ps1) which is a pulse signal having a specific pulse width and a second pulse signal (Ps2) which is a pulse signal having a pulse width wider than the pulse width of the first pulse signal (Ps1); receiving (31) a reflected signal (Rs) from which the pulse signal is reflected; generating (32) a display signal based on the reflected signal (Rs); and performing a first control (15) for controlling a transmission power of the pulse signal such that a transmission power (Pt1) of the first pulse signal (Ps1) is greater than a transmission power (Pt2) of the second pulse signal (Ps2).

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