Digital racon, and method and system for display on marine radar screen

Abstract

The present invention provides a digital racon, and method and system for display on a marine radar screen. Upon receiving a main lobe trigger signal from a radar, by means of wireless communication, a racon replies with a digital signal identification code containing the identity of the racon; and upon receiving the digital signal identification code from the racon, the radar decodes the digital signal identification code, and, on the basis of the distance and orientation of the racon acquired by the radar, generates and displays a corresponding Morse code pattern in a radially outward direction at the screen position where the racon is located.

Description

Digital Recon and its display method and system on marine radar screens Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of radio navigation technology, and particularly relates to a digital Racon and a display method and system on a marine radar screen. Background Technology

[0002] A radar beacon, also known as a radar interrogation signal, is a navigational aid typically used to identify buoys, lighthouses, ports, coastlines, and other objects of nautical significance. When a radar interrogation signal is detected, the radar beacon generates a Morse code response signal representing a specific meaning.

[0003] Existing radar transponders primarily employ frequency agile operation. Frequency agile RACON systems include additional circuitry to determine the frequency of each received interrogation pulse and rapidly tune the response signal frequency to maintain consistency.

[0004] The mainstream frequency-agile radar transponders currently in operation are analog transponders. Their working principle is as follows: the starting frequency and pulse width of the required response waveform are obtained through detection, main lobe detection, and frequency measurement circuits. After obtaining the starting frequency, a point-frequency pulse response signal is generated by a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The response waveform generated by the VCO is output after passing through a gating switch, and the gating time of the gating switch is controlled by the Morse code value.

[0005] Current mainstream radar transponder systems have the following shortcomings:

[0006] It is sensitive to radar transmission waveforms and signal processing systems, and can only be applied to narrowband, simple modulation radar waveforms. It cannot adapt to the new system's wideband, complex modulation waveforms, which limits the application of the new system radar in the field of marine radar.

[0007] If the background of a RADIUS CAN is not the sea, but islands, land, or mountains, the Morse code will be submerged in these targets and become unrecognizable, which greatly limits the deployment environment and application of RADIUS CAN. Technical issues

[0008] Consider that after receiving the main lobe trigger signal from the radar, the traditional radar detector replies with a string of signals containing Morse code information according to the detected radar frequency, and displays Morse code constructed from the three basic symbols of "dot", "space" and "dash" on the radar screen. Technical solutions

[0009] However, the traditional operation of radar (RADIUS) makes it impossible for radar to distinguish between RAI signals and target signals, thus preventing the use of different colors to display Morse code (radar displays themselves can support different colors, but existing mechanisms cannot distinguish between different signals, thus failing to achieve differentiated displays such as different colors). Therefore, if the location where the Morse code is displayed has a large number of target reflection signals, such as islands, plains, or even hills and mountains, the Morse code cannot be displayed and will be submerged in the target.

[0010] To address the shortcomings and deficiencies of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a digital Raikkon and its display method and system on a marine radar screen. This solves the problem of Raikkon's distinguishability and greatly expands the applicable environment and scenarios for Raikkon.

[0011] The present invention specifically adopts the following technical solution:

[0012] A digital Raicon and its display method on a marine radar screen: After receiving the radar's main lobe trigger signal, the Raicon replies with a digital signal identification code containing the Raicon's identity via wireless communication; after receiving the Raicon's digital signal identification code, the radar decodes it and generates and displays the corresponding Morse code pattern in a radially outward direction at the Raicon's screen position, based on the distance and azimuth of the Raicon obtained by the radar.

[0013] Furthermore, the radar generates Morse code by pre-setting a Morse code pattern corresponding to the digital signal identification code, and adjusting the total length of the Morse code according to the range on the radar display screen and the location of the radar detector.

[0014] Furthermore, the target and Morse code pattern corresponding to the radar detection signal are displayed in different colors on the radar display screen.

[0015] Furthermore, the Morse code patterns corresponding to different Recon digital signal identification codes are displayed on the radar display screen using the same or different colors.

[0016] Furthermore, Morse code employs a discontinuous display method.

[0017] Furthermore, the Recon responds via wireless communication with a digital signal identification code containing the Recon's identity, using a different frequency band than that used for radar detection.

[0018] Furthermore, a digital Racon and a display system on a marine radar screen, comprising: a digital Racon and a radar display module; the digital Racon, upon receiving a main lobe trigger signal from the radar, responds via wireless communication with a digital signal identification code containing the Racon's identity; the radar display module, upon receiving the Racon's digital signal identification code, decodes it and, based on the distance and azimuth of the Racon obtained by the radar, generates and displays a corresponding Morse code pattern radially outward at the screen position where the Racon is located.

[0019] Furthermore, the radar display module adjusts the total length of the Morse code according to the range on the radar display screen and the location of the radar detector by pre-setting the Morse code pattern corresponding to the digital signal identification code. Beneficial effects

[0020] Compared to existing technologies, the core difference of this invention and its preferred solutions lies in the fact that, by digitally encoding and encapsulating information and utilizing wireless communication principles, the planning of decoding and display is delegated to the radar side. This avoids the problems of traditional solutions requiring continuous transmission of response information by the radar, which lacks distinguishability from other target detection information and radar information; it also avoids the problem that traditional radars cannot respond to solid-state radar signals; it fully utilizes the display capabilities of the radar screen, enabling both detection and response information to be displayed with high distinction and intuitiveness; and it greatly expands the applicable environment and scenarios for radars, allowing them to be deployed on shorelines or even in more complex terrain scenarios to realize the value of beacons. Embodiments of the present invention

[0021] To make the features and advantages of this patent more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are provided below for detailed explanation:

[0022] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments.

[0023] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, the invention may also be practiced in other ways different from those described herein, and therefore the scope of protection of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0024] In this embodiment of the invention, after receiving the radar's main lobe trigger signal, Raicon encodes it using radio communication (the encoding method can be a common radio coding method, such as the communication coding scheme used in the ERPS positioning system), and replies with a digital signal identification code containing Raicon's identity, including the name of the Morse code assigned by Raicon itself. The radar decodes the digital signal immediately upon receiving it. Then, based on the distance and azimuth of Raicon detected by the radar, it generates and displays the corresponding Morse code constructed from the three basic symbols "dot," "space," and "dash" at Raicon's screen position.

[0025] The specific method of generating Morse code is as follows: The radar system pre-sets the pattern information for each Morse code, which is a pattern information with a certain width composed of "lines," "dots," and "spaces." The library storing various Morse code pattern information is called the Morse code library, much like a computer system storing the graphic information of each Chinese character. When the radar receives the name of the Morse code from the radar detector (Raykon), it retrieves the corresponding Morse code pattern information from the radar's Morse code library. Then, based on the range displayed on the radar screen and the location of the radar detector, it adjusts the total length of the Morse code accordingly (generally not exceeding 20% ​​of the radar range), uses a color different from the target color on the screen, and generates the Morse code radially outward from the location of the radar detector, ensuring that the Morse code is clearly displayed on the radar screen.

[0026] To differentiate it from background targets, the radar needs to display Morse code in colors different from the target color selected by the user. Furthermore, if the user adjusts the target color, the radar also needs to make corresponding adjustments to distinguish it and thus highlight the Morse code display effect.

[0027] Meanwhile, Morse code is displayed intermittently (in accordance with requirements of IALA / IGO and IMO, etc.), so that seafarers can also see the target information of the location covered by the Morse code.

[0028] In summary, the RaidKen solution provided in this embodiment of the invention uses the communication function of radar to replace the detection function of conventional RaidKen systems. The RaidKen system replies to the radar with digital signals. Therefore, the RaidKen system is transformed into a digital RaidKen system.

[0029] Therefore, in order to reduce the impact on the radar's detection capabilities, the following can be done:

[0030] 1) Select different frequency bands to realize the functions of digital radar detectors. For example, X-band radar detection uses the 9.3-9.5 GHz frequency band, while digital radar detectors can consider using the 9.20-9.30 GHz frequency band.

[0031] 2) In actual use, a digital radar detection function button can be added to the radar. This can be implemented directly in the software without adding any additional hardware to the radar. When needed, it can be turned on to transmit the digital radar detection trigger signal to trigger the digital radar detection response.

[0032] 3) The frequency band of a digital radar should be as wide as possible to allow the radar to freely choose its transmission frequency, reducing the probability of different radars using the same frequency. Utilizing the ability of solid-state radars to autonomously adjust their signal transmission frequency within a frequency band can achieve the above design at a low cost. Application Example:

[0033] Let's take Morse code as an example. The Morse code "N" is composed of "lines," "spaces," and "dots." This is what's displayed on the radar screen. The radar sends a digital signal containing the Morse code "N" back to the triggering radar. The radar receives and decodes this signal, then retrieves the Morse code representation of "N" from its database. The result is displayed as follows:

[0034] 1) If the radar's range is 6 nautical miles, then set the total length of the Morse code to 1.2 nautical miles.

[0035] 2) If the user selects red as the target color, then the Morse code can be yellow to cover or replace the overlapping target color.

[0036] 3) Morse code can be displayed intermittently, for example, displayed for 15 seconds and then turned off for 15 seconds, so that the crew can see the covered target information.

[0037] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention in any other way. Any person skilled in the art may make changes or modifications to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0038] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A digital Reconnaissance system and its display method on a marine radar screen, characterized in that: After receiving the radar's main lobe trigger signal, Racon responds with a digital signal identification code containing Racon's identity via wireless communication. After receiving Racon's digital signal identification code, the radar decodes it and generates and displays the corresponding Morse code pattern in a radially outward direction at Racon's screen position, based on the distance and azimuth of Racon obtained by the radar.

2. The digital Reconnaissance and display method on a marine radar screen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radar generates Morse code by pre-setting the Morse code pattern corresponding to the digital signal identification code, and adjusting the total length of the Morse code according to the range on the radar display screen and the location of the radar detector.

3. The digital Reconnaissance and display method on a marine radar screen according to claim 2, characterized in that: The target and Morse code pattern corresponding to the radar detection signal are displayed in different colors on the radar display screen.

4. The digital Reconnaissance and display method on a marine radar screen according to claim 3, characterized in that: The Morse code patterns corresponding to different Recon digital signal identification codes are displayed on the radar display screen in the same or different colors.

5. The digital Reconnaissance and display method on a marine radar screen according to claim 1, characterized in that: Morse code is displayed in a discontinuous manner.

6. The digital Reconnaissance and display method on a marine radar screen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Racon responds with a digital signal identification code containing Racon's identity via wireless communication, using a different frequency band than that used for radar detection.

7. A digital Recon display system on a marine radar screen, characterized in that, include: The system includes a digital Racon and a radar display module. Upon receiving the main lobe trigger signal from the radar, the digital Racon responds with a digital signal identification code containing the Racon's identity via wireless communication. After receiving the Racon's digital signal identification code, the radar display module decodes it and generates and displays the corresponding Morse code pattern radially outward at the screen position where the Racon is located, based on the distance and azimuth of the Racon obtained by the radar.

8. The digital Recon and display system on a marine radar screen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radar display module adjusts the total length of the Morse code according to the range on the radar display screen and the location of the radar detector by pre-setting the Morse code pattern corresponding to the digital signal identification code.

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