Adaptive Radar Configuration for Doppler Velocity Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for airborne vehicles, such as GNSS, can be unreliable in low visibility conditions or when there is a prolonged outage, and radar systems often face limitations in optimizing scan patterns and waveform configurations for accurate velocity estimation under varying operational scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A radar system that dynamically adjusts its scan pattern and waveform characteristics based on factors like operational scenario, vehicle attitude, altitude, and terrain proximity, using real-time adjustments to optimize velocity estimation accuracy and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar systems use fixed scan patterns and waveform configurations, then system complexity is reduced, but velocity estimation accuracy deteriorates under varying operational scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system dynamically adjusts scan patterns and waveform configurations based on operational scenarios, vehicle attitude, altitude, and terrain proximity. The system transitions from static to adaptive configuration, where beam directions, beamwidths, and waveform parameters are continuously optimized according to real-time flight conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and adaptive precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple radar parameters simultaneously including beam direction angles (azimuth and elevation), beamwidth, waveform frequency, chirp length, and modulation type based on determined performance targets and operational factors. This multi-parameter adaptation enables accurate velocity estimation across diverse flight conditions without requiring overly complex manual configuration
2Measurement precision
If radar systems optimize scan patterns for specific conditions, then velocity estimation accuracy improves, but adaptability to varying operational scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system implements a universal adaptive configuration framework that handles multiple operational scenarios (take-off, landing, approach, climb, descent, cruise, evasive maneuvers) through a single integrated system. The processing circuitry determines performance targets and adjusts radar parameters universally across all flight phases, eliminating the need for separate optimized configurations for each scenario while maintaining high velocity estimation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where velocity estimation performance targets are determined based on operational scenarios, and this performance information feeds back to adjust scan patterns and waveform configurations. The continuous loop of performance assessment and configuration optimization enables the system to adapt to varying operational conditions while maintaining accurate velocity estimation
3Measurement precision
If radar systems use multiple beams for velocity estimation, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system directs multiple beams with specific directional qualities toward terrain features that are most informative for velocity estimation given the current operational scenario. Each beam is locally optimized in terms of direction and beamwidth to maximize its contribution to velocity accuracy, with processing circuitry selecting and configuring beams based on their specific utility for the current flight condition
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances velocity estimation accuracy and reliability in diverse conditions by optimizing radar configuration, ensuring precise navigation even in low visibility or GNSS outages, particularly beneficial for urban air mobility vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
determine a velocity of the airborne vehicle based on reflected radar signals of at least three radar beams
Data Source
AI summary
A systems of sensors used for navigation in which the system performs real-time dynamic adjustments of the sensor configuration including scan pattern and sensor output characteristics. For an airborne radar system, the radar system may adjust the scan pattern and/or adjust the waveform characteristics based on the phase of flight. Radar waveform characteristics may include frequency, chirp length, modulation type, dwell duration and other characteristics. The scan pattern and radar beam direction may be based on any combination of the transmit beam, or transmit beams, as well as adjustments to receive beams, e.g., by digital beam forming done by signal processing circuitry of the radar system. Similar techniques may also be applied to other sensors or combinations of sensors such as sonar, lidar, visual, infrared, and other sensors.