Adaptive Radar Waveforms for SAR Imaging and Velocity Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small airborne vehicles face challenges in autonomous navigation due to the scarcity of landmarks and the need for accurate velocity measurements for clear Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging, especially over featureless terrain like sea, desert, or large forests.
Innovation Solution
A radio system equipped with multiple antenna arrays and adaptive waveforms, capable of generating both Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) for SAR imaging and Continuous Wave (CW) for velocity vector measurement, allowing for autonomous navigation and positioning relative to the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If velocity measurement accuracy is improved, then SAR image quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is designed with multi-functionality, using the same antenna array and signal processing hardware for both velocity measurement and SAR imaging. The waveform generator and signal processor can handle both CW and FMCW modes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges velocity measurement and SAR imaging functions into a single integrated radar platform. By combining the waveform generation, transmission, reception, and processing components into one unified system, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining high velocity measurement accuracy for improved SAR image quality
2Measurement precision
If landmark-based navigation is used, then navigation accuracy is improved, but applicability to featureless terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces landmark-based optical/mechanical navigation with radar-based velocity measurement and SAR imaging. By using electromagnetic wave reflection and Doppler effect measurement, the system can navigate in featureless terrains where visual landmarks are absent, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining navigation accuracy through precise velocity measurement
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
The system enables precise autonomous navigation and positioning with accuracy of a few meters, independent of satellite navigation, and operates effectively in various weather conditions and terrains, improving navigation readjustment and imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
an FMCW wave (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) representing a linearly frequency-modulated continuous wave
Implementation Method 2
a CW wave (Continuous Wave) representing a wave kept at a given frequency for measuring a velocity vector
Data Source
AI summary
The radio system (10) comprises a waveform generator (1) alternately generating an FMCW wave representing a linearly frequency-modulated continuous wave for radar imaging and a CW wave representing a wave kept at a given frequency for measuring a velocity vector, an amplification chain (2), a set (4) of transmit antennas (41, 42, 43), a set (5) of receive antennas (51, 52, 531, 532), a set (7) of receivers (71-2, 731, 732), and a signal processor (9) implementing processing operations on FMCW signals received from the one or more lateral antennas (51, 52) of the set (5) of receive antennas (51, 52, 531, 532) and spectrally analysing CW signals received from the one or more lateral antennas (51, 52) and from the one or more ventral antennas (531, 532) of the set (5) of receive antennas (51, 52, 531, 532) so as to supply SAR images and components of the velocity vector of said airborne vehicle (20).