ADS-B Transceiver Radar for Non-Cooperative Target Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airborne surveillance systems, including ADS-B and TCAS, have limitations in detecting non-cooperative targets such as birds, air turbulence, and unmanned aerial vehicles, as they rely on GPS which can be jammed and primarily detect cooperative targets with transponders, while primary radar is costly and limited to large aircraft.
Innovation Solution
An airborne radar system that modifies the ADS-B transceiver to incorporate digital beam-forming modulation and a digital signal processor, using circular antenna arrays to estimate the angle-of-arrival of reflected signals, enabling detection and tracking of non-cooperative targets with angular accuracy comparable to TCAS systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ADS-B transponders are used for surveillance, then the system can provide location information for cooperative targets, but it cannot detect non-cooperative targets such as birds, air turbulence, and unmanned aerial vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The ADS-B transponder system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it continues to provide cooperative target detection through standard ADS-B operations while simultaneously enabling non-cooperative target detection through reflected signal processing. The system universally handles both cooperative and non-cooperative surveillance needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines primary radar detection capabilities with secondary ADS-B surveillance functions into a single integrated system. The transponder receives and processes both direct ADS-B signals from cooperative targets and reflected signals from non-cooperative targets, merging two detection modes into one unified system
2Adaptability or versatility
If primary radar systems are used to detect non-cooperative targets, then detection capability is improved, but the system becomes expensive and limited to large commercial or military aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the aircraft's existing ADS-B transponder to illuminate and detect targets, making the aircraft serve its own surveillance needs without requiring separate primary radar transmitters. The transponder's transmitted signals are reused for both cooperative and non-cooperative target detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the ADS-B transponder by introducing phase modulation to the transmitted signals. This modification enables the transponder to function as a primary radar while maintaining its standard ADS-B identification capabilities, effectively transforming a secondary surveillance device into a dual-mode system
3Measurement precision
If TCAS systems with circular antenna arrays are used, then angular accuracy is improved, but the system cannot provide effective collision avoidance information for non-cooperative targets
Solution Approach 1:
The TCAS system with circular antenna arrays is enhanced to universally handle both cooperative and non-cooperative target detection. The same antenna array and signal processing infrastructure used for precise angular measurement of cooperative targets is also applied to detect and track non-cooperative targets through reflected signals
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 provides effective collision avoidance information for non-cooperative targets, enhancing situational awareness with improved angular accuracy and compliance with existing ADS-B standards, while maintaining compatibility with existing ADS-B equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The modification is provided by random phase modulation that is added to a standard ADS-B waveform utilizing it as a primary radar signal
Implementation Method 2
An airborne radar system that modifies the ADS-B transceiver to incorporate digital beam-forming modulation and a digital signal processor, using circular antenna arrays to estimate the angle-of-arrival of reflected signals
Implementation Method 3
digital beam forming techniques are preferred to analog beam forming and monopulse
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of using a standard ADS-B transmitter and encoder to identify targets to provide a collision avoidance system, wherein the method includes the steps of providing a standard ADS-B transmitter and encoder, a phase modulator including a digital synthesizer, radio-frequency electronics, antennas, and a radar transceiver; synthesizing digital-based band signals from the ADS-B transmitter with additional random phase modulation using the digital synthesizer; using the antennas to both transmit and receive signals; and estimating angles-of-arrival for every target in a field-of-view. The method may include the steps of demodulating the signals received by the antennas, providing a digital signal processor, and performing matched filtering on received signals. The method may also include the step of estimating a target range of identified targets using the digital signal processor.