Aerial MIMO Radar Patch Layout for Long-Range Low-Clutter Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
MIMO radar systems for aerial vehicles face challenges in covering extended ranges of up to 2 km while maintaining low transmission power to avoid crosstalk and ground clutter, which is not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A MIMO radar system with a configuration of multiple transmitter patches and receiving antenna elements, utilizing orthogonal signal transmission and digital processing to form a virtual array, which reduces transmission power requirements and enhances angular resolution, incorporating phase and frequency shifts to create robust correlation patterns for object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If transmission power is increased to cover extended ranges of 2 km, then detection range is improved, but crosstalk and ground clutter increase causing receiver overcharge
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter array is divided into multiple transmitter patches that transmit orthogonal signals simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to achieve extended detection range through coherent integration of multiple patches while maintaining low individual transmission power, thereby avoiding receiver overcharge from crosstalk and ground clutter.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transmitter patches transmit orthogonal signals that are coherently integrated at the receiver. The combining of these orthogonal signals achieves the equivalent of high transmission power for extended range detection while each individual patch operates at low power, preventing crosstalk and ground clutter issues.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transmitter patches transmit orthogonal signals simultaneously, then angular resolution is enhanced through virtual array formation, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual antenna elements through the combination of multiple transmitter patches and receiver elements. Each transmitter patch generates a copy of the orthogonal signal pattern, and the receiver processes these copies to form a virtual array that enhances angular resolution without requiring physical expansion of the antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes orthogonal signaling with specific phase and frequency relationships between transmitter patches. By carefully controlling these signal parameters, the system achieves enhanced angular resolution through virtual array formation while managing processing complexity through structured signal design.
3Ease of manufacture
If FMCW radar systems are used for close-range applications, then cost efficiency is improved, but transmission power is insufficient for extended ranges of 2 km
Solution Approach 1:
The FMCW radar system is divided into multiple low-power transmitter patches that transmit orthogonal signals. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the cost efficiency of FMCW technology while achieving extended transmission range through coherent integration, avoiding the need for a single high-power transmitter that would be costly and generate crosstalk.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple low-power FMCW transmitter patches are combined through coherent integration of their orthogonal signals. This merging achieves the equivalent transmission power needed for extended range while maintaining the cost efficiency of individual low-power FMCW transmitters, and the orthogonal signaling prevents crosstalk between patches.
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 effectively covers ranges of up to 2 km with reduced transmission power, minimizing crosstalk and ground clutter, and provides robust object detection capabilities, suitable for aerial vehicles operating at low altitudes and high speeds in urban environments.
Implementation Method 1
A MIMO radar system with a configuration of multiple transmitter patches and receiving antenna elements, utilizing orthogonal signal transmission
Implementation Method 2
receive radar frequency electromagnetic waves, and in particular the transmitted (or emitted) transmission signals after they have been reflected from the object
Implementation Method 3
a velocity of the detected object, e.g. by means of a Doppler (i.e., frequency) shift of the reflected and received signal
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO, radar system for detecting an object in a vicinity of an aerial vehicle, includes a first transmitter patch, a second transmitter patch, and a third transmitter patch. Each transmitter patch has, respectively, a first, second, and third plurality of transmitting antenna elements configured to transmit, respectively, a first, second and third plurality of transmission signals. The MIMO radar system further includes a plurality of receiving antenna elements, wherein each receiving antenna element is configured to receive the transmitted transmission signals after their reflection from the object. The MIMO radar system further includes a signal forming module, configured to generate the transmission signals and to provide the transmission signals to their respective transmitting antenna elements. The MIMO radar system further includes a digital processing module, configured to detect, based on the received transmission signals, characteristics of the object. A first direction between the first transmitter patch and the second transmitter patch is different from a second direction between the second transmitter patch and the third transmitter patch. Also, each transmitter patch includes multiple transmitting antenna elements in the first as well as in the second direction. With this, a virtual array of receiving antenna elements which extends the plurality of receiving antenna elements in the first and in the second direction in a gap-free and homogeneous way is achieved.