AESA Radar Radome Angle Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems face challenges in correcting the input angle error caused by radome bore sight errors, particularly due to the lack of a suitable method for estimating the input angle for beam transmission after radome refraction.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed that iteratively uses a table matching target angles and measured angles of beams refracted by a radome to correct the input angle error. This method involves receiving user input for a target steering angle, determining the initial input angle, extracting the corresponding measured angle from the radome angle table, calculating the error, and iteratively refining the input angle until the error meets a predetermined threshold or a maximum number of iterations is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal processing correction method is used at reception side, then radome error correction is achieved, but computational load of signal processing board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the relationship between transmission angles and received angles in a lookup table before actual radar operation. This preliminary action transfers the computational burden from real-time signal processing to an offline preparation phase, allowing the operational system to simply query pre-computed values rather than performing complex calculations on incoming signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the computational mechanism (signal processing calculations) with a lookup mechanism (table query). Instead of mechanically computing angle corrections through complex signal processing algorithms, the system substitutes this with a simpler table-based retrieval process that achieves the same correction goal with minimal computational overhead.
2Power
If beam transmission correction method is used, then computational load is reduced, but input angle for transmission after radome refraction must be estimated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and storage of the radome refraction characteristics by comparing transmitted beam angles with received beam angles at multiple measurement points. This pre-acquired data is stored in a table that maps transmission angles to actual received angles, eliminating the need for complex real-time estimation during operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lookup table as an intermediary between the transmission angle command and the actual beam direction. This table acts as a pre-computed correction map that translates desired transmission angles into appropriate input angles, simplifying the angle estimation process from a complex calculation problem to a simple table lookup operation.
3Measurement precision
If filter designing method based on radome model is used, then radome refraction error can be compensated, but modeling error remains when radome shape model accuracy is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on theoretical modeling of the radome shape and refraction characteristics, the patent creates an empirical copy of the actual refraction behavior through measurements. By measuring the actual relationship between transmitted and received angles at multiple points and storing this empirical data in a lookup table, the system captures the true refraction characteristics without being constrained by model accuracy limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the radar system to self-characterize its own radome refraction properties through measurement. Rather than depending on external modeling or theoretical calculations, the system performs self-measurement at multiple angles and builds its own correction table, ensuring the correction data accurately reflects the actual physical characteristics of its specific radome installation.
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 method effectively corrects the input angle error of AESA radar systems by using a radome angle table, improving the accuracy of target angle estimation and reducing computational load on the signal processing board.
Implementation Method 1
a beam transmitted or received by the radar may be refracted or offset according to a form or material of the radome
Data Source
AI summary
An error correction method for an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system including a user interface, a processor, and a memory includes receiving, by the user interface, a user input for a target steering angle, determining, by the processor, a first input angle according to the user input, extracting, by the processor, a first measured angle corresponding to the first input angle from a radome angle table stored in the memory, calculating, by the processor, a first error by comparing the target steering angle with the first measured angle, comparing, by the processor, the first error with a predetermined threshold value, determining, by the processor, the first input angle as a correction angle when the first error is less than the predetermined threshold value, and generating, by the processor, for an AESA radar, a beam steering command including the correction angle.