Airborne Virtual Radar Target Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for generating virtual radar targets are often large, intrusive, and limited in their ability to simulate complex movements, particularly tangential and radial movements, which are essential for realistic radar training and testing.
Innovation Solution
A virtual target generator system comprising an airborne transceiver and controller that receives signals from a radar antenna, stores signal information, and transmits output signals to simulate virtual targets with longitudinal and tangential movements by adjusting timing and direction, using a digital radio frequency memory and modulating signals to replicate Doppler shifts and amplitude changes, allowing for partial reflection and coupling with the radar antenna within a radome.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ground-based systems with multiple circuits are used to generate virtual radar targets, then target simulation capability is achieved, but system size and intrusiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate circuits (radio frequency receiver, digital radio frequency memory, digital delay circuit, amplitude modulation circuit, Doppler modulation circuit, and radio frequency transmitter) into a single integrated airborne transceiver unit. This merging reduces the overall system volume while maintaining the complete target simulation capability, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital radio frequency memory as an intermediary component that stores received radar signals and enables their delayed retransmission with modified characteristics. This intermediary approach allows complex target simulation functions to be achieved through signal processing rather than large physical antenna arrays, reducing system volume while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ground-based radar target simulators are used, then virtual targets can be generated, but the systems are intrusive and require large physical presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ground-based radar target simulator with an airborne electronic system that flies alongside the radar. This substitution eliminates the need for large ground-based infrastructure and reduces intrusiveness by using electronic signal processing rather than mechanical antenna movements and large physical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-based (2D plane) to airborne (3D space) operation, allowing the virtual target generator to operate in a different spatial dimension. This dimensional change reduces intrusiveness by positioning the system outside the radar's immediate ground footprint while maintaining virtual target generation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional radar target simulators are used, then basic target simulation is possible, but complex movements including tangential and radial movements cannot be simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic signal processing capabilities that allow the airborne transceiver to simulate complex target movements in real-time. By dynamically adjusting the timing, frequency, and amplitude of retransmitted signals based on actual flight conditions and desired virtual target trajectories, the system can simulate tangential and radial movements without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the transmitted signal (frequency shift for Doppler effect, amplitude modulation for radar cross-section simulation, and time delay for range simulation) to create complex movement patterns. By independently controlling these parameters, the system can simulate various movement types including tangential and radial movements while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture.
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
Enables the generation of realistic virtual targets that can perform complex movements, enhancing radar training and testing by providing non-intrusive, adaptable, and accurate simulations of target characteristics, including velocity and acceleration, improving the effectiveness of radar system training and evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an output signal representative of a virtual target such that at least a fraction of the output is received by the radar antenna
Implementation Method 2
partial reflection and coupling with the radar antenna within a radome
Implementation Method 3
determine a timing of the transmission of the output signal in response to a virtual distance between the virtual target and the radar antenna
Implementation Method 4
The frequency of the received radio frequency pulse is affected by a frequency shift that is proportional to the frequency of the transmitted radio frequency pulse and to the relative velocity between the radar and the target (what is known as the Doppler shift)
Data Source
AI summary
This application is directed to a virtual radar target generator and a method of operating thereof. The virtual radar target generator includes a transceiver and a controller coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver includes a transmission antenna and is adapted to receive a signal transmitted from a radar antenna, store signal information representative of the received signal within a digital radio frequency memory, and transmit an output signal representative of a virtual target such that at least a fraction of the output is received by the radar antenna. The transmission antenna and the radar antenna are positioned within a space that is at least partially defined by a radome. The transmission antenna transmits the output signal toward the radome such that at least a fraction of the output signal is reflected toward the radar antenna.