Multiple Antenna Lobe Radar Angle Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems face limitations in accurately estimating the angle-to-target due to limited accuracy within the radar beam width and the need for antenna servoing, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially in target-rich environments, and there is a requirement for a system that can calibrate mismatch errors in sum and difference channels without using a microwave monopulse comparator.
Innovation Solution
A multiple antenna lobe receiving system that processes data from multiple receive channels to track target movement over time, providing calibration data to correct mismatch errors and estimate angles-to-target without servoing the antenna, using overlapping beams for sequential lobing to achieve high-speed and accurate angle estimation for multiple targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antenna servoing is used to center the beam on the target, then angle-to-target estimation accuracy is improved, but the system speed and efficiency deteriorate due to the time-consuming nature of servoing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by tracking target movement over time to determine mismatch errors before angle estimation. This preliminary calibration data is stored and reused, eliminating the need for continuous servoing and enabling fast angle estimates without sacrificing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical antenna servoing system with a computational approach using multiple antenna lobes and signal processing. Instead of physically moving the antenna to track targets, the system uses electronic beam forming and mismatch error correction to achieve accurate angle estimation.
2Measurement precision
If a microwave monopulse comparator is used to estimate angle-to-target, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the microwave monopulse comparator from the system. Instead of using this complex hardware component, the system achieves angle estimation through multiple antenna lobes, signal processing, and mismatch error calibration, thereby simplifying the device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple antenna lobes that create overlapping beam patterns. By processing signals from multiple receive channels and comparing the responses from different lobes, the system replicates the angle estimation function previously requiring a monopulse comparator, but with simpler hardware.
3Measurement precision
If the radar beam width is reduced to improve angle resolution, then angle-to-target precision is improved, but the coverage area and target detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wide radar beam into multiple narrower lobes, each providing good angle resolution. By using multiple receive channels to capture signals from different lobes and combining them through signal processing, the system achieves high angle precision while maintaining wide overall coverage through the segmented lobe structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple beam receiving system provides an angle estimate to targets. The system tracks movements of the targets over time and generates calibration information. The system uses the calibration information to more accurately estimate angle-to-target. The multiple beam receiving system can be part of a monopulse or other radar system, a traffic collision avoidance system, or other electromagnetic sensor.