Azimuth Detection Using Spatial Frequency Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar systems face challenges in uniquely identifying the azimuth of a target due to phase aliasing and require complex configurations with multiple antennas, making manufacturing and cost-effective implementation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A radar device with a transmission array antenna and a receiving array antenna, utilizing spatial frequency analysis to determine the azimuth of a target without a phase controller, allowing for a widened detection range through beam forming and two-dimensional frequency analysis, and optionally using a single array antenna for simplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If phase difference method is used to detect azimuth, then the detection mechanism is simple, but the azimuth range is limited due to aliasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional phase difference measurement to two-dimensional spatial frequency analysis by utilizing both transmission array antenna elements and reception array antenna elements. This dimensional expansion allows the system to resolve azimuth ambiguities that limit conventional phase difference methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional phase difference measurement mechanism with spatial frequency analysis using beam forming and two-dimensional Fourier transform. This substitution enables wider azimuth detection range by analyzing the spatial distribution of signal frequencies across multiple antenna elements rather than relying on phase differences that suffer from aliasing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmitting antennas with different beam directivity are used to widen detection range, then azimuth detection range is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from physically adjusting antenna beam directivity parameters to digitally processing spatial frequency data. By using beam forming algorithms and two-dimensional spatial frequency analysis on signals from array antenna elements, the system achieves wide detection range without requiring precise mechanical or physical adjustment of antenna directions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic scanning with phase controllers is used to change transmission beam direction, then detection flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam direction control function from hardware phase controllers and implements it through digital signal processing. By removing the need for physical phase controllers and performing beam forming and spatial frequency analysis in the digital domain, the system reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining detection flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If array antenna with spatial frequency analysis is used, then azimuth detection range is widened, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware configurations with systematic digital signal processing methods. The two-dimensional spatial frequency analysis using Fourier transform provides a mathematically rigorous yet computationally efficient approach to achieve wide azimuth detection range, substituting physical complexity with algorithmic processing.
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 solution enables a simple configuration to achieve a widened azimuth detection range with improved resolution, suppressing aliasing effects and reducing the size and complexity of the antenna system.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission array antenna 2 composed of a plurality of transmission-side antenna elements AT1 to ATM arrayed along an array axis set in advance
Implementation Method 2
an azimuth of the target is detected from a shift in phase (in other words, phase difference) of a receiving signal at each receiving antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting an azimuth has a transmission array antenna having plural transmission antenna elements arrayed along an array axis and a receiving array antenna having plural receiving antenna elements arrayed along the array axis. A reception signal is acquired for each of channels by transmitting and receiving a search wave through each of the channels. The channels are arbitrary combinations of each of the transmission antenna elements and each of the receiving antenna elements. A first spatial frequency analysis is performed along the array axis of either ones of the transmission antenna elements and the receiving antenna elements using the reception signal. A second spatial frequency analysis is then performed along the array axis of the other ones of the antenna elements using results of the first spatial frequency analysis. An azimuth of a target is determined based on analysis results from the second spatial frequency analysis.