Bistatic Radar Satellite Receiver for Space Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current space surveillance methods, including ground-based radars and optical systems, face limitations in detecting small objects near geostationary orbits due to distance, resolution, and cost constraints, and existing bistatic radar systems do not provide satisfactory spatial and temporal coverage or detection performance.
Innovation Solution
A bistatic radar system with a transmitter on the Earth's surface and a receiver partially embedded in a satellite in orbit, using radio frequency signals to detect objects by processing reflected signals and calculating ambiguity functions to determine object distance and position, allowing for sensitive detection of small objects at great distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based radars with large antenna apertures are used to detect objects near geostationary orbit, then detection capability for small objects is improved, but the area of space that can be observed is limited and infrastructure cost is extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection function between a ground-based transmitting system and a satellite-based receiving system. The ground station provides the transmitted signal while the satellite receives and processes the reflected signal, allowing the satellite to scan a wide area of space while the ground station maintains a fixed, manageable infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite acts as an intermediary between the ground-based transmitter and the target objects in space. It receives the transmitted signal, processes the reflected signal from objects near geostationary orbit, and transmits the processed information back to the ground station, enabling detection without requiring a large ground-based receiving antenna.
2Measurement precision
If ground-based radars with large antenna apertures are used to detect objects near geostationary orbit, then detection capability for small objects is improved, but infrastructure cost is extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving system is extracted from the ground-based infrastructure and placed on a satellite. This removes the need for expensive large-diameter ground-based receiving antennas and associated infrastructure, while maintaining the ability to detect small objects through the satellite's processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite uses its own onboard processing systems to analyze the reflected signals and determine object positions, eliminating the need for complex ground-based receiving infrastructure. The satellite essentially serves itself by performing the detection functions that would otherwise require expensive ground facilities.
3Productivity
If optical observation systems are used for space surveillance, then continuous surveillance is not provided, but cost is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces optical observation with microwave/radio frequency detection. The satellite-based radar system can operate continuously regardless of lighting conditions or atmospheric interference, providing uninterrupted surveillance capability at a reduced cost compared to ground-based optical systems with large telescopes.
4Device complexity
If monostatic radar systems are used, then simple infrastructure is maintained, but different object measurement geometries are not available
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the transmitter and receiver at the same location (monostatic), the system inverts the arrangement by placing the receiver on a satellite in orbit. This creates a bistatic configuration that provides diverse measurement geometries while keeping the ground-based transmitter infrastructure simple and fixed.
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
This solution enables cost-effective and sensitive detection of small objects near geostationary orbits with improved spatial and temporal coverage, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by using a satellite-based receiver and ground-based transmitter.
Implementation Method 1
reception, by the part of the receiving system on board the satellite, of a search signal corresponding to a radio frequency signal emitted by the transmitting system and reflected by said object
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bistatic radar for detecting an object (70) in space. The bistatic radar comprises a transmitting system (60) located on the Earth's surface (90) and a receiving system (10) at least partially embedded in a satellite (50) orbiting the Earth. The receiving system (10) includes a radio receiving chain (20), referred to as the "search channel (20a)," configured to receive a search signal (62) emitted by the transmitting system (60) and reflected by the object (70). A control unit (30) of the receiving system (10) is configured to calculate an ambiguity function between the search signal and a replica of the signal emitted by the transmitting system, and to deduce from this information representative of the distance between the object (70) and the satellite (50). A localization unit (40) is configured to estimate the position of the object (70) from the information determined by the control unit (30).