Correlation Signal Level Reduction for Multi-Velocity Target Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional detection apparatuses face accuracy issues due to correlation outputs from correlators not supporting the actual target velocity, leading to inaccurate target detection, especially when side-lobe components from multiple targets with different velocities interfere.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a plurality of correlation processing systems and level reduction processors that differentiate between main-lobe and side-lobe components by analyzing correlation signals, masking side-lobe components to prevent interference and enhance detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple correlation processing systems with different frequencies are used to detect targets with different velocities, then the detection coverage is improved, but the accuracy deteriorates due to interference from side-lobe components of other targets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the correlation signal into main-lobe components and side-lobe components based on their temporal characteristics. By separating these components and processing them differently (applying level reduction to side-lobe components), the system maintains multi-velocity detection capability while eliminating interference, thus resolving the contradiction between detection coverage and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing qualities to different parts of the correlation signal. Main-lobe components receive full-level processing while side-lobe components receive level reduction processing. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high accuracy for true targets while suppressing interference, resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If correlation signals from all correlators are used for target detection, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to false detections from side-lobe components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of correlation signals into main-lobe and side-lobe components before final target detection. By identifying and marking side-lobe components in advance and applying level reduction to them, the system maintains sensitivity to weak targets while preventing false detections, thus resolving the contradiction between detection sensitivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively reduces the impact of side-lobe components, allowing for more accurate target detection by focusing on main-lobe components, thereby improving the overall detection precision.

Implementation Method 1

a wave detection signal obtained by detecting a phase-modulated input wave at a frequency different from a frequency used by a different one of the correlation processing systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

finds a correlation between a predetermined code sequence and a wave detection signal obtained by detecting a phase-modulated input wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrelation detection:

Implementation Method 3

reduce a level of the received correlation signal when the correlation signal is not to be used for detection of the target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal level reduction:

Data Source

PatentUS10823848B2Detection apparatus, detection method, and detection program

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD

AI summary

A detection apparatus that includes correlation processing systems that each find a correlation between a predetermined code sequence and a wave detection signal obtained by detecting a phase-modulated input wave at a frequency different from a frequency used by a different one of the correlation processing systems, and thereby generate a correlation signal, level reduction processors that each receive the correlation signal from a corresponding one of the plurality of correlation processing systems and reduce a level of the received correlation signal when the correlation signal is not to be used for detection of the target or do not reduce the level of the received correlation signal when the correlation signal is to be used for detection of the target, and a detector that detects at least presence or absence of the target based on the correlation signal processed by each of the plurality of level reduction processors.