Digital Radar System for Precise Target Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor RADAR systems are limited to detecting motion within a monitored area and cannot effectively provide information on the precise location of moving targets, as they rely on analog signal processing which is prone to noise and lacks accuracy in range estimation.
Innovation Solution
A RADAR system utilizing digital signal processing with a processor, pulse unit, waveform signal generator, and radar antennas, featuring a first and second delay stage to generate variable pulses, and an acquisition unit to develop and amplify finite window integrals, allowing for precise range and angular position determination of targets through digital filtering and integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analog signal processing is used in RADAR systems, then the system structure is simpler, but the measurement precision of target location is poor and noise is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog signal processing with digital signal processing. The digital processor implements pulse generation, delay staging, waveform generation, and finite window integration digitally, substituting the mechanical/analog signal processing chain with a digital system that achieves superior measurement precision through computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal processing approach from analog to digital domain. By digitizing the signal processing pipeline including pulse generation, delay control, waveform synthesis, and integration operations, the system achieves improved target location accuracy while managing complexity through software-based processing
2Reliability
If analog signal processing is used in RADAR systems, then the device complexity is lower, but the system reliability is reduced due to noise and accuracy issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog signal processing system with a digital signal processing system. The digital processor implements all signal processing functions including pulse generation, delay staging, waveform generation, and finite window integration, eliminating analog noise and improving detection reliability through digital precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital processor as an intermediary between the radar antenna and the detection output. This digital processor acts as a mediator that receives raw radar signals, processes them through digital pulse generation and finite window integration, and produces reliable target location information, isolating the detection system from analog noise
3Measurement precision
If traditional RADAR signal processing is used, then the system is simpler to implement, but the range estimation accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radar signal processing into distinct digital stages: pulse generation, delay staging with multiple delay lines, waveform generation, signal reception, and finite window integration. Each stage is implemented as a separate digital processing function, improving range estimation accuracy through systematic processing while organizing complexity into manageable segments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary digital signal processing actions including pulse generation and delay staging before the actual target detection. The finite window integration is performed on pre-processed signals, allowing the system to prepare and condition signals in advance for more accurate range estimation
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 system enhances target location accuracy by interleaving range bursts, reducing noise, and enabling simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple targets with improved range and azimuthal position estimation, achieving better than 1-foot accuracy in range estimation and reducing tracking errors.
Implementation Method 1
A set of radar antennas in signal communication with the waveform signal generator is capable of transmitting a burst of microwave energy in response to each waveform signal and to receive a plurality of reflected bursts associated with the transmitted bursts
Implementation Method 2
The first burst illuminates the target and the second burst (also herein referred to as a reference burst) is used to derive a Doppler signal
Implementation Method 3
The envelope detector 120 (also herein referred to as a non-linearity or a demodulator) may comprise one or more diodes in series followed by a low-pass filter (LPF) 130
Data Source
AI summary
A RADAR system including a set of RADAR apparatuses is disclosed. Each apparatus includes a processor, a pulse unit in signal communication with the processor, a waveform signal generator in signal communication with the pulse unit, and a set of radar antennas in signal communication with the waveform signal generator. The waveform signal generator is capable of generating a waveform signal in response to pulses provided by the pulse unit. The set of antennas is capable of transmitting a burst of microwave energy in response to each waveform signal and to receive a plurality of reflected bursts associated with the transmitted bursts. An acquisition unit is configured to develop and amplify a finite window integral associated with each reflected burst, the acquisition unit in signal communication with the set of antennas and a pre-processor configured to digitize and store information relating to each finite window integral for subsequent processing.