Distributed Radar Direction Determination via Dual Mono-Pulse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed radar systems face ambiguity in determining the direction of objects due to the complex beam pattern with multiple spatial features, limiting the accuracy and specificity of location data.
Innovation Solution
The technique employs a dual mono-pulse processing approach with distinct angular shifts to process the beam spatial pattern, utilizing the first mono-pulse processing stage for determining the relative location within the angular span of the teeth and the second stage for determining the direction relative to the beam envelope, enabling accurate direction determination of objects within a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If distributed radar systems use complex beam patterns with multiple spatial features (teeth) for high resolution detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ambiguity in determining object direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam pattern analysis into two distinct parts: the envelope beam (main lobe) and the spatial features (teeth) within it. By treating these as separate analytical entities with different angular widths, the system can process signals to determine both the general direction (from envelope) and precise location (from teeth) without ambiguity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing high resolution detection through teeth while using the broader envelope for unambiguous direction determination.
2Measurement precision
If distributed radar systems use a large aperture arrangement for high resolution detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into multiple distributed units that can be geographically separated yet electronically coordinated. Each unit contributes to forming the overall beam pattern with envelope and teeth structures. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large effective aperture for high resolution without requiring a single complex centralized array, thereby distributing the physical and operational complexity across multiple manageable units.
3Reliability
If distributed radar systems distribute antenna units across a selected region for robust operation, then reliability is improved, but beam pattern complexity increases causing direction ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distributed antenna units into functional groups that collectively form the beam pattern with distinct envelope and teeth characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through distributed deployment while systematically analyzing the resulting beam structure to resolve direction ambiguity. The segmented approach enables independent processing of envelope and teeth information to determine accurate target direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing techniques as an intermediary between the distributed antenna units and the direction determination function. This intermediary processes the complex beam patterns with teeth structures, extracting meaningful directional information by analyzing the relationship between envelope and teeth positions. The intermediary processing resolves the ambiguity that would otherwise result from the complex distributed beam pattern.
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 method provides unambiguous and reproducible location data for objects, overcoming the limitations of conventional distributed radar systems by accurately determining the direction and distance of objects, even in complex beam patterns with multiple spatial features.
Implementation Method 1
typically, distance of the object from the radar system, and closing velocity of the objects may be determined using time delay and Doppler shift of the reflected signal
Implementation Method 2
collectively receiving reflected signals and utilize data of phase and time variations in receiving collected signals between the plurality of antenna units
Data Source
AI summary
Distributed radar systems and techniques for processing data received from such distributed radar systems. The distributed radar systems may utilize data on beam spatial pattern for processing collected signals and determining direction of one or more reflection origins (e.g., one or more objects reflecting transmitted signal).