Doppler Radar Projectile Trajectory Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting projectile trajectories, such as acoustic sensors and optical methods, are limited by ambient noise, light sources, and dust, and are not suitable for use on moving platforms, while radar systems face challenges with clutter suppression and efficient integration times.
Innovation Solution
A continuous wave Doppler radar system with directional antennas or digital beam forming, capable of high-pass filtering and spectral discrimination, is used to measure radial speed components and determine trajectory parameters, including speed, distance, and direction, using non-linear parameter fits and Doppler signal analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors are used to detect projectile trajectories, then position information can be obtained from muzzle blast, but the system requires multiple spatially distributed microphones and is easily disturbed by ambient noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic sensors with optical sensors that detect the optical sights of sharpshooter weapons. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple spatially distributed microphones and reduces sensitivity to ambient acoustic noise, while maintaining the ability to determine shooter position and direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical sights as an intermediary target that can be detected by optical sensors. Instead of directly detecting the muzzle blast or projectile, the system detects the optical sight, which serves as a mediator to infer the shooter's position and trajectory information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical methods are used to discover optical sights of sharpshooter weapons, then shooter position can be detected, but the application area is strictly limited and efficiency is adversely affected by ambient light sources and dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the detection system to identify not only optical sights but also other hand weapons through their trajectories. The radar system can detect both the optical sights of sharpshooter weapons and the trajectories of various projectiles, making the system universally applicable to multiple weapon types and detection scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical detection methods with radar-based detection that is less sensitive to ambient light and dust. The radar system uses electromagnetic waves instead of optical waves, eliminating the adverse effects of ambient light sources and dust particles on detection efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radar systems are used to detect projectile trajectories, then universal detection capability is achieved, but clutter suppression and integration time optimization are challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes radar detection by changing key parameters including using continuous wave Doppler radar to measure radial speed components, applying high-pass filtering to suppress clutter, and optimizing integration times to enhance system sensitivity. These parameter changes improve the signal-to-clutter ratio and trajectory detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic sampling and integration of Doppler signals over optimized time intervals. By using coherent integration over multiple periods and applying spectral discrimination, the system enhances weak projectile signals while suppressing random clutter, thereby improving measurement precision.
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 approach enables reliable and universal detection of projectile trajectories with improved angular resolution and clutter suppression, even on moving platforms, and extends integration times for enhanced system sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement of distance to a detected object involves using the transition time of the echo pulse, while the projectile speed is advantageously determined by means of the Doppler frequency shift in the echo signal
Implementation Method 2
a coherent pulse Doppler radar... The measurement of distance to a detected object involves using the transition time of the echo pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for detecting the flight path of projectiles involve a sequence of N target detections that include detecting the measured velocities and azimuthal angle bearings of the projectile along the flight path of the projectile by Doppler radar at the times tn, wherein n=1 . . . N, and determining the flight path and the direction of motion of the projectile are from these measurements. The measurements are adapted in a first nonlinear parameter fit to an analytical relationship of the time curve of the radial velocity of the projectile while the projectile passes through the detection range of the radar and so that the absolute projectile velocity, minimum distance of the project flight path from the radar, time at which the projectile passes the point having the minimum distance, flight path direction in azimuth, and flight path direction in elevation can be estimated.