Dual-Radar Golf Launch Monitor for Long-Range Spin Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf launch monitors face limitations in accurately and reliably measuring various parameters of a golf ball's trajectory and swing dynamics, particularly at long distances, due to their reliance on conventional radar and camera systems.
Innovation Solution
A launch monitor system incorporating continuous wave and frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitters and receivers, along with a non-uniform antenna array, processes Doppler signals to estimate golf ball trajectory parameters such as spin, velocity, and distance, enabling more comprehensive and accurate measurements without requiring a complete ball flight path model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radar and camera systems are used to measure golf ball trajectory, then the system structure is relatively simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates at long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple radar technologies (continuous wave radar and frequency modulated continuous wave radar) into a single launch monitor system. This merging of different radar types enables the system to simultaneously measure multiple parameters (ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, carry distance) with high precision at long distances, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by integrating complementary measurement capabilities into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar-based launch monitor system is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously - tracking ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, and carry distance using the same radar infrastructure. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high measurement precision across all parameters without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the radar system serves universal measurement purposes for all trajectory parameters.
2Measurement precision
If radar systems are used to measure golf ball parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radar measurement function into two distinct transmitter types: continuous wave radar for measuring ball speed and frequency modulated continuous wave radar for measuring carry distance. This segmentation allows each radar type to be optimized for its specific measurement function, improving overall measurement precision while managing device complexity by dividing the radar system into specialized components rather than using a single complex system for all measurements.
3Productivity
If complete ball flight path model is used for parameter estimation, then measurement comprehensiveness is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The launch monitor system performs preliminary measurements of key parameters (ball speed, launch angle, spin rate) directly through radar detection before the ball completes its full flight path. By obtaining these critical parameters early in the ball's trajectory, the system can provide real-time feedback without waiting for complete flight path data, thus improving processing speed while maintaining sufficient measurement accuracy through direct radar measurement of the most important trajectory parameters.
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 provides real-time, accurate measurements of golf ball parameters, including carry distance and spin rate, out to hundreds of yards, enhancing golf training by providing immediate and precise feedback for improving golfing skills.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous wave radar transmitter, a frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitter; and a plurality of radar receivers configured to receive Doppler radar signals transmitted by the continuous wave radar transmitter and the frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitter reflected off a struck golf ball
Implementation Method 2
the launch is configured to estimate a distance between a struck golf ball and the launch monitor based at least in part on the signals transmitted by the frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A launch monitor for golf training includes both a continuous wave radar transmitter and a frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitter. A first set of golf ball trajectory parameters are estimated with the continuous wave radar transmitter and a second, different set of golf ball trajectory parameters are estimated with the frequency modulated continuous wave radar transmitter. The array of transmitters and receivers may be non-uniform.