Filter-Bank Frequency Band Estimation for Faster Radar Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic warfare systems face significant time delays in detecting radar signals across vast frequency bands, which can lead to delayed recognition of enemy attacks, hindering quick tactical and strategic decision-making.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that estimate the frequency band of a received signal by using a combination of wideband and narrowband filter banks, determining signal detection numbers, and performing calculations to minimize time delay and avoid unnecessary hardware upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wideband filter bank is used to detect radar signals across vast frequency bands, then the coverage of frequency detection is improved, but the time delay in signal detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide frequency band into multiple sub-bands using a filter bank structure. Each sub-band is processed independently by dedicated detection units, allowing parallel processing that reduces overall detection time while maintaining comprehensive frequency coverage. The segmentation enables the system to handle vast frequency ranges without sequential processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical detection architecture that adds a dimensional layer to the detection process. By organizing detection units in multiple levels (wideband detection followed by narrowband detection only when needed), the system transforms a single-dimension sequential search into a multi-dimensional selective detection approach, significantly reducing time delay.
2Loss of time
If narrowband filters are used to reduce time delay, then the signal detection speed is improved, but the frequency band coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic detection strategy where the system first performs a quick wideband scan to identify potential signal regions, then dynamically activates narrowband detection only in those specific regions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain fast response times while ensuring comprehensive frequency coverage when signals are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary wideband detection to identify candidate frequency regions before committing to detailed narrowband analysis. This preliminary action filters out empty frequency regions, allowing the system to focus computational resources only on regions where signals are likely present, thus maintaining both speed and coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more detection units are added to cover wider frequency bands, then the frequency detection capability is improved, but the hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs detection units that can operate at multiple levels of the frequency hierarchy. The same basic detection unit structure is used for both wideband and narrowband detection, allowing the system to achieve wide frequency coverage through configuration rather than through having completely separate hardware for each band, thus reducing overall hardware cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested filter bank structure where narrowband filters are nested within wideband filter regions. This nesting allows the system to share hardware resources across different detection levels, with the same physical infrastructure supporting both wideband scanning and narrowband analysis, thereby minimizing the increase in hardware cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating a frequency band of a received signal is proposed. The method may include acquiring the received signal using an antenna, and determining a first signal detection number corresponding to a first wideband filter for passing the received signal among a plurality of wideband filters which are respectively set with a plurality of pre-determined wideband frequencies included in a wideband filter bank. The method may also include determining a second signal detection number corresponding to a second narrowband filter for passing the received signal among a plurality of narrowband filters which are respectively set with a plurality of pre-determined narrowband frequencies included in a narrowband filter bank. The method may further include estimating the frequency band of the received signal based on at least one of the first signal detection number and the second signal detection number.