Common FMCW Waveform for Concurrent Radar and Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for combining radar and communications functions on platforms like aircraft and satellites face challenges due to space constraints, high costs, and interference issues, as they require separate hardware and systems that can interfere with each other when operating simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a common set of programmable hardware and software that implements both radar and communications functions using a frequency-modulated continuous waveform (FMCW) on a single antenna, allowing for efficient and interference-free operation of both functions simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate radar and communications systems are installed on a platform, then both functions can be performed independently, but the platform requires more space, has higher cost, and consumes more power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar and communications systems into a single integrated platform that shares common hardware components including antenna, transmitter, receiver, and signal processing units. This merging eliminates the need for separate installations while maintaining both functions through a unified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - radar detection, tracking, and communications - using a single multi-functional platform. The system can dynamically switch between radar-only, communications-only, or combined modes based on operational requirements.
2Productivity
If separate radar and communications systems operate simultaneously on a platform, then both functions are available, but RF interference degrades performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an RF interference cancellation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the radar and communications signal paths. This mechanism detects interfering signals and generates compensating signals to cancel the interference, allowing simultaneous operation without performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as frequency, power level, and timing between radar and communications functions to minimize interference. By changing these parameters in real-time, the system optimizes performance for simultaneous operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radar and communications systems operate at different times to avoid interference, then interference is eliminated, but performance restrictions occur due to time-sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous operation of both radar and communications functions through advanced signal processing and interference cancellation techniques. This eliminates the need for time-sharing, allowing both systems to operate continuously without interruption or performance restrictions.
4Reliability
If two separate systems are maintained on a platform, then functional redundancy exists, but maintenance cost and upgrade complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system consolidates radar and communications maintenance into a single unified maintenance framework. Common components are maintained once rather than twice, and the system provides centralized monitoring and diagnostics that simplify troubleshooting and repair operations.
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 solution reduces the cost, size, and power requirements of radar and communications systems, enables easier maintenance, and eliminates interference issues, allowing both functions to operate concurrently without degrading performance.
Implementation Method 1
A frequency-modulated continuous waveform (FMCW) is used to transmit both radar and communications functions
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (130) having a set of common hardware and common signal processing together with a common waveform family that can be used to achieve both efficient radar and efficient communications functions. The system includes a common radar/communications transmitter (131) having a transmission antenna (110) and a combined radar and communications receiver (133) having a common reception antenna (116). The common radar/communications transmitter (131) is configured to transmit combined radar/communications waveform-modulated signals comprising symbols, each symbol consisting of an up chirp and a down chirp. The combined radar and communications receiver (133) includes a baseband radar signal processing module (126) configured to estimate range and range rate of a radar object from the received symbols and a baseband communications signal processing module (138) configured to detect slopes and initial phases of the up and down chirps of each received symbol.