Layered Virtual Array MIMO Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing data from generalized MIMO arrays with overlapped virtual phase centers result in poor energy normalization, leading to loss of information and energy when keystone processing is applied, as they fail to maintain consistent channel magnitudes across the array.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating multiple virtual layers within the MIMO array, each representing a single contribution from a virtual phase center, allowing for independent processing and normalization, followed by keystone processing and subsequent recombination of these layers to form a single virtual array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If previous methods remove and/or merge data from overlapped phase centers, then the array can be processed, but energy normalization is poor and information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MIMO array data into multiple virtual layers, where each layer contains data from a specific virtual phase center. This segmentation allows each layer to be processed independently with proper normalization, preventing energy loss while maintaining all available information from overlapped phase centers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual layer dimension to organize the MIMO array data. By creating N virtual layers where N is the maximum number of contributions across the array, the data is transformed from a single overlapping structure to multiple independent layers, enabling proper normalization and processing without information loss.
2Manufacturing precision
If keystone processing is applied to data without consistent channel magnitudes, then beam shift issues are addressed, but interpolation fails and gain is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the array data into virtual layers with consistent channel magnitudes within each layer. This segmentation enables keystone processing to be applied correctly to each layer independently, maintaining interpolation accuracy and preventing energy loss while correcting beam shift issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the organization parameter of the array data from a single overlapping structure to multiple virtual layers with normalized channel magnitudes. This parameter change enables successful keystone processing and interpolation while maintaining energy consistency and preventing gain loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If array keystoning is applied to wideband signals, then phase-only steering to unambiguous angles is achieved, but data representation becomes inaccurate when channel magnitudes are inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wideband signal data into virtual layers, each with consistent channel magnitudes. This allows keystone processing to achieve accurate phase-only steering to unambiguous angles while maintaining data representation accuracy, as each layer is processed with proper normalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual layer dimension to organize wideband signal data, enabling independent processing of each layer with consistent magnitudes. This dimensional organization allows accurate keystone processing and steering while preserving data representation fidelity.
Data Source
AI summary
Processing of MIMO radar data generated from overlapped MIMO arrays. The method of virtualizing (basebanding the MIMO phase centers) allows for processing without the need to omit content/information/energy from overlapped virtual elements.