MIMO Radar Mode Switching via Logical Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MIMO radar systems face challenges in dynamically adapting to changing requirements for range, search area size, and bearing accuracy, as they are typically limited by fixed antenna configurations and operating modes that do not easily accommodate varying operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that logically separate configuration and signal processing devices within a MIMO radar system, allowing for flexible switching between operating modes by calculating and using a coding matrix, group centers, and antenna position matrix to control and process antenna signals, enabling adaptable beamforming and decoding without altering signal processing algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna configuration and operating modes of a MIMO radar system are fixed, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot dynamically adapt to changing requirements for range, search area size, and bearing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna array configuration and operating modes dynamically switchable rather than fixed. The radar system can change its antenna grouping, coding schemes, and beamforming parameters in real-time to adapt to varying operational requirements such as range, search area size, and bearing accuracy needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a single antenna array that can operate in multiple different configurations and modes. The same physical antenna elements can be grouped differently and assigned different coding schemes to perform various radar functions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated antenna systems.
2Measurement precision
If the number of transmitting and receiving antennas is increased to improve spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, then the radar performance is enhanced, but the system complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the large antenna array into multiple smaller antenna groups. Each group can be independently controlled and configured, which simplifies the management of individual antenna elements while maintaining the overall large aperture for high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual antenna field through signal processing that effectively extends the physical antenna array into a larger virtual aperture. This dimensionality transformation allows the system to achieve the resolution and SNR benefits of a large antenna array without proportionally increasing the physical hardware complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different operating modes with varying degrees of signal orthogonality are implemented, then the radar can optimize for different performance requirements, but the configuration and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the degree of signal orthogonality and antenna grouping configurations to optimize performance for different operational requirements. The system can switch between fully orthogonal signals for maximum range, partial orthogonality for balanced performance, and non-orthogonal signals for enhanced spatial resolution, with each mode represented by specific configurable parameters.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A method for switching between different operating modes of a MIMO radar system comprises the steps of calculating a coding matrix specifying the coding/decoding scheme of an antenna array of the MIMO radar system, a set of group centers of a number of desired transmit antenna groups of the antenna array, and an antenna position matrix of a desired virtual receive antenna array within the antenna array by means of a configuration unit of a radar functional unit of the MIMO radar system; calculating beamforming transmit antenna signals as a function of the calculated set of group centers by means of a signal processing unit of the radar functional unit of the MIMO radar system; and encoding the beamforming transmit antenna signals as a function of the calculated coding matrix by means of the signal processing unit.The control of the antenna array of the MIMO radar system based on the coded and beamforming transmit antenna signals; the decoding of receive antenna signals divided into receive antenna groups according to the calculated coding matrix using the signal processing unit; and the calculation of beamforming receive antenna signals according to the calculated antenna position matrix using the signal processing unit. The configuration unit and the signal processing unit are designed as logically separate modules of the radar functional unit of the MIMO radar system.