Narrowband Receiver Array for Wideband Signal Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wideband receivers used for electromagnetic signal interception are expensive, have limited sensitivity, and struggle to detect low-probability intercept (LPI) radar signals due to their limited capacity to process concurrent pulses across a broad spectrum, especially in the presence of continuous wave transmitters.
Innovation Solution
A system employing a narrow-band receiver to quickly scan a wide band, identifying pulses and generating descriptors for detected signals, and a second narrow-band receiver for detailed analysis and tracking of identified transmitters, allowing for precise identification and high probability of signal interception without the need for wideband receivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wideband receivers are used to detect electromagnetic signals across a broad frequency band, then the probability of signal interception is increased, but the cost increases and sensitivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wide frequency band is divided into multiple narrow frequency bands, with each narrowband receiver dedicated to a specific band. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wideband coverage through multiple specialized receivers rather than one complex wideband receiver, improving both cost-effectiveness and sensitivity for each band while maintaining overall wideband detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple narrowband receivers that collectively cover the entire wide frequency band, performing partial detection in each narrow band but achieving excessive (comprehensive) coverage when all receivers operate together. This approach improves sensitivity in each band compared to a single wideband receiver while maintaining overall wideband monitoring
2Productivity
If wideband receivers monitor the entire frequency band simultaneously, then concurrent pulses can be detected, but the receivers are easily dazzled by continuous wave transmitters
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is segmented into multiple narrow bands, each monitored by a dedicated narrowband receiver. This segmentation isolates each receiver from strong CW transmitters in other bands, preventing dazzle effects while maintaining the ability to detect concurrent pulses across different frequency bands through the coordinated operation of multiple receivers
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses frequency-selective filtering as an intermediary mechanism between the antenna and each narrowband receiver. This filtering intermediary allows only the specific frequency band of interest to pass to each receiver, blocking out-of-band CW interference while preserving the detection of concurrent pulses within the designated band
3Device complexity
If narrowband receivers are used instead of wideband receivers, then cost is reduced and sensitivity is improved, but the ability to detect signals across a wide frequency band is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple narrowband receivers are merged into a coordinated system where each receiver monitors a specific frequency band. The combination of these specialized receivers achieves comprehensive wideband coverage while maintaining the cost and sensitivity advantages of narrowband technology, as each receiver is optimized for its specific band rather than requiring a single expensive wideband receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (100) and its associated method (200) for intercepting non-discursive electromagnetic signals emitted over a wide frequency band. The invention proposes to implement an interceptor for electromagnetic signals emitted over a wide band, without using wideband receivers. Instead, the invention proposes using two narrowband receivers arranged to rapidly scan the entire wide band in order to detect previously unidentified emissions and then track already identified emissions. The invention also enables the tracking of already identified emissions. Such an interceptor ensures a high probability of signal interception (e.g., greater than 90%) within a very short time frame (e.g., on the order of a few seconds).