Parasail-Mounted Non-Coherent Radar for Target Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems are either expensive and impractical for large-scale use due to their coherent nature, or less accurate in certain environments as non-coherent radars, and struggle to detect and track slowly moving land targets like people due to Doppler smearing effects, especially when mounted on fast-moving platforms.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, non-coherent X-band radar system integrated with smart sensor radar processing algorithms on a parasail or parachute-based airborne platform, which moves slowly to minimize Doppler smearing and enhance detection and tracking capabilities, combined with EO/IR cameras for classification and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If coherent radar systems are used, then detection accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase making large-scale deployment impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive non-coherent radar systems instead of expensive coherent radar systems. These simpler, lower-cost radar units can be deployed in large numbers across multiple platforms including parasails, vehicles, and fixed locations, achieving wide-area surveillance through quantity and distribution rather than individual system sophistication.
2Device complexity
If non-coherent radar systems are used, then system cost is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates in certain environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple non-coherent radar systems into a distributed network that covers wide areas. By merging the surveillance capabilities of many simple radar units positioned at different locations (parasails, ground vehicles, fixed sites), the system achieves comprehensive detection accuracy that compensates for the limitations of individual non-coherent radar units.
Solution Approach 2:
The surveillance area is divided into multiple zones, each monitored by individual non-coherent radar systems. The overall detection accuracy is achieved through segmentation of the monitoring task across many simple systems rather than relying on a few complex coherent systems, allowing each radar to focus on local detection while the network provides comprehensive coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If radar is mounted on fast-moving platforms, then coverage area is increased, but detection of slowly moving land targets deteriorates due to Doppler smearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parasails that can dynamically adjust their flight characteristics. The parasails can hover relatively stationary or move slowly over wide areas, allowing the mounted radar systems to maintain stable platforms for detecting slow-moving land targets while still achieving extensive coverage through strategic positioning and slow movement patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the velocity parameter of the radar platform by using parasails that fly slowly or hover rather than fast-moving aircraft. This parameter change eliminates Doppler smearing effects while maintaining wide coverage area through the parasail's ability to position itself strategically and cover large ground areas during extended surveillance periods.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple radar systems are deployed across multiple platforms, then surveillance coverage is improved, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each non-coherent radar system on parasails, vehicles, and fixed locations operates autonomously with independent detection capabilities. The systems self-manage their local surveillance tasks and communicate basic target information to the central server, reducing coordination complexity while achieving wide-area coverage through distributed autonomous operation rather than highly synchronized centralized control.
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 provides efficient detection, tracking, and classification of land, maritime, and airborne targets with a low false alarm rate, offering wider coverage and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional platforms, while being capable of operating from a variety of launch sites and maintaining stealthy surveillance.
Implementation Method 1
Detection and tracking of land, maritime, and airborne objects using a radar on a parasail
Implementation Method 2
moves slow enough or hoovers in a small area by circling so that slowly moving land targets can be detected and tracked
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatuses may be provided for detection, tracking, and classification of one or more land, maritime, or airborne objects using a real-aperture radar mounted on a parasail airborne platform. Both wide-area and localized radar surveillance can be provided, and the radar can be either a non-coherent radar or coherent radar. A method and apparatus may use a low-cost, rotating, single-beam, non-coherent, X-band radar that is mounted on an unmanned powered parasail and operated remotely like an Unattended Airborne System (UAS). The parasail, which may be expendable or recoverable, manned or unmanned, powered or unpowered, may have a low operational cost, can carry a heavy payload, stay on station for a long time, circle or move to a specified location for surveillance, operate at an optimal altitude and look-angle, and automatically cue or manually steer an EO/IR camera to a target of interest for classification and identification.