Passive Radar Detection Using Satellite and Terrestrial Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passive radar systems have limitations in covering the entire airspace and accurately detecting specific movement patterns, particularly with low-height or small-elevation-angle objects, and are prone to low detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing both satellite and terrestrial radio signals to detect objects in the airspace by evaluating interference information from multiple sources, including Doppler shifts and propagation time differences, using multiple antennas and signal processing to determine object location, speed, and properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If passive radar systems use satellite radio signals for airspace surveillance, then the system is stealthy and energy-efficient, but detection accuracy is poor for low-altitude objects and small elevation angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidcoverage of entire airspace
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines satellite radio signals and terrestrial radio signals into a unified passive radar system. The signal processing device evaluates both satellite disturbance information and terrestrial disturbance information together, allowing the system to leverage the complementary strengths of both signal sources - satellite signals for high-altitude coverage and terrestrial signals for low-altitude detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection device is designed to process multiple types of radio signals (both satellite and terrestrial) through a common signal processing architecture. This multi-functional approach allows the same receiving device and signal processing device to handle different signal sources, enabling versatile airspace surveillance across all altitude ranges with a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If active radar systems are used for long-range airspace surveillance, then detection range is extended, but energy consumption increases and the system becomes vulnerable to attack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The passive radar system utilizes existing satellite and terrestrial radio signals as illumination sources, allowing the system to perform radar surveillance without generating its own high-power transmission signals. The system essentially uses other systems' signals for its own detection purposes, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses satellite radio signals and terrestrial radio signals as intermediary carriers to achieve long-range detection. Instead of transmitting radar signals directly, the system detects objects by analyzing disturbances in these intermediary signals, enabling long-range surveillance with minimal energy expenditure and without the vulnerability of active transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If passive radar systems analyze only satellite radio signals, then the system structure is simplified, but detection accuracy for low-altitude objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoiddetection accuracy for low-altitude objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges satellite signal processing and terrestrial signal processing into a unified detection framework. The signal processing device simultaneously evaluates disturbance information from both satellite and terrestrial signals, creating a more accurate detection result for low-altitude objects by combining the information from multiple signal sources rather than relying on satellite signals alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances detection accuracy across the entire airspace by combining satellite and terrestrial radio signals, improving the ability to detect objects with varying altitudes and movement patterns, and providing precise location and speed information.

Implementation Method 1

Reception of at least one satellite radio signal radiated by a satellite and at least one terrestrial radio signal radiated by a terrestrial transmitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The determined Doppler shift depends on the rate of change of distance between the object and the satellite or the terrestrial transmitter and the rate of change of distance between the object and the receiving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler shift: Doppler Effect

Implementation Method 3

an object's entry into the airspace can be detected, in particular, by a sudden change in the signal caused by the object's interference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2950116B1Method for detecting the presence of at least one object in a section of air and/or of at least one property of the object and associated detection device
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2950116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2950116B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Method for detecting the presence of at least one object (8) in an airspace and/or at least one property of the object, comprising the steps of: - receiving at least one satellite radio signal (12) radiated by a satellite (3) by at least one first receiving device (17, 19) and at least one terrestrial radio signal (15) radiated by a terrestrial transmitter (6) by at least one second receiving device (18, 20), - determining a first disturbance information (13) describing a disturbance of the satellite radio signal (12) by the object (8), and a second disturbance information (16) describing a disturbance of the terrestrial radio signal (15) by the object (8), by a signal processing device (21), and - determining whether the object is in the airspace and/or the property of the object by joint evaluation of the first and the second disturbance information by the signal processing device.