Phased Array Radar Beamforming for Wide-Angle Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical rotating radar systems require large amounts of power, are prone to mechanical errors and failures, and occupy significant space, making them inefficient and cumbersome for scanning wide-angle areas effectively.
Innovation Solution
A digital active phased array radar system with electronically scanned arrays, comprising transmitting and receiving devices arranged on orthogonal axes, uses phase shifting digital signals to generate RF beams with main and side lobes, allowing for efficient scanning and object detection without mechanical rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a mechanical rotating radar system is used to scan wide-angle areas, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating antenna system with an electronically controlled phased array system. Multiple fixed receiving devices are arranged in specific geometric patterns (orthogonal axes, tetrahedral configurations) and use electronic beamforming to achieve wide-angle scanning without mechanical rotation, thereby eliminating the high power consumption associated with mechanical rotation while maintaining comprehensive scanning coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-axis mechanical rotation to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement of receiving devices along orthogonal axes. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve omnidirectional scanning capability through electronic beam steering in multiple dimensions simultaneously, providing wide-angle coverage without requiring continuous mechanical rotation in one plane
2Area of stationary object
If a mechanical rotating radar system is used to scan wide-angle areas, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the mechanical errors and failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical rotating components by using a stationary phased array of receiving devices. The scanning function is achieved through electronic phase shifting and beamforming rather than physical rotation, completely removing mechanical wear, friction, and associated failures while maintaining wide-angle scanning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary receiving devices are designed to perform multiple functions: they simultaneously contribute to scanning in multiple directions, provide redundant measurement capabilities, and enable both wide-angle coverage and precise target localization without requiring mechanical movement. This multi-functionality achieves scanning coverage equivalent to mechanical rotation but with enhanced reliability
3Speed
If a mechanical rotating radar system is used, then the rapid response to large numbers of targets is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation with electronic beam switching that can rapidly redirect scanning beams to different angular positions without physical movement. This electronic steering provides instantaneous response to multiple targets across wide angles while consuming significantly less power than accelerating and decelerating heavy mechanical antenna structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically controllable phase shifters and beamformers that can rapidly change beam directions and focus on multiple targets of interest. This dynamic electronic control provides fast response speeds comparable to or exceeding mechanical systems while avoiding the inertial limitations and high power demands of mechanical acceleration and deceleration
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
The system achieves efficient power usage, reduces mechanical errors, and enables detection of multiple objects within a wide-angle area with lower power consumption and reduced spatial requirements, while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of first receiving devices are coupled to the processing device for generating a plurality of first digital signals according to a plurality of first incoming signals, respectively, during a receiving mode
Implementation Method 2
the processing device is further arranged to perform a first beamforming operation to generate a plurality of first beamforming signals according to the plurality of first digital signals and a first gain matrix
Implementation Method 3
A radar system is developed for determining the range, angle, or velocity of objects by emitting radio waves and receiving the returned echo
Data Source
AI summary
A radar system includes: a plurality of first receiving devices for generating a plurality of first digital signals according to a plurality of first incoming signals, respectively; and a plurality of second receiving devices for generating a plurality of second digital signals according to a plurality of second incoming signals, respectively. A processing device is arranged to perform a first beamforming operation to generate a plurality of first beamforming signals according to the plurality of first digital signals and a first gain matrix, and to perform a second beamforming operation to generate a plurality of second beamforming signals according to the plurality of second digital signals and a second gain matrix; and to determine an altitude angle of a first object and a second object, and to determine a first azimuth angle of the first object and a second azimuth angle of the second object.