Digital Phased Array Signal Detection Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital phased arrays require significant digital bandwidth for processing and transmitting data, limiting the number of beams that can be formed and increasing costs and weight, especially in large systems where processing power is distributed and dependent on digital I/O capacity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid detection methodology that combines binary integration and standard coherent processing at final beamforming nodes, allowing for signal predetection and reducing digital I/O capacity needs by applying matched filtering and threshold detection earlier in the beam former, and using distributed signal processing to minimize data transport requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital phased arrays use distributed signal processing with multiple beams, then beamforming capability is improved, but digital I/O capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing signal detection processing at distributed nodes before the final summation point. Matched filtering and threshold detection are executed at intermediate stages, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transported through digital I/O channels while maintaining beamforming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signal processing function into distributed nodes that can independently perform detection. Each node processes a portion of the signal and contributes to the overall detection, allowing the system to maintain multiple beams with reduced digital I/O requirements through distributed architecture.
2Measurement precision
If digital phased arrays increase processing power at final processor, then detection capability is improved, but digital input bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection processing at distributed nodes before data reaches the final processor. By applying matched filtering and threshold detection at intermediate stages, the system reduces the volume of data requiring high-bandwidth input to the final processor while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts detection processing functions from the final centralized processor and distributes them to intermediate nodes. This extraction reduces the data throughput requirement at the final processor's input bandwidth while preserving detection capability through distributed processing.
3Quantity of substance
If hierarchical beam former reduces data at multiple tiers, then digital bandwidth consumption is reduced, but beam-bandwidth product is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by performing detection processing at distributed nodes rather than relying solely on hierarchical reduction. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both reduced digital bandwidth consumption and maintained beam-bandwidth product through a different processing architecture that doesn't sacrifice productivity for bandwidth reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided including a system for signal detection and digital bandwidth reduction in a phased array comprising a digital phased array receiving system, digital beamforming network, and central system-level processing system. In at least one embodiment, a system for signal detection and digital bandwidth reduction in a phased array is provided that includes a digital phased array receiving and transmitting system, a plurality of digital processing nodes, transceivers, and a core processing node, and a plurality of digital beamforming nodes. The exemplary the digital processing nodes including control sections that each perform preprocessing to identify signals with predetermined signal characteristics. The exemplary said preprocessing further includes selecting reflected signals received by the digital phased array receiving and transmitting system having one or more of the predetermined signal characteristics. The selected reflected signals reduced in size and passed to the core processing node with radar data sets.