Power-Efficient Tandem-Hopped Radar and Communications Waveform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar and communication systems face challenges in efficiently sharing spectrum due to high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) issues with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals, requiring separate transmitters for radar and communication signals, which limits high-power transmission and practical implementation.
Innovation Solution
The power-efficient tandem-hopped radar and communications (PE-THoRaCs) approach generates a composite radar and communication waveform using a two-stage process, embedding OFDM communication signals within a frequency-modulated (FM) radar waveform, allowing for high-power transmission with a single transmitter and maintaining an acceptable delay-Doppler ambiguity function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If OFDM communication signals are used in tandem-hopped radar and communications (THoRaCs), then spectral efficiency is improved, but peak-to-average power ratio increases causing distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the OFDM signal parameters by applying a constant envelope constraint, changing the signal's amplitude characteristics while preserving its spectral properties. This parameter transformation allows the signal to maintain high spectral efficiency without suffering from high PAPR-induced distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite waveform that combines radar and communication signals into a single dual-function waveform. This composite approach integrates the spectral efficiency benefits of OFDM with the constant envelope requirement, producing a unified signal that achieves both objectives simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate transmitters are used for radar and communication signals, then signal distortion is avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radar and communication transmitters into a single dual-function transmitter. By combining these functions and applying the constant envelope transformation, the system achieves signal quality comparable to separate transmitters while significantly reducing device complexity and integration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal transmitter that performs both radar and communication functions through a single device. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate specialized transmitters, reducing system complexity while maintaining signal integrity through the constant envelope waveform design.
3Power
If OFDM signals are transmitted at high power, then radar detection capability is improved, but communication signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the amplitude parameter of the OFDM signal by enforcing a constant envelope constraint. This parameter modification enables the signal to be transmitted at high power levels required for radar detection without causing the nonlinear distortion that would otherwise degrade communication signal quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for generating, transmitting, and utilizing a composite radar and communication waveform are disclosed. The composite radar and communication waveform may facilitate radar detection and data communication operations and may be generated from a frequency modulated (FM) radar waveform and a communication signal. In an aspect, the composite radar and communication waveform may be generated by iteratively executing a shaping process against the FM radar waveform and the communication signal until a first stop criterion is satisfied to produce an initial composite radar and communication waveform having the communication signal embedded therein, and then iteratively executing an enhancement process against the initial composite radar waveform and the communication signal until a second stop criterion is satisfied to produce a final composite radar and communication waveform suitable for both radar detection and data communication operations.