Radar Angle Estimation via Orthogonal Component Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-precision radar algorithms require presetting the number of separable angles, leading to increased calculation load and low precision in estimating the number of incoming waves, especially in limited hardware resources like on-vehicle radar systems where rapid changes in target orientation necessitate accurate angle spectrum estimation within a short period.

Innovation Solution

A calculation device evaluates the magnitude of the orthogonal component of mode vectors to determine the proper number of separable angles, eliminating the need for algorithms like AIC or MDL, thereby reducing calculation load and improving estimation accuracy by ensuring the mode vector aligns closely with the input vector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of separable angles is set larger than the number of incoming waves to ensure accurate arrival direction estimation, then the precision of angle spectrum estimation is improved, but the calculation load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of angle spectrum estimationVSAvoidcalculation load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of separable number dynamically based on the number of incoming waves detected in each time slot. Instead of using a fixed large number, the system adapts the separable number to match the actual number of incoming waves, thereby reducing unnecessary calculations while maintaining estimation precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the separable number according to the detected number of incoming waves in each time slot. This dynamic adaptation allows the calculation load to vary with the actual signal environment, reducing computation when fewer waves are present while ensuring accuracy when more waves exist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the number of separable angles is set equal to the number of incoming waves to reduce calculation load, then the calculation efficiency is improved, but the precision of estimating the number of incoming waves becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation efficiencyVSAvoidprecision of estimating number of incoming waves
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the angle spectrum estimation process to refine the detection of incoming waves. By iteratively adjusting the separable number based on detected peaks and their correlation with mode vectors, the system improves the precision of incoming wave number estimation while maintaining calculation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of the number of incoming waves using algorithms like AIC or MDL before setting the separable number. This preliminary action provides a foundation for subsequent angle spectrum estimation, improving overall precision while avoiding excessive calculation load by starting with an informed initial estimate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If algorithms like AIC or MDL are used to estimate the number of incoming waves before angle spectrum estimation, then the separable number can be determined, but the calculation load increases and estimation precision remains low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to determine separable numberVSAvoidcalculation load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of performing full AIC or MDL calculations to precisely determine the number of incoming waves, the patent uses these algorithms to obtain a preliminary estimate and then refines the separable number based on angle spectrum peaks. This partial action approach reduces calculation load while achieving sufficient precision for practical applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2508911B1Calculation device for radar apparatus, calculation method and program for calculation method
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 FUJITSU TEN LTD
  • EP2508911B1 patent drawingFigure 1
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  • EP2508911B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a calculation device for a radar apparatus which is configured to specify a direction of a target based on respective reception signals of a plurality of antennae. A calculation unit is configured to use a predetermined estimation algorithm of estimating angles of targets corresponding to a preset separable-number from the respective reception signals, set an arbitrary separable-number to generate a mode vector from the estimated angles of the targets, obtained by the predetermined estimation algorithm, and determine whether the set separable-number is proper or not based on a magnitude of an orthogonal component calculated from the mode vector and an input vector of the respective reception signals.