Radar Angle Estimation via Virtual Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems with amplitude monopulse technology face limitations in angular distinguishing capability due to beamwidth, which can only be improved by increasing the number of antennas, resulting in higher production costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a first antenna array with M antennas to obtain beamforming weighting vectors and perform an augment operation on received signals to create an augmented received vector, effectively simulating a virtual antenna array with (2M−1) antennas, enhancing angular distinguishing capability without the need for additional physical antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of transmit/receive antennas is increased to narrow beamwidth, then angular distinguishing capability is improved, but antenna space requirement and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual antenna array by copying and processing the signals from the physical antenna array. Specifically, it generates a first virtual antenna array signal and a second virtual antenna array signal through signal processing operations on the received signals from M physical antennas, effectively creating additional virtual antennas without adding physical hardware. This allows the system to achieve the angular distinguishing capability of a larger antenna array while maintaining the same physical antenna count and space requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the physical spatial dimension to the signal processing dimension by performing augment operations on the received signal vectors. It constructs augmented received signal vectors and corresponding beamforming weight vectors in the signal space, enabling the system to achieve (2M-1) effective antenna elements through mathematical transformations rather than physical expansion. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction by achieving higher angular resolution without increasing physical antenna array dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If the number of transmit/receive antennas is increased to narrow beamwidth, then angular distinguishing capability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual antenna array by copying and processing the signals from the physical antenna array. Specifically, it generates a first virtual antenna array signal and a second virtual antenna array signal through signal processing operations on the received signals from M physical antennas, effectively creating additional virtual antennas without adding physical hardware. This allows the system to achieve the angular distinguishing capability of a larger antenna array while maintaining the same physical antenna count and space requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the physical spatial dimension to the signal processing dimension by performing augment operations on the received signal vectors. It constructs augmented received signal vectors and corresponding beamforming weight vectors in the signal space, enabling the system to achieve (2M-1) effective antenna elements through mathematical transformations rather than physical expansion. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction by achieving higher angular resolution without increasing physical antenna array dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
An angle estimating method applied in a radar system. The radar system includes a first antenna array including M antennas. The angle estimating method includes steps of obtaining a plurality of beamforming weighting vectors; receiving signal from M antennas and forming a received vector; performing an augment operation on the received vector and obtaining an augmented received vector; computing correlation between the augmented received vector and the plurality of beamforming weighting vectors and obtaining a plurality of results accordingly; and determining an angle-of-arrival of an object according to the plurality of results.