Radar Antenna Array Beamforming for Wide Azimuth Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems for obstacle avoidance in self-piloted aircraft have limited angular coverage, specifically in the azimuth direction, which is insufficient for effective 'Sense and Avoid' functions, and require multiple antennas to achieve wider coverage, leading to increased size and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A radar system with a single transmitting antenna and an array of receiving antennas, configured to maximize gain and signal-to-noise ratio through computational beamforming, allowing for increased angular coverage up to ±110° in azimuth without doubling the size or energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple transmitting antennas are used to achieve wider angular coverage, then the field of observation is improved, but the size and energy consumption are doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receiving antennas into a single functional unit that performs computational beamforming. By merging the reception functions of multiple antennas and processing their signals computationally, the system achieves wide angular coverage without requiring multiple transmitting antennas, thus avoiding the doubling of energy consumption and system size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using multiple physical transmitting antennas with a computational approach. Instead of physically distributing multiple transmitters, the system uses a single transmitting antenna combined with computational beamforming algorithms that process signals from multiple receiving antennas to achieve the same wide coverage effect, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing.
2Area of moving object
If multiple transmitting antennas are used to achieve wider angular coverage, then the field of observation is improved, but the device size is doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple receiving antennas into a coordinated array that functions as a single computational unit. By combining their signals through beamforming algorithms, the system achieves wide angular coverage without requiring multiple transmitting antennas, thereby avoiding the doubling of device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a spatial dimension solution (multiple physical antennas distributed in space) to a computational dimension solution. Instead of expanding the physical footprint by adding more transmitting antennas, the system uses computational beamforming in the signal processing domain to achieve the same angular coverage, effectively moving the solution from spatial expansion to computational processing.
3Device complexity
If linear arrays of receiving antennas are used, then the structure is simple, but the azimuth coverage is limited to ±60°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic beamforming capabilities to the receiving antenna array. By computationally steering and forming beams in multiple directions, the system dynamically expands the effective coverage from the static ±60° limitation of simple linear arrays to a much wider azimuth coverage, while maintaining the simplicity of the physical linear array structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the receiving antenna array by applying computational beamforming techniques. By adjusting the phase and amplitude parameters of the signals from each receiving element, the system transforms the limited coverage characteristic of simple linear arrays into a wide coverage system, effectively changing the coverage parameter through signal processing rather than physical reconfiguration.
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 solution provides enhanced angular coverage and energy efficiency by optimizing the antenna array configuration and beamforming techniques, enabling precise and unambiguous target detection and localization within a wider field of view.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmitting antenna (1) and one receiving antenna (7) formed from an array of radiating elements
Implementation Method 2
one receiving antenna (7) formed from an array of radiating elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a radar comprising a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna formed of an array (31, 32, 33) of radiating elements (10), the antenna beams being calculated in P directions by a function of FFC.Target detections by the side lobes of one or more beams formed by FFC are processed by an algorithm based on comparing the received levels within a radar range-velocity resolution cell. Only one detection is possible per range-velocity resolution cell. The processing methods assume that there is likely to be no more than one echo with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) sufficient for detection, for a given radar resolution cell, whether in velocity, range, or range-velocity, depending on the processing method used. If more than one detectable echo exists per resolution cell among the plurality of beams formed by FFC, only the echo and FFC that provide the maximum power or the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are considered valid. Application: obstacle avoidance function on board autonomous aircraft.