Radar Clutter Suppression via Calibration Wave Thresholding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Impulsive radar systems on moving ground vehicles face challenges in detecting targets due to environmental clutter, which can be obscured by surface variations, vehicle vibrations, and source and digitizer jitter, leading to missed targets and reduced detection probability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that transmit and process electromagnetic waves by sending calibration waves, generating a threshold signal based on received calibration waves, and comparing operating waves to this threshold, while using multiple signal conditioning algorithms to reduce clutter and interference, allowing for dynamic arrangement of transmitters and receivers for optimal target detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sensitivity is decreased to reduce clutter, then clutter is reduced, but targets may be missed and detection probability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by transmitting calibration waves and storing the received signals before actual target detection. This preliminary action characterizes the environmental clutter and stores it as reference data, enabling subsequent clutter removal during target detection without affecting sensitivity settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary calibration wave transmission between the radar system and actual target detection. These calibration waves serve as a mediator to capture and store environmental clutter characteristics, which are then used to subtract clutter from target detection signals, allowing high sensitivity operation without clutter interference.
2Measurement precision
If calibration waves are transmitted to characterize environment, then clutter characterization improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the environmental clutter by transmitting calibration waves and storing the received signals in memory. This copied clutter representation is then used for subtraction during target detection, avoiding the need for complex real-time clutter filtering algorithms while maintaining high clutter characterization precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple receivers are used for three-dimensional imaging, then target location precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function across multiple receivers positioned at different locations. Each receiver captures reflected waves from its specific viewpoint, and the system combines these segmented measurements to construct a three-dimensional image of the target, improving location precision through spatial diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple receivers perform multiple functions: they detect targets from different angles for three-dimensional imaging, characterize environmental clutter from various positions, and provide redundant detection coverage. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering superior target location precision and detection reliability.
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
This approach increases the probability of detecting targets by reducing environmental interference, enabling precise target location, and allowing for dynamic configuration of transmitters and receivers, facilitating detection in various conditions and environments, including rough terrain.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter operable to transmit operating waves and calibration waves
Implementation Method 2
one or more receivers operable to receive reflected calibration waves and operating waves
Implementation Method 3
a system controller operable to process the received calibration waves and operating waves. The system controller may process the received waves by generating a threshold signal based on the calibration waves, and comparing the threshold signal to the operating waves
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing electromagnetic waves in a radar system is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit operating waves and calibration waves, one or more receivers operable to receive reflected calibration waves and operating waves, and a system controller operable to process the received calibration waves and operating waves. The system controller may process the received waves by generating a threshold signal based on the calibration waves, and comparing the threshold signal to the operating waves. The system controller may also process operating waves and calibration waves in accordance with one or more signal conditioning algorithms. Additionally, the system controller may display an image representing a target on a display by comparing received operating waves with the generated threshold signal.