Radar Direction Estimation via Correlation Matrix Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems using the beamformer algorithm require a significant increase in the number of elements to achieve high resolution, and high-resolution DOA estimation algorithms like MUSIC increase calculation complexity due to the need to process all frequency components, especially when objects move, leading to excessive computational demands.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus employing a DOA estimation algorithm that calculates correlation matrices at predetermined intervals, stores previous correlation matrices to reduce noise, and uses these to generate addition correlation matrices, thereby extracting an extraction matrix for direction calculation, which reduces the computational load by using correlation matrices instead of angular spectrums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the beamformer algorithm is used to detect the direction of the object, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because resolution depends on the number of elements arranged in the array, requiring an increase in size for high resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the algorithmic approach from beamforming to DOA estimation using MUSIC algorithm, fundamentally altering the mathematical parameters and computational methods used. This enables high resolution direction detection without increasing the physical number of antenna elements, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If the DOA estimation algorithm is applied to all frequency components to achieve high resolution for moving objects, then the measurement precision improves, but the productivity deteriorates due to significant increase in calculation amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary correlation matrix information from the received signal at predetermined time intervals, rather than processing all frequency components continuously. This extraction approach maintains high resolution for moving objects while significantly reducing the computational load compared to full-spectrum DOA estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic updates of correlation matrices at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous processing. This periodic action allows the system to track moving objects effectively while maintaining calculation efficiency by updating only when necessary
Data Source
AI summary
A radar apparatus includes a receiving means that receives a reflected signal, a beat signal generation means that generates beat signals based on the reflected signal, a correlation matrix generation means that calculates correlation matrices based on the beat signals, a storing means that stores previous correlation matrices, an addition means that calculates addition correlation matrices by adding the correlation matrices to the previous correlation matrices, a detection means that detects a frequency component satisfying a predetermined condition by using the beat signals, an extraction means that extracts an extraction matrix corresponding to the detected frequency from the addition correlation matrices, and a direction calculation means that calculates a direction of the object with respect to the radar apparatus based on the extraction matrix.