Radar Detection Cycle Adjustment for Sea Clutter Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional target object detection devices face challenges in effectively suppressing sea clutter, particularly when the acquisition cycle of echo data matches the cycle of sea clutter behavior, leading to insufficient clutter suppression and interference with target object detection.

Innovation Solution

A target object detection device with a detection cycle adjuster that adjusts the transmission timing of detection signals based on comparisons between first and second detection data acquired at different cycles, allowing for effective suppression of sea clutter by optimizing the detection cycle to differ from the cycle of high-level sea clutter components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If scan correlation is performed with a fixed detection cycle, then processing simplicity is maintained, but sea clutter suppression becomes insufficient when the detection cycle matches the sea clutter cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesea clutter suppression effectivenessVSAvoiddetection cycle control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the detection cycle adjustable rather than fixed. The detection cycle is dynamically changed based on the correlation between successive echo data, allowing the system to adapt to varying sea clutter conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling effective clutter suppression (improved reliability) while maintaining relatively simple control through automated correlation-based adjustment (managed complexity).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection cycle parameter based on the correlation result between successive echo data. When correlation is high (indicating sea clutter), the detection cycle is adjusted to break the synchronization with sea clutter cycles. This parameter change approach improves clutter suppression effectiveness while the automated nature of the adjustment keeps the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the detection cycle is adjusted frequently to avoid sea clutter cycles, then clutter suppression improves, but detection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutter suppression effectivenessVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic scan correlation to monitor sea clutter conditions and adjusts the detection cycle periodically based on correlation results. This periodic monitoring approach ensures effective clutter suppression while avoiding continuous adjustments, thereby minimizing additional detection time. The system only adjusts when necessary (when high correlation indicates sea clutter), balancing effectiveness with time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If fixed detection cycle is used, then system operation is simple, but target detection accuracy decreases when sea clutter matches detection rhythm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through scan correlation that compares successive echo data to detect sea clutter conditions. Based on this feedback, the detection cycle is automatically adjusted to avoid synchronization with sea clutter. This feedback mechanism improves target detection accuracy while the automated feedback loop maintains operational simplicity by eliminating manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting sea clutter conditions through scan correlation and adjusting its own detection cycle without external intervention. This self-adjusting capability improves detection accuracy by adapting to clutter conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enhances the suppression effect of sea clutter, ensuring that echo signals of target objects are not masked by sea clutter, thereby improving detection accuracy and clarity in radar systems.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna unit for transmitting a detection signal in an observing direction at a predetermined detection cycle and receiving a reflection signal of the detection signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9201137B2Target object detection device, target object detecting method, computer readable media storing target object detecting program, and radar apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A target object detection device is provided. The device includes an antenna unit for transmitting a detection signal in an observing direction at a predetermined detection cycle and receiving a reflection signal of the detection signal, a receiver for outputting reception data obtained by sampling the reception signal that is received by the antenna unit, a detection data generator for outputting detection data obtained by correlating current reception data with previous detection data, and a detection cycle adjuster for adjusting the detection cycle based on the detection data.