Radar Display System Using Programmable GPU

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar display systems require special hardware for displaying scan converted radar with overlay and underlay images, which increases costs and occupies significant space, while also limiting flexibility across different application platforms.

Innovation Solution

A radar display system utilizing programmable graphics processing units (GPUs) to convert digital polar coordinate radar data into rectangular coordinate pixel data, applying decay functions to generate sequential display image frames, and combining these with context images to create composite images for display, reducing hardware requirements and enhancing flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special hardware is used for displaying scan converted radar with overlay and underlay images, then display capability is improved, but hardware cost and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay capabilityVSAvoidhardware cost and space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces specialized hardware systems with software-based processing on general-purpose computers. The display processing apparatus uses software programs to perform radar data processing, coordinate conversion, and image composition that previously required dedicated hardware, thereby reducing hardware costs and space while maintaining display capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes general-purpose computers perform multiple functions including radar data reception, coordinate conversion, image processing, and display composition. The display processing apparatus can handle various types of radar data and generate different display formats, making the system universally applicable across different platforms without requiring specialized hardware for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If special hardware is used for radar display processing, then processing capability is improved, but flexibility across application platforms is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidflexibility across platforms

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hardware-based processing with software-based processing that can run on general-purpose computers with different operating systems and architectures. The display processing apparatus uses programmable algorithms for coordinate conversion and image generation that can be adapted to various platforms without hardware modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic, programmable processing methods that can be adjusted and modified through software updates. The display processing apparatus can change its processing behavior based on different input data types and display requirements, providing flexibility across different application platforms while maintaining high processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7626537B2Radar display system and method

Publication Date: 2009.12.01 DRS LAUREL TECH PARTNERSHIP D B A DRS LAUREL TECH

AI summary

Radar display methods and systems include a display processing apparatus that includes a central processing unit and a programmable graphics processing unit. A rendering function program executable by the programmable graphics processing unit under control of the central processing unit generates a plurality of sequential display image frames for use in displaying at least a radar image on a display (e.g., by applying a decaying function to an accumulated radar history image frame and updating the accumulated radar history image frame).