Radar Apparatus Target Detection Using Multi-Antenna Power Spectrum Conformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar detection accuracy is compromised in conditions of rainfall or snowfall due to undesired reflection echoes from particulate obstacles, and extending detection time is not feasible in all applications.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus and method that utilize phase-coded modulation and pulse compression techniques to process reception signals, calculating power spectra and standard deviations to distinguish target objects from particulate obstacles without extending detection time, by adjusting power spectra based on conformity indicators and detecting peaks within specified thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If integrating time for radar signals is extended to improve detection accuracy in rainfall or snowfall conditions, then detection accuracy is improved, but detection time is also extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reception signal processing into multiple channels corresponding to different reception antennas. Each channel processes signals independently to generate power spectra, and then these are integrated across channels. This segmentation allows parallel processing that improves detection accuracy without proportionally increasing detection time, as the integration occurs across spatial channels rather than temporal extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal integration (extending integrating time) to spatial integration (across multiple reception antenna channels). By calculating power spectra for each channel and then integrating across the channel dimension rather than extending time, the system achieves improved detection accuracy in particulate conditions without the time penalty of traditional temporal integration methods.
2Loss of time
If traditional radar signal processing is used in conditions of rainfall or snowfall, then detection time is kept short, but detection accuracy decreases due to undesired reflection echoes from particulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of particulate reflections into a beneficial discrimination mechanism. By calculating power spectra for each reception channel and analyzing the conformity of peaks across channels, the system identifies that true target objects produce consistent peak patterns across multiple channels, while particulate reflections do not. This allows the system to maintain short detection times while improving accuracy by using the multi-channel power spectrum conformity as a discrimination criterion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where power spectra from multiple reception channels are compared and integrated. The system uses the conformity indicator (standard deviation) of peak positions across channels as feedback to determine whether a detected peak represents a true target or particulate interference. This feedback loop enables real-time discrimination without extending detection time, as the conformity check is performed within the existing signal processing framework.
Data Source
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AI summary
Frequency analysis of each of a plurality of reception antennas and each of reception signals received by the plurality of reception antennas is performed, a power spectrum is calculated for each of the reception antennas, a standard deviation indicating a degree of conformity in a peak of the power spectrum among the plurality of reception antennas is calculated, the power spectra are corrected with use of the standard deviation, a peak is detected based on the corrected power spectra, and a target object is detected based on the detected peak.