Velocity Processors for Real-Time Radar Network 3D Velocity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radar network systems face challenges in providing real-time vector velocity measurements and quality metrics, which are essential for optimizing network geometry and user prioritization, especially in rapidly changing weather conditions, due to limitations in measurement fidelity, scalability, and interpretability of data for emergency managers.

Innovation Solution

A network of velocity processors is implemented to provide real-time, scalable, and flexible 3D velocity measurements using a geo-centric spherical coordinate system, with quality metrics such as signal-to-noise ratio and spectral width, allowing for improved computational efficiency and resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If dual- and multi-Doppler techniques are used for velocity estimation in overlapping radar networks, then real-time velocity measurement capability is improved, but measurement fidelity and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time velocity measurement capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement fidelity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the velocity estimation process into multiple independent processor components, each handling specific aspects of the measurement. This allows different processing strategies to be applied to different data streams, balancing real-time capability with measurement fidelity by dividing the complex estimation task into manageable segments that can be processed concurrently with appropriate accuracy controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters and resource allocation based on changing weather conditions and user priorities. The velocity processors can adapt their computational intensity and measurement strategies in real-time, allowing the system to optimize between speed and accuracy depending on the operational context and available network resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If a large number of radar nodes are deployed to improve spatial density and coverage, then network coverage and spatial resolution are improved, but system complexity and resource management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal velocity processors that can handle multiple functions and data types from different radar nodes. These processors are designed to work with various scan parameters and configurations, providing a standardized interface that simplifies the integration of additional nodes while maintaining system manageability despite increased network scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The velocity processors act as intermediary components between the distributed radar nodes and the central control system. They perform local processing and data fusion, reducing the complexity burden on the central system by handling velocity estimation tasks distributed across the network, thus managing system complexity while enabling expanded coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If more network resources are allocated to improve measurement accuracy, then vector velocity and variance measurement accuracy are improved, but resource utilization efficiency and response time to changing conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes processing parameters dynamically based on user priorities and weather conditions. The velocity processors can adjust their computational parameters, such as averaging windows and filtering intensity, to optimize the balance between measurement accuracy and response time. This allows the system to maintain high accuracy when resources permit while responding quickly when conditions change rapidly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor measurement quality and resource utilization in real-time. Based on this feedback, the velocity processors can adjust their operational parameters to maintain optimal accuracy while managing resource consumption. This feedback loop ensures that accuracy improvements do not come at the permanent cost of reduced response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2625543B1System and method for generating derived products in a radar network
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS
  • EP2625543B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2625543B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2625543B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present invention relates to systems and methods of measuring atmospheric conditions using networked radar systems. A processor receives sensed data from the radar nodes of the network to determine weather conditions within the atmospheric region measured by network. Preferred embodiments use a velocity processor to determine the velocity of the atmosphere in real time for display.