Radar Noise Spike Filtering via Segmented Gain Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Radar systems face sensitivity loss due to noise spikes, which can be misinterpreted as thermal noise, leading to loss of valid signal tracking, especially when multiple systems are in close proximity and transmitting in the same frequency band.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves monitoring noise channels, applying statistical analysis to identify noise spikes, and ignoring them to prevent gain adjustments in the receiver stages, thereby maintaining system sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the noise threshold is set low to detect weak signals, then the radar system can track valid weak signal returns, but the system will track invalid targets due to noise spikes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection sensitivityVSAvoidfalse target tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the noise monitoring function by creating a dedicated noise channel separate from the signal processing path. This noise channel specifically monitors for noise spikes and feeds information to the gain control loop, allowing the system to distinguish between valid thermal noise and spurious noise spikes that should not trigger gain reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary noise spike detection mechanism between the noise channel and the gain control loop. This intermediary processes the noise channel output to identify noise spikes and prevents them from causing inappropriate gain adjustments, thereby protecting the main signal tracking while maintaining sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the noise threshold is set high to avoid false targets, then the system avoids tracking invalid targets, but the radar system may not track valid weak signal returns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefalse target trackingVSAvoidsignal detection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the noise monitoring function by creating a dedicated noise channel separate from the signal processing path. This noise channel specifically monitors for noise spikes and feeds information to the gain control loop, allowing the system to distinguish between valid thermal noise and spurious noise spikes that should not trigger gain reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary noise spike detection mechanism between the noise channel and the gain control loop. This intermediary processes the noise channel output to identify noise spikes and prevents them from causing inappropriate gain adjustments, thereby protecting the main signal tracking while maintaining sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the gain control loop responds to all noise channel signals, then the system maintains constant noise ratio, but the system loses sensitivity due to noise spikes being treated as thermal noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise ratio stabilityVSAvoidsystem sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful noise spike component from the noise channel output before it reaches the gain control loop. By identifying and removing noise spike contributions, the system maintains stable noise ratio control through the gain loop while preventing sensitivity loss that would result from treating noise spikes as valid thermal noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary noise spike detection mechanism between the noise channel and the gain control loop. This intermediary processes the noise channel output to identify noise spikes and prevents them from causing inappropriate gain adjustments, thereby protecting the main signal tracking while maintaining sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7714770B2Filtering NAGC response to noise spikes

Publication Date: 2010.05.11 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for dealing with noise spikes in a radar system is provided. The method includes monitoring a noise channel in the radar system. Controlling gain with a control loop based at least in part on the monitored noise channel and ignoring noise spikes detected in the noise channel when controlling gain with the control loop.