Radar PPI Display Pixel Allocation for Small Contact Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar systems struggle to make small radar contacts visible near the center of a radar PPI display, as they often fit within the beam-width, resulting in difficulty for operators to detect them without adjusting the range scale or using distracting overlay symbols.
Innovation Solution
The system determines additional pixels to associate with trackable radar contacts based on their distance from the center of the display, enhancing their visibility without altering the range scale or using symbols, by comparing the initial pixel quantity with a threshold and adjusting according to the contact's proximity to the display center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the radar system uses conventional display methods for small radar contacts, then the display complexity is reduced, but the visibility of small radar contacts near the center of the PPI display deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display treatment based on the spatial location of radar contacts. Small radar contacts near the center of the PPI display receive enhanced pixel allocation and potentially different display characteristics compared to contacts in other regions. This localized enhancement improves visibility where it is most needed without affecting the overall display complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes display parameters dynamically based on the characteristics of radar contacts. Specifically, the number of pixels allocated to represent a radar contact is adjusted according to the contact's size, distance from the center, and other factors. This parameter change allows small contacts to occupy more pixels and become more visible without requiring complex structural modifications to the radar display system.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the radar operator adjusts the range scale to make small radar contacts visible, then the visibility of small radar contacts improves, but the operator intervention requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system performs self-service by automatically detecting small radar contacts and adjusting their display characteristics without requiring operator intervention. The system autonomously determines which contacts are small and near the center, allocates additional pixels to them, and enhances their visibility automatically. This eliminates the need for operators to manually adjust range scales or other display parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing radar contact data to identify small contacts before they are displayed. The system proactively calculates the appropriate number of pixels to allocate to each contact based on its characteristics, and prepares the enhanced display representation in advance. This preliminary processing ensures that small contacts are immediately visible when they appear on the display without requiring subsequent operator adjustments.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If overlay symbols are used to mark trackable radar contacts, then the detectability of small radar contacts improves, but the display clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional display enhancement approach to a multi-dimensional solution by considering multiple factors simultaneously: the spatial position of contacts, their size, their trackability status, and the number of pixels to allocate. This dimensional expansion allows the system to enhance small contacts through pixel allocation based on a comprehensive assessment of multiple parameters, avoiding the need for simple overlay symbols that add clutter.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a method includes receiving a radar signal comprising one or more radar contacts each having associated location information. The method further includes determining, based on at least a portion of the location information associated with each of the one or more radar contacts, one or more pixels associated with each of the one or more radar contacts, the one or more pixels associated with each of the one or more radar contacts being one or more of a plurality of pixels of a radar PPI display. The method further includes determining that a particular radar contact of the one or more radar contacts is a trackable radar contact, determining a number of additional pixels associated with the particular radar contact, and illuminating the one or more pixels associated with the particular radar contact and the number of additional pixels associated with the particular radar contact on the radar PPI display.