Obstacle Detection Radar Using Polarization Test
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems fail to effectively detect suspended wires and point obstacles, such as pylons, especially in adverse weather conditions, due to their complexity, weight, and high cost, limiting their success in providing adequate warning for low-flying aircraft and UAVs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the transmission of circular or elliptical polarization waves, followed by the estimation of target polarization, and the use of parallel and orthogonal linearly-polarized waves to maximize reflection from parallel and minimize reflection from orthogonal polarizations, allowing for improved detection of obstacles through the analysis of received signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art sensor systems (millimetric wave radar, laser radar, FLIR) are used for obstacle detection, then detection capability is provided, but they fail to detect wires effectively and are complex, heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polarization parameter of transmitted electromagnetic waves from linear to circular/elliptical polarization. This parameter change enables effective wire detection by exploiting the differential reflection characteristics of linearly polarized echoes from wires versus other targets, while simplifying the system architecture by using a single antenna for both transmission and reception
2Reliability
If prior art sensor systems are used for obstacle detection, then detection capability is provided, but they are heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the essential polarization analysis functionality from complex prior art systems. By focusing specifically on detecting the polarization state of reflected waves and comparing it to the transmitted circular/elliptical polarization, the system achieves wire detection capability with minimal hardware - essentially requiring only a single antenna and signal processing capability to analyze polarization information
3Measurement precision
If prior art sensor systems are used for obstacle detection, then detection capability is provided, but they achieve only limited success in detecting wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polarization parameter to circular or elliptical polarization, which creates a measurable difference in the polarization state of reflected waves when encountering wires. This parameter change enables precise wire detection by analyzing the polarization rotation or ellipticity change in the reflected signal, achieving high detection accuracy through electromagnetic wave property exploitation rather than increased system resources
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the detection of obstacles by maximizing reflection from oriented and minimizing reflection from disoriented polarizations, providing effective warning systems for low-flying aircraft and UAVs, even in adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter for transmitting multi-polarized waves, means for receiving waves reflected off target and means for analyzing the polarization of the reflected waves to detect linearly polarized echoes characteristic of wires
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for detecting a target, the system comprises a transceiver and a signal processor; wherein the transceiver that is configured to: transmit a first pulse train that comprises multiple radio frequency (RF) pulses of a first non-linear polarity; receive first echoes resulting from the transmission of the first pulse train; generate first detection signals that represent the first echoes; and wherein the signal processor is configured to process the first detection signals to provide an estimated polarization orientation of a target; wherein the processing of the first detection signals comprises estimating a Jonas matrix of the target.