Radar Range Accuracy via Dual-Resolution Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
FMCW radar systems face limitations in range resolution and accuracy due to the dependence on radar bandwidth, making it difficult to distinguish between targets at different ranges.
Innovation Solution
The method involves performing coarse and fine measurements to determine the target range, using a combination of frequency domain signal processing and chirp signals to enhance resolution, allowing for precise range measurement through a dual-resolution approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar bandwidth is increased to improve range resolution, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides range measurement into two segments: coarse measurement using standard bandwidth processing, and fine measurement using zoomed frequency domain analysis. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high resolution for specific targets without requiring the entire system to operate at maximum bandwidth, thus reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining measurement precision for targets of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enhancing resolution only in specific frequency bins corresponding to detected targets rather than uniformly across the entire frequency spectrum. By performing fine measurements only where needed (at detected peak locations), the system achieves high measurement precision locally while avoiding the computational burden of high-resolution processing across all frequency ranges.
2Measurement precision
If radar bandwidth is increased to improve range resolution, then the ability to distinguish between targets improves, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing high-resolution processing only on selected frequency bins corresponding to detected targets rather than processing the entire frequency spectrum at high resolution. This selective approach achieves the necessary measurement precision for target discrimination while significantly reducing the computational energy required compared to full-bandwidth high-resolution processing.
3Measurement precision
If coarse and fine measurements are performed sequentially, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first performing coarse measurements to identify target locations, then using this information to guide subsequent fine measurements only at relevant frequency bins. This preliminary identification step prevents unnecessary fine measurements across the entire spectrum, thereby achieving high range accuracy while minimizing the time penalty associated with dual-resolution processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a range of a target includes receiving a first time based radar return signal, converting the first time based radar return signal into a first frequency domain signal, detecting a peak of the first frequency domain signal, the peak corresponding to a coarse target range, receiving a second time based radar return signal, using the detected peak of the first frequency domain signal and the second time based radar return signal, converting the second time based radar return signal into a second frequency domain signal, and detecting a peak of the second frequency domain signal, the peak corresponding to a fine target range.