Radar Receiver Digital Video Distribution via Local Area Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems require multiple analog cables and specialized electronics for distributing analog radar signals, which is costly and inefficient, and they struggle to provide full fidelity digital radar video to multiple display consoles without compromising network bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A processing device located in the antenna pedestal that converts analog radar data to digital, removes interference, limits range bins, associates data with azimuths, and manages data distribution over a local area network, allowing for efficient digital video distribution to multiple consoles without the need for specialized electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If analog radar signals are distributed using a central analog radar switchboard with multiple analog cables, then radar signals can be transported to multiple display consoles, but the system complexity and installation costs increase due to numerous cables and specialized electronics required at each console
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical analog cable distribution system with a digital network-based system. Analog radar signals are converted to digital format and transmitted over a local area network, eliminating the need for numerous analog cables and specialized electronics at each display console. This substitution reduces physical infrastructure complexity while maintaining signal distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal format parameter from analog to digital. By converting radar signals to digital format at the source and transmitting them digitally over the network, the system eliminates the requirements for analog cable infrastructure and analog-to-digital converters at each display console, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of information
If full fidelity digital radar video is distributed to multiple display consoles over a network, then access to unprocessed radar data is enabled, but network bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary digital signal processing at the radar source before network transmission. By conducting interference rejection, range bin decimation, and azimuth association in advance, the system reduces the data volume requiring network transmission while preserving full fidelity radar information, thereby reducing network bandwidth requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary data elements from the full radar signal before transmission. Through interference rejection and range bin decimation, the system eliminates redundant and harmful signal components, transmitting only the essential full-fidelity radar data over the network, thus optimizing bandwidth utilization.
3Loss of information
If analog-to-digital conversion is performed at each display console, then full fidelity digital radar video can be accessed, but installation costs and system complexity increase due to specialized electronics requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the analog-to-digital conversion function with the radar signal processing at the source. Instead of having separate conversion units at each display console, the system integrates conversion, interference rejection, and data processing into a unified digital signal generation process at the radar system, eliminating the need for specialized electronics at each console.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal digital signal source that can serve multiple display consoles simultaneously. The single analog-to-digital converter and processing unit at the radar system generates digital radar video that can be distributed to any number of display consoles over the network, eliminating the need for duplicate specialized electronics at each location.
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 solution reduces network bandwidth requirements, minimizes installation costs, and enables full fidelity digital video distribution to each radar display console, enhancing radar signal processing and detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an analog-to-digital converter operable to receive analog radar data from an antenna in response to a generated pulse, the analog-to-digital converter operable to convert the analog radar data into digital radar data
Data Source
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AI summary
A processing device for providing radar data onto a local area network includes an analog-to-digital converter operable to receive analog radar data from an antenna and converter operable to convert the analog radar data into digital radar data. An interference rejector removes radar signals of other antennas from the digital radar data. A range bin decimator limits the digital radar data to a threshold number of range bins. A trigger-to-azimuth converter associates the digital radar data to particular azimuths of rotation of the antenna. A local area network manager places the digital radar data onto a local area network. The processing device may be located in the pedestal with the antenna. A plurality of processing devices associated with a plurality of antennas may provide digital radar data onto the local area network. A plurality of computers may be connected to the local area network and each computer can process the digital radar data from one or more processing devices to present a radar image on a display.