Radar Receiver Architecture for Interference Robustness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar systems face significant challenges in robustness against radar interference transmissions, including hostile jamming, which can degrade performance and overpower radar echoes, particularly in crowded frequency spectra and with the increasing use of wideband ESA applications.

Innovation Solution

A radar system with a radar antenna configured to split received signals into two frequency ranges, where one receiver monitors a narrow band for conventional operation and another monitors a wider band for interference detection, allowing for identification of unoccupied frequency ranges and adaptive filtering to mitigate interference, thereby improving system functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a narrow band radar receiver is used to scan the operating frequency range for interference, then interference detection capability is improved, but the time for radar operation is reduced and the probability of intercept is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference detection capabilityVSAvoidradar operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The radar receiver is divided into multiple parallel receiving means, each monitoring a different frequency range. One receiving means monitors a narrow first frequency range with high sensitivity, while another monitors a wider second frequency range for interference detection. This segmentation allows simultaneous interference detection and radar operation without time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a frequency dimension to the monitoring process by implementing parallel receiving means that operate simultaneously on different frequency ranges. Instead of sequentially scanning frequencies (time dimension), the system monitors multiple frequency ranges concurrently, transforming the interference detection approach from temporal to spectral domain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If separate antennae systems dedicated to detecting radar interference transmissions are used, then interference detection capability is improved, but the cost and complexity of the radar system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference detection capabilityVSAvoidradar system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar antenna system is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as the primary radar antenna for target detection and as an interference detection antenna. The receiving means process signals to detect both radar echoes and interference transmissions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interference detection antennae and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the interference detection function with the primary radar reception function by using the same antenna system and combining signal processing paths. The receiving means simultaneously handle both radar target signals and interference signals, consolidating hardware resources and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If ESA radar applications use wideband, wide angle antenna elements, then radar coverage and bandwidth are improved, but sensitivity to jamming increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradar bandwidth and coverageVSAvoidsensitivity to jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving means are segmented into different frequency range monitors, with one dedicated to monitoring a narrow first frequency range where ESA radar operations occur and another monitoring a wider second frequency range for interference detection. This allows the wideband antenna to maintain its coverage while the segmented reception provides targeted protection against jamming in the operational band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10302742B2Receiver architecture for increased robustness to radar interference

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SAAB AB

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of radar systems for providing increased robustness against radar interference transmissions and methods for controlling such radar systems. The radar system comprises at least one radar antenna configured at least for receiving a radar signal, a radar signal dividing means, a first receiver device and a second receiver device. The first receiver device is configured for monitoring a first frequency range and the second receiver device is configured for monitoring a second frequency range, wherein the second frequency range is wider than the first frequency range and the first frequency range is a subset of the second frequency range. The second receiver device is configured for measuring interference levels within the second frequency range. The present disclosure further relates to exemplary embodiments of methods for controlling the radar system, wherein the methods refer to measuring interference levels within the second frequency range, analysing measured interference levels, determining favorable frequency channels within the second frequency range in respect to interference level and possibly changing operating frequency channel in respect to measured interference levels.