Radar Side Lobe Blocking With Multi-Channel Monopulse Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems face challenges in effectively blocking side lobe signals without requiring additional auxiliary channels, which complicates the design and hampers accurate target angle estimation using monopulse ratios.
Innovation Solution
A side lobe blocking method and apparatus that utilizes monopulse ratios to determine whether a main beam target is received in the main lobe by setting a sum channel and multiple difference channels, calculating monopulse ratios, and applying thresholds based on signal-to-noise ratio and angular range to distinguish between main and side lobe signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate auxiliary antenna is used for side lobe blocking, then side lobe signal blocking capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware design requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the main antenna and auxiliary antenna functions into a single antenna system. The main antenna performs both main lobe reception and side lobe blocking functions by utilizing its own received signals processed through different beamforming channels, eliminating the need for a separate auxiliary antenna and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The main antenna is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the primary reception antenna for main lobe signals and simultaneously functions as the auxiliary antenna for side lobe blocking. By processing signals through multiple beamforming channels (main beam channel and side lobe blocking channel), the single antenna achieves dual functionality.
2Reliability
If additional auxiliary channels are designed in advance, then side lobe blocking performance is improved, but ease of manufacture and system adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic beamforming where the same antenna elements are configured differently for main beam formation and side lobe blocking. The beamforming weights and channel configurations can be adjusted through software control rather than requiring fixed hardware designs, enabling flexible adaptation to different operating conditions and target scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters of the received signals rather than requiring different physical hardware channels. By applying different beamforming weights, spatial filtering parameters, and signal processing algorithms to the same antenna elements, the system achieves side lobe blocking performance while maintaining hardware simplicity and design flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If monopulse ratios are calculated using multiple difference channels, then target angle estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct functional modules: main beam channel processing, side lobe blocking channel processing, and monopulse ratio calculation. Each module handles specific tasks independently, and the segmentation allows for systematic implementation of multiple difference channels without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A side lobe blocking method for blocking side lobe signals in a side lobe blocking apparatus may be provided. The side lobe blocking method includes setting a sum channel and a plurality of different difference channels using a plurality of receiving beams and a main beam in which a target exists among the plurality of receiving beams; calculating a plurality of different monopulse ratios using ratios between each of the plurality of different difference channels and the sum channel; determining whether a main beam target is received in a main lobe based on each of the plurality of different monopulse ratios; and finally detecting whether the main beam target is received in the main lobe based on results determined based on each of the plurality of different monopulse ratios.