Radar Signal Processor Merging FFT Data to Reduce Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar devices perform a high number of Fourier transforms, leading to increased signal processing loads and potential degradation in detection accuracy for both target range and velocity information and electromagnetic noise.
Innovation Solution
The radar device incorporates a signal processor that performs frequency conversion on data during periods without radar signal transmission, allowing for simultaneous and collective implementation of range-FFTs during both transmission and non-transmission periods, reducing the overall number of Fourier transforms required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the radar device performs separate range-FFT and Doppler-FFT for both transmission and non-transmission periods to detect targets and electromagnetic noise, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the number of Fourier transforms increases leading to high signal processing load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the range-FFT processing of transmission-period data and non-transmission-period data into a single combined range-FFT operation. By adding the digital data from both periods before performing the range-FFT, the system reduces the number of separate Fourier transforms while maintaining the ability to detect both targets and electromagnetic noise through subsequent Doppler-FFT operations on the combined results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the combined range-FFT results into two distinct halves: the first half is used for Doppler-FFT to detect target range and velocity, while the second half is used for Doppler-FFT to detect electromagnetic noise characteristics. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of both signal types from a single combined input, reducing overall computational load while preserving detection accuracy for both targets and noise
2Reliability
If the radar device performs multiple separate Fourier transforms to calculate range and velocity information and electromagnetic noise information, then accurate detection of both targets and noise is achieved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines digital data from transmission periods and non-transmission periods into a single dataset before performing range-FFT, thereby reducing the total number of Fourier transform operations. This merging approach maintains detection reliability by preserving all necessary signal information while significantly reducing processing time through fewer computational steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary addition of digital data from both transmission and non-transmission periods before the range-FFT operation. This preliminary action consolidates the data structure in advance, enabling subsequent Doppler-FFT operations to efficiently extract both target and noise information in parallel from the combined range-FFT results, thereby reducing overall processing time
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 configuration reduces the signal processing load and enhances detection accuracy by enabling efficient calculation of range and velocity information while minimizing the impact of electromagnetic noise.
Implementation Method 1
transmits the radar signal as an electromagnetic wave
Implementation Method 2
generates a beat signal from the radar signal and the reflected wave
Implementation Method 3
performs frequency conversion on a part of the digital data that is obtained during a period during which the radar signal is not outputted
Implementation Method 4
perform a range-FFT on the added digital data
Implementation Method 5
perform a Doppler-FFT on a first half part of results obtained by the spectrum calculator performing the range-FFT
Data Source
AI summary
A radar device according to a technique of the present disclosure includes a radar signal generator that intermittently and repeatedly outputs a chirp as a radar signal; a transmitting and receiving antenna that transmits the radar signal and receives, as a reflected wave, the radar signal reflected from an observation target; a beat signal generator that generates a beat signal from the radar signal and the reflected wave; an analog-to-digital converter that converts the beat signal into digital data; and a signal processor that detects range to the observation target and relative velocity with respect to the observation target, using the digital data.