Radar Synthesizer Architecture for Coherent Multi-Band Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-cost and complex radar systems limit the widespread adoption of advanced radar technologies in applications such as weather and marine radar, due to their expensive semiconductor components and complexity, which also affects their agility across multiple frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A radar system design utilizing direct digital synthesizer (DDS) circuitry and phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry to generate sinusoidal signals, allowing for the construction of cost-effective and efficient radar systems capable of operating in S-band and X-band frequencies with reduced component count, using a single clock source for improved coherence and Doppler effect measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional radar systems use higher number of semiconductor parts to achieve high performance, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmit signal generation and receive signal processing functions into a single synthesizer unit. The synthesizer generates the transmit sinusoidal signal and also provides the local oscillator signal for mixing the received signal, eliminating the need for separate oscillators and reducing the number of semiconductor parts while maintaining measurement precision through coherent signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The synthesizer performs multiple functions: it generates the transmit radar signal, provides the local oscillator signal for receiver mixing, and enables coherent processing. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components while preserving the ability to accurately measure velocity through Doppler frequency comparison
2Adaptability or versatility
If radar systems are designed to operate across multiple frequency bands (S-band and X-band), then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to different components required for each band
Solution Approach 1:
The synthesizer uses a programmable frequency multiplier with a programmable division ratio in the phase-locked loop, allowing the output frequency to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the same hardware to operate in both S-band and X-band frequencies by changing control parameters rather than requiring different physical components for each band
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the synthesizer (division ratio, multiplication factor) to adjust the output frequency for different bands. By modifying these parameters rather than the physical structure, the system achieves multi-band adaptability without increasing component complexity
3Reliability
If radar systems use separate oscillators for transmit and receive signals, then signal independence is improved, but coherence and Doppler measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The synthesizer combines the transmit signal generation and local oscillator functions into a single coherent source. The same phase-locked loop generates both the transmit sinusoidal signal and the local oscillator signal used for mixing received signals, ensuring phase coherence between transmit and receive paths while maintaining signal stability through the locked frequency synthesis
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
The solution enables the creation of high-performance radar systems at lower costs, with reduced component complexity, maintaining performance across S-band and X-band frequencies, and improving coherence for accurate velocity measurement, while allowing for various applications including weather and marine radar.
Implementation Method 1
The DDS circuitry may be configured to deliver the DDS signal to drive phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry of the synthesizer to generate a sinusoidal signal
Implementation Method 2
The frequency of the return signal is based on the velocity of the object because of the Doppler effect. The radar system may determine the change in frequency due to the Doppler effect by comparing the frequency of the return signal to the frequency of the radar signal
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a radar system includes first direct digital synthesizer (DDS) circuitry and first phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry configured to generate a first sinusoidal signal based on a first DDS signal generated by the first DDS circuitry. In some examples, the radar system further includes transmitter circuitry configured to generate a radar signal based on the first sinusoidal signal. In some examples, the radar system also includes one or more antennas configured to transmit the radar signal and receive a return signal based on the radar signal. In some examples, the radar system includes second DDS circuitry, second PLL circuitry configured to generate a second sinusoidal signal based on a second DDS signal generated by the second DDS circuitry, and receiver circuitry configured to process the return signal based on the second sinusoidal signal.