Radar Device Transponder Response Delay Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar positioning systems face challenges in accurately determining the response delay of radar beacons, which affects the accuracy of distance calculation between the radar transceiver and the beacon, due to individual specificity of different beacon models.

Innovation Solution

A radar device configuration that includes a response signal detector, a transponder reflection wave detector, and a response delay acquirer, which detects the reflection wave and response signal to calculate the response delay, allowing for accurate distance measurement regardless of beacon model variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed racon response delay value is used for all beacon models, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to individual specificity of different beacon models

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The radar device automatically measures and acquires the response delay specific to each transponder model by detecting the reflection wave and response signal timing, eliminating the need for manual configuration or pre-stored values for different models. The system serves itself by autonomously adapting to individual transponder characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the response delay parameter based on actual measurements from each transponder model. Instead of using a fixed parameter value, the response delay is changed adaptively to match the specific characteristics of the detected transponder, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy across different models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the response delay is not accurately acquired, then the device complexity is reduced, but the distance calculation accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddistance calculation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual methods for setting response delay with an electronic signal processing approach. By using signal detection and timing measurement of the reflection wave and response signal, the system electronically determines the response delay without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflection wave detection serves as an intermediary mechanism to indirectly measure the response delay. Instead of directly measuring the transponder's internal processing time, the system uses the detectable reflection wave as a mediator to calculate the response delay through timing comparison with the response signal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a simple fixed response delay value is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to individual specificity of transponder models

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of the response delay automatically upon detecting a transponder. This preliminary action of measuring and storing the specific response delay value prepares the system for accurate positioning calculations without requiring manual configuration by the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the timing relationship between the reflection wave and response signal, automatically adjusting and storing the measured response delay value for future positioning calculations. This feedback mechanism ensures the system adapts to different transponder models while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enables precise acquisition of the response delay, enhancing the positioning accuracy by considering the influence of response delay, thereby improving the overall distance calculation between the radar device and the transponder.

Implementation Method 1

a transponder reflection wave detector that detects the reflection wave appearing at a timing earlier than the response signal in the reception signal as the reflection wave of the transponder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a response delay acquirer that acquires a response delay of the transponder based on a time difference between the reflection wave and the response signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP3680686B1Radar device and transponder response delay acquiring method
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3680686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680686B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3680686B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

The purpose is to provide a radar device capable of accurately acquiring a delay time from a detection signal reaching a transponder to the transponder transmitting a response signal. The radar device includes a response signal detector, a transponder reflection wave detector, and a response delay acquirer. The response signal detector detects the response signal transmitted from the transponder in response to the detection signal, from a reception signal that is a received reflection wave of the detection signal transmitted from an antenna. The transponder reflection wave detector detects the reflection wave appearing at a timing earlier than the response signal in the reception signal as the reflection wave of the transponder. The response delay acquirer acquires a response delay of the transponder based on a time difference between the reflection wave and the response signal.