Reconfigurable ADC Sampling for Interferometry Angle of Arrival
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately and rapidly determining the angle of arrival of electromagnetic signals over very wide instantaneous bandwidths, particularly in electronic warfare and radar systems, due to high power and data rate requirements, limited antenna station resources, and the inability to detect agile or hopped signals across the spectrum.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and antennas, configured in two modes: one for detecting signals across the full spectrum at reduced sample rates and another for direction-finding using bandpass or non-uniform under-sampling, allowing for wideband coverage and interferometry-based angle of arrival determination without excessive power consumption or heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple ADCs sample emissions from multiple antennas simultaneously at high rates to determine angle of arrival accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wide bandwidth into multiple smaller sub-bands and processes them separately using multiple ADCs operating in parallel. Each ADC handles a portion of the spectrum at reduced sample rates, avoiding the need for a single high-power ADC operating at full Nyquist rate across the entire bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two operating modes: a first mode for wideband signal detection and a second mode for angle of arrival measurement. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the ADCs to operate at lower sample rates during angle measurement, reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement capability when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ADCs operate at high sample rates to cover very wide instantaneous bandwidths, then bandwidth coverage is improved, but data rate and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wide instantaneous bandwidth is segmented into multiple sub-bands, each handled by a separate ADC operating at a lower, manageable sample rate. This segmentation reduces the data rate per channel and simplifies processing while maintaining overall wideband coverage through parallel operation of multiple ADCs.
3Use of energy by moving object
If ADCs sample at reduced rates to reduce power consumption, then power usage is improved, but ability to detect agile or hopped signals across the full spectrum deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operating modes: a first mode where multiple ADCs sample at reduced rates for power-efficient operation, and a second mode for angle of arrival measurement. The system can detect signals across the full spectrum by processing data from multiple ADCs operating in parallel at lower sample rates, maintaining detection capability while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the outputs from multiple ADCs operating at reduced sample rates to achieve full spectrum coverage. By combining data from multiple parallel ADC channels, the system maintains the ability to detect agile and hopped signals across the entire bandwidth while each individual ADC operates at a lower, more power-efficient sample rate.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided that includes multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), multiple antennas, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured, in a first mode of operation, to receive from the multiple ADCs samples of emissions received by one of the antennas and identify a signal of interest. The one or more processors are configured, in a second mode of operation, receive from the multiple ADCs samples of emissions received by the multiple antennas and identify an angle of arrival for the signal of interest.