End-to-End Relay Radar Beamforming for Overlapping Spot Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-static synthetic aperture radar systems face challenges in achieving real-time communications and effective image formation due to limitations in beamforming techniques and signal processing, particularly in handling multiple beam weight sets and overlapping spot beam coverage areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that includes a feed array antenna in vehicles like satellites or UAVs, which relays signals via a corresponding feed array, and a reception processing system that applies multiple beam weight sets to generate spot beam signals for radar image pixel beams, combining these to form a multi-static synthetic aperture radar image, while accounting for illumination sources and incidental signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple beam weight sets are applied to process feed element signals for radar imaging, then image formation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming process by separating communication beamforming (using first beam weight sets) from radar beamforming (using second beam weight sets). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function's beam weight sets, reducing the complexity of managing a single unified system while maintaining both communication and radar imaging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal beamforming system that can operate in multiple modes: communication mode using first beam weight sets, radar mode using second beam weight sets, and hybrid mode using both simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to support diverse operations without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Area of stationary object
If spot beam coverage areas overlap to provide comprehensive coverage, then service coverage area is improved, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different beam weight sets to different spatial regions and functional requirements. Communication beams use first beam weight sets optimized for coverage and connectivity, while radar beams use second beam weight sets optimized for imaging and detection. This spatial and functional differentiation allows overlapping coverage areas to coexist with minimal interference, as each region's beam characteristics are locally optimized for its specific purpose.
3Loss of time
If real-time communication processing is performed on feed element signals, then communication latency is reduced, but radar signal processing capability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple beam weight sets (first sets for communication, second sets for radar) that can be rapidly switched or combined based on operational requirements. This pre-computation eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during simultaneous communication and radar operations, reducing communication latency while maintaining radar processing accuracy through pre-prepared processing templates.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-static synthetic aperture radar using beamforming processing is described. A reception processing system may process feed element signals (e.g., from feed elements on a satellite or from access node terminals in an end-to-end relay system) according to multiple beam weight sets, each corresponding to a beam coverage pattern including one or more radar image pixel beams to generate a set of beam signals. The feed element signals may represent signal energy from a reflected illumination signal (e.g., beacon signal, communication signal), or passively received signal energy (e.g., without a corresponding illumination signal). The multiple sets of beam signals obtained from processing the feed element signals may then be processed to obtain image pixel values, and the image pixel values combined to obtain an image. Multiple sets of feed element signals (e.g., each corresponding to a time period) may be processed and combined to form the image.