RF Emitter Location via Higher Order Statistics Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency emitter location systems face challenges with false locations due to measurement inaccuracies, multipath propagation, and complexity in analyzing multiple emitters, especially in scenarios with close hyperbola intersections and multiple intersection points.
Innovation Solution
The method employs Higher Order Statistics (HOS) to calculate correlation functions between received signals from multiple receiving units, forming volumes of probabilities in an N-1 dimensional space to accurately locate emitters, minimizing false locations and reducing the impact of multipath propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional correlation methods are used to locate emitters, then the system can identify emitter positions, but false locations occur due to measurement inaccuracies and multipath propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that transforms the raw correlation data into a different representation space. By applying a transformation to the correlation function results, the system creates an intermediate representation that separates true emitter locations from false ones, allowing reliable discrimination between valid and invalid location candidates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional geometric intersection methods with a signal processing-based approach. Instead of relying on mechanical/geometric intersection of hyperbolas which is sensitive to measurement errors, the system uses correlation analysis and transformation methods that are more robust to measurement inaccuracies and multipath effects.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receiving units are used to improve location accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data from multiple receiving units into a unified correlation analysis framework. By combining the signals and processing them through a single transformation operation, the system achieves the benefits of multiple sensors without proportionally increasing processing complexity. The transformation step consolidates the information from all receivers into a form that reveals emitter locations directly.
3Productivity
If traditional methods analyze multiple emitters simultaneously, then all emitters can be located, but the analysis becomes complex especially with close hyperbola intersections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-emitter analysis problem by processing each emitter's correlation signature independently through the transformation operation. This segmentation allows each emitter to be identified and located separately, even when their hyperbolic patterns intersect closely, without requiring complex joint processing of all emitters simultaneously.
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 approach minimizes false emitter locations, reduces the complexity of analyzing multiple emitters, and allows detection of signals with lower signal-to-noise ratios by forming specific volumes of probabilities in physical space, independent of the number of receivers or emitters.
Implementation Method 1
a number N, the number N being at least three, of receiving units, using the same bandwidth B, centre frequency fc and measurement time duration T, are used for receiving signals from at least one emitter
Implementation Method 2
calculating a correlation function c between the received signals s0, s1 . . . sN-1
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for detecting and locating a radio frequency emitter. A number, N, of receiving units using the same bandwidth, center frequency, and measurement time duration receive signals from the emitter. Higher Order Statistics (HOS) are used to calculate a correlation function between the received signals using one of the received signals as a reference. Results of the correlation function are used to form volumes of probabilities in a subset of an N−1 dimensional space of information regarding the location of the emitter. Each correlation function result in the subset corresponds to a single point in physical space.