Rotating MIMO Radar for Marine Target Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar systems for marine vessels are large and costly, with limited resolution and clarity, especially in crowded or obstructed waters, and struggle to effectively discriminate between slow-moving and stationary targets.
Innovation Solution
A marine MIMO radar system utilizing a MIMO antenna assembly with adaptive beamforming techniques, allowing for a smaller size, higher speed rotation, and longer dwell time on targets, enabling improved resolution and clarity through the use of multiple beams and digital signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional radar systems are used, then the radar can provide basic target detection, but the system size becomes large and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is segmented into multiple independent antenna elements (at least two transmitting antennas and multiple receiving antennas) that can be distributed and mounted on different parts of the vessel. This segmentation allows the radar functionality to be achieved with smaller individual components while maintaining overall detection capability through signal processing integration of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-aperture radar to a spatially distributed MIMO antenna configuration. By adding the spatial dimension of multiple transmitting and receiving antennas at different locations, the system achieves enhanced target detection and imaging capability without requiring a larger single antenna aperture, thus reducing overall system footprint.
2Measurement precision
If conventional radar systems are used, then the radar can detect targets, but the resolution and clarity are limited especially in crowded waters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signals from multiple transmitting and receiving antennas through coherent signal processing and beamforming techniques. By merging the electromagnetic fields and signals from multiple antenna elements, the system achieves enhanced resolution and clarity in target detection, effectively creating a virtual larger aperture that improves imaging quality in crowded water environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical aperture enlargement with electronic signal processing. Instead of physically increasing antenna size or using mechanically complex phased arrays, the system uses digital signal processing, beamforming, and MIMO processing to achieve high resolution and clarity, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic and computational methods.
3Measurement precision
If conventional radar systems are used, then the radar can identify targets, but the ability to discriminate between slow-moving and stationary targets is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous wave or continuously modulated signals transmitted by multiple antennas, allowing for continuous Doppler measurement. The continuous transmission and reception enable the system to accumulate Doppler information over time, improving the ability to distinguish between slow-moving and stationary targets through enhanced Doppler resolution without interrupting the radar observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary signal processing and Doppler analysis on returns from multiple transmitting and receiving antenna pairs before final target identification. By pre-processing the signals to extract Doppler information from multiple spatial perspectives, the system prepares enhanced discrimination data that improves the ability to differentiate between slow-moving and stationary targets in subsequent processing stages.
4Productivity
If the radar rotates at high speed, then the scan coverage is improved, but the dwell time on each target decreases reducing detection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a MIMO antenna system where multiple transmitting and receiving antennas can simultaneously illuminate and receive signals from multiple different directions and targets. This multi-functionality allows the radar to maintain high scan coverage speed while simultaneously dwelling on multiple targets at once, as each antenna pair can independently process returns from different angular sectors without requiring sequential scanning.
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 MIMO radar system provides enhanced target detection performance, better Doppler resolution, and reduced size and cost, allowing for improved navigation in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
radar where radar signals are emitted from the radar and reflected signals are received back to identify objects in the environment surrounding the marine vessels
Implementation Method 2
radar signals are emitted from the radar and reflected signals are received back
Implementation Method 3
Adaptive beamforming techniques may be used with the MIMO antenna assembly. This may improve the effective beam width of the radar resulting in an image that surpasses the resolution and clarity of much larger open arrays
Implementation Method 4
a rotating MIMO marine radar assembly is caused to emit multiple signals forming at least one beam. Reflected signals are received at the MIMO marine radar assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A radar system deploys a MIMO antenna assembly containing arrays of antenna elements. The MIMO antenna assembly may be rotated by a rotational assembly. Control circuitry may be used to form one or more beams. Receiver antennae may receive reflected signals transmitted by transmitter antennae. The received signals may be processed to generate a radar image. This radar system may be used in a marine vessel.