Sinusoidal Signal Burst Detection in High Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for detecting submerged 'black box' flight recorders and similar equipment face challenges in accurately and efficiently detecting sinusoidal signal bursts amidst significant noise, particularly in marine environments, requiring constant operator attention and struggling with long search durations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving incoherent integration of energy from a filter centered at the carrier frequency, with a bandwidth matching the signal duration, and graphical representation in a two-dimensional CT/T format to enhance detection sensitivity and precision, allowing for rapid and reliable identification of signal sources even in noisy conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional audio and sonogram systems are used for detection, then real-time monitoring is possible, but detection sensitivity is insufficient in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection process into multiple discrete time slots within each period, analyzing signal energy in segmented intervals rather than continuously. This segmentation allows the system to identify periodic patterns by comparing energy distribution across multiple periods, thereby improving detection sensitivity in noisy environments where continuous monitoring fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic sampling and analysis of signal energy at regular intervals corresponding to the expected signal period. By performing repeated periodic measurements and comparing energy values across multiple periods, the system accumulates evidence of periodic signals while filtering out random noise, thus resolving the contradiction between real-time monitoring and detection sensitivity.
2Measurement precision
If manual operator monitoring is used for detection, then flexible analysis is possible, but constant operator attention is required for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated detection system that performs energy analysis, pattern recognition, and signal identification without requiring continuous operator intervention. The system automatically processes signals through multiple periods, compares energy values, identifies periodic patterns, and generates detection results, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while eliminating the need for constant operator attention during extended monitoring periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where detection results from one period inform the analysis of subsequent periods. The system uses accumulated energy data and identified patterns to refine its detection criteria and adjust analysis parameters, enabling automated precise detection while reducing operator workload through intelligent adaptive processing.
3Measurement precision
If audio replay is used for analysis, then detailed examination is possible, but replay time equals acquisition time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automated processing of signal data during the acquisition phase itself, calculating energy values for multiple time slots across multiple periods and identifying periodic patterns in real-time. By pre-processing and analyzing the signal characteristics during acquisition rather than requiring separate replay analysis, the system achieves detailed examination capability without the time penalty of equal-duration replay, thus resolving the contradiction between analysis precision and search duration.
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 method significantly improves detection sensitivity and range, reduces the need for constant operator attention, and provides precise localization of signal sources, enabling faster and more efficient searches.
Implementation Method 1
spectral analysis of the received signal and its temporal integration
Implementation Method 2
the signals are detected by summing the energy (incoherent integration) present at the output of a filter
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for detecting substantially periodic series of bursts of substantially sinusoidal signals, in particular but not exclusively series of bursts of signals transmitted in a recurring fashion (by pingers, for example), said method enabling the quick and reliable detection of such signals in the presence of high interference noise. Said method comprises the following steps: slightly delayed processing of the received signal; performing spectral analysis and time integration; and presenting the results as a two-dimensional image of consecutive recurrences of bursts in accordance with the time slots of the received signals.