Streaming Phase-Modulated Signal Parameter Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic warfare (EW) systems face challenges in detecting and estimating parameters of phase-modulated signals due to the complexity of Fourier transform methods, which result in noise mixing products, hardware implementation difficulties, and sub-optimal performance in streaming form implementations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs streaming calculations using polynomial regression to estimate instantaneous signal phases and coefficients, allowing for sub-sampling and reducing computational load, suitable for FPGA or ASIC implementation, and operates in conjunction with other signal parameter estimation methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Fourier transform methods are used for phase modulation estimation, then parameter estimation can be performed, but hardware implementation becomes complicated and noise mixing products reduce accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware Fourier transform implementations with a simplified streaming calculation approach using polynomial regression. This substitution eliminates the need for complex hardware circuits while maintaining parameter estimation capability and reducing noise mixing products through direct time-domain processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing domain from frequency domain (Fourier transform) to time domain (streaming calculations with polynomial regression). This parameter change allows for simpler hardware implementation while improving measurement precision by avoiding noise mixing products inherent in frequency domain processing.
2Measurement precision
If full-bandwidth sampling is used for Fourier methods, then accurate parameter estimation is achieved, but sampling rate requirements increase computational load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using sub-sampling techniques that process only the necessary portion of the signal at reduced rates. Instead of requiring full-bandwidth sampling, the system performs streaming calculations at lower sample rates while maintaining estimation accuracy through polynomial regression on the subsampled data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sampling rate parameter from full-bandwidth to reduced rates, achieving the same measurement precision through time-domain polynomial regression. This parameter change directly improves computational efficiency by reducing the number of operations required per unit time.
3Reliability
If traditional filter banks are used for signal separation, then signal processing is performed, but system size, weight and power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential signal separation function from complex traditional filter banks, implementing it through simplified streaming calculations. This extraction maintains signal separation capability while eliminating the heavy computational burden of large filter banks with numerous multipliers and adders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of traditional filter bank hardware with a streamlined streaming calculation system. This substitution maintains signal separation reliability while dramatically reducing system size and power requirements through more efficient algorithms.
4Loss of time
If continuous streaming calculations are performed, then low-latency detection is achieved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through sliding window polynomial regression that processes signals in continuous streams. This periodic processing maintains low-latency detection by updating parameters continuously while the windowed approach manages computational load by focusing calculations on recent signal segments rather than entire data streams.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for detecting and estimating parameters for a phase-modulated signal in a continuous manner with near-optimal performance. The methods generate these estimates using streaming (or on-the-fly) calculations and so are suitable for hardware-based implementation. These estimates can be used as part of standard pulse descriptor words for radar and other pulsed or continuous signals that are reported by an electronic warfare receiver to a processing and display system. Also, the methods can be computed using sub-sampling methods in order to reduce overall computations.