Super Resolution Radar Image Extraction via Higher-Order Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-resolution imaging radar systems, such as synthetic aperture radar and inverse synthetic aperture radar, are limited by their requirement for complex and costly setups, extensive data storage, and significant post-processing, and they only utilize second-order correlations of electric fields, which restricts their resolution and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A super-resolution imaging radar system that employs a pulse signal generator, an array bucket detector, and a coincidence circuit to propagate and correlate higher-order correlations of radio frequency energy, using dithered pulses to enhance image resolution through the calculation of cross-time correlation functions, similar to ghost imaging techniques adapted for RF frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synthetic aperture radar or inverse synthetic aperture radar is used to achieve high-resolution imaging, then image resolution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the correlation order parameter from second-order to higher-order correlations. This parameter change enables super-resolution imaging without requiring the complex mechanical scanning and large aperture systems of traditional SAR methods, thus improving resolution while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning and large physical aperture requirements of traditional SAR with a computational approach using higher-order correlation functions. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical systems while achieving superior resolution
2Measurement precision
If synthetic aperture radar or inverse synthetic aperture radar is used to achieve high-resolution imaging, then image resolution is improved, but data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential correlation information needed for super-resolution imaging through higher-order correlation functions, rather than storing and processing all the raw data collected by complex SAR systems. This extraction approach reduces data storage requirements while maintaining high resolution
3Measurement precision
If synthetic aperture radar or inverse synthetic aperture radar is used to achieve high-resolution imaging, then image resolution is improved, but post-processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the resolution-enhancing correlation computations during the data acquisition phase itself, rather than requiring extensive post-processing. The higher-order correlation functions are computed as data is collected, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing operations
4Device complexity
If second-order correlations of electric fields are used, then system complexity is reduced, but image resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the correlation order parameter from second-order to higher-order correlations. This parameter change directly improves image resolution while maintaining relatively simple system architecture, as the enhancement comes from computational processing rather than hardware complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for a super resolution radar image extraction procedure are disclosed. The super-resolution imaging radar (SRIR) system involves a pulse signal generator, an array bucket detector, an ancilla beam detector, and a coincidence circuit. The pulse signal generator propagates N number of bursts of radio frequency (RF) energy, where each burst contains M number of dithered pulses. The pulses are propagated towards an object of interest and the ancilla beam detector. The array bucket detector collects pulses that are reflected from the object. The ancilla beam detector scans in a direction of the dithered pulses, and collects the dithered pulses. The coincidence circuit calculates a cross-time correlation function from the pulses that are collected by the array bucket detector and the ancilla beam detector. The coincidence circuit sums cross-time correlation function results to generate pixels of an image of the object.