Weather Radar Detection Using 2D Polygonal Obstacle Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Weather radar systems face challenges in accurately determining observable and non-observable areas due to obstacles, leading to erroneous precipitation measurements, as they require extensive three-dimensional data to specify blockages, resulting in complex processing and large data volumes.
Innovation Solution
A detection apparatus and method that utilize a two-dimensional data structure to specify blocking areas with a single parameter for obstacle height, using polar coordinates to simplify data storage and processing, allowing for efficient identification of blocked signal areas with reduced data volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three-dimensional data is used to specify blocking areas for every given space, then the accuracy of obstacle specification is improved, but the data volume and processing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the data structure from three-dimensional (requiring data for every given space with east-west position, north-south position, and altitude) to two-dimensional by representing blocking areas as planar polygons with vertex coordinates. This dimensionality reduction maintains the ability to accurately specify obstacles while dramatically reducing data volume and processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed to define blocking areas - the vertex coordinates of polygonal representations of obstacles - rather than storing data for every three-dimensional space point. This extraction of critical information maintains accuracy while reducing data complexity.
2Loss of information
If three-dimensional data is used to specify blocking areas, then the completeness of topographical information is improved, but the data storage requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from storing three-dimensional blocking data for every given space to two-dimensional polygon representations. The polygon vertex coordinates (east-west position, north-south position) define the blocking areas, reducing data storage requirements while maintaining complete topographical information through geometric representation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing actual three-dimensional blocking data for every space point, the patent uses simplified polygonal copies that represent the essential blocking characteristics. These polygon representations capture the topographical information needed to identify blocked areas without requiring voluminous three-dimensional data.
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 enables accurate specification of blocked areas with a smaller data amount, reducing erroneous precipitation measurements and simplifying processing, while maintaining reliable topographical data association.
Implementation Method 1
a signal processor to detect a target in a given three-dimensional observation area by using a reception signal caused by reflection of a transmission signal
Data Source
AI summary
In a two-dimensional data structure stored in a memory of a weather radar apparatus, a height of an obstacle may be specified by a single parameter when the obstacle blocking a transmission signal is located in an observation area. A signal processor may process a reception signal based on blocking area specifying information. Thereby, a detection apparatus and a detecting method can specify with a smaller data amount an area where a transmission signal is blocked when performing a detection using transmission and reception signals.