Wideband Signal Processing with Segmented Sensor Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques fail to effectively enhance or suppress wideband signals using sensor arrays without increasing the array size or number of sensors, particularly due to insufficient directivity at low frequencies and increased costs associated with wider sensor intervals or more sensors.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing apparatus comprising an array processor that enhances signals from a plurality of sensors and a decorrelator that removes correlated components from an auxiliary sensor, allowing for effective enhancement or suppression of wideband signals without expanding the sensor array or increasing the number of sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a sensor common to medium and high frequencies is used at a low frequency, then the sensor array can process wideband signals, but a narrow sensor interval cannot generate a sufficiently large signal phase difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewideband signal processing capabilityVSAvoidsignal phase difference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sensor array into two distinct groups: a first plurality of sensors arranged at a first interval optimized for medium and high frequencies, and a second plurality of sensors arranged at a second interval optimized for low frequencies. This segmentation allows each group to specialize in specific frequency ranges, resolving the contradiction between wideband capability and sufficient phase difference at low frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sensor groups are assigned different spatial characteristics (intervals) according to their functional requirements. The first sensor group has a smaller interval suitable for medium/high frequency processing, while the second sensor group has a larger interval suitable for low frequency processing. This local differentiation of quality enables each sensor group to optimally handle its designated frequency range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple arrays with different sensor intervals are combined to cover low to high frequency bands, then wideband directivity can be formed, but cost and array size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewideband directivityVSAvoidarray size and sensor count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the first and second sensor groups process the same input signal across the wideband frequency range, but each group contributes its specialized frequency range processing. The first group handles medium and high frequencies while the second group handles low frequencies, creating a universal system that processes wideband signals using both groups in parallel, thereby achieving wideband directivity without requiring completely separate arrays for each frequency band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If a larger sensor interval is used to achieve sufficient phase difference at low frequencies, then low frequency directivity improves, but the array size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow frequency directivityVSAvoidarray size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor array functionality by creating a dedicated second sensor group with larger intervals specifically for low frequency processing, rather than expanding the entire array. This allows the low frequency directivity requirement to be met locally by the second group without forcing the first group (optimized for medium/high frequencies) to have unnecessarily large intervals, thus controlling overall array size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables the enhancement or suppression of wideband signals using sensor array directivity without increasing the array size or number of sensors, effectively addressing the limitations of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

directivity is formed using a phase difference between signals based on a difference in spatial position between a plurality of sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase difference:

Implementation Method 2

generating a decorrelated signal by removing, from the array processing signal, a signal component correlated with a signal received from an auxiliary sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal correlation:

Data Source

PatentUS9905247B2Signal processing apparatus, medium apparatus, signal processing method, and signal processing program

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 NEC CORP

AI summary

There is proposed a signal processing apparatus for enhancing a target signal and suppressing the remaining components without increasing an array size or the number of sensors. This signal processing apparatus includes a first array processor that generates a first array processing signal by enhancing a predetermined signal among signals received from a plurality of sensors, and a decorrelator that generates a decorrelated signal by removing, from the first array processing signal, a signal component correlated with a signal received from an auxiliary sensor different from the plurality of sensors.