EP1057045A1 - Method for representing radar images of a target area to be monitored - Google Patents

Method for representing radar images of a target area to be monitored

Info

Publication number
EP1057045A1
EP1057045A1 EP99910230A EP99910230A EP1057045A1 EP 1057045 A1 EP1057045 A1 EP 1057045A1 EP 99910230 A EP99910230 A EP 99910230A EP 99910230 A EP99910230 A EP 99910230A EP 1057045 A1 EP1057045 A1 EP 1057045A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
images
radar
target area
optical images
data processing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99910230A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Franz Witte
Rüdiger SCHEUNEMANN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV
Original Assignee
Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV filed Critical Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV
Publication of EP1057045A1 publication Critical patent/EP1057045A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/91—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/86—Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/89—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
    • G01S7/04—Display arrangements
    • G01S7/06—Cathode-ray tube displays or other two dimensional or three-dimensional displays
    • G01S7/062—Cathode-ray tube displays or other two dimensional or three-dimensional displays in which different colours are used

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for displaying radar images of a target area to be monitored, such as an airport, seaport or inland port.
  • Such target areas are generally defined by means of a carrier, such as an airplane, a ship, etc. carried surveillance system, which consists of a radar system and a data processing system. If such a radar system carried by a carrier, for example, detects an area of an airport, in particular a runway, or an entry area of a sea or inland port, backscatter signals of different strengths are obtained on the screens of the radar system.
  • a carrier such as an airplane, a ship, etc. carried surveillance system, which consists of a radar system and a data processing system. If such a radar system carried by a carrier, for example, detects an area of an airport, in particular a runway, or an entry area of a sea or inland port, backscatter signals of different strengths are obtained on the screens of the radar system.
  • Such a radar display has areas reproduced in different gray values without any noteworthy structures. Only from edges or striking points of buildings located in the target area, for example the tower of an airport, sea or inland port, a port entrance or a building from which the port area is monitored, do the radar image display show strikingly strongly or more reflectively Emphasize. Even in the case of a high-resolution radar image, a continuous image of the target area is not obtained, which can be compared to a pictorial, visual representation of the same area that was captured by means of the radar. On top of that, a representation obtained by means of radar is known to be only a reproduction in black and white.
  • the object of the invention is to improve a display obtained by means of a radar system carried by a carrier in the approach phase to a controlled target area in such a way that details of the target area are observed by people observing or monitoring the target area, such as pilots, captains, skippers, pilots, etc. are significantly easier to identify and interpret.
  • this object is achieved in a method for displaying radar images of a target area to be monitored by the features in the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • a radar system carried by a carrier preferably a so-called forward-looking radar or a so-called sector imaging radar
  • optical images of the targeted area are continuously generated with the help of the data processing system which is also carried along repeating time intervals and the combination images from the received radar images and the overlaid optical images are displayed continuously.
  • an optical image is understood to mean a continuous image of the target area to be monitored, which corresponds to a photographic reproduction, with a continuous image being an image which is prepared in such a way that in such an image only the stationary equipment required for monitoring, such as buildings, is designated and ground or port facilities including the entire flight / taxiway or port are shown.
  • image data originating from different types of image originals can also be underlaid on the radar image.
  • image data originating from different types of image originals can also be underlaid on the radar image.
  • the optical images defined above are particularly particularly suitable.
  • aerial photographs or, if appropriate, maps of the targeted target area are also suitable.
  • optical images of the controlled target area to be superimposed on the radar images are stored in the data processing system. These stored optical images can then be placed as a background at predetermined time intervals on the radar images, whose dimensions are adapted to the optical images. Depending on the viewing angle, the optical images must also be changed in size and viewing angle.
  • the people who monitor the controlled target area detected by the radar for example fixed fixed objects such as buildings, or any other Fixed facilities, including places, areas, edges, if necessary, which are clearly recognizable on the radar image, are easier to interpret as such.
  • the people monitoring the controlled target area can not only very easily, but particularly safely and reliably immediately the respective points appearing on the radar image, for example the edges of buildings already mentioned, etc. identify precisely with regard to their location and thus immediately assign them clearly to each fixed, non-moving target.
  • An advantageous further development of the method according to the invention also consists in storing colored, optical images in the data processing system and thus keeping them ready for retrieval. If such colored optical images, for example as the background, are each matched in their dimensions to suitably adapted radar images, which due to the system, as already mentioned, can only ever be displayed in black and white, an interpretation of the combination images thus obtained and an assignment and identification of distinctive areas, such as edges, transitions, etc. that are particularly clearly highlighted on the radar image improved even further.
  • each radar image, the previously preferably an optical continuous colored image is underlaid as background, all backscattered points are hidden from fixed elements or targets of a scene that are also present in the optical image.
  • all backscattered points of targets not present in the optical image are recorded in the underlaid optical image and are clearly highlighted.
  • combination images created according to the invention can be used to identify moving targets, such as smaller vehicles, transport vehicles, luggage trolleys, barges, smaller ships, excursion boats, etc. or even larger to large vehicles, such as airplanes, ships, etc. not only to be interpreted as such, but at the same time the location or area where the moving objects are located can be identified very precisely.
  • moving targets such as smaller vehicles, transport vehicles, luggage trolleys, barges, smaller ships, excursion boats, etc. or even larger to large vehicles, such as airplanes, ships, etc. not only to be interpreted as such, but at the same time the location or area where the moving objects are located can be identified very precisely.
  • the backscattering of such moving targets in the underlaid, preferably colored optical image can be particularly clearly emphasized by the fact that in the individual radar images all backscattered points of fixed elements, targets, etc. hidden in a scene.
  • the table image does not have existing - targets, both fixed and movable, are reproduced in such a way that a color is assigned to the targets remaining in a scene after the masking of all fixed targets and not available in the optical image.
  • a different color can be assigned to the detected moving targets than “parked” targets and thus appearing to be stationary.
  • both “parked” and moving targets which are not present in different sections of the optical image but are detected by means of the radar system, can be reproduced sector by sector in different colors.
  • a very specific section preferably the central part of the controlled target area of the optical images superimposed radar images, is reproduced with a mode with the highest resolution.
  • the edge areas are only displayed with a lower-resolution mode, which leads to a simplification and reduction of the data processing effort.
  • the section containing the runway which generally corresponds to the central part of the controlled target area, can be radar images superimposed on the optical images of the runway with the highest resolution mode are reproduced.
  • the stripes on both sides of the runway it is generally sufficient to present them in a fashion with a significantly lower resolution.
  • the images obtained and processed by means of the monitoring system carried along are displayed at a repetition rate in the order of magnitude of approximately 10 to 100 Hz.
  • a repetition rate that is between 50 and 100 Hz, pilots, skippers and possibly also the persons performing surveillance perceive the display on the screen of the radar system as a uniform, continuous sequence of radar images due to the inertia of the human eye.
  • the method according to the invention thus creates numerous possibilities for considerably simplifying and improving the interpretation of a radar image not only with regard to moving objects, but possibly also with regard to temporarily or temporarily existing (“parked”) objects or targets, and for identifying such objects or to accomplish goals faster, safer and more reliably.

Abstract

According to the invention a radar system covering a target area to be monitored such as an airport, seaport or river port, generates radar images in the approach phase. Said radar images show the target area to be monitored as an image taken from the position of the approaching radar system. Over the radar images of the target area being approached generated by means of the radar system during the approach phase optical images of the same target area are superimposed at repeated intervals by means of an on-board data processing system. The combination images of the target area obtained by superimposing radar images and optical images are represented continuously. In addition, by means of the on-board data processing system optical images, possibly including colour images, of the target area to be monitored and stored in the data-processing system are at predefined intervals placed as background to radar images the dimensions of which have been adjusted in line with those of the optical images.

Description

Beschreibung description
Verfahren zur Darstellung von Radarbildern eines zu überwachenden ZielbereichsMethod for displaying radar images of a target area to be monitored
Technisches GebietTechnical field
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Darstellung von Radarbildern eines zu überwachenden Zielbereichs, wie eines Flug-, See- oder Binnenhafens.The invention relates to a method for displaying radar images of a target area to be monitored, such as an airport, seaport or inland port.
Stand der TechnikState of the art
Derartige Zielbereiche werden im allgemeinen mittels eines von einem Träger, wie einem Flugzeug, einem Schiff u.a. mitgeführten Überwachungssystems erfaßt, das aus einem Radarsystem und einem Datenverarbeitungssystem besteht. Wenn mittels eines solchen von einem Träger mitgeführten Radarsystems beispielsweise ein Gelände eines Flughafens, insbesondere eine Landebahn, oder ein Einfahrbereich eines See- oder Binnenhafens erfaßt wird, werden auf dem oder den Bildschirmen des Radarsystems unterschiedlich starke Rückstreusignale erhalten.Such target areas are generally defined by means of a carrier, such as an airplane, a ship, etc. carried surveillance system, which consists of a radar system and a data processing system. If such a radar system carried by a carrier, for example, detects an area of an airport, in particular a runway, or an entry area of a sea or inland port, backscatter signals of different strengths are obtained on the screens of the radar system.
Eine derartige Radardarstellung weist in unterschiedlichen Grauwerten wiedergegebene Bereiche ohne nennenswerte Strukturen auf. Lediglich von Kanten oder markanten Stellen von im Zielbereich liegenden Gebäuden, beispielsweise des Towers eines Flug-, See- oder Binnenhafens, einer Hafeneinfahrt oder eines Gebäudes, von welchem aus der Hafenbereich überwacht wird, treten in der Radarbild-Darstellung markante stark bzw. stärker reflektierende Stellen hervor. Auch bei einem hochauflösendem Radarbild wird kein kontinuierliches Bild des Zielbereichs erhalten, welches mit einer bildhaften, visuellen Wiedergabe desselben Bereichs vergleichbar ist, der mittels des Radars erfaßt worden ist. Obendrein handelt es sich bei einer mittels Radar erhaltenen Darstellung bekanntlich nur um eine Wiedergabe in schwarz/weiß.Such a radar display has areas reproduced in different gray values without any noteworthy structures. Only from edges or striking points of buildings located in the target area, for example the tower of an airport, sea or inland port, a port entrance or a building from which the port area is monitored, do the radar image display show strikingly strongly or more reflectively Emphasize. Even in the case of a high-resolution radar image, a continuous image of the target area is not obtained, which can be compared to a pictorial, visual representation of the same area that was captured by means of the radar. On top of that, a representation obtained by means of radar is known to be only a reproduction in black and white.
Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, eine mittels eines von einem Träger mitgeführten Radarsystems erhaltene Darstellung in der Annäherungsphase an einen angesteuerten Zielbereich dahingehend zu verbessern, daß Einzelheiten des Zielbereichs von den Zielbereich beobachtenden oder überwachenden Personen, wie Piloten, Kapitänen, Schiffsführern, Lotsen, u.a., erheblich leichter zu identifizieren und zu interpretieren sind.The object of the invention is to improve a display obtained by means of a radar system carried by a carrier in the approach phase to a controlled target area in such a way that details of the target area are observed by people observing or monitoring the target area, such as pilots, captains, skippers, pilots, etc. are significantly easier to identify and interpret.
Gemäß der Erfindung ist diese Aufgabe bei einem Verfahren zur Darstellung von Radarbildern eines zu überwachenden Zielbereichs durch die Merkmale im kennzeichnenden Teil des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sind Gegenstand der auf den Anspruch 1 unmittelbar oder mittelbar rückbezogenen Ansprüche.According to the invention, this object is achieved in a method for displaying radar images of a target area to be monitored by the features in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the claims which are directly or indirectly related to claim 1.
Bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren werden mittels eines von einem Träger mitgeführten Radarsystems, vorzugsweise eines sogenannten Forward-Looking-Radars oder eines sogenannten Sector-Imaging-Radars, erzeugten Radarbildern des angesteuer- ten Zielbereichs optische Bilder desselben Zielbereichs mit Hilfe des ebenfalls mitgeführten Datenverarbeitungssystems in sich ständig wiederholenden Zeitabständen überlagert und die Kombinationsbilder aus den erhaltenen Radarbildern und den überlagerten optischen Bildern werden fortlaufend dargestellt.In the method according to the invention, by means of a radar system carried by a carrier, preferably a so-called forward-looking radar or a so-called sector imaging radar, optical images of the targeted area are continuously generated with the help of the data processing system which is also carried along repeating time intervals and the combination images from the received radar images and the overlaid optical images are displayed continuously.
Hierbei wird nachfolgend unter einem optischen Bild ein einer photographischen Wiedergabe entsprechendes, kontinuierliches Bild des zu überwachenden Zielbereichs verstanden, wobei mit kontinuierlichem Bild ein Bild bezeichnet ist, das so aufbereitet ist, daß in einem derartigen Bild nur die zur Überwachung erforderlichen ortsfesten Einrichtungen, wie Gebäude und Boden- oder Hafenanlagen einschließlich des gesamten Flug-/Rollfeldes bzw. des gesamten Hafens dargestellt sind.In the following, an optical image is understood to mean a continuous image of the target area to be monitored, which corresponds to a photographic reproduction, with a continuous image being an image which is prepared in such a way that in such an image only the stationary equipment required for monitoring, such as buildings, is designated and ground or port facilities including the entire flight / taxiway or port are shown.
In Abhängigkeit von der jeweiligen Darstellung des Zielbereichs können dem Radarbild jedoch auch von Verschiedenarti- gen Bildvorlagen stammende Bilddaten unterlegt werden. Bei einer zentralperspektivischen Sicht, beispielsweise von einem Flugzeugcockpit oder von einer Schiffsbrücke, eignen sich vorzugsweise die vorstehend definierten optischen Bilder besonders gut. Bei einer Darstellung in Draufsicht eignen sich auch Luftaufnahmen oder gegebenenfalls auch Karten des angesteuerten Zielbereichs.Depending on the particular representation of the target area, however, image data originating from different types of image originals can also be underlaid on the radar image. In the case of a central perspective view, for example from an aircraft cockpit or from a ship's bridge, the optical images defined above are particularly particularly suitable. In the case of a top view, aerial photographs or, if appropriate, maps of the targeted target area are also suitable.
Gemäß einer zweckmäßigen, vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung werden den Radarbildern zu überlagernde optische Bil- der (Luftbilder) des angesteuerten Zielbereichs in dem Datenverarbeitungssystem gespeichert. Diese gespeicherten optischen Bilder können dann in vorgegebenen Zeitabständen den Radarbildern, welche in ihren Abmessungen den optischen Bildern angepaßt sind, als Hintergrund unterlegt werden. In Ab- hängigkeit von dem Betrachtungswinkel müssen die optischen Bilder ebenfalls in Größe und Betrachtungswinkel verändert werden. Sobald ein aus einem Radarbild und einem diesem überlagerten optischen Bild zusammengesetztes Kombinationsbild bzw. ein dem Radarbild als Hintergrund unterlegtes optisches Bild vorliegt, können die Personen, welche den vom Radar erfaßten, angesteuerten Zielbereich überwachen, beispielsweise von festen unbeweglichen Zielen, wie Gebäuden, irgendwelchen anderen ortsfesten Einrichtungen, u.a. auf dem Radarbild deutlich erkennbare Stellen, Flächen, gegebenenfalls Kanten u.a. leichter als solche interpretieren.According to an expedient, advantageous development of the invention, optical images (aerial images) of the controlled target area to be superimposed on the radar images are stored in the data processing system. These stored optical images can then be placed as a background at predetermined time intervals on the radar images, whose dimensions are adapted to the optical images. Depending on the viewing angle, the optical images must also be changed in size and viewing angle. As soon as a combination image composed of a radar image and an optical image superimposed on it, or an optical image underlaid as a background on the radar image, is available, the people who monitor the controlled target area detected by the radar, for example fixed fixed objects such as buildings, or any other Fixed facilities, including places, areas, edges, if necessary, which are clearly recognizable on the radar image, are easier to interpret as such.
Obendrein können mit Hilfe des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens die den angesteuerten Zielbereich überwachenden Personen nicht nur sehr leicht, sondern besonders sicher und zuverlässig sofort die jeweiligen, auf dem Radarbild erscheinenden Stellen, beispielsweise die bereits erwähnten Kanten von Gebäuden, u.a. hinsichtlich ihrer Lage genau identifizieren und somit sofort jedem festen, nicht beweglichen Ziel eindeutig zuordnen.On top of that, with the help of the method according to the invention, the people monitoring the controlled target area can not only very easily, but particularly safely and reliably immediately the respective points appearing on the radar image, for example the edges of buildings already mentioned, etc. identify precisely with regard to their location and thus immediately assign them clearly to each fixed, non-moving target.
Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens liegt ferner darin, in dem Datenverarbeitungssystem farbige, optische Bilder zu speichern und somit abrufbereit zu halten. Wenn solche farbigen optischen Bilder beispielsweise als Hintergrund jeweils in ihren Abmessungen entsprechend an- gepaßten Radarbildern, welche systembedingt, wie bereits erwähnt, immer nur in schwarz-weiß darstellbar sind, unterlegt werden, ist eine Interpretation der dadurch erhaltenen Kombinationsbilder sowie eine Zuordnung und Identifizierung von markanten, auf dem Radarbild besonders deutlich hervorgehobe- nen Stellen, wie Kanten, Übergängen u.a. noch weiter verbessert.An advantageous further development of the method according to the invention also consists in storing colored, optical images in the data processing system and thus keeping them ready for retrieval. If such colored optical images, for example as the background, are each matched in their dimensions to suitably adapted radar images, which due to the system, as already mentioned, can only ever be displayed in black and white, an interpretation of the combination images thus obtained and an assignment and identification of distinctive areas, such as edges, transitions, etc. that are particularly clearly highlighted on the radar image improved even further.
Gemäß einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens können aus jedem Radarbild, dem vor- zugsweise ein optisches kontinuierliches farbiges Bild als Hintergrund unterlegt ist, alle rückgestreuten Punkte von ortsfesten, in dem optischen Bild ebenfalls vorhandenen Elementen oder Zielen einer Szene ausgeblendet werden. Dadurch werden nur die rückgestreuten Punkte von im optischen Bild nicht vorhandenen Zielen in dem unterlegten optischen Bild festgehalten und deutlich hervorgehoben dargestellt.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, each radar image, the previously preferably an optical continuous colored image is underlaid as background, all backscattered points are hidden from fixed elements or targets of a scene that are also present in the optical image. As a result, only the backscattered points of targets not present in the optical image are recorded in the underlaid optical image and are clearly highlighted.
Auf diese Weise können beispielsweise auch solche Gegenstände und Objekte festgestellt werden, die bei der Erstellung der optischen Bilder nicht vorhanden waren, und welche auf diese Weise Piloten, Kapitänen, Schiffsführern, Lotsen und gegebenenfalls den die Überwachung durchführenden Personen besonders deutlich und eindrucksvoll zur Kenntnis gebracht werden.In this way, for example, such objects and objects can be found that were not present when the optical images were created, and which in this way brought to the attention of pilots, captains, skippers, pilots and, if applicable, the persons performing the surveillance in a particularly clear and impressive manner become.
In besonders vorteilhafter Weise können gemäß der Erfindung erstellte Kombinationsbilder dazu benutzt werden, bewegliche Ziele, wie kleinere Fahrzeuge, Transportfahrzeuge, Gepäckwagen, Barkassen, kleinere Schiffe, Ausflugsboote, u.a. oder auch größere bis große Fahrzeuge, wie Flugzeuge, Schiffe, u.a. nicht nur als solche zu interpretieren, sondern gleichzeitig kann auch sehr genau die Stelle bzw. der Bereich identifiziert werden, wo sich die beweglichen Objekte befinden.In a particularly advantageous manner, combination images created according to the invention can be used to identify moving targets, such as smaller vehicles, transport vehicles, luggage trolleys, barges, smaller ships, excursion boats, etc. or even larger to large vehicles, such as airplanes, ships, etc. not only to be interpreted as such, but at the same time the location or area where the moving objects are located can be identified very precisely.
Hierbei können gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens die Rückstreuungen von solchen beweglichen Zielen in dem unterlegten, vorzugsweise farbigen optischen Bild dadurch noch besonders deutlich hervorgehoben werden, daß in den einzelnen Radarbildern alle rückgestreuten Punkte von ortsfesten Elementen, Zielen u.a. einer Szene ausgeblendet werden.Here, according to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the backscattering of such moving targets in the underlaid, preferably colored optical image can be particularly clearly emphasized by the fact that in the individual radar images all backscattered points of fixed elements, targets, etc. hidden in a scene.
Darüber hinaus können gemäß einer weiteren Ausgestaltung der Erfindung alle mittels des Radarsystems erfaßten - in dem op- tischen Bild jedoch nicht vorhandenen - Ziele, und zwar sowohl feste als auch bewegliche, in einer Weise wiedergegeben werden, daß den nach einem Ausblenden aller ortsfesten Ziele einer Szene übriggebliebenen, im optischen Bild nicht vorhan- denen Zielen eine Farbe zugeordnet wird. Hierbei kann in einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung den erfaßten bewegten Zielen eine andere Farbe zugeordnet werden als „geparkten" und damit stationär erscheinenden Zielen.In addition, according to a further embodiment of the invention, all those detected in the radar system - in the op- However, the table image does not have existing - targets, both fixed and movable, are reproduced in such a way that a color is assigned to the targets remaining in a scene after the masking of all fixed targets and not available in the optical image. In an advantageous development of the invention, a different color can be assigned to the detected moving targets than “parked” targets and thus appearing to be stationary.
Darüber hinaus können auch - in verschiedenen Abschnitten des optischen Bildes nicht vorhandene - jedoch mittels des Radarsystems erfaßte, sowohl „geparkte" als auch bewegtee Ziele sektorweise in jeweils unterschiedlichen Farben wiedergegeben werden.In addition, both “parked” and moving targets, which are not present in different sections of the optical image but are detected by means of the radar system, can be reproduced sector by sector in different colors.
Gemäß einer weiteren vorteilhaften Modifizierung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens wird nur ein ganz bestimmter Abschnitt, vorzugsweise der zentrale Teil des angesteuerten Zielbereichs der optischen Bildern überlagerten Radarbilder mit einem am höchsten auflösenden Mode wiedergegeben. Dagegen werden die Randbereiche nur mehr mit einem niedriger auflösenden Mode dargestellt, was zu einer Vereinfachung und Reduzierung des Datenprozessierungsaufwands führt.According to a further advantageous modification of the method according to the invention, only a very specific section, preferably the central part of the controlled target area of the optical images superimposed radar images, is reproduced with a mode with the highest resolution. In contrast, the edge areas are only displayed with a lower-resolution mode, which leads to a simplification and reduction of the data processing effort.
Wenn es sich bei dem angesteuerten Zielbereich beispielsweise um eine Landebahn eines Flughafens handelt, kann hierdurch der die Landebahn enthaltende Abschnitt, der im allgemeinen dem zentralen Teil des angesteuerten Zielbereichs entspricht, auf den optischen Bildern der Landebahn überlagerten Radar- bildern mit dem am höchsten auflösenden Mode wiedergegeben werden. Bezüglich der Streifen auf beiden Seiten der Landebahn ist es jedoch im allgemeinen durchaus ausreichend, diese mit einem erheblich niedriger auflösenden Mode darzustellen. Um Speicher- und Rechenkapazität zu sparen, ist gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen, die optischen Bilder mit einer erheblich niedrigeren Wiederholrate darzustellen als die mittels des von dem Träger mitgeführten Radarsystems erzeugten Bilder. Auch können mit einer verhältnismäßig niedrigen Wiederholrate aufeinanderfolgende optische Bilder bezüglich des jeweils vorausgehenden Bildes interpoliert werden.If the controlled target area is, for example, an airport runway, the section containing the runway, which generally corresponds to the central part of the controlled target area, can be radar images superimposed on the optical images of the runway with the highest resolution mode are reproduced. With regard to the stripes on both sides of the runway, however, it is generally sufficient to present them in a fashion with a significantly lower resolution. In order to save storage and computing capacity, it is provided according to an advantageous development of the invention to display the optical images with a considerably lower repetition rate than the images generated by the radar system carried by the carrier. Successive optical images can also be interpolated with respect to the respective preceding image at a relatively low repetition rate.
Gemäß der Erfindung werden die mittels des mitgeführten Überwachungssystems erhaltenen und aufbereiteten Bilder mit einer Wiederholrate in der Größenordnung von etwa 10 bis 100 Hz dargestellt. Bei einer Wiederholrate, die zwischen 50 und 100 Hz liegt, wird von Piloten, Schiffsführern und gegebenenfalls auch den eine Überwachung durchführenden Personen die Darstellung auf dem Bildschirm des Radarsystems infolge der Trägheit des menschlichen Auges als eine gleichmäßige, kontinuierliche Folge von Radarbildern empfunden.According to the invention, the images obtained and processed by means of the monitoring system carried along are displayed at a repetition rate in the order of magnitude of approximately 10 to 100 Hz. At a repetition rate that is between 50 and 100 Hz, pilots, skippers and possibly also the persons performing surveillance perceive the display on the screen of the radar system as a uniform, continuous sequence of radar images due to the inertia of the human eye.
Durch das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren sind somit zahlreiche Möglichkeiten geschaffen, das Interpretieren eines Radarbildes nicht nur hinsichtlich bewegter Objekte, sondern gegebenenfalls auch hinsichtlich vorübergehend oder zeitweilig vor- handener („geparkter") Objekte oder Ziele erheblich zu erleichtern und zu verbessern, und ein Identifizieren solcher Objekte oder Ziele schneller, sicherer und zuverlässiger durchzuführen . The method according to the invention thus creates numerous possibilities for considerably simplifying and improving the interpretation of a radar image not only with regard to moving objects, but possibly also with regard to temporarily or temporarily existing (“parked”) objects or targets, and for identifying such objects or to accomplish goals faster, safer and more reliably.

Claims

Ansprüche Expectations
1. Verfahren zur Darstellung von Radarbildern, die von einem einen zu überwachenden Zielbereich, wie einen Flug-, Seeoder Binnenhafen erfassenden, von einem Träger mitgeführten Radarsystem unter Verwendung eines Datenverarbeitungssystems in der Annäherungsphase erzeugt werden und den zu überwachen- den Zielbereich als Abbildung aus Sichtposition des sich annähernden Radarsystems zeigen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß den mittels des Radarsystems während der Annäherungsphase erzeugten Radarbildern des angesteuerten Zielbereichs optische Bilder desselben Zielbereichs mit Hilfe des vom Träger mitge- führten Datenverarbeitungssystems in sich wiederholenden Zeitabständen überlagert werden, und daß durch den Überlagerungsvorgang von Radarbildern und optischen Bildern erhaltene Kombinationsbilder dieses Zielbereichs fortlaufend dargestellt werden.1. A method for displaying radar images that are generated by a radar system carried by a carrier using a data processing system in the approach phase from a target area to be monitored, such as an airport, sea or inland port, and the target area to be monitored as an image from a viewing position of the approaching radar system, characterized in that the radar images of the controlled target area generated by means of the radar system during the approach phase are superimposed on optical images of the same target area with the aid of the data processing system carried by the wearer in repeating time intervals, and that the process of overlaying radar images and combination images of this target area obtained optical images are continuously displayed.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in dem Datenverarbeitungssystem gespeicherte optische Bilder des zu überwachenden Zielbereichs in ihren Abmessungen den optischen Bildern entsprechend angepaßten Radarbildern mit Hilfe des mitgeführten Datenverarbeitungssystems in vorgegebenen Zeitabständen als Hintergrund unterlegt werden.2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that stored in the data processing system optical images of the target area to be monitored in their dimensions, the optical images correspondingly adapted radar images with the help of the carried data processing system at given time intervals as a background.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in dem Datenverarbeitungssystem gespeicherte, farbige, optische Bilder des zu überwachenden Zielbereichs in ihren Abmessungen den farbigen optischen Bildern entsprechend angepaßten Radarbildern mit Hilfe des mitgeführten Datenverarbeitungssystems in vorgegebenen Zeitabständen als Hintergrund unterlegt werden. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that stored in the data processing system, colored, optical images of the target area to be monitored in their dimensions, the colored optical images correspondingly adapted radar images with the help of the carried data processing system at given intervals as a background.
4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in den Radarbildern alle rückgestreuten Punkte von ortsfesten, in den optischen Bildern ebenfalls vorhandenen Elementen/Zielen einer Szene ausgeblendet und nur die rückgestreuten Punkte von in den optischen Bildern nicht vorhandenen Zielen in den unterlegten optischen Bildern dargestellt werden.4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the radar images all backscattered points of fixed elements / targets of a scene also present in the optical images are hidden and only the backscattered points of targets not present in the optical images in the underlying optical images are shown.
5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in den Radarbildern alle rückgestreuten Punkte von ortsfesten Elementen/Zielen einer Szene ausgeblendet und nur die rückgestreuten Punkte von bewegten Zielen in den unterlegten optischen Bildern dargestellt werden.5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the radar images all backscattered points of fixed elements / targets of a scene are hidden and only the backscattered points of moving targets are shown in the underlying optical images.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mittels des Radarsystems erfaßte - jedoch in den optischen Bildern nicht vorhandene - Ziele in Farbe wiedergegeben werden.6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that detected by means of the radar system - but not present in the optical images - are reproduced in color.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß nur mittels des Radarsystems erfaßte bewegte Ziele in Farbe wiedergegeben werden.7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that only by means of the radar system detected moving targets are reproduced in color.
8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mittels des Radarsystems erfaßte, in den optischen Bildern nicht vorhandene, ortsfeste und bewegte Ziele in unterschiedlichen Farben wiedergegeben werden.8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that by means of the radar system detected, not present in the optical images, fixed and moving targets are reproduced in different colors.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß verschiedene mittels des Radarsystems erfaßte, bewegte Ziele in unterschiedlichen Farben wiedergegeben werden. 109. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that different moving objects detected by means of the radar system are reproduced in different colors. 10
10. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein ganz bestimmter Abschnitt des angesteuerten Zielbereichs der optischen Bildern überlagerten Radarbilder mit dem am höchsten auflösenden Mode wiedergege- ben wird.10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a very specific section of the controlled target area of the optical images superimposed radar images is reproduced with the highest-resolution mode.
11. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß nur der zentrale Teil der optischen Bildern überlagerten Radarbilder mit dem am höchsten auflö- senden Mode wiedergegeben wird und die Randbereiche mit einem niedriger auflösenden Mode dargestellt werden.11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only the central part of the optical images superimposed radar images is reproduced with the highest-resolution mode and the edge areas are displayed with a lower-resolution mode.
12. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die optischen Bilder mit einer niedrigeren Wiederholrate dargestellt werden als die mittels des Radarsystems erhaltenen Bilder.12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical images are displayed at a lower repetition rate than the images obtained by means of the radar system.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mittels des mitgeführten Radarsystems erhaltene und mittels des ebenfalls mitgeführten Datenverarbeitungssystems aufbereitete Bilder mit einer Wiederholrate in der Größenordnung von etwa 10 bis 100Hz dargestellt werden.13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that images obtained by means of the carried radar system and processed by means of the also carried data processing system are displayed at a repetition rate in the order of about 10 to 100 Hz.
14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mehrere mit einer niedrigen Wiederholrate aufeinanderfolgende optische Bilder interpoliert werden.14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that a plurality of successive optical images are interpolated with a low repetition rate.
15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Radarsystem durch ein sogenanntes Forward-Looking-Radar gebildet wird. 1115. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the radar system is formed by a so-called forward looking radar. 11
16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Radarsystem durch ein sogenanntes Sector-Imaging-Radar gebildet wird. 16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the radar system is formed by a so-called sector imaging radar.
EP99910230A 1998-02-17 1999-02-17 Method for representing radar images of a target area to be monitored Withdrawn EP1057045A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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DE19806590 1998-02-17
DE19806590A DE19806590A1 (en) 1998-02-17 1998-02-17 Method for monitoring a controlled target area in the approach phase
PCT/EP1999/001027 WO1999042854A1 (en) 1998-02-17 1999-02-17 Method for representing radar images of a target area to be monitored

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US7619626B2 (en) * 2003-03-01 2009-11-17 The Boeing Company Mapping images from one or more sources into an image for display
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US5179385A (en) * 1992-01-02 1993-01-12 International Marine Industries, Inc. Visual navigation aid with point of interest feature
US5654890A (en) * 1994-05-31 1997-08-05 Lockheed Martin High resolution autonomous precision approach and landing system
SG66213A1 (en) * 1995-01-31 1999-07-20 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Display apparatus for flight control

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