JP4976968B2 - Radar equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radar apparatus that is used by being mounted on a moving body, and more particularly, to a technique for performing angle measurement using a synthetic aperture radar (hereinafter abbreviated as “SAR”).

  In a conventional radar device using a phased array using a monopulse with a normal antenna aperture, it is difficult to improve the angle measurement accuracy due to the limitation of the aperture length. Also, when performing Fourier transform (FFT, etc.) to detect the target signal, the amplitude and phase of the received data change due to the fluctuation of the flight path, etc., resulting in an integral loss, which is high In some cases, the S / N ratio (signal power / thermal noise power) could not be obtained.

  As a radar apparatus that solves such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a radar apparatus that improves angle measurement performance by eliminating the adverse effects of angular ambiguity and grating lobes. This radar apparatus is mounted on a moving body, emits radar pulses as the moving body moves, and calculates a target SAR angle measurement value θ by synthetic aperture processing using pulse echoes received at different positions. Further, a target antenna angle measurement value (hereinafter referred to as “monopulse angle measurement value”) φ is calculated by a monopulse angle measurement method at each reception position. Then, by spatially synthesizing the SAR angle value θ and the monopulse angle value φ, the angle ambiguity of the SAR angle value θ is removed, and a highly accurate target angle value is calculated. The synthetic aperture is described in Non-Patent Document 2.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of such a conventional radar apparatus. The radar apparatus includes a signal generation / amplifier 1, a circulator 2, an antenna 3, frequency conversion / AD converters 4 ₁ to 4 _3, and a signal processor 5. The signal processor 5 includes a detection / angle measurement processing unit 51.

The signal generator / amplifier 1 converts a reference signal having a predetermined pulse width generated by a reference signal generator (not shown) into a high-frequency signal, amplifies it, and sends it to the circulator 2. Circulator 2, send a signal sent from the signal generating / amplifier 1 to the antenna 3, or control of switching and sends a sum signal Σ sent from antenna 3 to the frequency converter / AD converter 4 ₁ To do.

The antenna 3 is a phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, and its antenna pattern is electronically varied by a scanning processing unit (not shown), but the physical aperture is constant. The antenna 3 radiates a pulse signal sent from the signal generator / amplifier 1 through the circulator 2 toward the air, receives a reflected wave from the target and converts it into an electric signal, and generates a sum signal Σ, A difference signal ΔAZ in the azimuth direction and a difference signal ΔEL in the elevation direction are generated. The sum signal Σ generated by the antenna 3 via the circulator 2 is sent to the frequency conversion / AD converter 4 _1, the difference signal ΔAZ is sent to the frequency conversion / AD converter 4 _2, the difference signal ΔEL is , it is sent to the frequency conversion / AD converter _{4 3.}

Frequency conversion / AD converter 4 _1, the sum signal sigma transmitted from antenna 3 via a circulator after frequency conversion, into a quadrature digital signal having I and Q components, detected as a sum beam sigma / It is sent to the angle measurement processing unit 51. Frequency conversion / AD converter 4 _2, a difference signal ΔAZ transmitted from antenna 3 and converted into a quadrature digital signal after frequency conversion, and sends the detection / angle measuring unit 51 as a difference beam ΔAZ azimuth direction. Frequency conversion / AD converter 4 _3, a difference signal ΔEL transmitted from antenna 3 and converted into a quadrature digital signal after frequency conversion, and sends the detection / angle measuring unit 51 as a difference beam ΔEL the elevation direction.

Detection / angle measuring unit 51 detects the target by the sum beam Σ sent from the frequency converter / AD converter 4 _1, feed from the frequency conversion / AD converter 4 ₂ and the frequency converter / AD converter 4 ₃ Monopulse angle measurement is performed using the phase monopulse data, that is, the sum beam Σ and the difference beam Δ (ΔAZ, ΔEL). In the following description, the sum beam Σ is sometimes referred to as “Σ beam”, and the difference beam ΔAZ in the azimuth direction and the difference beam ΔEL in the elevation direction may be collectively referred to as “Δ beam”.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the principle of monopulse angle measurement. In the case of a phase monopulse, the error voltage E is obtained by the following equation by taking the ratio of two beams such as a Σ beam and a Δ beam as shown in FIG.

here,
Re; real part of complex number Σ; sum beam Δ; difference beam And referring to a table of angle measurement curve obtained from the antenna pattern acquired in advance as shown in FIG. A corresponding target angle is obtained, and monopulse angle measurement values φ (φAZ and φEL) are obtained (see Non-Patent Document 1). The monopulse angle value φ thus obtained is output to the outside as angle measurement information.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional radar apparatus configured as described above, focusing on angle measurement processing. In the angle measurement process, first, received data is acquired (step S101). That is, the detection / angle measurement processing unit 51 of the signal processor 5 acquires reception data (Σ beam, ΔAZ beam, and ΔEL beam) for each reception position from the antenna 3 that has received the reflected wave of the transmitted pulse signal. To do.

  Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S102). That is, the detection / angle measurement processing unit 51 performs Fourier transform on the reception data obtained in step S11 for each range cell. Next, it is checked whether or not processing for all ranges has been completed (step S103). If it is determined in step S103 that the processing for all the ranges has not been completed, the processing target is changed to the next range (step S104). Then, it returns to step S102 and the process mentioned above is repeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S103 that the processing for all ranges has been completed, detection processing is executed (step S105). That is, the detection / angle measurement processing unit 51 detects the target by the Σ beam. Next, angle measurement calculation is performed (step S106). That is, the detection / angle measurement processing unit 51 performs monopulse angle measurement from phase monopulse data, that is, Σ beam and Δ beam (ΔAZ, ΔEL). A monopulse angle measurement value φ obtained by this monopulse angle measurement is output to the outside as angle measurement information. Thus, the angle measurement process ends.
JP 2006-317166 A Supervised by Takashi Yoshida, "Revised Radar Technology", The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, pp. 260-264 (1996) Supervised by Takashi Yoshida, "Revised Radar Technology", The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, pp.280-283 (1996)

  However, the above-described conventional radar apparatus has a problem that the angle measurement accuracy is low when the antenna is small and the beam width is wide and the SN ratio is not sufficient.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a radar apparatus that can improve target detection performance and angle measurement accuracy even with a small antenna.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first invention receives an antenna having a certain aperture, and a reflected wave of a pulse signal transmitted from the antenna at a predetermined time interval. Receiving means for generating received data for each receiving position determined based on the received data, Fourier transform the received data from the receiving means for each range cell, detecting a target from the peak value of the signal obtained by the Fourier transform, A SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit that measures the target direction based on the Doppler frequency corresponding to the peak value and the reception position is provided , and the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit Fourier-transforms the reception data from the reception unit for each range cell. Then, a target is detected from the peak value of the signal obtained by the Fourier transform, and the Σ (fd) beam of the Doppler frequency fd corresponding to the peak value and the band of this beam are detected. A Δ (fd) beam of the same bank is formed, an error voltage is calculated using a complex signal of the Δ (fd) beam and the Σ (fd) beam, and the calculated error voltage and an angle measurement curve prepared in advance are calculated. The Doppler frequency is calculated by comparing with the above, and the target direction is measured based on the calculated Doppler frequency and the reception position .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the received data can be subjected to Fourier transform by utilizing the fact that the position of the antenna opening can be grasped from the relative speed of the target with respect to the target and a predetermined time interval such as PRI (Pulse Repetition Interval) By calculating the Doppler frequency (corresponding to the phase inclination of the wavefront) and calculating the target direction from the position and Doppler frequency, the target detection efficiency is improved by the synthetic aperture processing even with a small antenna, and the target The direction can be measured with high accuracy.

  According to the second invention, when the Doppler frequency is calculated by Fourier transforming the received data, the target is detected by the bank of Σ beams on the frequency axis, and then calculated using the complex signal of the Δ beam in the same bank. Since the Doppler frequency is calculated with an accuracy equal to or higher than the frequency resolution based on the error voltage, the target direction can be measured with high accuracy.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same constituent elements as those of the conventional radar apparatus described in the background art section are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the background art section, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a radar apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This radar apparatus is configured by replacing the signal processor 5 in the conventional radar apparatus shown in FIG. 21 with a signal processor 5a. The signal processor 5a is configured by adding a SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 and an angle measurement value synthesis unit 54 to the signal processor 5 of the conventional radar apparatus.

SAR detection / angle measuring unit 53 detects the target based on the Σ beam sent from the frequency converter / AD converter 4 ₁ executes the angle measuring process for the detected target. Frequency conversion / AD converter 4 ₁ corresponds to the receiving means of the present invention. Details of the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 will be described later. The SAR angle measurement value θ obtained by the angle measurement process in the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 is sent to the angle measurement value synthesis unit 54.

  The angle measurement value combining unit 54 spatially combines the monopulse angle measurement value φ sent from the detection / angle measurement processing unit 51 and the SAR angle measurement value θ sent from the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53. By combining, a combined angle measurement value with improved accuracy and resolution is obtained. Specifically, a value closest to the SAR angle value θ among the monopulse angle values φ is selected as a synthesized angle value (details will be described later). The synthesized angle value obtained by the angle value synthesis unit 54 is output to the outside as angle measurement information.

  Next, the operation of the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the principle of angle measurement shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the drawings.

Now, assume that the radar apparatus and the target are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. In the angle measurement process in the radar device, first, received data is acquired (step S11). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 of the signal processor 5a reflects a pulse signal transmitted at a predetermined time interval, for example, PRI (Pulse Repetition Interval) as shown in FIG. from antenna 3 which receives the waves through the circulator 2 and the frequency converter / AD converter 4 _1, at receiving positions 1~N determined based on the relative velocity and the PRI of the radar device to the target, the received data (sigma beam ) To get.

  Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S12). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 performs a Fourier transform on the reception data acquired in step S11. Thereby, a signal with a high SN ratio on the frequency axis is obtained.

  Next, a peak value is extracted (step S13). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 extracts the peak value of the signal obtained in step S12. Next, it is checked whether or not the processing for all ranges has been completed (step S14). If it is determined in step S14 that processing for all the ranges has not been completed, the processing target is changed to the next range (step S15). Then, it returns to step S12 and the process mentioned above is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all ranges has been completed, detection processing is executed (step S16). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 compares the peak values of all ranges obtained by the processing of steps S12 to S15 with a predetermined threshold, and when there is a signal exceeding the threshold, FIG. As shown in (c), the signal is detected as a target. As the threshold, a threshold based on thermal noise, a threshold based on CFAR (constant false alarm probability), or the like can be used.

Next, angle measurement calculation is performed (step S17). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 uses the frequency corresponding to the peak value detected in step S16 as the “detection Doppler frequency fd”, and the relationship with each reception position of the synthetic aperture can be expressed by the following equation: Then, the SAR angle measurement value θ is calculated.

here,
λ; wavelength N; number of hits (PRI) fd; detected Doppler frequency (bank number)
d: Element spacing
d = (V + Vt ′) × PRI
V: Self-machine speed Vt ′: Approximate value of target speed An approximate value Vt ′ of the target speed is necessary for calculating the element interval d. It can be calculated by the following equation from the measured monopulse angle value φ of the normal antenna opening.

here,
Vt ′: approximate value of the target speed Vt (because φ has an error)
When the absolute value of the approximate value Vt ′ of the target speed is smaller than the absolute value of the own speed V, the influence on the angle measurement accuracy is small even if the accuracy of the approximate value Vt ′ of the target speed is low. Therefore, when the absolute value is sufficiently small and the allowable value of the angle measurement accuracy is relatively large, the approximate value Vt ′ of the target speed can be set to “0”. Thus, the angle measurement process by SAR is completed.

The above-described SAR angle measurement has an ambiguity on a cone as shown in FIG. 4A because the antenna 3 is a one-dimensional array. As a measure against this ambiguity, using the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the angle measurement value combining unit 54 performs monopulse angle measurement of the normal antenna opening as shown in FIGS. Using the value, the angle value on the cone of the SAR closest to that value is extracted to obtain the combined angle value. In this case, for example, the following equation may be calculated using the AZ and EL axes as orthogonal axis spaces.

here,
φ _AZ , φ _EL ; angle measurement value by monopulse beam θ; SAR angle measurement value Φ _AZ , Φ _EL ; composite angle measurement value In the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, a cell having a peak value for each range cell The target is detected after the extraction for all the range cells is completed, and the angle is measured for the target cell. However, the angle is measured for all the cells extracted for each range cell. In addition, after all the range cells have been processed, an angle measurement value with respect to the detected target can be extracted.

  The electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is the same as the electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the radar apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, focusing on angle measurement processing, the diagram for explaining the principle of angle measurement illustrated in FIG. 6, and the error voltage illustrated in FIG. A process for obtaining a highly accurate Doppler frequency by using FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 2 are assigned to the steps for performing the same processing as the flowchart showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. To simplify the description.

  Now, assume that the radar apparatus and the target are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. In the angle measurement process in the radar device, first, received data is acquired as shown in FIG. 6B (step S11). Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S12). Next, a peak value is extracted (step S13). Next, it is checked whether or not the processing for all ranges has been completed (step S14).

  If it is determined in step S14 that processing for all the ranges has not been completed, the processing target is changed to the next range (step S15). Then, it returns to step S12 and the process mentioned above is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all ranges has been completed, detection processing is executed (step S16). The above processing is the same as the processing of the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment.

When the target detection processing is completed by the above processing, a Δ bank corresponding to the detected Doppler bank Σ is formed. For this purpose, a phase in accordance with the following equations (5) and (6) may be given to the received data and Fourier transformed.

here,
Rx (n): received signal (n = 1 to N)
FFT []; Fourier transform Specifically, when the processing in step S16 is completed, phase multiplication for Δ is then performed (step S18). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 inverts the half phase of the received data by 180 degrees. Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S19). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 performs Fourier transform on the reception data whose phase is inverted by 180 degrees in step S18. Thereby, a Δ beam as shown by a broken line in FIG. 6C is obtained.

  Next, Δ is extracted (step S20). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 extracts the Δ beam obtained in step S19. By the above processing, a Σ beam and a Δ beam as shown in FIG. 6D are obtained.

Next, angle measurement calculation is performed (step S21). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 sets the detected Doppler frequency as fd, and calculates an error voltage from Σ (fd) and Δ (fd) by the following equation using the same method as the monopulse angle measurement. .

here,
Em: Error voltage Re: Real part of complex number By comparing this error voltage Em with a measured angle curve as shown in FIG. 7 (b), a high value as shown in FIG. 7 (a) is obtained. An accurate Doppler frequency fd ′ can be obtained. By applying this Doppler frequency fd ′ to the above-described equation (2), a highly accurate SAR angle measurement value θ can be obtained. Thus, the angle measurement process ends.

  The electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is the same as the electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the radar apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, focusing on angle measurement processing, the diagram for explaining the principle of angle measurement illustrated in FIG. 9, and the error voltage illustrated in FIG. A process for obtaining a highly accurate Doppler frequency by using FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 2 are attached to steps for performing the same processing as the flowchart showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. To simplify the description.

  Now, assume that the radar apparatus and the target are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. In the angle measurement process in the radar apparatus, first, received data is acquired as shown in FIG. 9B (step S11). Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S12). Next, a peak value is extracted (step S13). Next, it is checked whether or not the processing for all ranges has been completed (step S14).

  If it is determined in step S14 that processing for all the ranges has not been completed, the processing target is changed to the next range (step S15). Then, it returns to step S12 and the process mentioned above is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all ranges has been completed, detection processing is executed (step S16). The above processing is the same as the processing of the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment.

When the detection processing of the target is completed, in order to form the sigma _U beam phase slope is shifted by a predetermined phase amount of the Fourier transform, sigma _U bank adjacent to the detected Doppler bank sigma is formed. For this purpose, for example, the Doppler frequency is shifted by 0.5 banks, that is, the phase according to the following equations (8) and (9) is given to the received data, and Fourier transform may be performed.

here,
Rx (n): received signal (n = 1 to N)
FFT []; the Fourier transform Specifically, the process of step S16 is completed, then the phase multiplier for sigma _U is performed (step S22). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 applies the above equation to the received data and moves the Doppler frequency by 0.5 banks. Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S23). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 performs Fourier transform on the reception data obtained in step S22. Thus, the sigma _U beam as shown in FIG. 9 (c) is obtained.

Then, sigma _U is extracted (step S24). That, SAR detection / angle measuring unit 53 extracts the sigma _U beam obtained in step S24. By the above processing, a Σ beam and a Σ _U beam are obtained as shown in FIG.

Next, angle measurement calculation is performed (step S25). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 sets the detected Doppler frequency as fd, and uses the same method as the monopulse angle measurement to calculate the error voltage from Σ (fd) and Σ _U (fd) by the following equation. calculate.

here,
Es; Error voltage Re; Real part of complex number By comparing this error voltage Es with a measured angle curve as shown in FIG. 10 (b), a high value as shown in FIG. 10 (a) is obtained. An accurate Doppler frequency fd ′ can be obtained. By applying the Doppler frequency fd ′ to the above-described equation (2), a highly accurate SAR angle value θ can be obtained. Thus, the angle measurement process ends.

In the third embodiment described above, a signal shifted by 0.5 banks is used as the Σ _U beam. However, in the third embodiment, a highly accurate Doppler frequency is calculated using the Σ _U beam and the Σ beam. In general, the amount of movement can be an arbitrary value Δfs bank.

Further, the error voltage is calculated using the complex number of the Σ beam and the Σ _U beam. However, the error voltage may be calculated using the ratio of absolute values.

  The electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is the same as the electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the radar apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, with a focus on angle measurement processing, and processing for obtaining a highly accurate Doppler frequency using the center of gravity illustrated in FIG. 12. This will be described with reference to the drawings. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. To simplify the description.

  Now, assume that the radar apparatus and the target are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. 9A, as in the third embodiment. In the angle measurement process in the radar device, first, received data is acquired (step S11). Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S12). Next, a peak value is extracted (step S13). Next, it is checked whether or not the processing for all ranges has been completed (step S14).

If it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all the ranges has not been completed, the processing target is changed to the next range (step S15). Then, it returns to step S12 and the process mentioned above is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all ranges has been completed, detection processing is executed (step S16). Then, the phase multiplier for sigma _U is performed (step S22). Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S23). The above processing is the same as the processing of the radar apparatus according to the third embodiment.

When the above processing is completed, Σ and Σ _U are then synthesized (step S31). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 alternately arranges the Σ beam and the Σ _U beam for each element, and sets this as Σ ′. Σ ′ can be expressed by the following equation.

Next, angle measurement calculation (including centroid calculation) is executed (step S32). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 uses Σ ′ to calculate the center of gravity using the following equation for the complex signals of a plurality of M cells around the detected Doppler frequency fd, as shown in FIG. To implement.

here,
A: Amplitude intensity fd: Doppler frequency By applying the Doppler frequency fd ′ obtained by the center-of-gravity calculation to the above-described equation (2), a highly accurate SAR angle measurement value θ can be obtained. Thus, the angle measurement process ends.

In the fourth embodiment described above, a signal shifted by 0.5 banks is used as the Σ _U beam, but in this fourth embodiment, a highly accurate Doppler frequency is calculated using the Σ _U beam and the Σ beam. In general, the amount of movement can be an arbitrary value Δfs bank.

  The radar apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention corrects the amplitude and phase of the wavefront when performing angle measurement.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a radar apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. This radar apparatus is configured by replacing the signal processor 5a in the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with a signal processor 5b. The signal processor 5b is configured by adding a SAR data correction processing unit 52 to the inside of the signal processor 5a of the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment.

SAR data correction processing section 52 performs predetermined correction Σ beam sent from the frequency converter / AD converter 4 ₁ (details will be described later). The correction result in the SAR data correction processing unit 52 is sent to the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53.

  The operation of the radar apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 and the diagram for explaining the principle of angle measurement shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 2 are assigned to steps for performing the same processing as the flowchart showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. I will explain.

Now, assume that the radar apparatus and the target are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. In the angle measurement process in the radar apparatus, first, received data is acquired (step S41). That is, as shown in FIG. 15B, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 of the signal processor 5b receives the circulator 2 and the frequency from the antenna 3 that has received the reflected wave of the pulse signal transmitted at a predetermined time interval, for example, PRI. via the conversion / AD converter 4 _1, at receiving positions 1~N determined based on the relative velocity and the PRI of the radar device to the target, to acquire the received data (sigma beam).

  Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S42). That is, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 performs a Fourier transform on the reception data acquired in step S41. Thereby, a signal with a high SN ratio on the frequency axis is obtained.

  Next, a peak value is extracted (step S43). That is, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 extracts the peak value of the signal obtained in step S42 as shown in FIG. Next, M cells are extracted (step S44). That is, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 extracts data of M cells around the peak value extracted in step S43, and generates N data by zero-filling other than the extracted M cells.

  Next, inverse Fourier transform (inverse FFT) is performed (step S45). That is, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 performs inverse Fourier transform on the N pieces of data obtained in step S44. As a result, wavefront data X (n) (n = 1 to N) before correction as shown by a broken line in FIG. By this processing, unnecessary signals such as clutter can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, in order to calculate the correction amount of the wavefront data that does not depend on the target direction, the signal of the M cell is moved to the zero frequency and the inverse Fourier transform is performed (step S46). That is, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 performs the inverse Fourier transform after moving the M cell extracted in step S44 to the zero frequency as shown in FIG. 15 (e), and the broken line in FIG. 15 (f). The wavefront amplitude and phase shift C (n) (n = 1 to N) before correction as shown in FIG. Next, a correction value is calculated (step S47). That is, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 calculates the correction value 1 / C (n) having the reverse characteristic of the characteristic calculated in step S46 as indicated by the solid line in FIG.

Next, correction calculation is executed (step S48). That is, the SAR data correction processing unit 52 applies the correction value 1 / C calculated in step S47 to the wavefront data X obtained in step S45. ) To obtain corrected wavefront data Xc as indicated by a solid line. The corrected wavefront data Xc is sent to the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53.

here,
X; Wavefront data before correction Xc; Wavefront data after correction 1 / C; Correction value Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S49). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 performs Fourier transform on the corrected wavefront data Xc sent from the SAR data correction processing unit 52. Next, a peak value is extracted (step S13). Next, it is checked whether or not the processing for all ranges has been completed (step S14). If it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all the ranges has not been completed, the processing target is changed to the next range (step S15). Then, it returns to step S42 and the process mentioned above is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all ranges has been completed, detection processing is executed (step S16). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 compares the peak values of all the ranges obtained by the above-described processing with a predetermined threshold, and when there is a signal exceeding the threshold, FIG. The signal is detected as a target as shown in FIG. As the threshold, a threshold based on thermal noise, a threshold based on CFAR (constant false alarm probability), or the like can be used.

Next, angle measurement calculation is performed (step S17). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 uses the frequency corresponding to the peak value detected in step S16 as the detection Doppler frequency fd, and the relationship with each reception position of the synthetic aperture can be expressed by the following equation. Then, the SAR angle measurement value θ is calculated. Thus, the angle measurement process ends.

  As a measure against the ambiguity of the SAR angle measurement value θ, the angle measurement value synthesis of the SAR angle measurement value θ and the monopulse angle measurement value φ performed by the angle measurement value synthesis unit 54 is performed by the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is the same.

  In the radar apparatus according to the fifth embodiment described above, a cell having a peak value is extracted for each range cell, a target is detected after extraction for all the range cells is completed, and an angle measurement is performed on the target cell. Although it is configured to perform, angle measurement is performed on all the cells extracted for each range cell, and after all the range cells have been processed, the angle measurement value for the detected target may be extracted. it can.

  The radar apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is obtained by applying the function of the radar apparatus according to the second, third, or fourth embodiment to the radar apparatus according to the fifth embodiment described above.

  The electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention is the same as the electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 5 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the first example of Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Step S17 of the flowchart (see FIG. 14) showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 5 is performed. This is a replacement of steps S18 to S21 in the flowchart (see FIG. 5) showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the second example. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the same reference numerals as those used in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 5 are attached to the steps for executing the same processing as the steps shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 5. Therefore, for the explanation of each step, refer to the explanation of the flowcharts shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the second example of Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Step S17 of the flowchart (see FIG. 14) showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 5 is performed. This is a replacement of steps S22 to S25 in the flowchart (see FIG. 8) showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to Example 3. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals as those used in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 8 are given to the steps for executing the same processing as the steps shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 8. Therefore, for the explanation of each step, refer to the explanation of the flowcharts shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the third example of Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Step S17 of the flowchart (see FIG. 14) showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 5 is performed. This is a replacement of steps S22, S23, S31 and S32 in the flowchart (see FIG. 11) showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to Example 4. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 18, the same reference numerals as those used in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 11 are given to the steps for executing the same processing as the steps shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 11. Therefore, for the explanation of each step, refer to the explanation of the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  According to the radar apparatus according to the sixth embodiment described above, in addition to the same operations and effects as those of the radar apparatus according to the fifth embodiment described above, the radar apparatus according to the second embodiment, the radar apparatus according to the third embodiment, or the implementation. The same operations and effects as the radar device according to Example 4 are obtained.

  The radar apparatus according to Example 7 of the present invention corrects the amplitude and phase of the wavefront and performs angle measurement with the wavefront without performing Fourier transform when performing angle measurement.

  The electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention is the same as the electrical configuration of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 5 shown in FIG.

  The operation of the radar apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 19 and the diagram for explaining the principle of angle measurement shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 19, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 14 are given to steps for performing the same processing as the flowchart showing the operation of the radar apparatus according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 14. To simplify the description.

  Now, assume that the radar apparatus and the target are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. In the angle measurement process in the radar device, first, received data as shown in FIG. 20B is acquired (step S41). Next, Fourier transform is performed (step S42). Next, extraction of peak values as shown in FIG. 20C is performed (step S43). Next, M cells are extracted (step S44). Next, inverse Fourier transform (inverse FFT) is performed (step S45). As a result, wavefront data X (n) (n = 1 to N) before correction as shown by a broken line in FIG.

  On the other hand, in order to calculate the correction amount of the wavefront data that does not depend on the target direction, as shown in FIG. 20E, the signal of the M cell is moved to the zero frequency, and then the inverse Fourier transform is performed (step S46). ). Next, a correction value as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 20 (f) is calculated (step S47). Next, correction calculation is executed (step S48). As a result, corrected wavefront data Xc as shown by a solid line in FIG. 20D is obtained. The above operation is the same as the operation of the radar apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

When the corrected wavefront data Xc is obtained, in order to calculate the phase inclination corresponding to the target direction from the corrected wavefront data Xc, using the following equation, the phase inclination of the wavefront for search is sequentially changed and corrected. After the wavefront data Xc and the conjugate value are multiplied, the addition process is performed.

here,
Xc: corrected wavefront data Sm: wavefront data for search (m = 1 to M)
*; Complex conjugate Specifically, first, a conjugate calculation of the corrected wavefront and the search wavefront is performed (step S51). In other words, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 executes a conjugate operation between the corrected wavefront data Xc sent from the SAR data correction processing unit 52 and the wavefront data Sm for search. Next, the calculation result is stored (step S52). The SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 stores the calculation result obtained in step S51 in an internal memory (not shown).

  Next, it is checked whether or not processing for all search wavefronts has been completed (step S53). If it is determined in step S53 that the processing for all search wavefronts has not been completed, the search wavefront is changed to the next wavefront (step S54). Then, it returns to step S51 and the process mentioned above is repeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S53 that the processing for all the search wavefronts has been completed, the maximum value of Σ (or the minimum value of Δ) is extracted (step S55). That is, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 calculates m _max that maximizes Σs to detect the target, and can calculate the target direction as shown in FIG.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the processing for all ranges has been completed (step S14). If it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all the ranges has not been completed, the processing target is changed to the next range (step S15). Then, it returns to step S42 and the process mentioned above is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the processing for all ranges has been completed, detection processing is executed (step S16). Next, angle measurement calculation is performed (step S17). Thus, the angle measurement process ends.

The target is detected using Σs, but when a Δ beam is used as a search beam, the following equation is used.

here,
Xc: corrected wavefront data Dm: wavefront data for search (m = 1 to M)
In this case, the SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 53 calculates m that minimizes Δs, detects the target, and can calculate the target direction as shown in FIG.

  In the seventh embodiment described above, the method for calculating the phase inclination of the wavefront using the search wavefront has been described. However, since the main purpose is to perform an angle measurement operation based on the inclination of the wavefront, from the phase data of the wavefront, A method of calculating the slope of the wavefront by calculating a least square line can also be adopted.

  As a measure against the ambiguity of the SAR angle measurement value θ, the angle measurement value synthesis of the SAR angle measurement value θ and the monopulse angle measurement value φ performed by the angle measurement value synthesis unit 54 is performed by the radar apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is the same.

  Further, in the above-described seventh embodiment, the method using the corrected wavefront data has been described. However, in order to reduce the processing scale, the wavefront data before correction can be used.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a radar apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the angle measurement in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which calculates | requires a synthetic angle measurement value in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the angle measurement in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the process which calculates | requires a highly accurate Doppler frequency using the error voltage performed in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the angle measurement in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the process which calculates | requires a highly accurate Doppler frequency using the error voltage performed in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. In the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 4 of this invention, it is a figure for demonstrating the process which calculates | requires a highly accurate Doppler frequency using a gravity center. It is a figure which shows the electrical structure of the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the angle measurement in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on the 1st example of Example 6 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on the 2nd example of Example 6 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on the 3rd example of Example 6 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 7 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of the angle measurement in the radar apparatus which concerns on Example 7 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the conventional radar apparatus. It is a figure which shows the principle of the monopulse angle measurement performed with the conventional radar apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the conventional radar apparatus centering on an angle measurement process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Signal Generator / Amplifier 2 Circulator 3 Antenna 3
4 ₁ to 4 ₃ Frequency conversion / AD converters 5a, 5b Signal processor 51 Detection / angle measurement processing unit 52 SAR data correction processing unit 53 SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit 54 Angle measurement value synthesis unit

Claims (1)

An aerial with a constant opening;
Receiving means for receiving a reflected wave of a pulse signal transmitted at a predetermined time interval from the antenna, and generating reception data for each reception position determined based on the relative speed of the self with respect to a target and the predetermined time interval;
The received data from the receiving means is Fourier transformed for each range cell, the target is detected from the peak value of the signal obtained by the Fourier transformation, and the target direction is determined based on the Doppler frequency corresponding to the peak value and the receiving position. A SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit for measuring an angle;
Equipped with a,
The SAR detection / angle measurement processing unit
The received data from the receiving means is Fourier transformed for each range cell, a target is detected from the peak value of the signal obtained by the Fourier transformation, and a Σ (fd) beam of Doppler frequency fd corresponding to the peak value and this beam A Δ (fd) beam of the same bank as that of the first bank is formed, and an error voltage is calculated using a complex signal of the Δ (fd) beam and the Σ (fd) beam. A radar apparatus , wherein a Doppler frequency is calculated by comparison with an angular curve, and a target direction is measured based on the calculated Doppler frequency and the reception position .

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