JPH04279885A - Radar device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a radar device for effectively tracking a plurality of objects in a short period of time. CONSTITUTION:A first memory 19 for holding a signal from each receiver 3 is provided. Four sets of signal processors 8 for processing the data in the memory 19 and for forming one transmission/receiving beam per one set are provided. An objective information processor 10 for determining the angular error in direction and in height by processing the information obtained by the signal processor 8, and thus for tracking an object, is installed. By providing the memory 19 for holding the received signal, four sets of signal processors 8, and the objective information processor 10, a plurality of objects can be tracked effectively at high speed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a radar device for measuring the position and information of a target.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a conventional radar device. In the figure, 1 is an antenna element for transmitting and receiving radio waves, 2 is a transmitter that outputs a transmission signal and a transmission phase, and 3 is a transceiver. A receiver that converts the received signal from the phase box 5 into an intermediate frequency signal, 4 a transmitting/receiving switch that switches between transmitting and receiving, 5
6 is a phase shifter that sets the necessary phase for the antenna element in order to form a transmitting and receiving beam in an arbitrary direction; 6 is a phase shifter that outputs transmission phase information to the transmitter 2; and also combines the signals from the receiver 3; A signal processor 7 for forming one beam in the same transmission direction is a target information processor capable of tracking a target using the antenna beam obtained by the signal processor 6.

Next, the operation will be explained. Signal processor 6
, calculates a transmission phase suitable for the transmission direction and outputs it to the transmitter 2. If you send in this state, if the target exists,
Since radio waves are returned from the same direction as the transmission direction, the signal processor 6 performs signal processing to direct the reception beam in the transmission direction.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The conventional radar device is configured as described above, and the signal processor 6 can only obtain information about one antenna beam, and when tracking a target, , a plurality of transmission pulses each having a different transmission direction must be transmitted and each of these pulses must be received, and it takes time to obtain tracking information. There is a problem in that tracking multiple targets requires more time.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a radar device that can efficiently track a plurality of targets in a short period of time.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The radar device of the present invention is equipped with four signal processors each forming one narrow reception beam, and these form four antenna beams. Direction/direction at a certain time within the pulse repetition time
This system detects angular errors in both elevation and tracks the target.

[0007] Also, there is a signal processor that combines signals from each receiver to form a plurality of reception beams at the same time, and a wide beam that is transmitted to a space that covers the plurality of reception beams formed by this signal processor. It has an added function to control the transmitter.

The radar device according to the present invention is equipped with a signal processor that combines signals from each receiver and changes the received beam in a time-division manner, adds a memory for holding time-division data, and stores the data in the memory. Track the target by processing.

[0009] Furthermore, a control function is added to continuously transmit radio waves in a plurality of directions without taking a reception interval, and to take an interval for reception after transmitting a plurality of pulses.

0010

[Operation] This invention utilizes four signal processors that convert the microwave signal from the antenna into an intermediate frequency signal, combine the signals from each receiver, and form one narrow receiving beam for each receiver. Using four narrow reception beams, the target information processor obtains angle errors in both direction and height at a fixed time within one pulse repetition time.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention combines the signals from each receiver, converting the microwave signal from the antenna into an intermediate frequency signal, and changes the receiving beam in a time-division manner within one pulse repetition time, thereby determining the direction and direction. A signal processor obtains a high-low difference signal and a sum signal.

[0012] By adding a signal processor that simultaneously forms multiple reception beams and a function that transmits a wide beam to a space that covers the multiple reception beams, the time required to detect a target during a search can be shortened. do.

Furthermore, the present invention can irradiate radio waves to multiple targets per pulse repetition time by continuously transmitting radio waves in multiple directions without taking a reception interval, and then taking a reception interval. It becomes possible.

[0014]

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and 1 to 4 are completely the same as the conventional apparatus described above. 8 is a signal processor that combines the signals from the receivers 3 to form one narrow reception beam per set; 9 is a transmission controller that controls the transmitter to transmit a transmission beam; 10 is 4 sets; A target information processor 19 is capable of detecting angular errors in both azimuth and height and tracking the target using the four narrow receiving beams obtained by the signal processor 8 of the receiver 3. This is the first memory that temporarily stores the signals.

In the radar device configured as described above, the signal from the receiver 3 is stored in the memory 19, and the information is processed by each of the four signal processors 8 to form four narrow beams. Form. Using this information, the target information processor 10 can perform monopulse tracking. Unlike conventional radar equipment equipped with a phase shifter, it is possible to form a receiving beam in any direction using the signals from each receiver 3 through processing by the signal processor 8, so that multiple targets can be targeted within one pulse repetition time. tracking becomes possible.

The concept of target tracking is shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). In order to perform monopulse tracking in the target information processor 10, four beams shown in FIG. 7(a) are required. As shown in FIG. 7(b), each signal processor 8 forms each beam for a fixed time within one pulse repetition time. During the next fixed period of time, the target M is tracked using the data from the four types of signal processors 8. At the same time, the four types of signal processors use the data in the memory to form receive beams in different directions to obtain target information. Then, the target is tracked during the next fixed period of time. By repeating the above several times, tracking of multiple targets becomes possible.

Example 2 FIG. 2 shows Example 2 of the present invention.
9 and 19 are the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. A signal processor 12 is capable of synthesizing the data in the first memory 19 to obtain an azimuth and height difference signal and a sum signal on a time-division basis within one pulse repetition time. The second memory 13 that holds the data processed by division is a target information processor that can track the target by processing the data in the second memory 12.

In the radar device configured as described above, the signal from the receiver 3 is stored in the first memory 19, and the signal processor 11 uses the information to change the received beam in a time-division manner. By doing this, the direction/elevation difference signal and sum signal necessary for target tracking are obtained. And target information processor 1
3, monopulse tracking becomes possible. Figure 1
Similar to the first embodiment shown in Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. It becomes possible.

The concept of target tracking is shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). In order to perform monopulse tracking in the target information processor 13, it is necessary to form three beams as shown in FIG. 8(a). As shown in FIG. 8(b), the signal processor 11 obtains a difference signal in the azimuth (Az direction) at a constant time within one pulse repetition time. Then, the information is stored in the second memory 12. A difference signal between high and low levels (in the El direction) is obtained at the next fixed time. This information is also stored in the second memory 12. Furthermore, a sum signal is obtained at the next fixed time and stored in the second memory 12. Then, at the next fixed time, the second memory 1
Tracking is performed by processing the data in 2 by the target information processor 13. At the same time, the signal processor uses the data in the first memory 19 to determine the azimuth (A) in a different direction.
Find the difference signal in the z direction). By repeating the above operations, tracking of multiple targets becomes possible.

Example 3 FIG. 3 shows Example 3 of the present invention, in which 1 to 4,
8 and 19 are the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is a multi-beam signal processor that combines the signals from the receiver 3 to form a plurality of reception beams at the same time; 15 is a multi-beam signal processor that spreads over a space that covers the plurality of reception beams formed by the multi-beam signal processor 14; a transmission controller, 16, also capable of controlling the transmitter 2 to transmit the beam;
detects the target by processing the information of the multi-beam signal processor 14, and further uses four narrow reception beams obtained by the four signal processors 8 to determine the direction within a certain period of time within one pulse repetition time.・It is a target information processor that can detect angular errors in both elevation and track the target.

As described above, in the radar apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the multi-beam signal processor 14 simultaneously forms a plurality of receiving beams using the information stored in the first memory 19. Therefore, while conventional radar devices scan the receiving beam when searching for a target, it is now possible to simultaneously search a wide area without scanning the receiving beam.

Example 4 FIG. 4 shows Example 4 of the present invention.
11, 12, 14, 15 and 19 are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Target information 17 is capable of detecting a target by processing information from the multi-beam signal processor 14, and can track multiple targets at the same time by processing time-sharing data in the second memory 12. It is a processing device. It goes without saying that by simultaneously forming a plurality of reception beams in the multi-beam signal processor 14, it becomes possible to simultaneously search a wide range without scanning the reception beams when detecting a target.

Example 5 FIG. 5 shows Example 5 of the present invention, in which 1 to 4,
8, 10 and 19 are the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Reference numeral 18 denotes a transmission controller that performs control to continuously transmit radio waves in a plurality of directions without taking a reception interval, and to take an interval for reception after transmitting a plurality of pulses.

In the radar device configured as described above, the transmission controller 18 continuously transmits radio waves in a plurality of directions without taking a reception interval, and after transmitting a plurality of pulses, a reception interval is set. By performing control to take the following, it becomes possible to reliably irradiate radio waves to a plurality of targets within one pulse repetition time.

FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show the concept of the transmission method. FIG. 9(a) shows a transmission method of a conventional radar device,
Only one transmission is performed within one pulse repetition time, and a reception interval is immediately taken after transmission. In this invention, as shown in FIG. 9(b), radio waves are continuously transmitted in a plurality of directions without taking a reception interval, and a reception interval is taken after transmitting a plurality of pulses. The processing of the received signal is the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

Example 6 FIG. 6 shows Example 6 of the present invention, in which 1 to 4,
11 to 13, 18 and 19 are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. By continuously transmitting radio waves in multiple directions without taking a reception interval, and by performing control such that a reception interval is taken after transmitting multiple pulses, it is possible to reliably reach multiple targets within one pulse repetition time. It becomes possible to emit radio waves. The processing of the received signal is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0027]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it produces the following effects.

4 to form one narrow reception beam per set
Equipped with a signal processor of the formula, it becomes possible to detect angular errors in direction and elevation within a certain period of time within one pulse repetition time using the four narrow receiving beams that are formed, and to track the target. .

By providing a signal processor that can obtain the azimuth and height difference signals and sum signals necessary for tracking by time-divisionally processing the data from the receiver within one pulse repetition time, the small Target tracking becomes possible with a large-scale hardware configuration.

By repeating the processing described in the above two effects multiple times within one pulse repetition time, it becomes possible to track multiple targets at the same time.

A multi-beam signal processor that simultaneously forms a plurality of reception beams; and a transmitter is controlled so as to transmit a wide beam to a space that covers the plurality of reception beams formed by the multi-beam signal processor. By providing a transmission controller, it becomes possible to significantly shorten the time it takes to detect a target during a search.

[0032] Also, by providing a transmission controller that controls to continuously transmit radio waves in multiple directions without taking a reception interval and then taking a reception interval, it is possible to irradiate radio waves to multiple targets per pulse repetition time. It becomes possible to do so.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of target tracking in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with FIG. 7(a) showing the beams necessary for tracking, and FIG. 7(b) showing details of the operation of the signal processor. FIG.

8 is a conceptual diagram of target tracking in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing beams necessary for tracking, and FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing details of the operation of a signal processor. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a transmission method in a fifth embodiment and a sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing a transmission method of a conventional radar device, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing a transmission method in a conventional radar device. It is a diagram showing a transmission method.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional radar device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Antenna element 2 Transmitter 3 Receiver 4 Transmission/reception switch 5 Phase shifter 6 Signal processor 7 Target information processor 8 Signal processor 9 Transmission controller 10 Target information processor 11 Signal processor 12 Second memory 13 Target information processor 14 Multi-beam signal processor 15 Transmission controller 16 Target information processor 17 Target information processor 18 Transmission controller 19 First memory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of antenna elements for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a plurality of transmitters that output transmission signals to the antenna elements, and a plurality of receivers that convert microwave signals from the antenna elements into intermediate frequency signals. The receiver has a memory that temporarily holds the signals from each of the receivers, four signal processors that combine the data in the memory to form one narrow receiving beam per receiver, and a transmitting beam. Using a transmission controller that controls the transmitter to transmit, and four narrow reception beams obtained by the four types of signal processors,
What is claimed is: 1. A radar device comprising: a target information processor that detects angular errors in both azimuth and height for a certain period of time within a pulse repetition time and tracks a target. 2. A plurality of antenna elements for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a plurality of transmitters that output transmission signals to the antenna elements, and a plurality of receivers that convert microwave signals from the antenna elements into intermediate frequency signals. a second memory that temporarily holds signals from each of the receivers, and data in the first memory to change the receiving beam in a time-division manner within one pulse repetition time. in,
A signal processor capable of obtaining azimuth and height difference signals and sum signals necessary for target tracking, a second memory for holding time-division data output from the signal processor, and a narrow beam. A transmission controller that controls the transmitter to transmit a transmission beam, and a target information processor that can simultaneously track multiple targets by processing data in the second memory. A radar device characterized by: 3. A multi-beam signal processor that combines signals from each receiver to simultaneously form a plurality of reception beams, and a space that covers the plurality of reception beams formed by the multi-beam signal processor. A function to control the transmitter to transmit a wide beam is added to the transmission controller, and a function to detect the target by processing information from the multi-beam signal processor is added to the target information processor. The radar device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: 4. The transmission controller is characterized in that it performs control to continuously transmit radio waves in multiple directions without taking a reception interval, and to take an interval for reception after transmitting a plurality of pulses. Claim 1 or Claim 2
The radar device described.