KR101355535B1 - Multi-channel active phased array radar system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-channel active phased array radar system. The present invention includes: a processing unit which provides a simulation target signal generation order to command the generation of a simulation target signal for simulating the target data of a predefined simulation target; and an antenna unit which generates the simulation target signal using the waveform data of the transmitting waves provided from a processing unit upon the simulation target signal generation order and provides the generated simulation target signal to the processing unit through an inspection transmitting path and an inspection receiving path. The processing unit analyzes the simulation target signal provided through the inspection transmitting path and the inspection receiving path and determines whether the inspection transmitting path and the inspection receiving path work properly. By doing so, the present invention is able to perform self-inspection without using an additional testing device such as a simulation targeting device and to inspect the inspection transmitting path and the inspection receiving path at the same time, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of a system, streamlining the setup and the procedure of a test, and thus enhancing the operational efficiency. [Reference numerals] (100) Processing unit; (210) Antenna controller; (220) Waveform generator; (230) Upward converter; (240) Distributor; (250) Transceiver; (260) Antenna element; (270) Receiver

Description

Multi-channel active phased array radar system and control method

The present invention relates to a multi-channel active phased array radar system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a multi-channel active phased array radar system having a self-check function capable of simultaneously checking a transmission path and a reception path and a control method thereof. It is about.

Radar (RADAR) is an abbreviation of Radio Detecting And Ranging, which emits microwaves to an object and receives electromagnetic waves reflected from the object to find distance, direction, and altitude from the object. It is a wireless monitoring device.

Radar systems generally use active phased array antenna structures to account for various beam formations, agile beam steering angle variations, gradual degradation and high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF).

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional multi-channel active phased array radar system 10 requires an additional simulation target device 16 to diagnose an abnormality of its transmission / reception path. The simulation target device 16 may be operated at a distance, for example several hundred meters or more, to receive the transmitted signal radiated from the radar system.

The conventional multi-channel active phased array radar system 10 transmits the RF signal generated by the antenna unit 14 to the simulation target device 16 under the control of the processor 12, and the RF signal from the simulation target device 16. You can check the transmission path by receiving.

In addition, the conventional multi-channel active phased array radar system 10 processes the RF signal or the received RF signal randomly generated by the simulation target device 16 to radiate it as information of a target, and the antenna unit 14 simulates the simulation target device ( When receiving the RF signal radiated from the 16 and transmitted to the processing unit 12, it is possible to determine whether the reception path abnormality by analyzing the RF signal transmitted from the antenna unit 14 in the processing unit 12.

As described above, the conventional multi-channel active phased array radar system 10 requires additional test equipment, that is, the simulation target device 16 for self-check of the transmission / reception path, and thus is designed according to the design and manufacture of the simulation target device 16. And difficulty in increasing manufacturing costs.

In addition, the conventional multi-channel active phased array radar system 10 has a difficulty in performing the inspection of the transmission path and the reception path as described above.

KR 10-2004-0044608, May 31, 2004, drawing 1

The object of the present invention is to perform self-inspection without using additional test equipment such as a simulation target device, and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the system by improving the transmission path and the reception path at the same time and improve the operational efficiency. To provide a multi-channel active phased array radar system and a method of operating the same.

The multi-channel active phased array radar system according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a simulation target signal generation command for instructing to generate a simulation target signal that simulates the target information of the predefined simulation target, and A processing unit for providing information of a transmission waveform of the simulated target signal; And generating the simulation target signal by using the information of the transmission waveform provided from the processing unit by the simulation target signal generation command, and generating the simulated target signal through the preset transmission path for inspection and the reception receiving path. And an antenna unit provided to a processing unit, wherein the processing unit analyzes a simulation target signal provided through the inspection transmission path and the inspection reception path to determine whether the inspection transmission path and the inspection reception path are abnormal. do.

The processing unit analyzes the simulation target signal provided through the inspection transmission path and the inspection reception path to extract target information, and compares the extracted extraction target information with the target information of the simulation target to check the transmission path and inspection. It is possible to determine whether there is an abnormality in the reception path.

The target information of the simulation target may include the speed of the simulation target and the distance of the target, and the simulation target signal may pass through the transmission path for inspection and the reception path for inspection in the antenna unit.

When the simulation target signal generation command is received from the processing unit, the antenna unit transmits a timing signal and a transmission pulse width for generating the simulation target signal by the received simulation target signal generation command and the control unit; An antenna controller for providing distance information of the simulated target; A waveform generator for generating a simulated target signal using the transmit timing signal, the transmit pulse width, and the distance information of the simulated target provided from the antenna controller in response to a simulation target signal generation command provided from the antenna controller; An upconverter for upconverting the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator; A divider for distributing the simulated target signal converted by the upconverter; A transceiver for receiving the simulated target signal distributed by the distributor and transmitting the received simulated target signal; And a receiver which receives the simulated target signal transmitted from the transceiver and transmits the simulated target signal to the processor through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

Here, the check transmission path is set to a path where the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator reaches the transceiver through the up-converter and the divider, and the check receiving path is a simulated target signal reached to the transceiver. It may be set as a path reaching the processing unit through a receiver and the ADC.

The waveform generator operates in response to a simulation target signal generation command transmitted from the antenna controller, and generates the simulation target signal by using the transmission timing signal, the transmission pulse width, and the target distance information transmitted from the antenna controller. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) for generating a waveform start and stop timing signal and a waveform control signal; And a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) for generating the simulated target signal using the waveform start and stop timing signals and the waveform control signal generated by the FPGA.

In the FPGA, the waveform control signal may include a frequency component of a signal reflected according to the speed of the simulation target among phase information for controlling the start phase of the simulation target signal and target information of the simulation target.

The DDS may generate the simulated target signal by generating the simulated target signal using the phase information and modulate a frequency by using the frequency component.

When the waveform generator is instructed to operate in the normal operation mode for the detection of the actual target by the processor, the RF signal for the normal operation mode is generated and supplied to the upconverter, and the upconverter is the processor The RF signal may be output through a preset normal operation path by path control information.

On the other hand, another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object relates to a control method of a multi-channel active phased array radar system comprising an antenna unit and a processing unit, the control method of the multi-channel active phased array radar system is Providing a simulation target signal generation instruction for instructing the processor to generate a simulation target signal simulating predefined target information of the simulation target, and information on a transmission waveform of the simulation target signal; The antenna unit generates the simulation target signal by using the information of the transmission waveform provided from the processing unit by the simulation target signal generation command, and generates the check target transmission path and the check receiving path which are set in advance. Providing through; And analyzing, by the processor, a simulation target signal provided through the check transmission path and the check receiving path to determine whether the check transmission path and the check receiving path are abnormal.

The determining of the abnormality of the check transmission path and the check receiving path includes analyzing target simulation signals provided through the check transmission path and check receiving path, extracting target information, and extracting the extracted target information. It can be performed by comparing the target information of the mock target.

When the simulation target signal generation command is received from the processing unit, the antenna unit transmits a timing signal and a transmission pulse width for generating the simulation target signal by the received simulation target signal generation command and the control unit; An antenna controller for providing distance information of the simulated target; A waveform generator for generating a simulated target signal using the transmit timing signal, the transmit pulse width, and the distance information of the simulated target provided from the antenna controller in response to a simulation target signal generation command provided from the antenna controller; An upconverter for upconverting the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator; A divider for distributing the simulated target signal converted by the upconverter; A transceiver for receiving the simulated target signal distributed by the distributor and transmitting the received simulated target signal; And a receiver which receives the simulated target signal transmitted from the transceiver and transmits the simulated target signal to the processor through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

The check transmission path is set to a path where the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator reaches the transceiver through the up-converter and the divider, and the check receiving path is a simulated target signal reached to the transceiver. And a path that reaches the processor through the ADC.

As described above, the present invention can perform self-inspection without using additional test equipment such as a simulation target device by using a simulation target signal that simulates information of a target, and simultaneously perform a check of a transmission path and a reception path. The manufacturing cost of the test can be reduced, and the setup and procedure of the test can be simplified to improve the operational efficiency.

In addition, the present invention can simulate the target signal used in the self-check is a self-signal of the system with the same timing synchronization can minimize the influence of the external environment according to the test setup can improve the reliability of the check.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional multi-channel active phased array radar system for performing a self-check.
2 is a block diagram of a multi-channel active phased array radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram of a waveform generator in an embodiment of the invention.
4 and 5 are signal waveform diagrams for describing an operation of the waveform generator of FIG. 3.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a normal operation mode of a multi-channel active phased array radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a multichannel active phased array radar system and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram of a multi-channel active phased array radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, a self-check mode for generating a simulated target signal and checking a transmission path and a reception path will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-channel active phased array radar system 1 according to the present embodiment may include a processing unit 100 and an antenna unit 200.

The processor 100 generates a simulation target signal generation command in response to the detection target of the simulation target, and provides the simulation target signal to the antenna unit 200. The antenna unit 200 transmits waveform information such as the magnitude, period, and width of the waveform and the transmission frequency. ) Can be provided.

The antenna unit 200 is a target of the simulation target, such as the speed of the simulation target and the distance of the target based on the information such as waveform information and transmission frequency provided from the processing unit 100 by the simulation target signal generation command provided from the processing unit 100 The simulation target signal including the information may be generated and the generated simulation target signal may be supplied to the processing unit 100 through the transmission path for inspection and the reception path for inspection. The check transmission path and the check receiving path are paths set inside the antenna unit 200 for self-checking.

Referring to FIG. 2, the antenna unit 200 includes an antenna controller 210, a waveform generator 220, an up-converter 230, a divider 240, a transceiver 250, a receiver 270, and an analog-to-analog converter. A digital converter 280.

The transmission path for inspection means a path in which the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator 220 reaches the transceiver 250 through the up-converter 230 and the divider 240 as shown in ① of FIG. 2. .

As shown in (2) of FIG. 2, the check receiving path refers to a path through which the simulated target signal reaching the transceiver reaches the processing unit 100 through the receiver 270 and the ADC 280.

When the antenna controller 210 receives the simulation target signal generation command from the processor 100, the antenna controller 210 transmits the received simulation target signal generation command to the waveform generator 220. In addition, the antenna controller 210 transmits a timing signal and a pulse width for generating the simulated target signal under the control of the processing unit 100 and outputs the distance information of the simulated target to the waveform generator 220. To provide.

The waveform generator 220 transmits a timing signal, a pulse width, and a target distance information transmitted from the antenna controller 210 in response to a simulation target signal generation command transmitted from the antenna controller 210. Generates a simulated target signal of an intermediate frequency (IF) band using.

3 is a block diagram of a waveform generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the waveform generator 220 may include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) 222 and a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) 224.

The FPGA 222 operates in response to the simulation target signal generation command transmitted from the antenna controller 210, and transmits a timing signal, a pulse width, and a target of a transmission timing signal transmitted from the antenna controller 210. Waveform start and stop timing signals and waveform control signals are generated for generating simulated target signals using distance information.

4 illustrates waveform start and stop timing signals generated by a field programmable gate array (FPGA) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The FPGA 222 may generate the waveform start and stop timing signals using the transmission pulse width at a time delayed in response to the distance information of the target from the transmission timing of the transmission timing signal received through the antenna controller 210. have.

In this case, the distance information R of the target may be expressed as in Equation 1 below.

Here, T means a delay time delayed by distance information of the target. For example, in order to simulate a target distance having a distance of 12 km of the simulated target, the waveform start and stop timing signals may start the waveform at a time when 80 µs is delayed based on the falling edge of the transmission timing signal.

The waveform control signal generated by the FPGA 222 may include phase information for controlling the start phase of the simulation target signal, frequency components of the signal reflected according to the speed of the simulation target among the target information of the simulation target, and the like. .

The DDS 224 generates a simulated target signal as shown in FIG. 5 using the waveform start and stop timing signals and waveform control signals generated by the FPGA 222. That is, the DDS 224 generates a simulated target signal in response to the waveform start and stop timing signals.

The DDS 224 generates a simulated target signal by performing frequency modulation using phase information for controlling the start phase of the simulated target signal included in the waveform control signal and frequency components of the reflected signal according to the speed of the simulated target. Can be.

The up-converter 230 up-converts the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator 220 as described above and delivers it to the divider 240. The distributor 240 distributes the simulated target signal converted by the up-converter 230 in correspondence with the plurality of channels and transmits the simulated target signal to the transceiver 250. The transceiver 250 receives the simulated target signal distributed through the distributor 240. The transceiver 250 receives the simulated target signal from the distributor 240 through a plurality of channels.

On the other hand, when the system operates in the normal operation mode for the detection of the actual target unlike the self-check mode of the present embodiment, the RF signal generated by the waveform generator 220 and the generated RF signal through a predetermined normal operation path It may be transmitted to the antenna element 260.

When the multi-channel active phased array radar system 1 according to the present embodiment operates in the self-check mode, a path leading to the up-converter 230, the divider 240, and the transceiver 250 may be set as a check transmission path. Can be.

The transceiver 250 transmits the simulated target signal received through the distributor 240 to the receiver 270 as the end point of the check transmission path and the start point of the check receiving path. The receiver 270 transfers the delivered simulated target signal to the ADC 280. The ADC 280 transmits the received simulation target signal to the processor 100.

That is, the simulated target signal transmitted from the waveform generator 220 includes a check transmission path leading to the up-converter 230, the divider 240, and the transceiver 250, the transceiver 250, the receiver 270, and the ADC 280. And the check receiving path leading to the processing unit 100 is reached to the processing unit 100.

The processor 100 extracts target information from the simulated target signal provided through the check transmission path and the check receiving path, and compares the extracted target information with the target information of the simulated target that is the target of the simulation target signal. It is possible to determine whether there is an abnormality in the transmission path for inspection and the reception path for inspection.

The multi-channel active phased array radar system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is not a method of radiating a simulated target signal through the antenna element 260, but a transmission path for inspection and inspection of the simulated target signal in the system. The transmission and reception path of the system can be checked by passing the reception path and analyzing the simulated target signal passing through the inspection transmission path and the inspection reception path.

6 is a view for explaining a normal operation mode of the multi-channel active phased array radar system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the multi-channel active phased array radar system 1 according to the present embodiment operates in a normal operation mode for detection of an actual target instead of a self-check mode, the waveform generator 220 may not only simulate the target signal but also perform the normal operation mode. An RF signal may be generated and supplied to the up-converter 230.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the waveform generator 220 generates a path control signal so that the up-converter 230 selects a normal operation path for the self-check mode or the normal operation mode based on the path control information of the processor 100. It generates and transfers to the up-converter 230.

The up-converter 230 may select the aforementioned self-checking path or the path for the normal operation mode by the path control signal transmitted from the waveform generator 220.

As described above, according to the modified form of the multi-channel active phased array radar system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the self-check is required during the normal operation mode operation of the system, the self-check mode can be easily performed.

1: Multichannel Active Phased Array Radar System
100: processing unit
200: antenna unit
210: antenna controller
220: waveform generator
222: Field Programmable Gate Array
224: Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS)
230: upconverter
240: distributor
260: antenna element
270: receiver
280: ADC

Claims (15)

In a multi-channel active phased array radar system,
A processing unit for generating a simulation target signal generation command for instructing to generate a simulation target signal that simulates target information of a simulation target previously defined, and information on a transmission waveform of the simulation target signal; And
The simulation target signal is generated by using the information on the transmission waveform provided from the processing unit by the simulation target signal generation command, and the processing unit generates the simulated target signal through a preset transmission path for inspection and a reception receiving path. Including an antenna unit to provide,
And the processing unit analyzes a simulation target signal provided through the check transmission path and the check receiving path to determine whether the check transmission path and the check receiving path are abnormal. The method of claim 1,
The processing unit analyzes the simulation target signal provided through the inspection transmission path and the inspection reception path to extract target information, and compares the extracted extraction target information with the target information of the simulation target to check the transmission path and inspection. A multi-channel active phased array radar system characterized in that it determines whether the reception path for the purpose. The method of claim 1,
The target information of the simulation target is a multi-channel active phased array radar system comprising the speed of the simulation target and the target distance. The method of claim 1,
And the antenna unit sequentially passes the simulation target signal through a check transmission path and a check receiving path. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna unit,
When the simulation target signal generation command is received from the processing unit, the transmission timing signal and transmission pulse width for generating the simulation target signal by the received simulation target signal generation command and the control of the processing unit, and the distance of the simulation target. An antenna controller for providing information;
A waveform generator for generating a simulated target signal using the transmit timing signal, the transmit pulse width, and the distance information of the simulated target provided from the antenna controller in response to a simulation target signal generation command provided from the antenna controller;
An upconverter for upconverting the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator;
A divider for distributing the simulated target signal converted by the upconverter;
A transceiver for receiving the simulated target signal distributed by the distributor and transmitting the received simulated target signal; And
And a receiver for receiving the simulated target signal transmitted from the transceiver and transmitting the simulated target signal to the processing unit through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The method of claim 5,
The check transmission path is set to a path through which the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator reaches the transceiver via the upconverter and the divider,
And the check receiving path is set as a path through which the simulated target signal reaching the transceiver reaches the processor through the receiver and the ADC. The method of claim 5, wherein the waveform generator,
Start and stop the waveform for generating the simulated target signal using the timing signal, the transmit pulse width, and the target distance information transmitted from the antenna controller in response to the simulation target signal generation command transmitted from the antenna controller. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) for generating timing signals and waveform control signals; And
And a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) for generating the simulated target signal by using the waveform start and stop timing signals and the waveform control signal generated by the FPGA. The method of claim 7, wherein
In the FPGA, the waveform start and stop timing signals are generated using the transmission pulse width at a time delayed corresponding to the distance information of the target from the transmission timing of the transmission timing signal. system. The method of claim 7, wherein
In the FPGA, the waveform control signal comprises a frequency component of the signal reflected according to the speed of the simulation target of the phase information for controlling the start phase of the simulation target signal and the target information of the simulation target. Channel Active Phased Array Radar System. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the DDS generates the simulated target signal by using the phase information and generates the simulated target signal by modulating a frequency by using the frequency component. The method of claim 5,
The waveform generator, when instructed to operate in the normal operation mode for the detection of the actual target by the processor, generates an RF signal for the normal operation mode and supplies to the up-converter,
And the up-converter outputs the RF signal through a predetermined normal operation path according to path control information of the processor. In the control method of a multi-channel active phased array radar system comprising an antenna unit and a processing unit,
Providing a simulation target signal generation command for instructing the processing unit to generate a simulation target signal simulating predefined target information of the simulation target, and information on a transmission waveform of the simulation target signal;
The antenna unit generates the simulation target signal by using the information of the transmission waveform provided from the processing unit by the simulation target signal generation command, and generates the check target transmission path and the check receiving path which are set in advance. Providing through; And
And the processor analyzing the simulation target signal provided through the check transmission path and the check receiving path to determine whether the check transmission path and the check receiving path are abnormal. Control method of array radar system. The method of claim 12,
The determining of the abnormality of the check transmission path and the check receiving path includes analyzing target simulation signals provided through the check transmission path and check receiving path, extracting target information, and extracting the extracted target information. And controlling the target information of the simulated targets. The method of claim 12, wherein the antenna unit,
When the simulation target signal generation command is received from the processing unit, the transmission timing signal and transmission pulse width for generating the simulation target signal by the received simulation target signal generation command and the control of the processing unit, and the distance of the simulation target. An antenna controller for providing information;
A waveform generator for generating a simulated target signal using the transmit timing signal, the transmit pulse width, and the distance information of the simulated target provided from the antenna controller in response to a simulation target signal generation command provided from the antenna controller;
An upconverter for upconverting the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator;
A divider for distributing the simulated target signal converted by the upconverter;
A transceiver for receiving the simulated target signal distributed by the distributor and transmitting the received simulated target signal; And
And a receiver for receiving a simulated target signal transmitted from the transceiver and transmitting the simulated target signal to the processing unit through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). 15. The method of claim 14,
The check transmission path is set to a path through which the simulated target signal generated by the waveform generator reaches the transceiver via the upconverter and the divider,
And wherein the check receiving path is set as a path through which the simulated target signal reached to the transceiver reaches the processing unit via the receiver and the ADC.

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