KR102363962B1 - System, method, computer-readable storage medium and computer program for photon-based target detection - Google Patents

Abstract

A photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment multiplies the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and an optical signal including photons based on the frequency-multiplied Stepped Chirp Waveform signal. an optical signal modulator that modulates a transmitter for transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target; a receiver configured to receive a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission; and a target information calculator configured to calculate information about the target in consideration of the received signal.

Description

Photon-based target detection system, method, computer-readable recording medium and computer program

The present invention relates to a photon-based target detection system, method, computer-readable recording medium and computer program.

In general, a target detection system (for example, it may be a radar system) using an RF (Radio Frequency)-based electronic device is used for military and civil purposes in order to perform the mission of detection and monitoring and reconnaissance of unmanned aerial vehicles, vehicles, ships, etc. is being used as Recently, as the demand for performance improvement of remote sensing systems increases, the application fields of target detection systems (e.g., radar systems), which have been limited to conventional detection and surveillance and reconnaissance, increase the demand for performance enhancement such as multi-function and multi-band surveillance. there is a situation.

Therefore, in order to overcome the technical limitations of a target detection system (eg, a radar system) using an existing electronic device (eg, it may be an electronic device based on a radio frequency (RF)), photon-based microwave technology ( Microwave photonics) have been proposed, and these photonic-based microwave technologies have advantages such as broadband, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), low loss and low propagation distortion, high frequency flexibility, and wide bandwidth.

However, in order to apply the photonic-based microwave technology to actual applications, a technology capable of freely changing the bandwidth is required. There are difficulties such as the occurrence of

Korean Patent Publication, No. 20-0225811 (Registered on June 1, 2001)

An object of the present invention is to provide a photon-based target detection system, method, computer-readable recording medium, and computer program.

In addition, by using a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal in a photon-based target detection system, as the bandwidth of the signal increases, an image about a target acquired through a photon-based target detection system (eg, outside the target) It may be an image related to), and the like may be included in the problem to be solved by the present invention.

However, the problems to be solved of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems to be solved that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the following description. will be.

A photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment multiplies the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and includes a photon based on the frequency-multiplied Stepped Chirp Waveform signal. an optical signal modulator for modulating a signal; a transmitter for transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target; a receiver configured to receive a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission; and a target information calculator configured to calculate information about the target in consideration of the received signal.

In addition, a laser diode that generates the optical signal and provides it to the optical signal modulator may be further included.

In addition, it may further include a step chirp waveform signal generator to generate the step chirp waveform signal to provide to the optical signal modulator.

In addition, the optical signal modulator may include a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DPMZM).

In addition, the information about the target may include at least one of an image related to a speed of the target, a distance from the photon-based target detection system to the target, and an appearance of the target.

In addition, the receiver may receive the modulated optical signal from the transmitter, and the target information calculator may calculate the target information by additionally considering the modulated optical signal received from the receiver.

A target detection method according to an embodiment is a target detection method performed through a photon-based target detection system, and multiplies the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and the frequency is multiplied. modulating an optical signal comprising photons based on a step chirp waveform signal; transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target; and receiving a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission; It may include calculating information about the target in consideration of the received signal.

In addition, the information about the target may include at least one of an image related to a speed of the target, a distance from the photon-based target detection system to the target, and an appearance of the target.

In addition, the calculating of the information on the target may include calculating the information on the target by additionally considering the modulated optical signal.

A computer-readable recording medium according to an embodiment is a computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal modulating an optical signal including a photon based on the multiplied step chirp waveform signal multiplied by a predetermined ratio, and transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target; It may include instructions for causing the processor to perform a method comprising receiving a signal reflected from the signal and calculating information about the target in consideration of the received signal.

A computer-readable program according to an embodiment is a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal is set to a predetermined value. modulating an optical signal comprising a photon based on the multiplied ratio and frequency-multiplied step chirp waveform signal; transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target; and reflecting from the target in response to the transmission. It may include instructions for causing the processor to perform a method including receiving the received signal and calculating information about the target in consideration of the received signal.

A photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment multiplies the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio and uses a general signal (eg, a continuous waveform) that does not have a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW). It is relatively easy to implement a wider frequency bandwidth than when using a signal having a (CW: Continuous wave)).

In addition, since the photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment can relatively easily implement a wide frequency bandwidth, the image of the periphery of the target obtained through the photon-based target detection system using the wide frequency bandwidth The resolution may be increased, and accordingly, stealth target detection having a low radar cross section (RCS), high-resolution imaging detection, and the like may be performed.

In addition, as the photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment uses a step chirp waveform (SCW) signal having a small instantaneous bandwidth, the signal to noise ratio of the signal reflected from the target and the reception sensitivity etc. can be improved.

In addition, the photon-based target detection system (or photon-based radar system) according to an embodiment is heavier than a general target detection system (or radar system) that does not operate based on photons, in terms of weight, efficiency, system stability, detection speed, and resolution etc. can be improved.

1 is a block diagram of a photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a step chirp waveform signal generated by a step chirp waveform signal generator according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is a diagram comparing the resolution of a target image according to a signal bandwidth used in a photon-based target detection system according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for detecting a target according to an embodiment.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

In describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a well-known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in an embodiment of the present invention, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users and operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

1 is a block diagram of a photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment.

In this case, the photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment may include a photon-based radar system, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment may include an optical signal modulator 110 , a transmitter 120 , a receiver 130 , and a target information calculator 140 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the photon-based target detection system 100 may further include a laser diode 103 and a step chirp waveform signal generator 105 . In addition, the photon-based target detection system 100 and each of the components included therein may be implemented in the form of a software module or a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module, for example, a computer or a smart device, etc. Each of the components may be electrically connected.

The laser diode 103 may generate an optical signal including photons.

Here, a photon is a quantum constituting all electromagnetic waves including visible light, and is a particle of light or other electromagnetic energy.

The step chirp waveform signal generator 105 may generate a stepped chirp waveform (SCW) signal. Here, the Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal is a continuous signal in which a frequency treated as a unit increases or decreases according to a preset criterion. In this case, the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 may continuously generate a stepped chirp waveform (SCW) signal.

As an embodiment, the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 may generate a stepped chirp waveform (SCW) signal through a plurality of radio frequency (RF)-based electronic devices.

In more detail, the step chirp waveform (SCW) signal generated by the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 is a plurality of sub-chirp waveforms whose frequencies are linearly increased with time within one burst. It is a signal including a, and such a step chirp waveform (SCW) signal is relatively easy to implement a wider frequency bandwidth than a signal that does not have a step chirp waveform (SCW).

Here, the burst means a continuous signal treated as a unit according to a preset standard.

In addition, here, chirp (or chirp, chirp) means a signal whose frequency increases or decreases over time.

The optical signal modulator 110 may receive an optical signal including photons generated from the laser diode 103 , and also input a step chirp waveform (SCW) signal generated from the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 . can receive

In more detail, the optical signal modulator 110 multiplies the frequency of a stepped chirp waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and modulates an optical signal including photons based on the frequency-multiplied step chirp waveform signal. can do it

For example, in the optical signal modulator 110 , the step chirp waveform (SCW) signal input from the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 has a frequency bandwidth of 1 GHz, and is frequency-multiplied by the optical signal modulator 110 . Assuming that the predetermined ratio is 4, the frequency of the step chirp waveform (SCW) signal is multiplied based on the predetermined ratio of 4, and the step chirp waveform (SCW) signal input from the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 is It can be made to have a frequency bandwidth of 4 GHz.

Meanwhile, the optical signal modulator 110 may include a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DPMZM), but is not limited thereto.

The transmitter 120 may transmit the optical signal modulated by the optical signal modulator 110 to a target (not shown).

As an embodiment, the transmitter 120 may include an optical coupler 123 (Optical coupler), a transmit optical detector 125 (PD: Photo Detector), and a transmit antenna 127 (TX antenna).

The optical coupler 123 may transmit the optical signal modulated from the optical signal modulator 110 to the transmission optical detector 125 .

In this case, the optical coupler 123 may transmit a modulated optical signal to the receiving unit 130 to be described later, but is not limited thereto.

The transmit photo detector 125 (PD: Photo Detector) may convert the modulated optical signal received from the optical coupler 123 into an electrical signal.

The transmit antenna 127 (TX antenna) may transmit an electrical signal received from the transmit photodetector 125 to a target (not shown).

The receiver 130 may receive a signal reflected from a target (not shown) in response to the transmission of the transmitter 120 .

As an embodiment, the receiving unit 130 includes a receiving antenna 131 (RX antenna), an amplifier (133, LNA: Low Noise Amplifier), a phase modulator (135, PM: Phase Modulator), and a receiving photodetector (137, PD: Photo). Detector) and an analog-to-digital converter (139, ADC: Analog-Digital Converter).

The receiving antenna 131 (RX antenna) may receive a signal reflected from a target (not shown).

The amplifier 133 (LNA: Low Noise Amplifier) may amplify a signal (a signal reflected from a target) received from the reception antenna 131 . For example, the amplifier 133 may include a low noise amplifier (LNA). In this case, the noise of the signal (reflected signal from the target) transmitted from the receiving antenna 131 may be reduced and the signal can be amplified.

The phase modulator 135 (PM) may modulate the phase of the signal received from the amplifier 133 (LNA).

The reception photodetector 137 (PD: Photo Detector) may convert the signal received from the phase modulator 135 into an electrical signal.

Meanwhile, the phase modulator 135 may receive the modulated optical signal from the optical coupler 123 and transmit the received modulated optical signal to the reception optical detector 137 , in which case the reception optical detector 137 receives the received optical signal. A modulated optical signal may be detected and converted into an electrical signal.

An analog-to-digital converter (ADC: Analog-Digital Converter) may receive an electrical signal from the reception photodetector 137 and convert the received electrical signal into a digital signal, and the converted digital signal may be used as target information to be described later. It can be transmitted to the calculator 140 .

In more detail, the analog-to-digital converter 139 corresponds to the transmission of the electrical signal for the modulated optical signal received from the reception optical detector 137 through the optical coupler 123 and the transmission unit 120, reflected from the target. It is possible to receive an electrical signal for the signal. Also, the analog-to-digital converter 139 may convert each received electrical signal into a digital signal and transmit it to the target information calculating unit 140 .

The target information calculating unit 140 may calculate information about the target (not shown) in consideration of the signal received from the receiving unit 130 (which may be the signal received from the analog-to-digital converter 139 ).

In more detail, the target information calculator 140 generates a digital signal for the modulated optical signal received from the analog-to-digital converter 139 and a digital signal for the signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission of the transmitter 120 . Based on the comparison, information on the target can be calculated.

In this case, the target information may include at least one of information about the speed of the target, the distance from the photon-based target detection system 100 to the target, and an image regarding the appearance of the target, but is not limited thereto.

2 is a diagram for explaining a step chirp waveform signal generated by the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2 , a stepped chirp waveform (SCW) signal generated by the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 includes a plurality of sub-steps whose frequencies are linearly increased with time within one burst. - A signal containing a sub-chirp waveform.

In this case, it may be difficult in terms of time or cost to widen the frequency bandwidth with only one RF (Radio Frequency)-based electronic device. Frequency)-based electronic device can generate a step chirp waveform (SCW) signal, so it can be easily expanded to a frequency bandwidth desired by a user in terms of time, cost, or production.

In addition, the photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment can be easily expanded to a frequency bandwidth desired by a user in terms of time, cost, or production by using a step chirp waveform signal, so that the photon-based target detection system The resolution of the target image calculated through (100) may be increased.

3 is a diagram comparing the resolution of a target image according to a signal bandwidth used in the photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3 , as the frequency bandwidth of a signal used in the photon-based target detection system 100 or the photon-based radar system according to an embodiment increases, the photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment Alternatively, it may be confirmed that the resolution of the target image (eg, the image of the outside of the target) generated through the photon-based radar system is increased.

In more detail, if a frequency bandwidth of a signal used in the photon-based target detection system 100 or a photon-based radar system according to an embodiment is 0.5 GHz, the target (here, the target is a drone) It can be seen that the shape of the target (drone) cannot be properly checked because the resolution of the image is low.

However, when the frequency bandwidth of the signal used in the photon-based target detection system 100 or the photon-based radar system according to an embodiment is 2 GHz, when the resolution of the target (drone) image is 0.5 GHz, the frequency bandwidth is 0.5 GHz As it becomes higher, it can be confirmed that the shape of the target can be seen.

In particular, the case where the frequency bandwidth of the signal used in the photon-based target detection system (100, or the photon-based radar system) according to an embodiment is 8 GHz and the case where the frequency bandwidth of the signal used is 0.5 GHz, 2 GHz, and 4 GHz In comparison, it can be seen that the resolution of the target (drone) image is the highest when the frequency bandwidth of the signal used is 8 GHz.

In contrast, the photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment uses the step chirp frequency waveform (SCW) signal generated by the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 to generate a step chirp frequency waveform (SCW). It is relatively easy to implement a wider frequency bandwidth than a continuous waveform (CW) signal that does not have, and furthermore, the optical signal modulator 110 adjusts the frequency of the signal having the step chirp frequency waveform (SCW) at a predetermined ratio. By multiplying, the frequency bandwidth of the step chirp frequency waveform (SCW) signal can be adjusted to be larger.

Therefore, the photon-based target detection system 100 according to an embodiment greatly adjusts the frequency bandwidth by using a step chirp frequency waveform (SCW) signal, and the photon-based target detection system 100 (or photon-based radar system) It is possible to increase the resolution of the image of the target acquired in

4 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for detecting a target according to an embodiment. The target detection method shown in FIG. 4 can be performed by the photon-based target detection system 100 shown in FIG. 1 . In addition, the target detection method illustrated in FIG. 4 is merely exemplary.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the optical signal modulator 110 multiplies the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and the optical signal including photons based on the frequency-multiplied Stepped Chirp Waveform signal. The signal can be modulated (step S10).

In more detail, the optical signal modulator 110 includes an optical signal including photons generated from the laser diode 103 and a stepped chirp waveform (SCW) generated from the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 . ) signal can be input.

Here, a photon is a quantum constituting all electromagnetic waves including visible light, and is a particle of light or other electromagnetic energy.

At this time, the optical signal modulator 110 multiplies the frequency of the stepped chirp waveform (SCW) signal input from the step chirp waveform signal generator 105 by a predetermined ratio, and the frequency-multiplied step chirp waveform signal It is possible to modulate the optical signal input from the laser diode 103 based on the

The transmitter 120 may receive the optical signal modulated from the optical signal modulator 110 and transmit it to a target (not shown) (step S20 ).

In more detail, the optical coupler 123 (Optical Coupler) of the transmission unit 120 receives the modulated optical signal from the optical signal modulator 110, and the transmission optical detector 125 (PD: Photo Detector) is the optical coupler 123. Converts the modulated optical signal received from the electric signal, and the transmit antenna 127 (TX antenna) may transmit the electric signal received from the transmit photodetector 125 to the target.

The receiver 130 may receive a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission of the transmitter 120 (step S30).

In more detail, the receiving antenna (131, RX antenna) of the receiving unit 130 receives the signal reflected from the target, and the amplifier (133, LNA) receives the signal transmitted from the receiving antenna 131 (the signal reflected from the target) noise is reduced and the signal is amplified and transmitted to the receiving photodetector 137 (PD: Photo Detector), and the receiving photodetector 137 may convert the signal received from the amplifier 133 into an electrical signal. Also, the analog-to-digital converter 139 (ADC) may convert the signal received from the reception photodetector 137 into a digital signal and transmit it to the target information calculator 140 .

In more detail, the analog-to-digital converter 139 corresponds to the transmission of the electrical signal for the modulated optical signal received from the reception optical detector 137 through the optical coupler 123 and the transmission unit 120, reflected from the target. It is possible to receive an electrical signal for the signal, convert each of the received electrical signals into a digital signal, and transmit the received electrical signal to the target information calculating unit 140 .

The target information calculating unit 140 may calculate information about the target in consideration of the signal received by the receiving unit 130 (step S40).

In more detail, the target information calculator 140 generates a digital signal for the modulated optical signal received from the analog-to-digital converter 139 and a digital signal for the signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission of the transmitter 120 . Based on the comparison, information on the target can be calculated.

In this case, the information about the target may include information about at least one of the speed of the target, the distance from the photon-based target detection system 100 to the target, and the image regarding the appearance of the target, but is not limited thereto.

As described above, the photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment multiplies the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio and uses a general that does not have a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW). It is relatively easy to implement a wider frequency bandwidth than when using a signal (eg, a signal having a continuous waveform (CW: continuous wave)).

In addition, since the photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment can relatively easily implement a wide frequency bandwidth, the image of the periphery of the target obtained through the photon-based target detection system using the wide frequency bandwidth The resolution may be increased, and accordingly, stealth target detection having a low radar cross section (RCS), high-resolution imaging detection, and the like may be performed.

In addition, as the photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment uses a step chirp waveform (SCW) signal having a small instantaneous bandwidth, the signal to noise ratio of the signal reflected from the target and the reception sensitivity etc. can be improved.

In addition, the photon-based target detection system (or photon-based radar system) according to an embodiment is heavier than a general target detection system (or radar system) that does not operate based on photons, in terms of weight, efficiency, system stability, detection speed, and resolution etc. can be improved.

In addition, the photon-based target detection system according to an embodiment can be applied in various fields as well as in the civil field as well as in the military field, so that it can be used in the field of future advanced technology where research and development are actively being conducted centered on military advanced countries.

On the other hand, the method according to this embodiment can be implemented in the form of a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium programmed to perform each step of the method, and also includes a computer program programmed to perform each step of the method. It can be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium for storing.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential quality of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: photon-based target detection system
103: laser diode
105: step chirp waveform signal generation unit
110: optical signal modulator
120: transmitter
130: receiver
140: target information calculation unit

Claims (11)

a laser diode for generating an optical signal including photons;
an optical signal modulator for multiplying the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio and modulating the optical signal provided from the laser diode based on the frequency-multiplied Stepped Chirp Waveform signal;
a transmitter for transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target;
a receiver configured to receive a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission; and
Comprising a target information calculation unit for calculating information about the target in consideration of the received signal
Photon-based target detection system. delete The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a step chirp waveform signal generator for generating the step chirp waveform signal and providing it to the optical signal modulator
Photon-based target detection system. The method of claim 1,
The optical signal modulator,
Dual-Parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DPMZM)
containing
Photon-based target detection system. The method of claim 1,
Information about the target,
comprising at least one of an image relating to the speed of the target, the distance from the photon-based target detection system to the target, and the appearance of the target
Photon-based target detection system. The method of claim 1,
The receiving unit,
receiving the modulated optical signal from the transmitter,
The target information calculation unit,
calculating information about the target by additionally considering the modulated optical signal received from the receiver
Photon-based target detection system. As a target detection method performed through a photon-based target detection system,
generating an optical signal comprising photons through a laser diode;
Multiplying the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and modulating the optical signal provided from the laser diode based on the frequency-multiplied Stepped Chirp Waveform signal;
transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target;
receiving a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission;
Comprising the step of calculating information about the target in consideration of the received signal
target detection method. 8. The method of claim 7,
Information about the target,
comprising at least one of an image relating to the speed of the target, the distance from the photon-based target detection system to the target, and the appearance of the target
target detection method. 8. The method of claim 7,
Calculating the information about the target comprises:
calculating information about the target by additionally considering the modulated optical signal
target detection method. As a computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program,
The computer program, when executed by a processor,
generating an optical signal comprising photons through a laser diode;
Multiplying the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and modulating the optical signal provided from the laser diode based on the frequency-multiplied Stepped Chirp Waveform signal;
transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target;
receiving a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission;
Including instructions for causing the processor to perform a method comprising calculating information about the target in consideration of the received signal
computer readable recording medium. As a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium,
The computer program, when executed by a processor,
generating an optical signal comprising photons through a laser diode;
Multiplying the frequency of a Stepped Chirp Waveform (SCW) signal by a predetermined ratio, and modulating the optical signal provided from the laser diode based on the frequency-multiplied Stepped Chirp Waveform signal;
transmitting the modulated optical signal to a target;
receiving a signal reflected from the target in response to the transmission;
Including instructions for causing the processor to perform a method comprising calculating information about the target in consideration of the received signal
computer program.

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