RU2497145C1 - Multiband helicopter radar system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: radio engineering, communication.

SUBSTANCE: multiband helicopter radar system includes antenna systems, a driving generator a special-purpose digital computer, an interrogator-responder unit, wherein the antenna systems are in form of a Ka waver range slot antenna array, an X wave range slot antenna array, as well as an L wave band phased antenna array, configured to solve the problem of state target identification and detection in radar mode, wherein the multiband helicopter radar system includes an interrogation/radar mode switch, a Ka wave range transceiving module, an X wave range transceiving module, an L wave range transceiving module, a low-frequency receiving device with an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) and an antenna drive with electromechanical beam stabilisation.

EFFECT: broader functional capabilities, high accuracy of measuring coordinates and probability of target detection, shorter time for scanning airspace with increase in field of view on the elevation angle, high electromagnetic stability of the multiband helicopter radar system.

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Description

The invention relates to the field of radar and can be used in helicopters.

The prior art known radar for a helicopter (Patent RU No. 2256939, published July 20, 2005, IPC: H01S 13/04, H01S 13/90). A helicopter radar station consists of two scanning antenna arrays located in the helicopter blades, a transmitting device, a circulator, a receiving device, a master oscillator, a digital signal processor, a synchronizer, an angle sensor, a digital data processor, an indicator, a rotating transition, two separation filters.

The disadvantages of a radar station include the impossibility of implementing a detection mode for meteorological hazards dangerous for the flight, their intensity and distance to them, great restrictions on the detection of obstacles dangerous for the flight in the direction of flight of the aircraft, wires of power lines of airborne objects at a height greater than the height of the carrier. Such a radar station has large losses in energy potential due to the sewage of microwave energy from the transmitter to the antennas located in the helicopter blades.

Known helicopter radar station for detecting ground obstacles (Application RU No. 2005110343 published October 20, 2006, IPC: G01S 13/04, G01S13 / 90). The radar station includes an antenna system consisting of two scanning antenna arrays located in the helicopter blades, a rotating transition, a transmitting device, a circulator, a receiving device, a master oscillator, a digital signal processor, including a sum-difference diagram processing device consisting of a module device, a switch , two memory devices, a sum device, two difference devices, two multiplication devices, an angle sensor synchronizer, a digital data processor and an indicator. Moreover, a fencing device consisting of a difference device and two multiplication devices is introduced into the signal processor.

The disadvantages of this radar station include the fact that it is intended only for the detection of ground obstacles.

The closest in technical essence is a helicopter radar system (Patent RU No. 2344439, published January 20, 2009, IPC: G01S 13/00), which is selected as a prototype. The helicopter radar complex contains a radar station, consisting of two scanning antenna arrays, a rotating transition, a receiving device, a master oscillator, an onboard computer complex. In this case, the radar station includes two output power amplifiers, a second rotating transition, a second receiving device, a drive in elevation, a drive in azimuth, and all the blocks of the radar station, except the on-board computer complex, are located above the rotor hub of the helicopter. As well as the helicopter radar system contains state identification equipment, including an active phased antenna array of the decimeter wave band of the right wing, an active phased antenna array of the decimeter wave band of the left wing, a transponder-transponder unit, and also a specialized digital computer.

The disadvantages of this technical solution include the insufficiently high probability of detecting targets, as well as the large viewing time with a small viewing sector by elevation, insufficient accuracy of coordinate measurements and electromagnetic stability of the helicopter radar system.

The technical result of the invention consists in expanding the functionality, increasing the accuracy of measuring coordinates and the probability of detecting a target, reducing the viewing time of airspace with increasing the field of view in elevation, increasing the electromagnetic stability of a multi-range helicopter radar system.

The technical result is achieved due to the fact that the multiband helicopter radar system contains antenna systems, a master oscillator, a specialized digital computer (SCM), and a transponder-transponder unit. Moreover, it differs from the prototype in that the antenna systems are made in the form of a slotted antenna array (ALB) of the Ka-wave band, a slot antenna array (ALB) of the X-wave band, as well as a phased antenna array (PAR) of the L-wave band, made with the possibility of solving the tasks of state target recognition and target detection in radar mode, the multi-range helicopter radar system further includes a request / radar switch (RL) mode, a Ka-wave transceiver module, X-band transceiver module, L-wave transceiver module, low-frequency receiver with analog-to-digital converter (ADC), antenna drive with electromechanical beam stabilization.

Moreover, the input-output of the SCHAR of the Ka-wave band is connected to the input-output of the transceiver module of the Ka-wave band, the input-output of the SCHAR of the X-wave band is connected to the input-output of the transceiver module of the X-wave band, the input-output of the headlamp of the L-wave band is connected with the first input-output switch request / RL mode, the second input-output of which is connected to the input-output of the transceiver module of the L-wave band. Moreover, the inputs of the transceiver module of the Ka-wave band, the transceiver module of the X-wave band, the transceiver module of the L-wave band are interconnected with the first output of the master oscillator, the second output of which is connected to the first input of the transponder-transponder unit, and its input-output is connected with the input-output of a specialized digital computer, the first output of which is connected to the second input of the transponder-transponder unit. The second output of a specialized digital computer is connected to the second input of the request / RL mode switch, the first input of which is connected to the output of the transponder-transponder block. The outputs of the transceiver module of the Ka-wave band, the transceiver module of the X-wave band, the transceiver module of the L-wave band are connected respectively to the first, second and third inputs of the low-frequency receiver with the ADC, which is connected to a specialized digital computer, an antenna drive with electromechanical beam stabilization, transponder-transponder unit via the bus, which is the input of on-board electronic equipment (avionics) designed to transmit rad olokatsionnogo image space on the multi-indicator is a helicopter pilot.

The invention is illustrated in the figure, which shows a structural diagram of a multi-range helicopter radar system, including the following blocks:

1 - slot antenna array (SHCHAR) of the Ka-wave range;

2 - slot antenna array (ALB) of the X-wave band;

3 - phased antenna array (PAR) of the L-wave band;

4 - switch request / radar (RL) mode;

5 - transceiver module of the Ka-wave range;

6 - transceiver module of the X-wave band;

7 - transceiver module of the L-wave band;

8 - block transponder transponder;

9 - master oscillator;

10 - low-frequency receiving device with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC);

11 - specialized digital computer (STsVM);

12 - antenna drive with electromechanical beam stabilization.

The helicopter radar system is multi-band, which allows for work in the Ka (millimeter), X (centimeter) and L (decimeter) ranges.

For radiation and reception of signals in the millimeter and centimeter wavelength ranges, antenna systems are used made in the form of slot antenna arrays (SCAR) of the corresponding wavelength range. The use of slot antenna arrays allows reducing the weight of the MVRLK equipment, which is a significant advantage when installing it on a helicopter.

The slotted antenna array (SHCHAR) of the Ka-wave band 1 is configured to receive and emit signals in the millimeter wave band, provides radiation into the space of the probing and receive the reflected signal of the millimeter wave band, participates in the multi-band helicopter radar complex in the modes of viewing the earth's surface, low-altitude flight and continuous direction finding (coordinate measurement) of an air target. SHCHAR of the Ka-wave range forms a total-difference radiation pattern in the horizontal and vertical planes.

The slotted antenna array (SHCHAR) of the X-wave band 2 provides radiation to the probe space and receives the reflected signal in the centimeter wave band, participates in the multiband helicopter radar complex in the airborne surveillance radar systems for detecting aerodynamic targets and meteorological conditions.

The phased antenna array (PAR) of the L-wavelength band 3 emits into space, receives target response signals in the state target recognition mode and reflected signals from the target in the radar airspace survey mode in order to detect aerodynamic objects and measure their coordinates. The headlamp of the L-wave band 3 forms a total radiation pattern in the azimuthal plane and a total-difference radiation pattern in elevation. In this case, one headlamp of the L-wave band 3 is involved both in the fulfillment of the tasks of state target identification and in the detection of an air target in the radar mode.

The switch "request / radar (RL) mode" 4 is made in the microwave design. The switch 4 switches the probing signals of the transponder-transponder unit 8 of the state recognition and the transceiver module of the L-waveband 7. In the reception mode, it provides sewage from the LAR of the L-waveband of 3 signals to the transceiver-transponder unit 8 and the transceiver of the radar mode of the L-band waves 3.

The transceiver module of the Ka-wave band 5 (millimeter range) is multi-channel for reception and single-channel for transmission. The transceiver module 5 is designed to generate and amplify the sounding power and receive signals reflected from objects. Carries out the transfer of the carrier frequency of the received signal into a signal convenient for analog-to-digital conversion, as well as locking the receiving channels for the duration of the radiation of the probing signals. Structurally, it can be performed in a modular design or from several devices, for example, a probe signal amplifier, a Y-circulator, a millimeter-wave receiver, a frequency converter, or combinations thereof.

The transceiver module of the X-wave range 6 (centimeter range) is multi-channel for reception and single-channel for transmission. The transceiver module 7 is designed to form and amplify the power of the probing and. receiving signals reflected from objects. Carries out the transfer of the carrier frequency of the received signal into a signal convenient for analog-to-digital conversion, as well as locking the receiving channels for the duration of the radiation of the probing signals. Structurally, it can be performed in a modular design or from several devices, for example, a probe signal amplifier, a Y-circulator, a centimeter-frequency receiver, a frequency converter, or combinations of such devices.

The transceiver module of the L-waveband 7 (decimeter) is multi-channel for reception and single-channel for transmission. The transceiver module 7 is designed to generate and amplify the sounding power and receive signals reflected from objects. Carries out the transfer of the carrier frequency of the received signal into a signal convenient for analog-to-digital conversion, as well as locking the receiving channels for the duration of the radiation of the probing signals. Structurally, it can be performed in a modular design or from several devices, for example, a probe signal amplifier, a Y-circulator, a decimeter-frequency receiver, a frequency converter, or combinations of such devices.

The transponder-responder unit 8 is intended for generating interrogation signals in the direction of the aircraft, the nationality of which must be determined, as well as receiving and processing the response signals of the same aircraft.

The master oscillator 9, which is the source of the analog signal, is designed to generate continuous highly stable oscillations of the reference frequency for generating probing signals in the transceiver modules of the Ka-band of waves 5, the X-band of waves 6 and the L-band of waves 7 and the formation of coherent heterodyne signals for transmitting received signals as a rule, at the first and second intermediate frequencies, in transceiver modules of 5, 6, 7 millimeter, centimeter and decimeter wave ranges.

A low-frequency receiving device with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 10 is a multi-channel low-frequency device designed to amplify a signal to the level required for analog-to-digital conversion, multi-channel analog-to-digital conversion of a received signal, demodulating the frequency or phase of received signals (if necessary ) This device generates synchronized impulse signals necessary for generating probing signals in transceiver modules 5, 6, 7. The output signals of the low-frequency receiving device with ADC 10 are digital in form and are transmitted via several channels to a specialized digital computer (SCM) 11. Low-frequency receiving a device with ADC 10 and a specialized digital computing machine 11 perform the functions of the on-board computer complex used in the prototype, and their separate execution allows you to increase the electromagnetic stability of MVRLK.

Specialized digital computer (SCM) 11 is designed for multichannel digital signal processing of a low-frequency receiver with ADC 10. Radar control is carried out by software. For this purpose, several control programs that are designed to solve specific problems are set in SCMM 11. SCVM 11 can be performed, for example, as described in the invention patents RU No. 2272317, utility model RU No. 67742.

In accordance with the specified functional software, the SCVM 11 solves all the tasks of the multi-range helicopter radar complex (MVRLK) in detecting objects from reflected signals, determining their coordinates and hazards, as well as determining the class of targets, forming a radar image of the space and then transmitting it to the avionics (BREO) of the helicopter information necessary for solving combat missions by helicopter (Collection of reports “Materials of the XII International Scientific and Technical th Conference "Radiolocation, navigation, communications", 2006, Voronezh).

The antenna drive with electromechanical stabilization of the beam 12 in angular coordinates is intended for placement on it of a slotted antenna array of the SHCHAR of the Ka-wave band 1, slotted antenna array of the SHCHAR of the X-waveband 2, a phased antenna array of the HEADLIGHTER of the L-waveband 3, switch request / RL mode 4, the transceiver module of the Ka-band of waves 5, the transceiver module of the X-band of waves 6 and their movement (scanning) with a stabilized speed according to a certain law established by the SCM 11. In its composition, an antenna drive with electronic omehanicheskoy beam stabilization circuit 12 comprises autonomous stabilization of antenna systems of the helicopter from mechanical impacts for each degree of freedom. Antenna drive with electromechanical stabilization of beam 12 makes it possible to reduce the effect of helicopter mechanical vibrations on the SHA of the Ka-wave band, the SH-ball of the X-wave band and the HEADLAR of the L-wave band, thereby increasing the accuracy of measuring the coordinates of the target and increasing the life of the MRLS.

The proposed scheme of a multi-range helicopter radar system allows us to solve many different problems, providing work in several modes.

Earth Survey Mode (OZP). To ensure this mode, the millimeter wave range is used, the decimeter range can also be used - to detect targets masked by foliage, camouflage nets, turf and the following tasks are solved: mapping the earth (sea) surface, detecting ground moving and fixed targets, determining coordinates and directions the movement of several ground moving targets, the determination of the coordinates of several ground stationary targets.

Airspace Overview (AFP). In this mode, the millimeter (partially), centimeter and decimeter wave ranges are used and the following tasks are solved: detection of aerodynamic targets, determination of coordinates and direction of movement of several air targets, recognition of the class of air targets - an airplane, a helicopter, a “hovering” helicopter. The centimeter and decimeter wave ranges can be used both simultaneously and separately at different times.

Low Altitude Flight Mode (MBP). In this mode, the millimeter wave range is used, and the following tasks are solved: detection of artificial and natural objects (obstacles) dangerous for flying, determination of the height of obstacles and their angular size in azimuth.

Weather detection mode. In this mode, the centimeter and millimeter (partially) wave ranges are used, and the following tasks are solved: detecting the area of meteorological events, determining the intensity of meteorological events and the distance to them, forming an image of meteorological events and issuing it in avionics for display on pilot indicators.

Direction finding mode. In this mode, the millimeter wave range is used, continuous contact is made with the target, its coordinates are measured, which are transmitted via the data bus to the avionics for target designation to more accurate systems, for example, ECO or radar tracking targets operating at higher frequencies of the probing signal than the MRLS.

The regime for determining the nationality of discovered objects. In the MVRLK, the regimes for determining the state ownership of objects are used in accordance with the current regulatory documents in force in the Russian Federation.

The operation of a multi-range helicopter radar system (MVRLK) is as follows. The helicopter crew selects the operating mode. After that, the selected operating mode for the commands coming from the on-board electronic equipment of the helicopter is set via the digital communication channel of the MVRLK.

The master oscillator 9 generates a signal of highly stable continuous sinusoidal oscillation, which comes from the first output of the master oscillator simultaneously to the inputs of the transceiver modules of the Ka-band of waves 5, the X-band of waves 6 and the L-band of waves 7, in which probing signals of their range with the necessary types are formed frequency modulation or phase-shift keying. The power-amplified sounding signals of each transceiver module, upon receipt of permission from the master oscillator to emit signals of both the X-wave band and the L-wave band, or separately in time, enter the antenna system of their range and are emitted into the open space. Depending on the position of the request / RL mode switch, the input signals of the phased array of the L-waveband 3 can be connected to the query signals of the transponder-transponder unit 8 for state recognition of the target, or the transceiver module of the L-waveband 7 for detecting the target. The reflected signals of the millimeter, centimeter, and decimeter wave ranges (in the corresponding modes that the SCMM 11 sets according to the avionics information received via the bus) receive the SCHAR of the Ka-band of waves 1, the SCHAR of the X-band of waves 2 and the HEADLIGHTS of the L-waveband 3 and transmit them to the receiving devices of the transceiver modules of the corresponding ranges in which they are amplified in amplitude and then fed to the inputs of a multi-channel low-frequency receiver with ADC 10, where they are amplified in amplitude, filtered, demodulated and converted tsya in digital form. Digital signals of a multi-channel low-frequency receiver with ADC 10 are transmitted via a bus to the SCMS 11. The SCMS 11, using digital signals of the receiver with the ADC 10 and certain functional software, solves all problems of the MRLS by control signals of the avionics avionics transmitted via the bus to the SCMS 11. Corresponding information of the MVRLK with STsVM 11 in all modes is transmitted via bus to the on-board radio electronic equipment (avionics) of the helicopter with subsequent display on the multifunction indicator (MFI) of the helicopter pilot .

In the state recognition mode, the request / RL mode switch is set by the command of the digital computer 11 to the “request” position and the response signals from the L-range HEADLIGHTS 3 are sent to the transponder-responder unit 8, where, according to certain algorithms, the tasks of state target identification are solved, followed by sending information to Avionics helicopter.

The combination of multi-range software-controlled devices into a single radar system can significantly increase control efficiency and ensure maximum use of the capabilities of each range. This is especially necessary in conditions where ground targets or hundreds of airborne objects disguised in the forest area are located in the visibility range of the VRLK, as well as to ensure high resolution both when detecting objects of various types and when guiding weapons on them (“Millimeter radar "," Radiotekhnika "publishing house, Moscow, 2010)

The proposed scheme for constructing a multi-range helicopter radar system makes it possible to increase the probability of detecting air and ground targets due to the possibility of simultaneous operation of MVRLK in the centimeter and decimeter wave ranges with the subsequent addition of the results of processing the received signals from these wave ranges reflected from the target, to expand its detection and measurement capabilities coordinates of air and ground objects, artificial and natural obstacles, dangerous for meteorological operations, determining the state of the discovered objects, overlaying a radar image on a map of the area. Moreover, the space viewing time decreases with an increase in the viewing sector in elevation due to the wide beam of the L-wave range PAR in the elevation angle. At the same time, one L-wave headlamp is involved in the tasks of state target recognition and target detection in radar mode.

Separate use of a low-frequency receiver with an ADC and a specialized digital computer with software allows you to increase the electromagnetic stability of MVRLK.

The use of an antenna drive with electromechanical stabilization of the beam makes it possible to reduce the effect of helicopter mechanical vibrations on the AHF of the Ka-wave band, the AHM of the X-wave band and the HEADLAR of the L-wave band, thereby increasing the accuracy of measuring the coordinates of the target and increasing the life of the MRLR.

Claims (1)

A multiband helicopter radar system containing antenna systems, a master oscillator, a specialized digital computer (STMS), a transponder / transponder unit, characterized in that the antenna systems are made in the form of a slot antenna array (SCHAR) of the Ka-band wavelength, a gap antenna array (SCAR) ) X-band waves, as well as phased array antenna (PAR) of the L-band waves, made with the possibility of solving the problems of state target recognition and target detection in radar mode, while m multi-range helicopter radar system additionally includes a request / radar switch, a Ka-wave transceiver module, an X-wave transceiver module, an L-wave transceiver module, a low-frequency receiver with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a drive antenna with electromechanical stabilization of the beam, while the input-output of the SCHAR of the Ka-wave band is connected to the input-output of the transceiver module of the Ka-wave band, the input-output of the SCHAR of the X-wave band connected to the input-output of the transceiver module of the X-wave band, the input-output of the headlamp of the L-wave band is connected to the first input-output of the switch request / RL mode, the second input-output of which is connected to the input-output of the transceiver module of the L-wave band, and the inputs of the transceiver module of the Ka-wave band, the transceiver module of the X-wave band, the transceiver module of the L-wave band are connected to each other and to the first output of the master oscillator, the second output of which is connected to the first input of the transceiver-receiver unit sensor, and its input-output is connected to the input-output of a specialized digital computer, the first output of which is connected to the second input of the transponder-transponder unit, the second output of a specialized digital computer is connected to the second input of the request / RL mode switch, the first input of which is connected to the output of the transponder-transponder unit, while the outputs of the transceiver module of the Ka-wave band, the transceiver module of the X-wave band, the transceiver module of the L-wave band are connected respectively respectively, with the first, second and third inputs of a low-frequency receiver with an ADC, which is connected to a specialized digital computer, an antenna drive with electromechanical stabilization of the beam, a transponder-transponder unit via a bus, which is the input of the avionics (radio-electronic equipment) intended for transmitting a radar image space on a multifunctional indicator of a helicopter pilot.

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