Multi-static UAV radar system for mode-adaptive propagation channels with obscured targets
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorAtindra Mitra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Bistatic radar compatible for investigating the employment of a high-altitude UAV working in tandem with a group of low-altitude UAVs. The bistatic radar is divided into a position-adaptive bistatic mode and a close-range monostatic mode. In position-adaptive (robotic) bistatic mode, each low-altitude UAV estimates a new parameter denoted as the differential path length to adaptively implement self-adjustments in position. This approach provides each UAV with the potential for looking down the “throat” of an obscuration channel. In the event that a particular low-altitude UAV detects an obscuration channel, the low-altitude UAV will transfer to a close-range monostatic mode in an effort to interrogate the obscuration channel for targets.
Claims20
A multi-mode, radar method for detecting targets in difficult and obscured environments comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a signal through a channel from a high altitude unmanned air vehicle;
- passively receiving said signal from said transmitting step through a plurality of unmanned air vehicles at a low altitude platform relative to said unmanned air vehicle from said transmitting step,
- determining a differential signal time delay from a time said signal is transmitted at said transmitting step and a time said signal is received at said receiving step, said differential time delay indicating a differential time path obstruction between said high altitude unmanned air vehicle and said unmanned air vehicle at said low altitude platform;
- monitoring said signal time delay by said low altitude platform unmanned air vehicles and converging to a point that corresponds to a minimum time delay;
- and
- detecting targets within said differential time path at said point of minimum time delay by an unmanned air vehicle at a low altitude platform.
A multi-mode radar system for environments with difficult and obscured targets comprising:
- an irradiating unmanned air vehicle positioned at the first end of an open-ended wave guide;
- a plurality of passive receiving unmanned air vehicles at a low altitude platform relative to said irradiating unmanned air vehicle and positioned at a second, opposing end of an open-ended wave guide, a signal from said irradiating unmanned air vehicle transmitted to and received by one or more of said plurality of passive receiving unmanned air vehicles;
- and
- processing means for determining a differential time delay from a time said signal is transmitted and a time said signal is received, said differential time delay indicating a differential time path obstruction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.