Device and method for increasing the angular resolution of an antenna arrangement

• US 6,542,110 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Löhner, Andreas, Rieck, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US09/763,069
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 342/25, 342/26, 342/33, 342/34, 342/35, 342/73, 342/74, 342/78, 342/81, 342/147, 342/158, 342/368-377, 342/159-164, 342/175, 342/192, 342/193-197, 342/89-103, 342/148-157
• US Class Current: 342/25.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/904 SAR modes

Abstract

The invention describes a device and a method for increasing the angular resolution in a radar system looking in the direction of motion and laterally thereto, wherein the doppler frequency shift of the transmitted signal is evaluated in order to increase the angular resolution. For this purpose, a plurality of adjacent, narrow regions are sampled sequentially by means of pencil-beam antenna characteristics during movement of the antennas. Relative to the total area, this is equivalent to illumination with a broad-beam antenna characteristic. The results from the simulation of this broad-beam illumination are combined with the results of the pencil-beam sampling processes in order to achieve an increase of the angular resolution of the antenna array.

Claims

1. A method for increasing angular resolution in a radar system looking in a direction of motion of the radar system and laterally thereto

wherein a doppler frequency shift of a transmitted signal is used to increase the angular resolution

characterized in that

during movement of the radar system, the radar system sequentially samples a plurality of adjacent, narrow regions by means of pencil-beam antenna signals,

said adjacent, narrow regions are sampled so rapidly that this stimulates and is equivalent to illumination of a total area of all regions by means of a broad beam signal from the antenna,

said broad-beam signal corresponds to superposition of individual, pencil-beam antenna signals from the narrow regions, and

evaluating the pencil-beam signals and the equivalent broad-beam signal to obtain increased angular resolution of the radar system.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, during signal evaluation on the basis of instantaneous viewing angle of the radar system, a decision is made as to whether the signals resulting from the pencil-beam sampling will be evaluated individually, or whether the simulated broad band antenna signal will be used.

3. An antenna array for use in the radar system for performing the method according to claim 1,

characterized in that

one or more antennas with pencil-beam antenna characteristic are used for sampling of the adjacent regions.

4. An antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that the array comprises at least two antennas for pencil-beam signals disposed parallel to one another, and wherein switching of said signals takes place sequentially.

5. An antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that said switching takes place mechanically.

6. An antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that said switching takes place electrically.

7. An antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that said switching takes place electronically.

8. An antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that one individual pencil-beam antenna is aligned with a mechanically swivelable reflector which is stepwise rotatable to sequentially to illuminate said closely adjacent regions.

9. An antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that a transmitting antenna system and a receiving antenna system are the same.

10. An antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that a transmitting antenna system and a receiving antenna system are constructed of a different design.