Apparatus and method for observing physical phenomenon in ocean and atmosphere

• US 9,215,515 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2013
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Inventors: Jeong, Cheol Oh
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JAMEL E
• Application Number:
  US14/138,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20140245828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 731/701.6
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/826 where the data is sent periodically
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus and method for observing a physical phenomenon in the ocean and the atmosphere, the observation apparatus including an observation signal receiving unit to receive an observation signal indicating a physical phenomenon of an observation object, a physical quantity determining unit to determine a physical quantity of the observation object, using the observation signal, and a frequency determining unit to determine whether an observation frequency is to be changed, based on the physical quantity of the observation object.

Claims

1. An observation apparatus, comprising

an observation signal receiving unit to receive an observation signal indicating a physical phenomenon of an observation object;

a physical quantity determining unit to determine a physical quantity of the observation object, using the observation signal; and

a frequency determining unit to determine whether an observation frequency is to be changed, based on the physical quantity of the observation object;

wherein the frequency determining unit maintains the observation frequency, or changes the observation frequency to a high frequency or a low frequency based on at least

a distance from the observation apparatus to the observation object,

a height of the observation object, and

a change in the physical quantity of the observation object.

2. The observation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frequency determining unit increases an observation precision, or expands an observation range of the observation object by changing the observation frequency.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frequency determining unit compares the distance from the observation object to a predetermined reference distance based on a value indicating a distance from the observation object.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the observation object is a tsunami, or a tidal wave.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein when the distance from the observation object is less than the predetermined reference distance, the frequency determining unit increases the observation frequency;

and

wherein when the distance from the observation object is greater than or equal to the predetermined reference distance, the frequency determining unit lowers the observation frequency.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the frequency determining unit compares the height of the observation object to a predetermined reference height.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the frequency range is equal to or greater than 5 MHz and equal to or less than 15 Mhz.

3. An observation method comprising:

receiving an observation signal indicating a physical phenomenon of an observation object;

determining a physical quantity of the observation object, using the observation signal; and

determining whether an observation frequency is to be changed, based on the physical quantity of the observation object;

wherein the determining of whether the observation frequency is to be changed comprises maintaining the observation frequency, or changing the observation frequency based on at least a distance from the observation apparatus to the observation object, a height of the observation object, and a change in the physical quantity of the observation object.

4. The observation method of claim 3, wherein the determining of whether the observation frequency is to be changed comprises increasing an observation precision with respect to the observation object by changing the observation frequency to a high frequency, or expanding an observation range of the observation object by changing the observation frequency to a low frequency.

10. An observation apparatus, comprising:

an observation signal processing unit;

a physical quantity determining unit;

a frequency determining unit; and

a transmission signal processing unit comprising;

a signal controlling unit, and

a signal transmitting unit;

wherein the observation signal processing unit receives an observation signal indicating a physical phenomenon occurring in the ocean or the atmosphere of an observation object sensed by a sensor apparatus, converts the observation signal into a digital signal, and adjusts an amplitude and a phase of the observation signal converted into a digital signal;

wherein the physical quantity determining unit determines a physical quantity of the observation object by analyzing the adjusted phase and amplitude of the observation signal and the physical quantity includes at least a velocity and a density;

wherein the frequency determining unit determines whether an observation frequency is to be changed based on the physical quantity of the observation object;

wherein the signal controlling unit generates and adjusts a chirp signal corresponding to a periodical pulse signal radiated through a transmitting antenna; and

wherein the signal transmitting unit transmits the chirp signal toward either the ocean or the atmosphere.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the signal controlling unit synchronizes an observation interval of the adjusted chirp signal with an observation interval of an observation signal using a master clock;

and

synchronizes a phase of the adjusted chirp signal with a phase of the observation signal using the master clock.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the observation signal includes a signal received when the chirp signal is reflected by the observation object.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the signal processing unit further comprises:

a power controlling unit to control transmission power of the chirp signal of which the phase and the observation interval are synchronized.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the signal transmitting unit transmits the chirp signal toward the ocean.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the signal transmitting unit transmits the chirp signal in a direction of the observation object occurring in the atmosphere.