DE1201883B - Apparatus for use in a pulse radar system for processing data in binary digital form - Google Patents

Abstract

894,148. Pulse radar. DECCA RECORD CO. Ltd. Nov. 18, 1960 [Nov. 19, 1959], No. 39329/59. Class 40(7). Relates to a pulse radar having a range register comprising a plurality of storage elements corresponding to different range increments, the echo pulses received in any one pulse recurrence period being stored in binary form in corresponding storage elements. According to the present invention the radar comprises a directional aerial 12 rotating in azimuth, a plurality n of range registers, e.g. 20, 21, 22, where n is equal to the number of pulses radiated as the aerial sweeps through an angle equal to the aerial beam width, the echoes received during n successive recurrence periods being stored in the corresponding n range registers and means being provided for selecting from said range registers target signals within predetermined range limits R, R + #R and bearing limits #, # + ##. The selected signals may be processed to give the range and bearing of a target which may be used in an auto-alarm or auto-tracking system, the position data derived during one aerial rotation being used to set the range and bearing limits during the next aerial rotation. As described each range register 20, 21, 22 comprises a matrix of two-state storage elements and the registers are scanned by an address register 23 controlled by a clock pulse generator 24 synchronized with the pulse transmitter 10. The information from successive radar pulses is fed in sequence into the register 20 whilst any information already stored therein is simultaneously transferred to the corresponding positions in the next register 21 and so on so that the information passes to the various registers in sequence. The range gate limits R and R + #R are set up during an interscan period between two successive range information periods and are stored in range gate matrices 25, 26 respectively under the control of a range gate control circuit 27 which is operative only when the bearing of the aerial 12 is within the bearing limits # and # + ## set by a bearing limit circuit 30 as determined by a comparator 29. The output target signals from the range register system 20, 21, 22 are compared with the range limit signals from the range gate registers 25, 26 in a comparator 31 and the selected signals are correlated at 32 to discriminate against random signals, the output from the correlator 32 being applied through data processing apparatus 33 to the control circuits 27 and 30 to set the range and bearing limits during the next aerial rotation; alternatively the control circuits 27 and 30 may be set manually. In a modification (not shown) a single range gate register is used to store (1) both range limits R and R + #R or (2) the initial range limit R only; in the latter case the register is used in conjunction with a clock pulse counter which is set in operation at the commencement of each range gate to count the appropriate number of clock pulses to define the width #R of the gate. The counter may be controlled to change the gate width #R (1) manually or (2) automatically in accordance with the previously determined speed and direction of each selected target. When there are a plurality of targets located in different directions the corresponding data from the processing apparatus 33 may be stored sequentially and used to train a height-finding radar on to the various targets in sequence.

Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

GERMAN

PATENT OFFICE

EDITORIAL

Int. α .:

Number:
File number:
Registration date:
Display day:

GOIs

German class: 21 a4- 48/63

D 34761IX d / 21 a4
November 18, 1960
September 30, 1965

The invention relates to an apparatus for use in a pulse radar processing system of data in binary digital form with a plurality of destination registers for storage digital information and with means for feeding the recorded video signals into the Destination registers such that the various storage elements of each destination register are in digital form Contain data indicating the presence or absence of radar echoes in successive- ίο represent the distance levels and that the various target registers are consecutive Echo pulse train periods are assigned.

Such apparatus are known with which it is to be ensured that only radar echoes from moving ones Targets are processed. However, only one goal can be pursued at any one time.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus with which a large number of targets at the same time can be followed without the known apparatus having to be correspondingly multiplied and this becomes very extensive.

To solve this problem, the apparatus mentioned at the beginning is characterized by an or several other registers in connection with means used during the periods between successive Echo pulse train periods give a signal or signals in the further register or registers that represent the range limits for the desired radar signals that may occur, and with means that from the plurality of registers only those radar information that is within the distance limits defined by the further register or registers lie for further processing pull out.

If you look at a radar set with a rotating directional antenna, the bearing angles change slowly compared to the rate of change of the incoming distance information. In the apparatus of the invention it is not essential to have a cathode ray tube display screen. However, in order to simplify the terminology, it is convenient to refer to the successive radar scan spots as they appear on a cathode ray tube screen. Each scanning spot shows the incoming radar information, which originates from a transmitted pulse. Using this terminology, the distance range limits are brought into a register or registers during what is known as the inter-scan period in such cathode ray tube recording screen systems. The apparatus for use in a pulse radar system for processing data in
binary digital form

Applicant:

Decca Limited, London

Representative:

Dipl.-Ing. F. Weickmann,

Dr.-Ing. A. Weickmann,

Dipl.-Ing. H. Weickmann

and Dipl.-Phys. Dr. K. Fincke, patent attorneys,

Munich 27, Möhlstr. 22nd

Named as inventor:
Donald Wesley Willis, London

Claimed priority:
Great Britain 19 November 1959
(39 329)

Distance range boundaries define a tag range. The information from the various successive sample spots are stored separately in the middle registers. The successive Scanning spots can be fed into a register in a sequence while the before the information stored in this register is transferred to the following register, namely immediately so that the information passes through the various registers in sequence. Though not is essential, it is preferred to use a number of registers for the radar data that the The number of impulses roughly corresponds to which are emitted by the antenna while it is moving through moves their scanning area. With such an arrangement, an external signal, such as a noise, that appears in an arbitrary position is only present in one of the registers in each specified area be. A radar target gives an echo that occurs in all or almost all registers. The usage a number of registers along with an associated apparatus that stores the information in comparing the corresponding elements of all registers, it therefore allows the information in the Use registers to distinguish between targets and sounds. The information from the radar

509 689/150

3 4

In this way, the target is immediately possible in digital form. A counter whose counting units the addable, where the position of the information in the width of the gate (the area width) define. It Register represents the distance of the target. means for controlling the counter can be provided If one notes the scans with which the In- are, with which the range width of each gate formation is generated in the registers, the 5 is to be changed. For example, switching means can be in front of bearing angles certainly. be seen to be set by hand or

It would be possible to transfer the digital data over by means of a program that is either predetermined each subsequent radar target directly into a data processor or from the recorded information processing apparatus to feed. Then it would depend.

However, it may be necessary to provide separate comparators. io The distance limit settings in the far-sighted and other apparatus for tracking each ren register or the further registers are in the target. However, this would be particularly true in modern general with several successive long range radars where the on-radar scans are required. Each limit can be extraordinarily large, as long as necessary, as long as it is necessary to stay in its register, can be impractical. The arrangement according to the invention thereby avoids the return of every discovery and allows the information to be selected directly from the information unit in the associated register during registers in such a way that only information from the inter-sampling period,
In an automatic tracking system, the

Data processing apparatus are supplied. Digested for range limits and the bearing limits Purpose, information about the Ent-20 will be narrowed or expanded, and their location can be according to Distance range limits in the further register according to the speed and the direction of flight or the other registers that are controlled by the aircraft, as far as this data maximum and minimum limits of possible- from previous information through digital wise expected distance ranges of a data processing apparatus were determined to the represent the target of interest. This design gives the processed radar information throwing range limit information becomes in the speech. This digital data processing apparatus can register or the registers also in correspondence with information from other information sources brought with the bearing angles of the antenna, so that record, z. B. of altitude search radars. Such Information about any goals that will be included in the further information in the case of the self-sufficient Area that is used by the range limits and bearing 30 tracking of targets, for example limits are defined to be allowed through. This between two aircraft at different altitudes Information can be differentiated, for example, in an automatic, the traces of which can be found in the site plan gen alarm or tracking system can be used. cross.

In addition, each determined target can be carried out automatically by means of an exemplary embodiment of

Use of the digital form described its position at 35 invention, the drawing representing a rotation of the radar antenna, recording is made, in which a pulse is schematically drawn to identify the range radar system with means for preparing the radar boundaries in the register at the appropriate point data is provided in binary digital form.
The radar set according to the drawing shows a

so that the distance limits and bearing 40 transmitter 10 on, the pulses of short duration of micro-limits the layers that may be expected generate wave energy. These impulses are about a previously determined target. There is a duplexer 11 of a continuously rotating one with recognizable that it allows the invention, radar directional antenna 12 is supplied. Get information from distant destinations before being reflected in any inflected echoes from antenna 12 on data processing system be evaluated. 45 taken and via the duplexer 11 to a

The majority of the registers for the radar data receiver 13 are given. The radar set 10 to 13 can preferably be a number of matrices can be of conventional construction. Another keep. The further register or the further re-description of this radar apparatus therefore appears Registers consist of a similar one not necessary.

Storage or similar storage. Most conveniently, 50 For processing the radar data in binary digisten is to use two such additional registers. There are a number of target registers in the form den: a register that contains the information in the form of matrices of 2-state storage elements, which provided the beginning of the various distances. There are three such matrices 20, 21, 22 contains limits, and a register that shows the informa- tion. The number of these matrices is preferred mations, which the end of the distance limits 55 wise approximately equal to the number of pulses generated by mark, contains. With such an arrangement the antenna can be broadcast while having one the other memory must cover the distance angle alone, which is equal to the bundle angle save data. You don't need the antenna's information. The dies 20, 21 and 22 become to store the sampled between the beginning and that of an address register 23, namely Differentiate the end of the distance limits, so that 60 under the control of a clock pulse generator a single 2-state storage element for each of 24 associated with those emitted by antenna 12 storing distance limit can be used. Pulses is synchronized. The address register 23 In some cases the end of a distance controls all matrices at the same time during the time limit at a known distance behind the interval immediately following a broadcast Beginning of the area. It is then only a single 65 pulse follows, i.e. when the radar echo signals are on register required to store those data are taken so that the selected matrix location which corresponds to the beginning of each range - at any time the range of a target, represent gatters, and it is the use of those picked up by the radar receiver 13

Signals are sent at the corresponding to their running time
Place in the matrix 20 fed. So you have one
Place in the matrix that corresponds to the distance of the target
is equivalent to. The information from successive radar pulses are sequentially entered into the
Matrix 20 fed in, while any information that is already stored in this matrix 20, at the same time to the corresponding place
in the next matrix 21 are transmitted. the

correspond to the distance limits defined by the distance range matrix system. Some external signal, such as a sound appearing in an arbitrary place, becomes in some 5 given area only be noted in one of the matrix registers 20, 21 and 22. Radar echoes from one Target, however, will cause a signal in all or almost all matrix registers if the sent out Bundle the bearing angle of the target via information in the matrix 21 is deleted at the same time on io. By looking at the information that is in entdie Transfer matrix 22, etc., if further matrix-speaking positions of the destination register are stored, registers are provided. It can be seen that if, on the basis of a series, the Correlates the number of matrices equal to the number of im- sent impulses, so it is pulse is that possible when sweeping the antenna over the target signals of noise and others the beam angle to discriminate the matrix 15 external arbitrary signals. the system all incoming radar output signals of the comparator 31 from a target, which are based on information can save when the antenna comes from the other subsequent radar pulses Bearing angle of the aircraft completely swept over. Two are therefore fed to a correlator 32 which, in the Similar matrices 25, 26 are stored in order to form a de-target matrices 20, 21, 22 and of distance range matrix systems provided (distance gate system originating from 20 emitted pulses), with which the distance formations correlate to between goals Limits are to be marked that distinguish between distance and noise. The output signals delimit application areas from which radar information of the correlator is then converted into a data version are to be recycled. The matrix 25 is fed into the processing apparatus 33. In a typical In this particular example for storing 25 case, this data processing apparatus can 33 besides Information used that the start of other data processing operations the self-selected Mark range range periods, carry out active pursuit of selected targets, during The matrix 26 is used, the ends of which he gives the distance and bearing angle of the gePeriods to mark. These two matrices 25, 26 note down the desired goals and redefine them each time So the distance limits obtained from a rotation of the antenna or multiple range ranges (range control of the bearing limits used by the gattern), from which information that is output from the bearing limit signal source 30, and Radar receivers 13 were recorded, also evaluated the distance limits from the Enttet should be. The distance range limits distance address input source 27 are output are in the matrices 25, 26 of the address 35 and both during the next antenna relegation 23 are used during an intermediate sampling period rotation. The digital data processing between two successive radar information apparatus 33 can also receive information from tion periods and can be taken from other sources for as long, for example from Matrices 25, 26 are stored as the information he altitude search radars, and this information can be required is. The distances that are in the ent- 40ments in the automatic pursuit of goals Distance matrices are used, are used by one, for example to distinguish between distance address input sources 27 derived, which see two aircraft at different altitudes, in the simplest case is to be set by hand around which their tracks cross in the position plan, to define the necessary distance limits. As though two matrices 25, 26 in the distance later yet to be described, these borders are shown 45 area matrix system, it is possible to Usually, however, a single matrix register to be used by the data processing unit, which contains the direction that processes the radar data. In the beginning and the end of every desired entdem In the particular example shown, the distance range period is saved, or a single one Use distance limits in the Distance Ranges tab, which only provides information Matrix system used only at the time, while the 50 stores, the beginning of each range antenna direction represent between two selected bearing areas. This last register limits lies. For this purpose, antenna data are stored together with a time pulse counter from an antenna profile data transmitter 28 turns into which at the beginning of each range one Comparator 29 given where this data is put into operation with the range and the geden selected bearing limits, the 55 desired number of pulses corresponding to the desired limit source 30 are obtained, are compared, correspond to th distance range, counting down. At a in order to generate a control signal when the antenna is such an arrangement, the counter can be controlled in such a way lies between the desired bearing limits. This will mean that he has the desired distance range Control signal is changed to the distance address input, for example according to a previous source 27 fed to the introduction of the 60 Gen program or according to the starting distance limits into the distance range matrix signals of the data processing apparatus 33, which from control system. depend on the information recorded. The development

The output signals from the target matrix system distance limits can, for example, according to measure-20, 21, 22 are input to a comparator at a previously determined speed and tors 31 given. The other input of the compa- 65 Direction of movement of each selected target rators will be signals from the range-controlled.

Matrix system 25, 26 supplied. The comparator The correlation system that collects the information from

only provides target output signals that correlate targets between the plurality of registers

the radar information in a memory of the data processing apparatus 33 feed, where they can be sorted immediately, so that z. B. Information over the various targets in the memory in the sequence of successive angular directions to be recorded. This enables a particularly fast assignment of an altitude search radar to the different successive goals. Although the data processing apparatus 33 as independent Unit is shown, the matrix registers 21, 22, 25 and 26, the address register 23, the comparators 29, 31 and the correlator 32 are all parts of a unified data processing system be.

Claims (7)

Patent claims: 1. Apparatus for use in a pulse radar system for processing data in binary digital form with a plurality of destination registers for storing digital information and means for feeding the recorded video signals into the destination register such that the various storage elements of each destination register contain data in digital form, the presence or absence of radar echoes at successive range steps represent, and that the various destination registers are assigned to successive echo pulse train periods by one or more further registers (25,26) in connection with means (23, 24, 27) which during the periods between successive echo pulse train periods enter a signal or signals into the further register or registers which define the distance limits for the desired ones that may possibly occur Represent radar signals, and with means (31) selected from the plurality of registers only that radar information that is within the defined by the further register or registers If there are distance limits, pull them out for further processing. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the impulse radar system has a rotating directional antenna, characterized in that the means (23, 24, 27) which the signal or signals in the further register or registers (25,26 ) are designed in such a way that information about the distance limits is stored in the further register or registers only when the antenna runs through selected bearing angles. 3. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the destination registers (20, 21, 22) for the radar data consist of matrix memories, characterized in that the one or more Register (25, 26) also consist of a matrix memory or similar memories. 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of the further registers (25,26) is two and that one of these registers is intended for information marking the initial limits of the various distance ranges, and the other for information marking the end limits of these distance ranges. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that only a single one Another register is provided and intended for information that includes both the initial limits as well as mark the end limits of the various distance ranges. 6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that only a single one Another register is provided and is intended for information that is the beginning of the various Marking distance ranges in combination with a counter that counts units, which define the width of the distance ranges. 7. Apparatus according to claims, characterized by means for controlling the counter to change the widths of the distance ranges. Considered publications:
French Patent No. 1 147 248. 1 sheet of drawings 509 689/150 9.65 © Bundesdruckerei Berlin