JPH11237477A - Marine radar using shortwave or ultrashortwave and marine radar system using shortwave or ultrashortwave - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a marine radar using shortwave or ultrashortwave capable of measuring ocean information as accurately and quickly as possible according to the weather. SOLUTION: By controlling the direction and the irradiation time of a measurement antenna and sequentially changing the measurement direction, it is possible to analyze ocean information corresponding to each measurement direction and a predetermined observation range and observation time. In a marine radar using shortwave or ultrashortwave configured to be able to measure a plurality of direction-corresponding ocean information, at least one of the number of one or more measurement directions and the irradiation time is set according to the weather (step 32), the directional marine information is measured based on the set measurement conditions (step 34).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ocean radar using short waves or ultrashort waves for measuring ocean information on waves and surface currents in the ocean, and an ocean radar system using short waves or ultrashort waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this kind of marine radar system, a so-called pulsed chirp Doppler radar, which is a so-called pulsed chirp Doppler radar for measuring marine information on surface currents and waves using a Bragg scattering mechanism, is used. A configuration provided with two sets is conventionally known. As shown in FIG. 6, the marine radar system 41 is provided with marine radars 42a and 42b (hereinafter, also referred to as "marine radar 42" when not distinguished) which are respectively installed at the points A and B and have antennas for measurement. , An information processing device (not shown).

The marine radar 42 changes a transmission frequency within a predetermined frequency band at a constant rate, and switches transmission and reception at an appropriate speed, so that a reception signal, which is a transmission signal resonantly scattered by waves or the like, is transmitted. Based on the difference between the frequency and the frequency of the transmission signal at the time of receiving the reception signal, the distance to the wave and the velocity of the surface flow can be measured.

Next, the measurement processing by the ocean radar 42 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 5 and an example in which the velocity of the surface flow in the fan-shaped observation range 43a (or 43b) shown in FIG. 6 is measured. A description is given below. First, the ocean radar 42a (or 42b) sets measurement conditions (step 81). In this case, the number of measurement directions and the irradiation time are set according to the measurement target and the observation range. Specifically, for example, when an observation range is specified, the number of measurement directions is set by dividing the observation angle range corresponding to the observation range by a fixed beam angle. In other words, when the observation angle range is large, the number of measurement directions increases according to the angle, and when the observation angle range is small,
The number of measurement directions decreases according to the angle. When an observation target such as surface flow velocity or wave height is specified, the number of measurement sweeps per direction is set to, for example, 896 for surface flow velocity and 2048 for wave height.
Then, by controlling the direction of the antenna in accordance with the set measurement conditions, a radial signal such as 1
The transmission / reception direction is set as the measurement direction 51a (or 51b) in one direction (step 82). In this case, the marine radar 42 transmits a transmission radio wave in the measurement direction 51a (or 51b), and also transmits the transmission radio wave in the measurement direction 51a (or 51b).
b) Receive a transmitted radio wave that has been resonantly scattered by a wave present thereon.

Next, based on the received radio wave, velocity information of the surface flow at each measurement point in the measurement direction 51a (or 51b) is measured (step 83).
Next, the ocean radar 42 determines whether or not the measurement in the eleven directions has been completed (step 84). When it is determined that all the measurements have not been completed, the marine radar 42 controls the direction of the antenna to measure the measurement direction 52a (or 52b) adjacent to the measurement direction 51a (or 51b).
After changing to b), the velocity information of the surface flow is measured in the same manner. By repeating these, the marine radar 42
Are the measurement directions 51a to 61a (or 51b to 61b)
The velocity information of the surface flow is measured for (step 82)
To 84). Next, when it is determined that the measurement in all the measurement directions has been completed, the measurement is completed (step 8).
4). In this case, the measured velocity information of the surface flow is represented by a vector amount having only a magnitude in a forward direction or a reverse direction parallel to each of the measurement directions 51a to 61a (or 51b to 61b).

[0006] Next, the information processing apparatus is a marine radar 42.
The velocity information of the surface flow measured by a and 42b is input via a communication line, and based on the velocity information of the surface flow, is the ocean information in the observation range 44 where the observation range 43a and the observation range 43b overlap. The direction and velocity of the surface flow are analyzed (step 85). Specifically, for example, for the measurement point 71 which is the intersection of the measurement direction 54a and the measurement direction 58b, the information processing apparatus
The direction and velocity of the surface flow based on the vector amount corresponding to the surface flow velocity at the measurement point 71 measured by 2a and the vector amount corresponding to the surface flow velocity at the measurement point 71 measured by the ocean radar 42b. To evaluate. In this case, for the measurement points where all the measurement directions 51a to 61a and the measurement directions 51b to 61b intersect,
By performing the evaluation, as shown in FIG.
The direction and velocity of the superficial flow (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “superficial flow information”) can be analyzed.

[0007]

However, the conventional marine radar system has the following problems. First
In addition, when the ocean is rough, such as when a typhoon arrives, it is desirable that the latest ocean information be promptly provided. But,
In the marine radar 42, if the observation range is specified, the number of measurement directions obtained by dividing the observation angle by the beam angle fixed in advance is uniquely set. For this reason, when trying to observe a wide observation range, as described above, for example, 11
It must be measured in the direction. At this time, the ocean radar 42 takes about 5 minutes to measure surface flow information corresponding to one measurement direction (hereinafter, this surface flow information is referred to as “directional surface flow information”). You need a degree. Therefore, it takes about one hour for the ocean radar 42 to measure all of the direction-related surface flow information corresponding to each of the eleven measurement directions. In the wave measurement for measuring the wave height or the like, it takes about 1 to measure the wave information corresponding to one measurement direction (hereinafter, this wave information is referred to as “directional wave information”).
It takes about 0 minutes, and it takes about 2 hours to measure all the directional wave information respectively corresponding to the 11 measurement directions. As a result, a processing time of at least one hour or two hours is required until the information processing device finishes analyzing the surface flow information or the wave information for the observation range 44. Therefore, the conventional marine radar system has a problem that it is difficult to quickly provide the latest marine information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a marine radar using a short wave or an ultra short wave capable of measuring ocean information as accurately and quickly as possible according to the weather, and a short wave or an ultra short wave It is an object of the present invention to provide a marine radar system using a satellite.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a marine radar using shortwave or ultrashortwave according to claim 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "marine radar") is provided with a direction and an irradiation time of a measurement antenna. By sequentially changing the measurement directions, it is possible to measure a plurality of direction-corresponding ocean information corresponding to each measurement direction and for analyzing the ocean information for a predetermined observation range and observation time. In a marine radar using short or very high waves,
Alternatively, at least one of the number of measurement directions in two or more directions and the irradiation time is set according to the weather, and the direction-corresponding ocean information is measured based on the set measurement conditions. Here, the direction-corresponding ocean information includes various direction-corresponding ocean information such as direction-corresponding tidal current information and direction-corresponding wave information.

In this marine radar, in good weather, directional information corresponding to a number of measurement directions is measured, so that marine information is measured in a fine manner.
On the other hand, in stormy weather, the number of measurement directions is smaller than the number of measurement directions in good weather, the irradiation time is shorter than the irradiation time per direction in good weather, or the number of measurement directions is smaller than the number of measurement directions in good weather The measurement is performed in an irradiation time shorter than the irradiation time in one direction in one direction in good weather. That is, in the case of stormy weather or when the weather is predicted to be rough, the number of measurement directions is thinned out or the number of measurement sweeps per direction is reduced to perform measurement. in this case,
The observation range can be widened or narrowed according to the weather. This makes it possible to reduce the time required to measure oceanographic information for the observation range.

A marine radar according to a second aspect of the present invention is the marine radar according to the first aspect, wherein the measurement conditions are switched and set in multiple stages according to the weather.

In the setting of the measurement conditions, for example, the number of directions in which the marine information is measured may be set to 11 when the weather is good and to 4 when the wave is high. . On the other hand, the marine radar measures the direction-corresponding marine information appropriate for the weather by setting the number of measurement directions and the irradiation time in multiple stages according to the weather.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the marine radar according to the first or second aspect, a weather observation device for measuring a change in weather and measurement conditions are set based on observation data of the weather observation device. A measurement condition setting unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the marine radar according to the third aspect, the weather observation device includes at least one of a wind anemometer, a barometer, a wave height meter, and a current meter. It is characterized by.

Although measurement conditions may be set based on weather information broadcast by television or radio, the weather information does not always match the weather in the observation range. On the other hand, in the marine radar according to claims 3 and 4,
An anemometer, barometer, wave height meter, or anemometer for measuring wind speed or direction that has an important effect on the ocean's roughness is installed in or near the observation range, and the wind speed measured by the anemometer A measurement condition setting unit sets measurement conditions to be measured based on data, wind direction data, and the like. This makes it possible to accurately grasp the change in the weather in the observation range, and to quickly measure accurate directional ocean information in accordance with the change in the weather.

A marine radar system using shortwave or ultrashortwave according to claim 5 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “marine radar system”) includes at least two sets of the marine radar according to any one of claims 1 to 4. And an information processing device for analyzing marine information for a predetermined observation range and observation time based on directional corresponding marine information measured by at least two sets of marine radars.

In this marine radar system, at least two sets of marine radars measure direction-corresponding marine information under measurement conditions corresponding to the weather, and the information processing apparatus determines an observation range based on the measured directional corresponding marine information. Analyze the ocean information indicated by the vector quantity for. This makes it possible to promptly provide accurate ocean information in which a vector amount necessary for a person who wants to obtain ocean information is displayed.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a marine radar and a marine radar system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a schematic configuration of the marine radar system will be described with reference to FIGS.

The marine radar system S shown in FIG. 3 is a system that measures marine information by a narrow beam transmitting narrow beam receiving method. The marine radar system S is based on a black resonance mechanism and resonates with a transmission signal as a radar wave irradiated on the sea surface. Based on the Doppler echo from the component wave, it is configured to be able to measure ocean information such as the velocity, direction, and period of waves and surface currents. As a specific configuration, as shown in the figure, the marine radar system S is composed of the marine radar 1a installed at the point A shown in FIG. 4 and the marine radar 1a installed at the point B shown in FIG. Marine radar 1b
And an information processing device 2 that creates marine information in vector quantity display based on marine information measured by both marine radars 1a and 1b (hereinafter, also referred to as “marine radar 1” when not distinguished) (see FIG. 3). ).

More specifically, the marine radar 1 uses a short wave or an ultra short wave to perform FMICW.
(Frequency Modulated Interrupted Continuous Wave
As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus main body 11 and four antennas 12, each of which is composed of a five-element Yagi antenna and emits a transmission radio wave and receives a reception radio wave, as shown in FIG. 12 and the main body 1
Antenna 1 according to the rotation control signal SR output from
The rotating machine 13 that sets the beam direction of each antenna 12 to a predetermined direction by rotating 2, 12,... And the distribution of transmission power supplied to the antennas 12, 12,. A power distributor 14 for synthesizing output received power and an anemometer 15 installed near the installation location of the apparatus main body 11 and measuring the wind speed at the installation location are provided.

The apparatus main unit 11 has a synthesizer having a direct digital synthesizer (hereinafter, also referred to as "DDS") for generating a local signal SCH and a local signal SLO for receiving the transmission signal STX and the reception signal SRX. , A power amplifying unit 22 for amplifying the transmission signal STX generated by the sweep oscillation of the synthesizer unit 21, and the antennas 12, 12,.
And a receiver 23 that amplifies and demodulates the received signal SRX input through the power amplifier 4, and outputs the transmission signal STX that has been power-amplified by the power amplifier 22 to the power divider 14 and outputs the signal from the power divider 14 to the receiver 23. The transmission / reception switching unit 24 for switching the output of the reception signal SRX, a control unit 25, and a signal processing unit 26 are provided. Here, the control unit 25
It corresponds to the measurement condition setting unit in the present invention, and controls the oscillation frequency of the DDS in the synthesizer unit 21 by outputting the frequency data Df, the operation control of the power amplifying unit 22 by outputting the transmission control signal STC, and the transmission / reception switching. Signal STR
The transmission / reception switching control for the transmission / reception switching unit 24 by outputting the data, and the control of the rotation angle of the rotating machine 13 based on the wind speed data DW output from the anemometer 15 are executed. In addition, the signal processing unit 26 performs F based on the measurement signal SM which is a demodulated signal demodulated by the receiving unit 23.
By performing the FT operation, a resonance wave component wave is extracted, and ocean information such as a surface flow velocity and a wave height is measured based on the extracted resonance wave component wave.

Next, an outline of a process of measuring ocean information in the ocean radar system S will be described. The marine radar system S has various measurement conditions using spatial resolution and irradiation time as parameters, and the measurement conditions can be set automatically or manually according to weather phenomena such as wind speed. It has become. Here, the spatial resolution refers to an angular interval in each measurement direction, that is, an angle between beams emitted from the antenna 12, and the irradiation time refers to the number of measurement sweeps per direction. on the other hand,
Extreme examples of weather phenomena include large spatial scales,
In addition, there are two cases, a phenomenon 1 in which the cycle is large and a phenomenon N in which the spatial scale is small and the cycle is small. Therefore, in this marine radar system S,
When the ocean weather phenomenon is the phenomenon 1, the spatial resolution is rough (to widen the angle between beams) and the irradiation time is set to the measurement condition 1 of the normal time. Thereby, a wide observation range can be measured in a short time. Conversely, when the ocean weather phenomenon is the phenomenon N, the measurement condition N is set so that the spatial resolution is dense (the angle between beams is narrowed) and the irradiation time is shorter than the normal time. Thereby, a narrow observation range can be measured in a short time. In the marine radar system S, the phenomena between the phenomena 1 and the phenomena N are defined in advance as N-stage weather phenomena, and measurement conditions 1 to N that match the weather phenomena are defined in advance. By setting measurement conditions according to the phenomenon, measurement is performed with the most appropriate spatial resolution and irradiation time for the weather phenomenon.

Next, the measurement processing of ocean information in the ocean radar system S will be described with reference to FIGS.
An example in which the number of measurement directions, which is the spatial resolution, is set in two stages will be specifically described. In addition, both marine radars 1a, 1b
Since the measurement of the ocean information by the marine radar 1a is performed in substantially the same manner, the measurement processing by the ocean radar 1a will be mainly described as a representative.

As shown in FIG. 1, the anemometer 15 measures the wind speed (step 31), and measures the measured wind speed data DW.
Is output to the control unit 25 in the apparatus main body 11. in this case,
The wind speed and the sea condition have a relationship shown in FIG. That is, the wind speed is less than 2 m / sec, 2 m / sec to less than 6 m / sec, and 6 m / sec.
m to less than 8m, 8m to less than 11m per second, 11m to 1m per second
Less than 3m, less than 13m to 15m per second, and 15m per second
At the time above, sea conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
Respectively. Next, the control unit 25 sets measurement conditions based on the input wind speed data DW (step 32). Specifically, the control unit 25 sends the wind speed data DW
When the wind speed based on is less than 11 m per second, the weather is expected to be relatively mild,
Set to. On the other hand, when the wind speed is 11 m / s or more,
Since bad weather is expected, the number of measurement directions is set to the value 4. Here, an example in which only the number of measurement directions is set in two steps for easy understanding will be described. However, the irradiation time can also be changed at the same time. The number of sweeps per direction is controlled by controlling the oscillation frequency of the DDS 25.

Next, the control unit 25 outputs a rotation control signal SR to the rotating machine 13 to output the antennas 12, 12,.
Is set to the first measurement direction (step 3
3). In this case, when the number of measurement directions is set to the value 11, the control unit 25 controls the conventional marine radars 42a and 42a.
b, the measurement direction 51a (or 5) shown in FIG.
In 1b), the directions of the antennas 12, 12,... Are set. On the other hand, when the number of measurement directions is set to the value 4, the control unit 25 sets the directions of the antennas 12, 12,... In the measurement direction 3a (the measurement direction 3b in the marine radar 1b) shown in FIG. Next, the control unit 25 controls the transmission / reception switching unit 24, the power amplification unit 22, and the synthesizer unit 21 by outputting the transmission / reception switching signal STR, the transmission control signal STC, and the frequency data Df. , The measurement signal SM is output from the reception unit 23.

Next, the signal processing section 26 measures direction-corresponding ocean information corresponding to the first measurement direction based on the measurement signal SM output from the receiving section 23 (step 3).
4). In this case, the signal processing unit 26 measures the reception level for each frequency by performing an FFT operation based on the measurement signal SM output from the reception unit 23. After that, the signal processing unit 26 measures the signal level of each frequency component measured by a plurality of sweeps, and then measures the Doppler frequency of the resonance wave component wave corresponding to each frequency. Next, a surface flow velocity is calculated based on the measured Doppler frequency. Also, the distance to the scattering point on the sea surface is
The measurement is performed based on the time difference between the time of transmission of the transmission signal having the same frequency as the reception frequency of the reception signal SRX and the time of reception.
Thereby, the planar distribution of the surface flow component in the directions of the antennas 12, 12,... Can be measured.

Next, the control unit 25 determines whether or not all the measurements for the set number of directions have been completed (step 3).
5). If it is determined that the processing has not been completed, step 33
And outputs the rotation control signal SR to the rotating machine 13 to set the directions of the antennas 12, 12,... To the next measurement direction (step 33). In this case, the number of measurement directions is 11
When the control unit 25 sets the antenna 1
The rotation angle of 2,12 ... is changed to the conventional marine radar 42a,
The same control as the rotation angle at 42b is performed. On the other hand, when the number of measurement directions is set to the value 4, the control unit 25
Controls the rotation angle of the antennas 12, 12,... To approximately twice the rotation angle of the conventional marine radars 42a, 42b. Therefore, in this case, the next measurement direction is
As shown in FIG. 4, the measurement direction 4a (the measurement direction 4b for the marine radar 1b). When the steps 33 to 35 are repeatedly executed, and it is determined that the measurement has been completed for all the set measurement directions (step 35), the control unit 25 terminates the measurement and sends a signal to the signal processing unit 26. Then, the information processing apparatus 2 outputs all the measured directional ocean information.

On the other hand, the information processing device 2
The direction-corresponding ocean information Da and Db respectively measured by the a and 1b are input, and the direction-corresponding ocean information Da and Db are input.
The ocean information, which is the surface data of the observation range, is analyzed based on the information (step 36). In this case, the surface flow information when the number of measurement directions is set to the value 4 is shown in FIG. According to this, if it is possible to measure the direction-dependent surface laminar flow information for one measurement direction in 5 minutes, the four measurement directions 3a to 6a
(In the marine radar 1b, measurement can be performed in 20 minutes for all of the measurement directions 3b to 6b).

As described above, the marine radar system S
According to this, in good weather, marine information can be finely measured by measuring direction-corresponding ocean information corresponding to many measurement directions. On the other hand, in stormy weather, by measuring ocean information corresponding to a smaller number of measurement directions than in good weather, or by shortening the beam irradiation time per number of measurement directions,
Accurate ocean information can be measured quickly.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, an example has been described in which the number of measurement directions is switched to two levels and measurement is performed based on a wind speed of 11 m per second, but the number of measurement directions is changed according to weather such as wind speed or how the sea condition is rough. It is also possible to perform measurement by switching to multiple stages, and it is also possible to appropriately change the degree of weather phenomena such as wind speed, which serves as a reference at that time. In addition to the wind direction and anemometer, a barometer, a rain gauge, a wave gauge and a current meter using a weather observation device by a combination of two or more to measure or predict the fluctuation of the weather,
Of course, it is also possible to set the number of measurement directions and the irradiation time according to the fluctuation. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention,
The example in which the number of measurement directions is switched during stormy weather has been described.However, the present invention is not limited to this. By shortening the length, marine information can be provided quickly.

[0032]

As described above, according to the marine radar according to the first aspect, the directional ocean information is measured in accordance with the measurement conditions set in accordance with the weather, so that a large number of measurement directions can be obtained in good weather. It is possible to measure the marine information in detail by measuring the directional marine information corresponding to. On the other hand, in stormy weather, directional marine information corresponding to a smaller number of measurement directions than in good weather can be measured, or directional marine information can be measured in a shorter irradiation time than in good weather. By doing so, marine information can be analyzed quickly and accurately.
Further, when it is predicted that the weather will be rough, marine information can be promptly provided, so that a marine accident or the like can be prevented beforehand.

According to the marine radar of the second aspect, more detailed marine information can be measured by switching and setting the measurement conditions in multiple stages according to the weather.

Further, according to the marine radar according to the third and fourth aspects, the measurement condition setting unit includes a wind direction anemometer, a barometer,
By setting measurement conditions based on observation data measured by a wave height meter and an anemometer, etc., it is possible to accurately grasp the weather and fluctuations in the weather in the observation range, and to respond to the weather or fluctuations in the weather. Thus, accurate marine information can be promptly provided.

According to the marine radar system according to the fifth aspect, accurate marine information in which a vector quantity necessary for a person who desires to obtain marine information is displayed can be promptly provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a measurement process in a marine radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between a sea state and a wind speed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a marine radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an analysis diagram showing surface flow information analyzed by the marine radar system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a measurement process in a conventional marine radar system.

FIG. 6 is an analysis diagram showing surface flow information analyzed by a conventional marine radar system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Ocean radar 2 Information processing device 12 Antenna 15 Wind direction anemometer 25 Control unit S Ocean radar system

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ocean information corresponding to each measurement direction and a predetermined observation range and observation time is analyzed by sequentially changing the measurement direction by controlling the direction and irradiation time of a measurement antenna. In a marine radar using shortwave or ultrashortwave configured to be able to measure a plurality of direction-corresponding marine information, a measurement condition of at least one of the number of one or more measurement directions and the irradiation time is set according to weather. A marine radar using short waves or ultrashort waves, wherein the marine information is measured based on the set measurement conditions. 2. The marine radar using shortwaves or ultrashortwaves according to claim 1, wherein the measurement conditions are switched and set in multiple stages according to the weather. 3. A weather observation device for measuring a change in the weather, and a measurement condition setting unit for setting the measurement condition based on observation data of the weather observation device. Item 3. An ocean radar using the shortwave or ultrashortwave according to item 1 or 2. 4. The short wave or ultra short wave according to claim 3, wherein the weather observation device is configured to include at least one of a wind anemometer, a barometer, a wave height meter, and a current meter. Marine radar. 5. At least two sets of marine radars using the shortwave or ultrashortwave according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An information processing apparatus for analyzing ocean information about the predetermined observation range and the observation time based on the direction-corresponding ocean information respectively measured by the at least two sets of ocean radars. Or a marine radar system using ultrashort waves.