Methods for improving radar angular resolution by moving nodes in response to a projected target path, and node for the same

1 . A method for controlling radar operations utilizing a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

applying one or more measures for enhancing radar angular resolution for at least one radar deployed on a node of the plurality of nodes;

wherein the one or more measures comprise movement of radar platforms, the radar platforms comprising respective ones of the nodes; and

wherein the movement of the radar platforms comprises:

determining a projected path of a detected target; and

moving at least a first radar platform comprising a first one of the nodes and a second radar platform comprising a second one of the nodes to respective different positions responsive to determining the projected path of the detected target.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when using movement of radar platforms:

obtaining first radar data from the at least one radar for a target at a first position;

moving the node comprising the at least one radar to a second position that is different from the first position; and

obtaining second radar data from the at least one radar for the target at the second position,

wherein the first position and the second position are known positions at the time of obtaining the first and second radar data.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising determining location information of the target based on the first radar data and the second radar data.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the at least one radar comprises a phased array antenna.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising adjusting an antenna beam of the phased array antenna based on the determined location information of the target.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the node of the one or more plurality of nodes is an aerial drone.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the aerial drone is autonomous.

8 . A method for controlling radar operations utilizing two or more nodes, the method comprising:

applying one or more measures for enhancing radar angular resolution for radars deployed on the two or more nodes, each of the two or more nodes comprising at least one radar;

wherein the one or more measures comprise use of the radars deployed on the two or more nodes for triangulation; and

wherein use of the radars deployed on the two or more nodes for triangulation comprises:

repositioning the two or more nodes responsive to detection of a target;

obtaining angle information relative to the detected target in each of the two or more nodes utilizing the respective radars deployed thereon; and

performing triangulation of the detected target based on the angle information obtained in each of the two or more nodes.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising, when using the radars deployed on the two or more nodes for triangulation:

obtaining first radar data for a first radar on a first node of the two or more nodes at a first position, and

obtaining second radar data for a second radar on a second node of the two or more nodes at a second position;

wherein the first position is different from the second position and the first position and the second position are known positions at the time of obtaining the first and second radar data.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first radar and the second radar each comprise a phased array antenna.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the first node and the second node are aerial drones.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the aerial drones are autonomous.

13 . A method for controlling radar operations in a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

applying one or more measures for enhancing radar angular resolution for a first radar deployed on a first node of the plurality of nodes,

wherein the one or more measures comprise use of the plurality of nodes moving in formation; and

wherein use of the plurality of nodes moving in formation comprises:

detecting a target;

determining a desired swarm path based at least in part on the detected target; and

moving the plurality of nodes, each comprising at least one corresponding radar, responsive to determining the desired swarm path.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising, when using the plurality of nodes moving in formation, coordinating radar operation for the first radar deployed on the first node and a second radar deployed on a second node of the plurality of nodes.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising, when using the plurality of nodes moving in formation, using passive detection via the first radar and a second radar deployed on a second node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the passive detection comprises the first radar detecting radar signals transmitted by the second radar, in addition to the first radar detecting radar signals transmitted by the first radar.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising, when using the plurality of nodes moving in formation, sharing target information between the first node of the plurality of nodes and a second node of the plurality of nodes.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first radar and the second radar each further comprise a phased array antenna.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first node and the second node are aerial drones.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the aerial drones are autonomous.

20 . A node configured for operating in a network comprising a plurality of nodes, the node comprising:

a radar configured for detection of objects in a vicinity of the node; and

one or more circuits configured to apply one or more measures for enhancing radar angular resolution for the radar;

wherein the one or more measures comprise one or more of: movement of the node and use of multiple nodes moving in formation;

wherein movement of the node comprises movement of the node and one or more additional nodes of the plurality of nodes responsive to determining a projected path of a detected target;

and

wherein use of multiple nodes moving in formation comprises determining a desired swarm path based at least in part on a detected target, and moving the plurality of nodes responsive to determining the desired swarm path.

21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the radar platforms comprising respective ones of the nodes collectively form at least a portion of a mesh network.

22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein movement of one or more of the radar platforms is initiated at least in part based on detection of the target.