Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation algorithm for helicopter rotor time-varying echo signals

Abstract

The inherent micro-Doppler (m-D) feature of helicopter rotor echoes has been widely used in signal detection and identification. To meet the high accuracy and real-time performance requirements of the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, this paper proposes a real-time simulation algorithm for the echo signals of helicopter rotor blades. The proposed algorithm can not only simulate the echo signals of different helicopter rotors but can also reflect the m-D characteristics of the helicopter rotor echo signals accurately. Compared to other methods, the simulation algorithm exhibits both high accuracy and superior real-time performance. The experimental results prove the feasibility and effectiveness of this method. The results of this study can have various industrial applications, such as helicopter detection and helicopter identification. This method can ensure the reliability of radar echo characteristics research, while effectively reducing the volume and weight of the system; thus, it can effectively reduce costs.