Patent Description:
When monitoring the path of a projectile, it can be advantageous to be able to determine its rate of rotation, or spin, as it will affect the overall path of the projectile. This can for instance be of importance when monitoring the path of a sports ball such as a baseball or golf ball.

<CIT> discloses a method for determining the spin of a sports ball comprising calculating the spin from a modulation frequency of a reflected radar signal and harmonics of said modulation frequency.

<CIT> discloses a method for determining the spin of a projectile from a periodic component of a reflected radar signal.

However, there is a need for more refined methods for determining the spin of a projectile.

<CIT> describes a radar system and method for determining a rotational state of a moving object.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for determining the spin of a projectile. This object is obtained by a method according to claim <NUM>.

The variation in the first time series around the center velocity of the projectile is caused by reflections of the radar signal from features of the projectile, as said features rotate towards or away from the radar due to the spin. Thus, the frequency of the second time series depends on the spin rate, and the spin can easily be determined from the frequency.

The method may also comprise dividing the second time series into a plurality of time intervals, estimating a plurality of frequencies of the second time series, where each frequency corresponds to a respective time interval in the plurality of time intervals, and determining the spin of the projectile based on the plurality of estimated frequencies.

Advantageously, dividing the second time series into a plurality of time intervals may yield a more reliable final estimate of the spin. The estimated value of the frequency corresponding to a time interval can be affected by measurement noise or measurement errors, rendering it potentially unreliable. With a plurality of estimated frequencies, it is possible to apply statistical methods to obtain a final estimate of the spin that is more reliable than an estimate derived from a single estimated frequency.

According to aspects, determining the spin of the projectile based on the plurality of estimated frequencies comprises obtaining a distribution of the plurality of estimated frequencies.

According to other aspects, the method may comprise that a time interval between observations in the first time series is at most half an expected period of rotation of the projectile at a highest expected spin. This has the advantage that at least two observations of the radial velocity are obtained per rotation of the projectile, ensuring that the variation in the radial velocity due to spin is captured in the first time series.

According to aspects, the time interval between observations in the first time series is constant. According to other aspects, the time interval between observations in the first time series is variable. The center velocity may be calculated through use of a low-pass filter or through piecewise fitting of a function to the first time series. Advantageously, both methods can yield reliable estimates of the center velocity.

According to aspects, the second time series may be extracted through subtraction of the calculated center velocity from the first time series.

According to aspects, estimating the frequency of the second time series may comprise using a power spectrum calculated from the second time series as a basis for a maximum likelihood estimation of the frequency. Advantageously, a power spectrum provides a measure of the power associated with each frequency present in the signal, which facilitates estimation of the frequency. According to aspects, the frequency may be a fundamental frequency of the signal. Advantageously, the fundamental frequency is generally equivalent to the spin rate.

The object is also obtained by a radar transceiver according to claim <NUM>.

The radar transceiver may also be arranged to divide the second time series into a plurality of time intervals, estimate a plurality of frequencies of the second time series, where each frequency corresponds to a respective time interval in the plurality of time intervals, and determine the spin of the projectile based on the plurality of estimated of the frequencies.

According to aspects, the radar transceiver may be a frequency modulated continuous wave, FMCW, radar transceiver.

The object is further obtained by a system according to claim <NUM>. Advantageously, incorporating a means of displaying the determined spin enables easier access to the determined spin for a person using the system.

According to aspects, the system may comprise an auxiliary sensor, and the spin estimate from the radar transceiver is combined with data obtained from the auxiliary sensor. Advantageously, combining the spin estimate with data obtained from an auxiliary sensor may facilitate evaluation of the projectile trajectory by a person using the system.

The radar transceivers and systems disclosed herein are associated with the same advantages as discussed above in relation to the different methods.

The object is also obtained by a computer readable storage medium according to claim <NUM> or by a computer product according to claim <NUM>.

Aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Measurement of a projectile trajectory with a radar transceiver entails the radar transceiver emitting a radar signal, the radar signal being reflected at least in part by the projectile, and the transceiver receiving the reflected signal. From the modulation introduced into the signal through reflection against the projectile, trajectory parameters such as the position and velocity of the projectile can be extracted through methods well known in the art. Specifically, the radial velocity of the projectile relative to the radar transceiver can be obtained from a Doppler shift in the reflected signal.

The strongest reflections of the radar signal frequently occur on asymmetric or uneven parts of the projectile. For an otherwise mostly spherically symmetric projectile such as e.g. a sports ball, reflections might occur in a place where two halves of the sports ball are joined, e.g., glued together. If the material of the projectile is at least partially transparent to radio waves, as is the case with many polymer-based materials, reflection can also occur from inhomogeneities in the material within the projectile. Occasionally, markings are added to sports balls to assist in observation and tracking with radar transceivers or other sensors, and these may also reflect radar signals. Some sports balls may also be configured to facilitate determination of spin using electromagnetic signals. For instance, an electrically conducting material may be arranged in the sports ball interior.

As an example, consider a spherical projectile, e.g. a ball, moving away from the radar transceiver and simultaneously spinning around an axis of the ball. The largest contribution to the observed radial velocity will in this case be the center radial velocity of the projectile, i.e. the radial velocity that would be observed if the projectile were not spinning. This center radial velocity normally coincides with a radial velocity of the center of mass of the projectile relative to the radar transceiver. For a spinning projectile, however, the momentary observed radial velocity of the projectile relative to the radar transceiver will depend on the movement around the rotational axis of the part of the projectile causing the strongest reflection. When the part of the projectile causing the strongest reflection is rotating away from the transceiver, the momentary observed radial velocity will be higher than the center radial velocity. Conversely, when the part of the projectile causing strongest reflection is on the side rotating towards the transceiver, the momentary observed radial velocity will be lower than the center radial velocity. This periodic variation of the observed radial velocity around the center radial velocity can be used to extract the spin rate of the projectile. The spin rate can be determined in this way for most orientations of the rotational axis. The exception is a scenario where the rotational axis points towards the transceiver at every point in the projectile trajectory. However, such scenarios are very rare.

<FIG> shows a radar transceiver <NUM> monitoring the path of a projectile <NUM> by way of an emitted radar signal <NUM> and a reflected radar signal <NUM>. The radar generates a series of observations of the path of the projectile, comprising information about the radial velocity of the projectile relative to the radar transceiver. The projectile <NUM> rotates about an axis <NUM> with a frequency of rotation, or spin rate, <NUM>. Herein, spin is a spin rate, typically measured in terms of the number of full revolutions of the projectile around its rotational axis per unit time, e.g. in revolutions per minute (RPM) or revolutions per second (RPS).

<FIG> shows a first time series <NUM> of observations of the radial velocity, given, e.g., in m/s, together with the center radial velocity <NUM>. Note that the observations of radial velocity exhibit a variation around the center radial velocity. In fact, the center radial velocity may be seen as an average radial velocity of the projectile with respect to the radar transceiver, while the observations of radial velocity vary around this center velocity. <FIG> schematically shows the difference between the observed radial velocity and the center velocity over time, i.e. it shows a second time series <NUM> comprising the variation in the radial velocity around the center radial velocity.

The method for estimating a spin of a projectile <NUM> disclosed here and shown in <FIG> comprises obtaining S1 from a radar transceiver <NUM> a first time series <NUM> comprising observations of a radial velocity of the projectile <NUM> relative to the radar transceiver <NUM>, and calculating S2, from the first time series <NUM>, a center velocity <NUM> of the projectile <NUM>. The method further comprises extracting S3 a second time series <NUM> comprising a variation in the first time series around the center velocity <NUM>, estimating S4 a frequency of the second time series <NUM>, and determining S5 the spin of the projectile <NUM> based on the frequency of the second time series <NUM>. The projectile <NUM> may be a sports ball, such as a baseball, soccer ball, or golf ball.

The connection between the frequency of the second time series <NUM> and the spin of the projectile <NUM> is, in general, that the frequency of the second times series <NUM> is also the frequency of rotation and thus equivalent to the spin rate. It should however be noted that the frequency of the second time series <NUM> may also be e.g. a higher harmonic of the frequency of rotation. Harmonics, or integer multiples, of the frequency of rotation will be present in the second time series <NUM>, and both the frequency of rotation and each higher harmonic will be associated with a signal strength. The strength of the harmonics relative to that of the frequency of rotation may depend on such things as whether more than one part of the projectile is causing reflection of the radar signal. Note that the signal strength for a harmonic may be zero.

Depending on how the projectile is launched it may also experience a temporary deformation during part of its trajectory, as can be the case for a sports ball such as a golf ball that is hit by an implement such as a golf club. The impact can cause a temporary compression of the sports ball, which then results in a gradually declining temporary deformation of the sports ball during flight. This deformation then impacts the reflection of the radar signal and may introduce a second periodic variation with a frequency that is not directly related to the spin rate.

Optionally, the method may also comprise dividing S31 the second time series <NUM> into a plurality of time intervals 210a, 210b, 210c, estimating S41 a plurality of frequencies of the second time series <NUM>, where each frequency corresponds to a respective time interval in the plurality of time intervals 210a, 210b, 210c, and determining S51 the spin of the projectile <NUM> based on the plurality of estimated frequencies. A length of a time interval may be the time in which the projectile will cover a set distance, where the time is calculated using a known center velocity of the projectile. The set distance may for example be <NUM>-<NUM>. The length of the time interval may also be set such that a desired signal-to-noise ratio and resolution is obtained for the estimated frequency. Optionally, the length of a time interval may be between <NUM> and <NUM> milliseconds.

Dividing the second time series <NUM> into a plurality of time intervals makes it possible to obtain a plurality of initial estimated frequencies. The estimated value of the frequency of the second time series <NUM> can be affected by measurement noise or measurement errors, rendering a single estimated frequency of the second time series <NUM> potentially unreliable. With a plurality of estimated frequencies, it is possible to apply statistical methods to obtain a final estimate of the frequency that is more reliable than an estimate derived from a single time interval.

Determining S51 the spin of the projectile <NUM> based on the plurality of estimated frequencies may also comprise obtaining a distribution <NUM> of the plurality of estimated frequencies. From a distribution of a plurality of estimated frequencies it is possible to extract a final estimate of the frequency.

As an example, the final estimate of the frequency can be extracted through calculating a probability density function <NUM> for the plurality of estimated frequencies, optionally as a convolution of a histogram of the plurality of estimated frequencies with a kernel, optionally a Gaussian kernel. Subsequently the frequency corresponding to one of the resulting local maxima <NUM> in the probability density function <NUM> is identified as the final estimate of the frequency. Selection of the correct local maximum <NUM> can for example be performed on the basis of a probability mass associated with each local maximum. The probability mass corresponds to the integral of the probability density function in an interval <NUM> comprising the local maximum. The interval may be limited by the points closest to the local maximum at which the probability density function falls below a fixed threshold value or below a value corresponding to a percentage of the height of the local maximum.

Selection of the correct local maximum <NUM> can also be performed on the basis of how many of the estimated frequencies in the plurality of estimated frequencies are equal or close to the frequency corresponding to the local maximum, optionally taking into account the number of estimates of the frequencies associated with other local maxima that correspond to harmonics of the frequency corresponding to the local maximum.

If the periodic variation in the observed radial velocity due to spin is to be detectable in the first time series <NUM> and the second time series <NUM>, a time interval between observations in the time series <NUM> cannot exceed a period of rotation of the projectile due to the spin. If a highest expected value of the spin is known, the time interval between observations in the first time series <NUM> may be set to half the expected period of rotation of the projectile <NUM> at a highest expected spin. The time interval can also be less than half the expected period of rotation.

As an example, the time interval between observations in the first time series <NUM> may be constant. As another example, the time interval between observations in the first time series <NUM> may be variable.

The calculation S2 of a center velocity <NUM> of the projectile <NUM> from the first time series <NUM> may as an example be performed though use of a low-pass filter. A cut-off frequency for the low-pass filter may then be configured in dependence of an expected variation in velocity along the projectile trajectory. As another example, the center velocity <NUM> may be calculated through piecewise fitting of a function to the first time series <NUM>. Extraction S3 of the second time series <NUM> may then be performed through subtraction of the determined center velocity <NUM> from the first time series <NUM>.

Estimating S4 the frequency of the second time series <NUM> may comprise using a power spectrum <NUM> calculated from the second time series <NUM> as a basis for a maximum likelihood estimation of the frequency. The power spectrum can for example be found as the square of the absolute value of the Fourier transform of the second time series <NUM>. Optionally, another representation of the power density of the signal at different frequencies can be used, such as a periodogram.

A maximum likelihood estimation of the frequency may for example be obtained as follows. A plurality of candidate frequencies may be obtained, for example based on the frequencies at which the power spectrum <NUM> has local maxima <NUM>. For each candidate frequency, the height of the corresponding peak and peaks at integer multiples of the candidate frequency (i.e. harmonics) are added together to yield a measure of the total power in the signal associated with the candidate frequency. The candidate frequency with the highest measure of total power is then selected as the estimated frequency of the second time series <NUM>. Maximum likelihood estimation of a frequency, in particular a fundamental frequency, is well known in the art.

Optionally, the frequency may be a fundamental frequency. The fundamental frequency is herein defined as in the field of harmonic analysis, i.e. as the lowest frequency present in a periodic signal, the signal in this case being the second time series <NUM>.

There is also herein disclosed a radar transceiver <NUM> arranged to obtain S1 a first time series <NUM> comprising observations of a radial velocity of the projectile <NUM> relative to the radar transceiver <NUM>, calculate S2, from the first time series <NUM>, a center velocity <NUM> of the projectile <NUM>, extract S3 a second time series <NUM> comprising a variation in the first time series <NUM> around the center velocity <NUM>, estimate S4 a frequency of the second time series <NUM>, and determine S5 the spin of the projectile <NUM> based on the estimated frequency of the second time series <NUM>.

The radar transceiver may also be arranged to divide S31 the second time series <NUM> into a plurality of time intervals, estimate S41 a plurality of frequencies of the second time series <NUM>, where each frequency corresponds to a respective time interval in the plurality of time intervals, and determine S51 the spin of the projectile <NUM> based on the plurality of estimated frequencies.

The radar transceiver described above may, as an example, be a frequency modulated continuous wave, FMCW, radar transceiver. As another example, the radar transceiver may be a pulse-Doppler radar. In addition to spin, the radar transceiver may be arranged to measure other properties of the projectile trajectory, such as velocity and position or the projectile <NUM> at different times.

There is also herein disclosed a system <NUM> for measurement of the spin of a projectile <NUM>, the system comprising a radar transceiver <NUM> as described above and at least one means <NUM> of displaying the determined spin. A means <NUM> of displaying the determined spin may be a display, such as a LED or LCD display. A means of displaying the determined spin may also be a computer running a computer program capable of displaying the determined spin. Optionally, other properties of the projectile trajectory, such as velocity and position of the projectile <NUM> at different times, may be displayed together with the determined spin.

The system <NUM> may also comprise an auxiliary sensor <NUM>, wherein the spin estimate from the radar transceiver <NUM> is combined with data obtained from the auxiliary sensor <NUM>. As an example, the auxiliary sensor may be a camera. As another example, the auxiliary sensor may be a LIDAR or sonar sensor.

There is also herein disclosed a processor <NUM> arranged to obtain S1 a first time series <NUM> comprising observations of a radial velocity of the projectile <NUM> relative to the radar transceiver <NUM>, calculate S2, from the first time series <NUM>, a center velocity <NUM> of the projectile <NUM>, extract S3 a second time series <NUM> comprising a variation in the first time series <NUM> around the center velocity, estimate S4 a frequency of the second time series <NUM>, and determine S5 the spin of the projectile <NUM> based on the frequency of the second time series <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may also be arranged to divide S31 the second time series <NUM> into a plurality of time intervals, estimate S41 a plurality of frequencies of the second time series <NUM>, where each frequency corresponds to a respective time interval in the plurality of time intervals, and determine S51 the spin of the projectile <NUM> based on the plurality of estimated frequencies.

There is also disclosed a system <NUM> comprising a radar transceiver <NUM> and a processor <NUM> as described above.

Claim 1:
A method for estimating a spin of a projectile (<NUM>), the method comprising:
obtaining (S1) from a radar transceiver (<NUM>) a first time series (<NUM>) comprising observations of one or more trajectory parameters comprising a radial velocity of the projectile (<NUM>) relative to the radar transceiver (<NUM>);
calculating (S2), from the first time series (<NUM>), a center radial velocity (<NUM>) of the projectile (<NUM>);
extracting (S3) from the first time series (<NUM>) a second time series (<NUM>) comprising a variation of the radial velocity in the first time series (<NUM>) around the calculated center radial velocity (<NUM>);
estimating (S4) a frequency of the second time series (<NUM>); and
determining (S5) the spin of the projectile (<NUM>) based on the estimated frequency of the second time series (<NUM>).