Radar system and method for radar system

Abstract

The invention relates to a radar system and a method for a radar system. A radar system and a method for a radar system configured with a gating mechanism are disclosed. The method includes determining, by a computing device, one or more first pulse properties associated with a first set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a first time period. The method further includes operating, by the computing device, a modulator to append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses. The method further includes determining, by the computing device, one or more second pulse properties associated with a second set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a second time period. The method further includes determining, by the computing device, a change in position of the object within the FOV of the radar system during a period between the first time period and the second time period based on the one or more first and second pulse attributes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the operation of radar systems and, more particularly, to detecting changes in position of objects within a field of view of the radar system. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, in a radar system such as a Doppler radar system, a set of transmitted electromagnetic (EM) pulses may strike an object in the field of view (FOV) of the radar system and be reflected. A receiver of the radar system may receive the set of reflected EM pulses. If the object has a velocity relative to the radar system, the set of reflected EM pulses may be offset relative to the set of transmitted EM pulses due to the Doppler effect. The Doppler effect may be used to determine the relative velocity of the object.

[0003] However, in some cases, a stationary object may be large and may be placed so that it partially or completely blocks the FOV of the radar system. Furthermore, in some other cases, a small object may be placed close to the receiver, thereby partially or completely blocking the receiver. At this moment, the radar system may not be able to determine whether any movement is occurring behind the object.

[0004] In an example, a radar system (such as a Doppler radar system) can be used for security purposes in the FOV. The radar system can detect movement in and out of the FOV, but may not register if an object within the FOV is newly placed or slightly moved. Summary of the invention

[0005] A radar system configured with a range gating mechanism is disclosed herein. The radar system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a group of electromagnetic pulses in an area defining a field of view (FOV) of the radar system. The radar system further includes a receiver configured to detect a group of reflected electromagnetic pulses generated in response to the group of transmitted electromagnetic pulses reflecting from an object located within the FOV of the radar system. The radar system further includes a modulator communicatively coupled to the transmitter and configured to selectively append a modulated signal to the group of transmitted electromagnetic pulses. The radar system further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to the transmitter, the receiver, and the modulator. The computing device is configured to determine one or more first pulse attributes associated with a first group of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a first time period. The computing device is further configured to operate the modulator to append the modulated signal to the group of transmitted electromagnetic pulses. The computing device is further configured to determine one or more second pulse attributes associated with a second group of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a second time period. The computing device is further configured to determine a change in position of an object within the FOV of the radar system during a period between the first time period and the second time period based on the one or more first and second pulse attributes.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the computing device is configured to intermittently operate the modulator to append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the computing device is configured to operate the modulator to continuously append the modulation signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the one or more pulse properties include one or more of: an amplitude of the reflected electromagnetic pulse group, and a phase difference between the corresponding transmitted electromagnetic pulse group and the reflected electromagnetic pulse group.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the computing device is further configured to determine a first amplitude of the first reflected electromagnetic pulse group. The computing device is further configured to determine a second amplitude of the second reflected electromagnetic pulse group. The computing device is further configured to determine a change in position of the object based on the first and second amplitudes.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the modulated signal is a frequency modulated signal.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the first and second reflected electromagnetic pulse sets are transformed in the frequency domain using any one or combination of filtering, convolution, and autocorrelation.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the computing device is configured to operate the modulator to append a modulation signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses during any one time period such that the modulation signal during any one time period includes at least first and second frequencies that are different from each other.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the first and second reflected electromagnetic pulse groups are filtered in the frequency domain, and wherein the frequency difference of the modulated signal is in the passband.

[0014] Further disclosed herein is a method for a radar system configured with a range gating mechanism. The method includes determining, by a computing device, one or more first pulse attributes associated with a first set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a first time period. The method further includes operating, by the computing device, a modulator to append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses. The method further includes determining, by the computing device, one or more second pulse attributes associated with a second set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a second time period. The method further includes determining, by the computing device, a change in position of an object within a FOV of the radar system during a period between the first time period and the second time period based on the one or more first and second pulse attributes.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the method includes intermittently operating, by the computing device, a modulator to append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the method includes operating, by a computing device, a modulator to continuously append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the one or more pulse properties include one or more of: an amplitude of the reflected electromagnetic pulse group, and a phase difference between the corresponding transmitted electromagnetic pulse group and the reflected electromagnetic pulse group.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes determining, by a computing device, a first amplitude of a first reflected electromagnetic pulse group. The method further includes determining, by a computing device, a second amplitude of a second reflected electromagnetic pulse group. The method further includes determining, by a computing device, a change in position of the object based on the first and second amplitudes.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the modulated signal is a frequency modulated signal.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the first and second reflected electromagnetic pulse sets are transformed in the frequency domain using any one or combination of filtering, convolution, and autocorrelation.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes operating a modulator, by a computing device, to append a modulation signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses during any one time period such that the modulation signal during any one time period includes at least first and second frequencies that are different from each other.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the first and second reflected electromagnetic pulse groups are filtered in the frequency domain, and wherein the frequency difference of the modulated signal is in the passband.

[0023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, features, and techniques of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the subject disclosure of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the subject disclosure.

[0025] In the drawings, similar components and / or features may have the same reference label. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference label (regardless of the second reference label).

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a radar system and a field of view of the radar system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 According to one or more embodiments of the present invention Figure 1 A detailed schematic block diagram of a computing device of a radar system; and

[0028] Figure 3 According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1 A schematic flow chart of a method of a radar system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are so detailed in order to clearly convey the present disclosure. However, the many details provided are not intended to limit the intended changes of the embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the scope and spirit of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0030] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0031] In the specification, the spatial relationship between various components and the spatial orientation of various aspects of the components may be mentioned, as depicted in the accompanying drawings. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize after a complete reading of this subject disclosure, the components of the present invention described herein can be positioned in any desired orientation. Therefore, the use of terms such as "above", "below", "up", "down", "first", "second" or other similar terms to describe the spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of various aspects of such components should be understood to describe the relative relationship between components or the spatial orientation of various aspects of such components.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 , a schematic representation of a radar system 100 is shown along with a field of view (FOV) 150 of the radar system 100. The radar system 100 may be configured with a range gating mechanism. The radar system 100 includes a transmitter 102 and a receiver 104. The transmitter 102 is configured to transmit a set of electromagnetic (EM) pulses in an area defining the FOV 150 of the radar system 100. The receiver 104 is configured to detect the set of reflected EM pulses. The set of reflected EM pulses may be generated in response to the transmitted EM pulse set reflecting from an object 190 located within the FOV 150. The receiver 104 may be further configured to generate a signal in response to receiving the set of reflected EM pulses.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the radar system 100 may be a Doppler radar system. Generally, a transmitted EM pulse group may hit an object in the FOV of the radar system and be reflected. A receiver of the radar system may receive the reflected EM pulse group. If the object has a velocity relative to the radar system, the reflected EM pulse group is offset relative to the transmitted EM pulse group due to the Doppler effect. The Doppler effect may be used to determine the relative velocity of the object.

[0034] However, in some cases, a stationary object may be large and may be placed so that it partially or completely blocks the FOV of the radar system. Furthermore, in some other cases, a small object may be placed close to the receiver, thereby partially or completely blocking the receiver. At this moment, the radar system may not be able to determine whether any movement is occurring behind the object.

[0035] In an example, a radar system (such as a Doppler radar system) can be used for security purposes in the FOV. The radar system can detect movement in and out of the FOV, but may not register if an object within the FOV is newly placed or slightly moved.

[0036] Therefore, a need exists for a means to determine the presence or relocation of an object, and the position or distance of an object relative to the radar system using a radar system. In addition, it is preferred that the means be cost-effective and be able to be integrated into existing radar systems without requiring significant modifications to the existing radar systems.

[0037] Continue to refer Figure 1 , radar system 100 further includes a modulator 110 communicatively coupled to transmitter 102. Modulator 110 is configured to selectively append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses from transmitter 102. In one or more embodiments, the modulated signal may be a frequency modulated signal.

[0038] The radar system 100 may further include a signal processing unit 112 that is communicatively coupled to the transmitter 102, the receiver 104, and the modulator 110. The signal processing unit 112 may be configured to receive a signal generated by the receiver 104 in a plurality of consecutive time periods. The signal processing unit 112 may be further configured to generate a corresponding voltage in response to the received signal. In one or more embodiments, the voltage is a direct current (DC) voltage. In some other embodiments, the voltage is an alternating current (AC) voltage. The generated voltage may have an amplitude based on one or more pulse attributes of the corresponding received signal from the receiver 104. In one or more embodiments, the one or more pulse attributes may include one or more of the following: an amplitude of a reflected EM pulse group, and a phase difference between a corresponding transmitted EM pulse group and a reflected EM pulse group. In one or more embodiments, the one or more pulse attributes may indicate a distance of the object 190 from the radar system 100.

[0039] The radar system 100 further includes a computing device 200. The computing device 200 may be configured to operate the radar system 100. The computing device 200 may be implemented as a single device or a combination of multiple devices that may be communicatively coupled or networked together. The computing device 200 may be implemented in hardware or a suitable combination of hardware and software. The computing device 200 may be a hardware device including a processor that executes machine-readable program instructions. "Hardware" may include a combination of discrete components, integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, digital signal processors, or other suitable hardware. "Software" may include one or more objects, agents, threads, lines of code, subroutines, separate software applications, two or more lines of code, or other suitable software structures that operate in one or more software applications or on one or more processors. The processor may include, for example, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a central processing unit, a state machine, a logic circuit, any device that manipulates data or signals based on an operating instruction, and the like. Among other capabilities, the processor may fetch and execute computer-readable instructions in a memory operatively coupled to the computing device 200 for performing tasks such as data processing, input / output processing, feature extraction, and / or any other functionality. Any reference to a task in this disclosure may refer to an operation being or potentially being performed on data.

[0040] The radar system 100 may further include units such as, but not limited to, a display unit, an audio unit, a notification unit, an input unit, an output unit, etc.; however, for the purpose of clarity, Figure 1 These units are not shown.

[0041] refer to Figure 2, showing a detailed schematic block diagram of a computing device 200. The computing device 200 includes a processor 202 and a memory 204 communicatively coupled to the processor 202. The memory 204 may store instructions that may be executed by the processor 202 to implement the computing device 200. The computing device 200 further includes an interface 206. The interface 206 may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices (referred to as I / O devices), storage devices, and the like. The interface 206 may also provide a communication path for one or more components of the computing device 200. The computing device 200 may be communicatively coupled to a database 250. The database 250 may be configured to store data generated during the execution of instructions by the processor 202 in order to implement the computing device 200. The database 250 may be further configured to store additional data required to implement the computing device 200.

[0042] Reference now Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one or more embodiments, computing device 200 includes processing engine 210. Processing engine 210 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (e.g., programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of processing engine 210. In some examples, processing engine 210 may be implemented by an electronic circuit module.

[0043] The processing engine 210 may include a pulse attributes engine 212, a modulator operation engine 214, an object position determination engine 216, and other engine(s) 218. The other engine(s) 218 ​​may include an engine configured to perform one or more auxiliary functions associated with the processing engine 210.

[0044] The pulse attributes engine 212 may be configured to determine one or more first pulse attributes associated with the first set of reflected EM pulses during the first time period. In one or more embodiments, the pulse attributes engine 212 may be configured to determine a first amplitude of the first set of reflected EM pulses.

[0045] The modulator operation engine 214 may be configured to operate the modulator 110 to append the modulated signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses transmitted by the transmitter 102. In one or more embodiments, the modulator operation engine 212 may be configured to intermittently operate the modulator 110 to append the modulated signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses. In one or more embodiments, the modulator operation engine 212 may be configured to selectively operate the modulator 110 to append the modulated signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses during at least a first and a second time period, wherein the second time period is subsequent to the first time period. In some other embodiments, the modulator operation engine 212 may be configured to operate the modulator 110 to continuously append the modulated signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses.

[0046] The pulse attributes engine 212 may be configured to determine one or more second pulse attributes associated with the second set of reflected EM pulses during the second time period. In one or more embodiments, the pulse attributes engine 212 may be configured to determine a second amplitude of the second set of reflected EM pulses.

[0047] Object position determination engine 216 may be configured to determine a change in position of object 190 within FOV 150 of radar system 100 during a period between the first time period and the second time period based on the first and second pulse properties. In one or more embodiments, object position determination engine 216 may be configured to make the determination based on the first and second amplitudes.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, the object position determination engine 216 may be configured to determine that the position of the object 190 during the first and second time periods is substantially similar if the first and second amplitudes are substantially similar. In one or more embodiments, the object position determination engine 216 may be configured to determine that the position of the object 190 during the first and second time periods is different if the first and second amplitudes are different.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, modulator operation engine 214 may be configured to operate modulator 110 to append a modulated signal to the transmitted EM pulse set during any one time period such that the modulated signal during any one time period includes at least first and second frequencies that are different from each other.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the pulse attributes engine 212 may be configured to determine one or more third pulse attributes associated with the set of transmitted EM pulses appended with a modulating signal having at least the first and second frequencies. In one or more embodiments, the pulse attributes engine 212 may be configured to determine a third amplitude of the set of transmitted EM pulses appended with a modulating signal having at least the first and second frequencies.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, object position determination engine 216 may be configured to determine a distance of object 190 from receiver 104 of radar system 100 based on the third amplitude.

[0052] refer to Figure 3 , a schematic flow chart of a method 300 for use with radar system 100 is shown. Referring now to Figures 1 to 3At step 302, the method 300 includes determining, by the computing device 200, one or more first pulse attributes associated with a first set of reflected EM pulses during a first time period. At step 304, the method 300 further includes operating, by the computing device 200, the modulator 110 to append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses. At step 306, the method 300 further includes determining, by the computing device 200, one or more second pulse attributes associated with a second set of reflected EM pulses during a second time period. At step 308, the method 300 further includes determining, by the computing device 200, a change in position of the object 190 within the FOV 150 of the radar system 100 during a period between the first time period and the second time period based on the one or more first and second pulse attributes.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the method 300 includes intermittently operating, by the computing device 200, the modulator 110 to append a modulation signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the method 300 includes operating, by the computing device 200, the modulator 110 to continuously append the modulation signal to the set of transmitted EM pulses.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the method 300 further includes determining, by the computing device 200, a first amplitude of the first reflected EM pulse group. The method 300 further includes determining, by the computing device 200, a second amplitude of the second reflected EM pulse group. The method 300 further includes determining, by the computing device 200, a change in position of the object 190 based on the first and second amplitudes.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, method 300 further includes operating, by computing device 200, modulator 110 to append a modulation signal to the transmitted EM pulse set during any one time period such that the modulation signal during any one time period includes at least first and second frequencies that are different from each other.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The teachings of the present invention may be modified to accommodate specific circumstances or materials without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention encompasses all embodiments falling within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0058] In interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the elements, components, or steps mentioned may exist, be utilized, or be combined with other elements, components, or steps not explicitly mentioned. In the case where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, ..., and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, rather than A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. A radar system configured with a range gating mechanism, comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a set of electromagnetic pulses in an area defining a field of view (FOV) of the radar system; a receiver configured to detect a set of reflected electromagnetic pulses generated in response to reflections of the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses from an object located within the FOV of the radar system; a modulator communicatively coupled to the transmitter and configured to selectively append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses; as well as a computing device, the computing device being communicatively coupled to the transmitter, the receiver, and the modulator, the computing device being configured to: determining one or more first pulse attributes associated with a first set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a first time period; operating the modulator to append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses; determining one or more second pulse attributes associated with a second set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a second time period; as well as Based on the one or more first pulse attributes and the one or more second pulse attributes, a change in position of the object within the FOV of the radar system during a period between the first time period and the second time period is determined.

2. The radar system of claim 1, wherein: The computing device is configured to intermittently operate the modulator to append the modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

3. The radar system of claim 1, wherein: The computing device is configured to operate the modulator to continuously append the modulation signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

4. A radar system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The one or more pulse attributes include one or more of the following: an amplitude of the reflected electromagnetic pulse group, and a phase difference between the corresponding transmitted electromagnetic pulse group and the reflected electromagnetic pulse group.

5. A radar system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The computing device is further configured to: determining a first amplitude of the first reflected electromagnetic pulse set; and determining a second amplitude of the second set of reflected electromagnetic pulses; and The change in position of the object is determined based on the first amplitude and the second amplitude.

6. A radar system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The modulation signal is a frequency modulated signal.

7. A radar system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The first and second reflected electromagnetic pulse groups are transformed in the frequency domain using any one or combination of filtering, convolution and autocorrelation.

8. A radar system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The computing device is configured to operate the modulator to append the modulation signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses during any one time period such that the modulation signal during any one time period includes at least first and second frequencies that are different from each other.

9. A radar system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The first set of reflected electromagnetic pulses and the second set of reflected electromagnetic pulses are filtered in the frequency domain, and wherein the frequency difference of the modulated signal is in a passband.

10. A method for a radar system configured with a range gating mechanism, comprising: determining, by a computing device, one or more first pulse attributes associated with a first set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a first time period; operating a modulator by the computing device to append a modulated signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses; determining, by the computing device, one or more second pulse attributes associated with a second set of reflected electromagnetic pulses during a second time period; as well as A change in position of an object within the FOV of the radar system during a period between the first time period and the second time period is determined by the computing device based on the one or more first pulse attributes and the one or more second pulse attributes.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: The modulator is intermittently operated by the computing device to append the modulating signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: The modulator is operated by the computing device to continuously append the modulating signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The one or more pulse attributes include one or more of the following: an amplitude of the reflected electromagnetic pulse group, and a phase difference between the corresponding transmitted electromagnetic pulse group and the reflected electromagnetic pulse group.

14. The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising: determining, by the computing device, a first amplitude of the first reflected electromagnetic pulse group; and determining, by the computing device, a second amplitude of the second reflected electromagnetic pulse group; as well as The change in position of the object is determined by the computing device based on the first amplitude and the second amplitude.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein: The modulation signal is a frequency modulated signal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein: The first and second reflected electromagnetic pulse groups are transformed in the frequency domain using any one or combination of filtering, convolution and autocorrelation.

17. The method of any one of claims 10 to 16, further comprising: The modulator is operated by the computing device to append the modulation signal to the set of transmitted electromagnetic pulses during any one time period such that the modulation signal during any one time period includes at least first and second frequencies that are different from each other.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein: The first set of reflected electromagnetic pulses and the second set of reflected electromagnetic pulses are filtered in the frequency domain, and wherein the frequency difference of the modulated signal is in a passband.

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