Frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor and electronic equipment comprising same

Abstract

The frequency-modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a signal generator for generating a frequency-modulated signal whose frequency varies with time; a transmission antenna that transmits the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generator; the receiving antenna is used for receiving the frequency-modulated signal reflected by the object; a mixer outputting a difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; and a filter extracting an intermediate frequency component from an output of the mixer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor and electronic equipment comprising the same. Background Art

[0002] A frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor is a sensor that detects the distance between the radar and the sensor based on the frequency difference between the transmitted electromagnetic wave whose frequency changes over time and the received electromagnetic wave reflected by the object.

[0003] Since this sensor can detect the presence, distance, position, etc. of an object, it is used in various fields such as home appliances, industry, automobiles, and the military.

[0004] However, there is a limitation that the state of an object cannot be detected. Also, since the existing measuring equipment that can detect the state of an object requires high-speed sampling, there is a disadvantage that expensive parts / equipment are required. Summary of the invention

[0005] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor capable of acquiring the distance to an object and the characteristics of the object and an electronic device including the same.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor and an electronic device including the same, which can obtain characteristic information of an object in real time in a non-contact manner by using a frequency characteristic signal.

[0008] Technical solutions to the problem

[0009] The frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor of an embodiment of the present invention may include: a signal generator, which generates a frequency modulated (FM) signal whose frequency varies with time; a transmitting antenna, which transmits the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generator; a receiving antenna, which receives a signal of the frequency modulated signal reflected by an object; a mixer, which outputs the difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; and a filter, which extracts an intermediate frequency component from the output of the mixer.

[0010] The FMCW radar sensor may further include an extracting unit for acquiring an envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component.

[0011] The extraction unit may acquire the envelope by demodulating or performing Hilbert Transform on the extracted intermediate frequency component.

[0012] The electronic device of an embodiment of the present invention may include: a accommodating portion, which forms a space for accommodating an object; a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor, which detects the characteristics of the object; and a controller; the frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor may include: a signal generator, which generates a frequency modulated signal whose frequency changes with time; a transmitting antenna, which transmits the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generator; a receiving antenna, which receives a signal reflected by the object from the frequency modulated signal; a mixer, which outputs the difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; and a filter, which extracts only an intermediate frequency component from the output of the mixer; the controller can use the extracted intermediate frequency component to obtain the characteristics of the object.

[0013] The electronic device may further include a memory storing data on which the envelope waveform is mapped for each type of the object, and the controller may acquire the type of the object having a waveform similar to the envelope acquired by the extracting unit from the memory.

[0014] The electronic device may further include a display that outputs the acquired object.

[0015] For each type of object, the data may include a plurality of envelope waveforms corresponding to the states of the respective objects.

[0016] The controller can obtain the type and status of the objects contained in the space.

[0017] The operation method of the frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor of an embodiment of the present invention may include: a step of generating a frequency modulated signal whose frequency varies with time; a step of sending the frequency modulated signal generated by a signal generator; a step of receiving a signal reflected by an object when the frequency modulated signal is generated; a step of outputting the difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; and a step of extracting an intermediate frequency component from the output of a mixer.

[0018] The operating method of the FMCW radar sensor may further include the step of acquiring an envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component.

[0019] The operation method of the electronic device of an embodiment of the present invention may include: a step of generating a frequency modulated signal whose frequency varies with time; a step of sending the frequency modulated signal generated by a signal generator; a step of receiving a signal in which the frequency modulated signal is reflected by an object; a step of outputting the difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; a step of extracting an intermediate frequency component from the output of a mixer; and a step of obtaining the characteristics of the object using the extracted intermediate frequency component.

[0020] The operation method of the electronic device may further include the step of acquiring an envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component, and the step of acquiring the characteristics of the object may include the step of acquiring the characteristics of the object using the envelope.

[0021] The operation method of the electronic device may further include a step of displaying the characteristics of the object.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the embodiments of the present invention, there is an advantage that a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor can be provided which can obtain the distance and characteristics of an object using only an intermediate frequency component and can be miniaturized and cost-effective.

[0024] According to the embodiments of the present invention, there is an advantage that the internal state of an object can be detected by using a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor that can acquire the characteristics of the object.

[0025] According to the embodiments of the present invention, there is an advantage of improving the management efficiency of objects set inside by using an electronic device including a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor capable of acquiring the distance and characteristics of the object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining a method in which a conventional measuring device measures characteristics of an object using a continuous wave.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the distance to an object using a conventional frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor.

[0028] Figure 3 4 is a block diagram of a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 It is used to illustrate Figure 3 or Figure 4 An example diagram of a signal waveform that has passed through the filter and extraction unit.

[0031] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic device including a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 The invention is a control block diagram of an electronic device including a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 This figure shows an example of envelope waveform for each object type.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an envelope waveform that changes according to the state of an object.

[0035] Fig.10 It is a sequence diagram showing the operation method of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig.11 The present invention is a sequence diagram showing a method in which an electronic device communicates with a server and a smartphone to operate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar components.

[0038] The suffixes "module" and "unit" used in the following description for the constituent elements are only given or used interchangeably in consideration of the convenience of writing the specification, and they themselves do not have meanings or functions that distinguish one from another.

[0039] In the following description, unless explicitly stated otherwise, “connection” between constituent elements includes not only direct connection between the constituent elements but also indirect connection through at least one other constituent element.

[0040] Hereinafter, a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor and an electronic device including the same that can acquire the distance to an object and the characteristics of the object will be described.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining a method in which a conventional measuring device measures characteristics of an object using a continuous wave.

[0042] Conventional measuring devices transmit electromagnetic waves to an object while changing the frequency. For example, the electromagnetic waves are transmitted to the object while increasing the frequency as shown in frequency 1, frequency 2, frequency 3, etc. Then, the electrical frequency response characteristics of the object to be measured are measured by measuring the signal size of the received electromagnetic waves reflected by the object.

[0043] However, in this case, since the received electromagnetic wave has the same frequency as the transmitted electromagnetic wave (more than several GHz), high-speed sampling is required for digitization, which has the disadvantage of requiring expensive components / equipment. In addition, since a point-by-point measurement method is adopted, there is a disadvantage of a long measurement time.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the distance to an object using a conventional frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor.

[0045] The existing frequency modulated continuous wave laser sensor, when transmitting electromagnetic waves in the form of linear frequency modulation (Chirp) generated by a signal generator and with a frequency increasing over time through a transmitting antenna, can receive such electromagnetic waves reflected by an object as a measurement object through a receiving antenna. A mixer can pass the transmitted electromagnetic wave and the received electromagnetic wave to obtain the difference between the two, and an analyzer can measure the distance to the object based on the difference between the two.

[0046] However, the existing FMCW radar sensor has a limitation that it is difficult to grasp the characteristics of an object. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a FMCW radar sensor that can measure the distance to an object and the characteristics of the object.

[0047] The following describes a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 3 4 is a block diagram of a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The FMCW radar sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention may include at least a part or all of a signal generator 101 , a transmitting antenna 103 , a receiving antenna 105 , a mixer 107 , a filter 109 , and an extracting unit 111 .

[0050] The signal generator 101 may generate a frequency modulated (FM) signal whose frequency increases with time. The signal generated by the signal generator 101 may have a chirp waveform. The signal generator 101 may be a chirp-transmitter. The signal generator 101 may be a signal generator.

[0051] The transmission antenna 103 may transmit the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generator 101. The frequency modulated signal transmitted by the transmission antenna 103 may reach the object O. The frequency modulated signal reaching the object O may be reflected back.

[0052] The receiving antenna 105 may receive a signal of the FM signal reflected by the object O.

[0053] The mixer 107 may output a difference between the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generator 101 and the reflected signal.

[0054] The filter 109 may extract an intermediate frequency (IF) component from the output of the mixer 107. The filter 109 may be a band pass filter that extracts only a specific frequency domain.

[0055] Intermediate frequency (IF) is a frequency between radio frequency (RF) and baseband frequency. The frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor of the embodiment of the present invention can use the extracted intermediate frequency component to obtain the distance to the object. Since the intermediate frequency can obtain a digital signal even through low-speed sampling, the distance and characteristics of the object can be obtained by extracting the intermediate frequency component, which has the advantages of being able to achieve miniaturization and save manufacturing costs.

[0056] The extraction unit 111 may acquire the envelope of the intermediate frequency component extracted by the filter 109. For example, the extraction unit 111 may acquire the envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component by demodulation or Hilbert Transform, but this is only an example and is not limited thereto.

[0057] The FMCW radar sensor of the embodiment of the present invention can use the envelope to obtain the characteristics of the object. In particular, since the characteristics are detected by the change of the electromagnetic wave reflected by the object, it has the advantage of being able to detect the internal characteristics of the object that cannot be recognized by the naked eye or camera through the envelope. Specifically, by utilizing the fact that even if the size and shape are the same, the envelope has different characteristics depending on the material and characteristics, etc., it has the advantage of being able to obtain the characteristics of the object.

[0058] Although not in Figure 3 , but the FMCW radar sensor of the embodiment of the present invention may further include an analyzer (not shown), which uses the intermediate frequency component extracted from the filter 109 to obtain the distance to the object, and uses the envelope extracted from the extraction unit 111 to obtain the characteristics of the object. In addition, the FMCW radar sensor may further include a memory (not shown), which stores sample data of a reference envelope waveform based on material and characteristics, etc., for analyzing the characteristics of the object.

[0059] In addition, the FMCW radar sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a baseband filter and an analog-to-digital converter.

[0060] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the FMCW radar sensor may include at least a part or all of a signal generator 101 , a transmitting antenna 103 , a receiving antenna 105 , a mixer 107 , a filter 109 , an extracting unit 111 , an analog-to-digital converter 113 , and a second filter 115 .

[0062] The analog-to-digital converter 113 may convert the analog signal passing through the second filter 115 into a digital signal.

[0063] The second filter 115 may pass only a specific frequency band in the output of the mixer 107. The second filter 115 may be a low pass filter, but this is only an example and is not limited thereto. As the noise passes through the second filter 115, the noise is removed, thereby having the advantage of improving the accuracy of measuring the distance and characteristics to the object.

[0064] In addition, the rest of the composition Figure 3 The description is the same as in , so repeated description is omitted.

[0065] Figure 5 It is used to illustrate Figure 3 or Figure 4 An example diagram of a signal waveform that has passed through the filter and extraction unit.

[0066] exist Figure 5 , the left side shows the signal waveform in the frequency domain, and the right side shows the signal waveform in the time domain.

[0067] exist Figure 5 In (a), as an example of a signal waveform that has passed through the filter 109, only the intermediate frequency component may be included. Also, here, the signal filtered into the intermediate frequency component may include the distance information between the FMCW radar sensor and the object O.

[0068] And, in Figure 5 The sideband of the frequency domain signal shown on the left side of (a) includes envelope information.

[0069] Figure 5 (b) shows an envelope waveform extracted from the signal extracted by the filter 109. The characteristics of the object can be extracted from the envelope waveform.

[0070] The property of the object may include dielectric constant, transmittance, etc., but this is just an example and is not limited thereto.

[0071] The above-mentioned frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor can also be set in various electronic devices for use. For example, the frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor can be included in various household appliances such as refrigerators, electromagnetic microwave ovens, air fryers, etc., but this is only an example and is not limited thereto.

[0072] Hereinafter, the operation method of the FMCW radar sensor when it is installed in the electronic device will be described. In particular, for the sake of convenience, the FMCW radar sensor will be described assuming that it is installed in a refrigerator.

[0073] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing an electronic device including a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 The invention is a control block diagram of an electronic device including a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The electronic device 10 may include a receiving portion 11 forming a space S for receiving an object, a memory 12 , a display 14 , a controller 20 , and a FMCW radar sensor 100 detecting characteristics of an object.

[0075] The storage part 11 may be a space for storing an object. For example, when the electronic device 10 is a refrigerator, the storage part 11 may be a storage room for storing food. The FMCW radar sensor 100 may be disposed in the storage part 11, but the position may also be changed. However, in order to accurately detect the detection object, it may be necessary to be separated from the detection object by a predetermined interval. Depending on the setting position of the FMCW radar sensor 100, the detection area may become different.

[0076] The display 14 can display the properties of the object. That is, the display 14 can display the type and state of the object.

[0077] The memory 12 may store data mapped with envelope waveforms according to the types of objects. When the electronic device 10 is a refrigerator, the types of objects may be various, such as apples, pears, oranges, pork, beef, lettuce, perilla leaves, mackerel, hairtail, steamed buns, etc. That is, the memory 12 may store data mapped with envelope waveforms corresponding to apples, envelope waveforms corresponding to pears, envelope waveforms corresponding to oranges, envelope waveforms corresponding to pork, etc. That is, the memory 12 may store data mapped with envelope waveforms corresponding to various ingredients and foods.

[0078] Figure 8 This figure shows an example of envelope waveform for each object type.

[0079] Figure 8 The envelope waveforms for each type of object are shown, which have the same shape and size but are different in material, etc. This is actually the waveform of measuring objects of different materials by setting the electromagnetic wave incident angle to 0 degrees. The thick line shows the average value, and the thin line shows the deviation between the measured values.

[0080] like Figure 8 As shown in the example, it can be confirmed that the envelope waveform varies depending on the type of object.

[0081] Therefore, the controller 20 may acquire the kind of the object based on the waveform of the object.

[0082] Furthermore, even for the same object, the envelope waveform may be different depending on the state. Specifically, the state of food or the like may change over time, such as spoilage, and the envelope waveform may be different.

[0083] In this specification, the characteristics of an object may include the type and state of the object.

[0084] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an envelope waveform that changes according to the state of an object.

[0085] Fig. 9 (a) shows an envelope curve extracted based on time lapse by measuring the same object with a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor at a predetermined period. Fig. 9 (a), the overall waveform shape of the envelope is similar, but if Fig. 9 A specific part of (a) is enlarged to show Fig. 9 As shown in (b), it can be confirmed that the peak value moves with time. Fig. 9 As shown in (c), it can also be confirmed that the peak frequency moves over time.

[0086] Therefore, the memory 12 can extract and store a plurality of envelopes based on the passage of time for the same object. Assuming that the state of the object changes over time, the plurality of envelopes based on the passage of time can represent a plurality of envelopes based on the state. That is, the data stored in the memory 12 that maps the envelope waveform by the type of object can include a plurality of envelope waveforms corresponding to the state of each object for each type of object. For example, the memory 12 can store a plurality of envelope waveforms based on the state of the object corresponding to the first type, a plurality of envelope waveforms based on the state of the object corresponding to the second type, ..., a plurality of envelope waveforms based on the state of the object corresponding to the Nth type. Thus, the electronic device 10 can not only obtain the type of the object, but also obtain characteristic information such as the current state.

[0087] Therefore, the controller 20 can obtain the characteristics of the object using the intermediate frequency component extracted by the filter 109. More strictly speaking, the controller 20 can obtain the characteristics of the object using the envelope of the intermediate frequency component extracted by the filter 109.

[0088] Fig.10 It is a sequence diagram showing the operation method of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The controller 20 may acquire an envelope of an object ( S101 ).

[0090] The controller 20 may acquire the envelope of the object present in the accommodation portion 11 through the FMCW radar sensor 100 .

[0091] The controller 20 may acquire the type and state of the object based on the envelope ( S103 ).

[0092] The controller 20 may detect an envelope line most similar to the acquired data from the data stored in the memory 12 to acquire the type and state of the object.

[0093] If the memory 12 stores data in which only envelope waveforms for the types of objects are mapped, the controller 20 may acquire only the types of objects having waveforms similar to the envelope acquired by the extraction section 111 from the memory 12 .

[0094] The controller 20 may display the acquired type and state of the object on the display 14 ( S105 ).

[0095] For example, the display 14 may display that the type of the object in the receiving portion 11 is “apple” and the state is “fresh”.

[0096] The controller 20 may display the types and states of all the objects accommodated in the accommodation portion 11 on the display 14 .

[0097] The controller 20 may count the passage of time ( S107 ).

[0098] The controller 20 may determine whether a preset time has passed ( S109 ).

[0099] For example, the controller 20 may determine whether twenty-four hours have passed after displaying the type and state of the object. However, the set time here is only an example, and the time may be changed by user input or the like.

[0100] If a preset time has passed, the controller 20 may re-acquire the envelope of the object to acquire the type and state and display them on the display 14 .

[0101] For example, the display 14 may display that the type of the object in the storage portion 11 is “apple”, the state is “rotten”, and the like.

[0102] Thus, the electronic device 10 has an advantage of being able to easily guide the user to the type and state of the object in the storage portion 11 .

[0103] On the other hand, as described above, the electronic device 10 can operate independently, but the electronic device 10 can also operate by communicating with at least one of the server and the smartphone.

[0104] Fig.11 The present invention is a sequence diagram showing a method in which an electronic device communicates with a server and a smartphone to operate.

[0105] The electronic device 10 may continuously monitor the detection area ( S201 ).

[0106] That is, the electronic device 10 can use the FMCW radar sensor 100 to sense the space S formed in the receiving portion 11 in real time. Alternatively, the electronic device 10 can also use the FMCW radar sensor 100 to sense the space S formed in the receiving portion 11 at a preset period.

[0107] The electronic device 10 may determine whether a new object is detected ( S203 ).

[0108] When a new object that did not exist before is detected, the controller 20 may sense the new object using the FMCW radar sensor 100 to acquire an object characteristic signal and transmit it to the server ( S205 ).

[0109] The server may store data mapping the type and state of the object with the envelope waveform.

[0110] In this case, the object characteristic signal may include an envelope.

[0111] The server may analyze and register the object characteristic signal received from the electronic device 10 ( S207 ).

[0112] The server can extract the object characteristic signal from the data, that is, the signal whose waveform is most similar to the envelope of the new object, analyze the object characteristic signal, and register the analyzed object.

[0113] The server may transmit the analysis result of the object characteristics to at least one of the smartphone and the electronic device 10 ( S209 ).

[0114] When receiving the analysis result of the object characteristics, the smartphone may display the received result ( S211 ).

[0115] Likewise, when receiving the analysis result of the object characteristics, the electronic device 10 may display the result on the display 14. In addition, the electronic device 10 may adjust the lighting of the detection area to the first color (eg, green) so that the user can know the registration of the new object.

[0116] The electronic device 10 may monitor the detection object and periodically transmit the monitoring information to the server ( S215 ).

[0117] The detected objects can include not only registered objects but also new objects.

[0118] The server may periodically receive monitoring information and update the status of the detected object accordingly.

[0119] The server may determine whether the state of the detection object is a bad state (S217).

[0120] The server may determine whether the detection object is in a bad state based on the state of the detection object obtained through the envelope.

[0121] When the state of the detected object is not in a bad state, the server can transmit the current state to the smart phone and the electronic device 10 .

[0122] The smart phone can update the received current status, and the electronic device 10 can also display the current status, and continuously monitor the detection object, and periodically transmit the monitoring information to the server.

[0123] On the contrary, if it is determined that the state of the detection object is an unfavorable state, the server may transmit information related to the determined unfavorable state to the smart phone and the electronic device 10 .

[0124] When the smartphone receives information related to the bad state, it can output a discarding alarm (S223).

[0125] The electronic device 10 may display information related to the failure state on the display 14 ( S221 ).

[0126] In addition, the electronic device 10 may adjust the lighting of the detection area to a second color (eg, red) so that the user knows that the status of the detection object is bad.

[0127] On the other hand, in step S217, the server may also determine whether the state of the detection object is in the optimal state. The optimal state may refer to the state that is most suitable for edible food. When the server transmits information related to the detection object being in the optimal state to the smart phone and the electronic device 10, the smart phone may output an edible reminder. The electronic device 10 may adjust the lighting of the detection area to a third color (e.g., blue) so that the user knows that the state of the detection object is optimal.

[0128] Thus, the state of the object inside the electronic device 10 is managed in real time, and thus information can be provided to use the object before the state of the object becomes bad, thereby having an advantage of improving user convenience.

[0129] On the other hand, although not Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the electronic device can also obtain the position of each object by calculating the distance of each object through the FMCW radar sensor 100. Such an electronic device can also transmit the position information of the object to a smart phone, and display the position information of the object in the smart phone.

[0130] On the other hand, the electronic device 10 is assumed to be a refrigerator for explanation, but the FMCW radar sensor 100 can also be set in household appliances such as clothing care machines (detecting clothing types and states), washing machines / dryers (detecting clothing states (dryness)), ovens / cookers (detecting cooking states), and medical care (detecting life signals / information). It can also be set in automobile / industrial related equipment for applications in road state (ice, unpaved, water accumulation, etc.) detection, passenger and cargo differentiation, foreign body detection, water level detection in water tanks, material state detection in high temperature / high pressure chambers, drone obstacle avoidance, security X-ray replacement, and fire rescue (life recognition).

[0131] On the other hand, according to an embodiment, the FMCW radar sensor 100 may further include a plurality of electromagnetic wave lenses (not shown). Specifically, the FMCW radar sensor 100 may further include: a first lens (not shown) for focusing the signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna 103 to the object; and a second lens (not shown) for focusing the signal reflected by the object to the receiving antenna 105. The first lens (not shown) may be disposed at the front end of the transmitting antenna 103, and the second lens (not shown) may be disposed at the front end of the receiving antenna 105.

[0132] In addition, according to the embodiment, the FMCW radar sensor 100 can also obtain the characteristics of the object while rotating the object. In this case, since the envelope is obtained while obtaining the incident angle information, the error caused by the incident angle is improved, thereby having the advantage of being able to more accurately obtain the characteristics of the object.

[0133] The above description is merely an exemplary description of the technical concept of the present invention, and a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0134] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are used to explain rather than limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

[0135] The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the attached claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be understood to be included in the right scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor, wherein: include: A signal generator, generating a frequency modulated signal whose frequency varies with time; A transmitting antenna, transmitting the frequency modulation signal generated by the signal generator; A receiving antenna receives a signal of the frequency modulation signal reflected by an object; a mixer, outputting a difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; as well as A filter extracts the intermediate frequency component from the output of the mixer.

2. The FMCW radar sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also includes an extraction unit for obtaining the envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component.

3. The FMCW radar sensor according to claim 2, wherein: The extraction unit acquires the envelope by demodulating or Hilbert transforming the extracted intermediate frequency component.

4. An electronic device, wherein: include: A receiving portion, forming a space for receiving an object; a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor to detect characteristics of the object; as well as Controller; The frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor comprises: A signal generator, generating a frequency modulated signal whose frequency varies with time; A transmitting antenna, transmitting the frequency modulation signal generated by the signal generator; A receiving antenna receives a signal of the frequency modulation signal reflected by an object; a mixer that outputs a difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; and a filter to extract only intermediate frequency components from the output of the mixer; The controller obtains the characteristics of the object using the extracted intermediate frequency components.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The FMCW radar sensor further includes an extracting unit for acquiring an envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein: The extraction unit acquires the envelope by demodulating or Hilbert transforming the extracted intermediate frequency component.

7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein: Also included is a memory storing data mapped with envelope waveforms according to the types of objects; The controller acquires, from the memory, a type of an object having a waveform similar to the envelope acquired by the extraction section.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein: Also included is a display for outputting the acquired object.

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein: For each type of the object, the data includes a plurality of envelope waveforms corresponding to the state of each object.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: The controller obtains the type and status of the objects accommodated in the space.

11. A method for operating a frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensor, wherein: include: The step of generating a frequency modulated signal having a frequency varying with time; The step of transmitting the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generator; The step of receiving a signal of the frequency modulation signal reflected by an object; the step of outputting a difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; as well as The step of extracting an intermediate frequency component from the output of the mixer.

12. The method for operating a FMCW radar sensor according to claim 11, wherein: The method also includes the step of obtaining the envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component.

13. An operating method of an electronic device, wherein: include: The step of generating a frequency modulated signal having a frequency varying with time; The step of transmitting the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generator; The step of receiving a signal of the frequency modulation signal reflected by an object; the step of outputting a difference between the frequency modulated signal and the reflected signal; The step of extracting an intermediate frequency component from the output of the mixer; as well as The step of obtaining the characteristics of the object by using the extracted intermediate frequency component.

14. The operating method of the electronic device according to claim 13, wherein: It also includes the step of obtaining the envelope of the extracted intermediate frequency component; The step of acquiring the characteristic of the object includes the step of acquiring the characteristic of the object using the envelope.

15. The operating method of the electronic device according to claim 13, wherein: Also included is the step of displaying properties of the object.

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