A method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip

Abstract

The application relates to a ranging and radar function compatible operation method based on a UWB chip, which is applied to a system comprising a host and a UWB module and comprises the following steps: creating a unified session container in a UWB baseband processor, creating a ranging session and a radar session in the unified session container, setting the highest priority for the ranging session and setting the default priority for the radar session; when a scheduling event is detected by a scheduler, the priority and the next execution time of all activated sessions are inquired, and the UWB baseband hardware usage right is preferentially allocated to the ranging session; after a ranging round of the ranging session is completed and the baseband hardware is released, the radar session is automatically scheduled by the scheduler during a ranging interval to execute at least one radar frame sequence; when the execution time of the next ranging round arrives, the ranging session is switched back by the scheduler, and the radar session is paused to wait for the next idle period. The application can realize the quick switching and compatible operation of the ranging and radar functions on a single UWB chip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle digital key technology, and more specifically, to a method for operating ranging and radar functions compatiblely based on a UWB chip. Background Technology

[0002] In vehicle-mounted UWB (Ultra-Wideband) digital key systems, UWB technology is mainly applied to two types of functional scenarios: one is the ranging function based on the FiRa / CCC protocol standard, which uses time-of-flight measurement to achieve accurate distance calculation between the car and the mobile phone key for unlocking / locking authorization; the other is the UWB radar function, which uses channel impulse response data for target detection and tracking, for kick detection, liveness detection, etc.

[0003] In existing technologies, ranging sessions and radar sessions typically operate independently. Since UWB baseband hardware can only execute one UWB sequence at a time, resource conflicts exist, preventing simultaneous operation. If alternating operation is required, traditional solutions necessitate a complete session for initialization, reconfiguration, and startup, resulting in switching delays of hundreds of milliseconds and severely impacting real-time performance. Furthermore, ranging sessions have significant idle time during periodic intervals, which traditional methods cannot effectively utilize, leading to wasted hardware resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for the compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip. This method enables rapid switching and compatible operation of ranging and radar functions on a single UWB chip, simultaneously ensuring the real-time accuracy of ranging and continuous radar monitoring, improving hardware utilization and reducing system cost and development complexity.

[0005] A method for operating ranging and radar functions compatiblely based on a UWB chip, applied to a system including a host and a UWB module, includes the following steps: A unified session container is created in the UWB baseband processor, and a ranging session and a radar session are created in the unified session container. The ranging session is given the highest priority, and the radar session is given the default priority. When the scheduler detects a scheduling event, it queries the priority and next execution time of all active sessions and prioritizes allocating the right to use the UWB baseband hardware to the ranging session. After the ranging session completes a ranging round and releases the baseband hardware, the scheduler automatically schedules the radar session during the ranging interval to execute at least one radar frame sequence. When the execution time for the next ranging round arrives, the scheduler switches back to the ranging session and pauses the radar session to wait for the next idle period.

[0006] Furthermore, before creating a unified session container in the UWB baseband processor, the ranging channel index and radar configuration index are received through the dual-mode activation interface, and the hardware module activation of the ranging channel and radar configuration is completed in one go.

[0007] Furthermore, after the hardware module for activating the ranging channel and radar configuration is activated in one go through the dual-mode activation interface, the UWB baseband hardware enters an idle state.

[0008] Furthermore, the ranging session and the radar session employ independent radio frequency configurations, including: ranging receiving configuration, ranging transmitting configuration, radar receiving configuration, and radar transmitting configuration.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes: designing the ranging function and radar function as ranging tasks and radar tasks running in independent FreeRTOS task contexts, respectively. The ranging task and radar task are only indirectly coordinated through the scheduler to transfer the right to use the baseband hardware, and there is no direct inter-task communication.

[0010] Furthermore, the host computer uses a unified SPI private protocol and independent command identifiers to control and manage the ranging session and the radar session respectively.

[0011] Furthermore, the radar frame sequence is executed using radar configuration parameters, which include radio frequency parameters, CIR acquisition parameters, noise suppression parameters, data acquisition mode parameters, and antenna configuration parameters configured for different application scenarios.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes adaptive radar calibration, which includes a full calibration mode, a fast calibration mode, and an RNS calibration mode, wherein: The complete calibration mode is executed during system power-on initialization to perform comprehensive calibration of all radar-related parameters; The fast calibration mode is executed when a temperature change exceeding a threshold is detected, and only temperature-sensitive key parameters are recalibrated. The RNS calibration mode is periodically executed during radar operation to perform drift compensation calibration on the radar noise suppression module; The full calibration mode, fast calibration mode, and RNS calibration mode are all executed during the ranging session. The scheduler temporarily suspends the radar session during calibration and automatically resumes it after calibration is completed.

[0013] A computing device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement the method described above.

[0014] A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the method described above.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. By constructing a unified session container and a priority time-division scheduling mechanism, the ranging function and the radar function can run compatiblely on the same UWB chip, eliminating the need for an external independent radar processing chip, thus reducing the system's material costs and hardware design complexity.

[0016] 2. The hardware module activation of ranging channel and radar configuration is completed in one go through the dual-mode activation interface, so that the switching between ranging and radar functions does not require a complete re-initialization process, thereby reducing switching latency and improving the real-time response capability of the system.

[0017] 3. The scheduler automatically utilizes the periodic idle intervals of the ranging session to schedule and execute radar frame sequences, realizing time-division multiplexing of UWB baseband hardware and improving hardware utilization.

[0018] 4. Set the highest priority for the ranging session to ensure that the timing requirements of the digital key are not affected by the radar function. Whenever the execution time of a new ranging round arrives, the system will immediately preempt and switch back to the ranging session, ensuring ranging accuracy and stability.

[0019] 5. The ranging and radar functions are designed to run as independent tasks within a separate FreeRTOS task context, coordinated only indirectly through the scheduler, with no direct inter-task communication, thus avoiding the risks of deadlock and resource contention. Simultaneously, the host can control them separately through a unified SPI private protocol and independent command identifiers, achieving complete decoupling of the two sets of functions and reducing the difficulty of developing and maintaining upper-layer applications.

[0020] 6. The system supports multiple independent radar configuration parameters, which can be configured for different application scenarios such as kick detection, liveness detection, and intrusion alarm, including radio frequency parameters, CIR acquisition parameters, noise suppression parameters, data acquisition modes, and antenna configurations, to meet diverse vehicle application needs.

[0021] 7. The radar calibration mechanism can automatically and accurately compensate for temperature changes or device drift, which ensures the long-term detection accuracy of the radar without affecting the real-time ranging. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a range finding system compatible with radar functionality based on a UWB chip, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a timing diagram for the scheduling of ranging sessions and radar sessions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a timing diagram of the communication between the host and the UWB module in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0026] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application. Example 1

[0027] This embodiment provides a method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip, which can be applied to an in-vehicle digital key system. The system includes a host (MCU, microcontroller unit) and a UWB module. The method is described in detail below with reference to a specific application scenario.

[0028] The host is responsible for running the Bluetooth digital key protocol stack and upper-layer vehicle application logic, while the UWB module is responsible for executing CCC (Car-to-Everything Consortium) ranging frame interaction and UWB radar signal processing. The entire system is deployed within the vehicle anchor point.

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the implementation of this invention, a typical ranging scenario is used as an example: the mobile phone, acting as a digital key, initiates a ranging request, and the vehicle anchor point needs to complete the send / receive interaction in each ranging round; simultaneously, the vehicle needs to continuously perform radar monitoring to detect the user's kick to open the trunk. The method will be described in detail below with reference to the specific process.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The ranging and radar function compatible operation method based on UWB chip of the present invention is applied to a system including a host and a UWB module, and includes the following steps: A unified session container is created in the UWB baseband processor, and a ranging session and a radar session are created in the unified session container. The ranging session is given the highest priority, and the radar session is given the default priority. For example, after the system powers on, the UWB baseband processor first loads the firmware and completes basic initialization. When the host sends a ranging start command via SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), the UWB baseband processor allocates a unified session container data structure in RAM (Random Access Memory). This unified session container adopts a union design, which can simultaneously hold the context information of multiple concurrent sessions. The data structure of each session uses the corresponding field in the union according to its type. When creating a session, the ranging session is assigned the highest priority, and the radar session is assigned the default priority.

[0031] When the scheduler detects a scheduling event, it queries the priority and next execution time of all active sessions and prioritizes allocating the right to use the UWB baseband hardware to the ranging session. For example, scheduling events include the following triggering conditions: interrupt notification of the completion of the previous sequence execution, expiration of an external timer, a forced scheduling command issued by the host via SPI, and a post-processing interrupt after the completion of a radar frame. When the scheduler detects any of the above events, it iterates through all active sessions in the unified session container, sequentially reading the priority and next wake-up timestamp of each session. The scheduler, through priority comparison, grants the right to use the UWB baseband hardware to the ranging session with the highest priority and whose wake-up time has arrived. Before granting the hardware usage right, the scheduler writes the corresponding RF configuration index into the baseband register, completing the switching of RF parameters.

[0032] After the ranging session completes a ranging round and releases the baseband hardware, the scheduler automatically schedules the radar session during the ranging interval to execute at least one radar frame sequence. For example, the ranging session execution flow is as follows: The UWB baseband hardware generates and sends a ranging initiation frame according to the pre-configured ranging frame template, waits for a response frame from the mobile terminal, and upon receiving the response frame, calculates the flight time and generates a ranging result event. After the ranging round is completed, the UWB baseband hardware triggers a sequence end interrupt. The scheduler captures this interrupt and immediately marks the baseband hardware as idle. The scheduler then retrieves the radar session configuration from the unified session container, loads the radar RF configuration parameters into the baseband register, and starts the radar frame sequence execution. In application scenarios such as kick detection, multiple radar frames can be executed during the idle time of the ranging interval to meet real-time detection requirements. After each radar frame is completed, the DSP processes the acquired CIR (channel impulse response) data to extract target information.

[0033] When the execution time for the next ranging round arrives, the scheduler switches back to the ranging session and pauses the radar session to wait for the next idle period.

[0034] For example, when the system timer reaches the ranging cycle point, a high-priority scheduling event is generated. The scheduler immediately suspends the currently executing radar frame sequence and saves the radar session's context information. Then, the scheduler writes the ranging RF configuration to the baseband register and resumes the execution of the ranging session. The radar session enters a paused waiting state until the next ranging round is completed and it is scheduled again. This preemptive handover has extremely short latency and does not cause substantial loss of radar data.

[0035] Before creating a unified session container in the UWB baseband processor, the ranging channel index and radar configuration index are received through the dual-mode activation interface, and the hardware module activation of the ranging channel and radar configuration is completed in one go.

[0036] For example, the specific steps of the dual-mode activation interface are as follows: Baseband hardware power-on and clock system initialization; parallel initialization of four RF front-end configurations, including ranging reception configuration, ranging transmission configuration, radar reception configuration, and radar transmission configuration; loading of ranging channel and radar parameters and baseband readiness transition, including ranging channel loading, radar parameter loading, noise suppression module initialization, and baseband readiness transition. Finally, dual-mode activation is completed. At this point, the baseband hardware is in IDLE state, and all four RF configurations, ranging channel parameters, and radar configuration parameters are loaded and ready. The MAC scheduler can switch the baseband to the ranging frame sequence or radar frame sequence at any time by writing to the register; the switching time is only the register write time.

[0037] In this embodiment, after the hardware module for activating the ranging channel and radar configuration is activated in one go through the dual-mode activation interface, the UWB baseband hardware enters an idle state.

[0038] For example, when the hardware enters an idle state, the RF front-end is in standby mode, the UWB baseband processor is in a low-power waiting state, and all registers retain their configured values. In this idle state, the scheduler can initiate the execution of any active session at any time with a short delay because the RF link has already been calibrated and locked, eliminating the need to perform channel switching or frequency calibration procedures again.

[0039] The ranging session and the radar session employ independent radio frequency configurations, including: ranging receiving configuration, ranging transmitting configuration, radar receiving configuration, and radar transmitting configuration.

[0040] For example, four RF configurations are set up to meet the different needs of ranging and radar. The ranging receiver configuration stores the receiver RF parameters in CCC ranging mode, including receiver antenna selection, preamplifier gain, and intermediate frequency filter bandwidth. The ranging transmitter configuration stores the transmitter RF parameters in CCC ranging mode, including transmit power, transmit antenna selection, and pulse shaping configuration. The radar receiver configuration stores the receiver RF parameters in radar mode. Since radar needs to acquire CIR data, its receiver parameters differ from those of ranging and require configuration of a specific CIR acquisition window and sampling rate. The radar transmitter configuration stores the transmitter RF parameters in radar mode. Radar transmission typically uses continuous frame sequences, and its transmission parameters must be adapted to the radar frame interval requirements. The four configurations are stored in independent register groups, and the scheduler can switch the entire set of RF parameters by writing to the strobe register during switching.

[0041] The method in this embodiment further includes: designing the ranging function and the radar function as ranging tasks and radar tasks running in independent FreeRTOS task contexts, respectively. The ranging task and radar task are only indirectly coordinated through the scheduler to transfer the right to use the baseband hardware, and there is no direct inter-task communication.

[0042] For example, FreeRTOS (Free Real-Time Operating System) is a real-time operating system running on the embedded processor of the UWB module. Ranging, radar, and scheduler tasks are created separately and allocated appropriate stack space and priorities, with the scheduler task having the highest priority. The ranging and radar tasks each have their own independent message queues. After completing a round, the ranging task sends a semaphore to the scheduler task; upon acquiring the semaphore, the scheduler task sends a start message to the radar task's message queue, triggering the radar task to begin execution. This indirect communication method ensures complete decoupling between the two tasks; even a brief delay in the radar task will not affect the response of the ranging task.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3 The host uses a unified SPI private protocol and independent command identifiers to control and manage the ranging session and the radar session respectively.

[0044] In this embodiment, the radar frame sequence is executed using radar configuration parameters, which include radio frequency parameters, CIR acquisition parameters, noise suppression parameters, data acquisition mode parameters, and antenna configuration parameters configured for different application scenarios.

[0045] Specifically, RF parameters include transmit power, channel frequency, system PLL mode, and radar PLL mode. CIR acquisition parameters include the number of CIR Taps, CIR Tap offset, and number of synchronization symbols. Radar noise suppression parameters include self-interference Tap index, noise suppression enable, drift suppression enable and mode, DC coefficient, and suppression mask. Data acquisition mode parameters include analog coupling method, data selection method, fast calibration (AGC) enable, and sensitivity enhancement configuration. Antenna configuration parameters include transmit antenna selection and receive antenna selection.

[0046] The method in this embodiment also includes adaptive radar calibration, which includes a full calibration mode, a fast calibration mode, and an RNS calibration mode. Specifically: the full calibration mode is executed during system power-on initialization to perform comprehensive calibration of all radar-related parameters; the fast calibration mode is executed when a temperature change exceeds a threshold, recalibrating only temperature-sensitive key parameters; and the RNS calibration mode is periodically executed during radar operation to perform drift compensation calibration on the radar noise suppression module. The full calibration mode, fast calibration mode, and RNS calibration mode are all executed during the ranging session. The scheduler temporarily suspends the radar session during calibration and automatically resumes it after calibration is completed. Example 2

[0047] A computing device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement the method described above.

[0048] The computing device can be an onboard anchor point controller, an onboard central computing unit, or a standalone UWB base station device. This computing device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, it implements all the steps of the UWB chip-based ranging and radar function compatible operation method described in Embodiment 1. This computing device can be deployed inside the vehicle and connected to the BCM (Body Control Module) via a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus to achieve single-device integration of digital key unlocking and foot-activated trunk opening functions. Example 3

[0049] A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the method described above.

[0050] The firmware can be pre-programmed at the chip factory or remotely updated via the host's OTA (Over-The-Air) upgrade interface. In this embodiment, the firmware adopts a modular design, including a MAC (Media Access Control) scheduler module, a CCC ranging protocol stack module, a radar signal processing module, and an SPI communication protocol module. The modules exchange data through a unified session container data structure, supporting independent upgrades without affecting each other.

[0051] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for operating ranging and radar functions compatiblely based on a UWB chip, applied to a system including a host and a UWB module, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: A unified session container is created in the UWB baseband processor, and a ranging session and a radar session are created in the unified session container. The ranging session is given the highest priority, and the radar session is given the default priority. When the scheduler detects a scheduling event, it queries the priority and next execution time of all active sessions and prioritizes allocating the right to use the UWB baseband hardware to the ranging session. After the ranging session completes a ranging round and releases the baseband hardware, the scheduler automatically schedules the radar session during the ranging interval to execute at least one radar frame sequence. When the execution time for the next ranging round arrives, the scheduler switches back to the ranging session and pauses the radar session to wait for the next idle period.

2. The method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before creating a unified session container in the UWB baseband processor, the ranging channel index and radar configuration index are received through the dual-mode activation interface, and the hardware module activation of the ranging channel and radar configuration is completed in one go.

3. The method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip according to claim 2, characterized in that, After the hardware module for ranging channel and radar configuration is activated in one go through the dual-mode activation interface, the UWB baseband hardware enters an idle state.

4. The method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ranging session and the radar session employ independent radio frequency configurations, including: ranging receiving configuration, ranging transmitting configuration, radar receiving configuration, and radar transmitting configuration.

5. The method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes: designing the ranging function and radar function as ranging tasks and radar tasks running in independent FreeRTOS task contexts, respectively. The ranging task and radar task are only indirectly coordinated through the scheduler to transfer the right to use the baseband hardware, and there is no direct inter-task communication.

6. The method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The host computer controls and manages the ranging session and the radar session respectively using a unified SPI private protocol and independent command identifiers.

7. The method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radar frame sequence is executed using radar configuration parameters, which include radio frequency parameters, CIR acquisition parameters, noise suppression parameters, data acquisition mode parameters, and antenna configuration parameters configured for different application scenarios.

8. The method for compatible operation of ranging and radar functions based on a UWB chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes adaptive radar calibration, which includes a full calibration mode, a fast calibration mode, and an RNS calibration mode, wherein: The complete calibration mode is executed during system power-on initialization to perform comprehensive calibration of all radar-related parameters; The fast calibration mode is executed when a temperature change exceeding a threshold is detected, and only temperature-sensitive key parameters are recalibrated. The RNS calibration mode is periodically executed during radar operation to perform drift compensation calibration on the radar noise suppression module; The full calibration mode, fast calibration mode, and RNS calibration mode are all executed during the ranging session. The scheduler temporarily suspends the radar session during calibration and automatically resumes it after calibration is completed.

9. A computing device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the program, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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