Electronic devices with background-cancelled ultra short range object detection

Abstract

The electronic device may include a radio circuit having a processor and transmitting and receiving antennas. The radar circuit may use the transmitting and receiving antennas to perform spatial ranging for external objects further away than a critical distance (e.g., 1-2 cm) from the transmitting antenna. The radio circuit may include a Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) sensor coupled to the transmitting antenna to detect the presence of objects within the critical distance from the transmitting antenna. This may serve to cover a blind spot for the radar circuit near the transmitting antenna. The VSWR sensor may collect background VSWR measurements when other radio performance metric data for the radio circuit are within a predetermined range of satisfactory values. Background VSWR measurements may be subtracted from real-time VSWR measurements to perform accurate and robust ultra-short-range object detection near the transmitting antenna.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 200,311 filed on March 12, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technology field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices having a wireless circuit. Background Technology

[0004] Electronic devices are often provided with radio capabilities. An electronic device having radio capabilities has a radio circuit comprising one or more antennas. The radio circuit is sometimes used to perform spatial ranging operations in which radio frequency signals are used to estimate the distance between the electronic device and an external object.

[0005] It can be difficult to provide a wireless circuit that accurately estimates this distance. For example, the wireless circuit will often exhibit blind spots near the device where it cannot accurately detect the presence of external objects.

[0006] The electronic device may include a wireless circuit controlled by one or more processors. The wireless circuit may include at least a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The wireless circuit may include a long-range spatial ranging circuit, such as a radar circuit. The long-range spatial ranging circuit may be coupled to the receiving antenna via a receiving path. The long-range spatial ranging circuit may be coupled to the transmitting antenna via a transmitting path. The radio circuit may include a radio communication circuit coupled to the transmitting antenna via a transmitting path. The long-range spatial ranging circuit may use the transmitting and receiving antennas to perform spatial ranging operations for external objects that are further away than a critical distance (e.g., 1-2 cm) from the transmitting antenna. The radio circuit may include an ultra-short range (USR) detector circuit positioned along the transmitting path. The USR detector circuit can detect the presence of external objects within a critical distance from the transmitting antenna. This may serve to cover an object detection blind spot for the long-range spatial ranging circuit close to the transmitting antenna.

[0007] The USR detector circuit may include a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor. For example, the VSWR sensor may include a directional coupler, a switching circuit, and phase and amplitude detectors. The VSWR sensor responds to radio frequency signals on the transmission path with complex scattering parameter values ​​(e.g., S 11 VSWR measurements such as values) can be collected. The VSWR sensor can collect VSWR measurements using radar signals transmitted by a long-range spatial ranging circuit, radio frequency signals transmitted by a radio communication circuit, and / or test signals generated by a dedicated signal generator. VSWR measurements may include background VSWR measurements and real-time VSWR measurements.

[0008] One or more processors can generate radio performance metric data (e.g., Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) values, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values, etc.) associated with the radio frequency performance of the radio circuit. Background VSWR measurements may be performed when the radio performance metric data is within a satisfactory range of radio performance metric values. Real-time VSWR measurements may be performed when the radio performance metric data is outside the satisfactory range of radio performance metric values. One or more processors can generate a difference value between the real-time and background VSWR measurements. One or more processors may determine that an external object is present when the difference value exceeds one or more threshold values. To further optimize the robustness of the VSWR measurements, the background and real-time measurements may include open-switch in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal measurements and optionally matched load IQ signal measurements.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include a transmitting antenna. The electronic device may include a receiving antenna. The electronic device may include a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor communicably coupled to the transmitting antenna. The electronic device may include one or more processors. One or more processors may be configured to use the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to perform spatial ranging operations for external objects located further away than a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna. One or more processors may be configured to use the VSWR sensor to detect external objects located within a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include an antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals. The electronic device may include a radio frequency transmission line communicably coupled to the antenna. The electronic device may include a Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) sensor disposed along the radio frequency transmission line. The electronic device may include one or more processors. One or more processors may be configured to collect radio performance metric data associated with the reception of radio frequency signals by the electronic device. One or more processors may be configured to measure a first VSWR value using the VSWR sensor when the collected radio performance metric data exceeds a radio performance metric threshold. One or more processors may be configured to measure a second VSWR value using the VSWR sensor when the collected radio performance metric data is below the radio performance metric threshold. One or more processors may be configured to reduce the maximum transmit power level of the radio frequency signals transmitted by the antenna when the difference between the second VSWR value and the first VSWR value exceeds a threshold.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for operating a wireless circuit to perform external object detection. The method may include the step of using a transmitting antenna to transmit a radar signal. The method may include the step of using a receiving antenna to receive a reflected version of the radar signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna. The method may include the step of using one or more processors to identify a range from the transmitting antenna to an external object that is farther than a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna, based on the radar signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna and the reflected version of the radar signal received by the receiving antenna. The method may include the step of using a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor to generate a background VSWR measurement and a real-time VSWR measurement for the transmitting antenna. The method may include the step of using one or more processors to identify that an external object is closer than a threshold distance from the antenna when the difference between the real-time VSWR measurement and the background VSWR measurement exceeds a threshold value. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0012] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary electronic device having a transmitting antenna used to perform long-range object detection using a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor according to some embodiments and to perform very short range (USR) object detection. FIG. 2 is a plot of the reflection coefficient as a function of frequency that can be generated by an exemplary VSWR sensor in response to the absence and presence of an external object according to some embodiments. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary VSWR sensor having a directional coupler for performing USR object detection using a transmitting antenna according to some embodiments. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary operations involving the use of an exemplary transmitting antenna to perform both long-range object detection and USR object detection under a time multiplexing scheme according to some embodiments. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of exemplary operations involved in performing background noise removal during USR object detection (e.g., using background-removed USR index values) according to some embodiments. FIG. 6 is a plot of background-removed USR index values ​​as a function of the distance between the transmitting antenna and an external object, according to some embodiments. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of exemplary operations involved in generating background-removed USR index values ​​according to some embodiments. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of exemplary operations involved in generating background-removed USR index values ​​that are corrected using a matched load according to some embodiments. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0013] The electronic device (10) of FIG. 1 may be a computing device such as a notebook computer or a desktop computer, a computer monitor including an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a cellular phone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device, a smaller device such as a wristwatch device, a pendant device, a headphone or earpiece device, a device embedded in glasses or other equipment worn on a user's head, or other wearable or small device, a television, a computer display not including an embedded computer, a gaming device, a navigation device, an embedded system such as a system in which electronic equipment equipped with a display is mounted in a kiosk or a car, a wireless internet-connected voice control speaker, a home entertainment device, a remote control device, a gaming controller, a peripheral user input device, a wireless base station or access point, equipment that implements the functions of two or more of these devices, or other electronic equipment.

[0014] As can be seen in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the device (10) may include components located in or within an electronic device housing, such as a housing (12). The housing (12), which may sometimes be referred to as a case, may be formed from plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, metal alloy, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. In some cases, the whole or part of the housing (12) may be formed from dielectric or other low-conductivity materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, plastic, sapphire, etc.). In other cases, at least part of the housing (12) or the structures forming the housing (12) may be formed from metal elements.

[0015] The device (10) may include a control circuit (14). The control circuit (14) may include a storage device such as a storage circuit (16). The storage circuit (16) may include a hard disk drive storage device, non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, or other electrically programmable read-only memory configured to form a solid-state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random access memory), etc. The storage circuit (16) may include a storage device embedded in the device (10) and / or a removable storage medium.

[0016] The control circuit (14) may include a processing circuit such as the processing circuit (18). The processing circuit (18) may be used to control the operation of the device (10). The processing circuit (18) may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, host processors, baseband processor integrated circuits, application integrated circuits, central processing units (CPUs), etc. The control circuit (14) may be configured to perform operations on the device (10) using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuits), firmware, and / or software. Software code for performing operations on the device (10) may be stored on the storage circuit (16) (e.g., the storage circuit (16) may include non-transient (tangible) computer-readable storage media for storing software code). Software code may sometimes be referred to as program instructions, software, data, instructions, or code. The software code stored on the storage circuit (16) can be executed by the processing circuit (18).

[0017] The control circuit (14) can be used to execute software on the device (10), such as satellite navigation applications, internet browsing applications, VOIP (voice-over-internet-protocol) phone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. To support interactions with external equipment, the control circuit (14) can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using the control circuit (14) include Internet protocols, wireless local area network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol - sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communication links (e.g., Bluetooth® protocol) or other wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocols, IEEE 802.11ad protocols (e.g., ultra-wideband protocol), cellular phone protocols (e.g., 3G protocol, 4G (LTE) protocol, 5G protocol, etc.), antenna diversity protocols, satellite navigation system protocols (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) protocol, etc.), antenna-based spatial ranging protocols (e.g., radio detection and ranging (RADAR) protocol or other desired range detection protocols for signals transmitted at millimeter and centimeter frequency bands), or other desired communication protocols. Each communication protocol can be associated with a corresponding Radio Access Technology (RAT) that specifies the physical access methodology used to implement the protocol.

[0018] The device (10) may include an input / output circuit section (20). The input / output circuit section (20) may include input / output devices (22). The input / output devices (22) may be used to supply data to the device (10) and to provide data from the device (10) to external devices. The input / output devices (22) may include user interface devices, data port devices, and other input / output components. For example, input / output devices (22) may include a touch sensor, a display (e.g., a touch-sensitive and / or force-sensitive display), a light-emitting component (e.g., a display without a touch sensor function), a button (mechanical, capacitive, optical, etc.), a scroll wheel, a touchpad, a keypad, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, a button, a speaker, a status indicator, an audio jack and other audio port components, a digital data port device, a motion sensor (an accelerometer, a gyroscope and / or a compass that detects movement), a capacitive sensor, a proximity sensor, a magnetic sensor, a force sensor (e.g., a force sensor coupled to a display to detect pressure applied to the display), etc. In some configurations, a keyboard, headphones, a display, a pointing device (e.g., a trackpad, a mouse, and a joystick), and other input / output devices may be coupled to the device (10) using wired or wireless connections (e.g., some input / output devices (22) may be peripheral devices coupled to the main processing unit or other parts of the device (10) via a wired or wireless link). In one embodiment described as an example in this specification, the input / output devices (22) include one or more temperature (T) sensors (45). The temperature sensors (45) can measure the ambient / environmental temperature at one or more locations outside or around the device (10) and / or the internal temperature at one or more locations within the device (10) (e.g., within the housing (12)).

[0019] The input / output circuit section (20) may include a wireless circuit section (24) that supports wireless communications and / or wireless-based spatial ranging operations. The wireless circuit section (24) may include two or more antennas (40). The wireless circuit section (24) may also include a baseband processor circuit section, a transceiver circuit section, an amplifier circuit section, a filter circuit section, a switching circuit section, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit section, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit section, radio frequency transmission lines, and / or any other circuit section for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals using the antennas (40).

[0020] The antennas (40) may be formed using any desired antenna structures. For example, the antennas (40) may include antennas having resonant elements formed from loop antenna structures, patch antenna structures, inverted-F antenna structures, slot antenna structures, planar inverted-F antenna structures, helical antenna structures, monopole antennas, dipoles, hybrids of these designs, etc. Filter circuits, switching circuits, impedance matching circuits, and / or other antenna tuning components may be adjusted to adjust the frequency response and wireless performance of the antennas (40) over time.

[0021] The antennas (40) may include one or more transmitting (TX) antennas, such as a transmitting antenna (40TX) and one or more receiving (RX) antennas, such as a receiving antenna (40RX). The antennas (40) may include zero, one, or more than one additional antennas used for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals. The transmitting antenna (40TX) may transmit radio frequency signals such as radio frequency signals (42) and / or radio frequency signals (38). The receiving antenna (40RX) may receive radio frequency signals such as radio frequency signals (44) and / or radio frequency signals (38). The wireless circuit section (24) may use antennas (40) to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals (38) to transmit wireless communication data between the device (10) and external wireless communication equipment (48) (e.g., one or more other devices, such as the device (10), a wireless access point, or a base station). The wireless communication data may be transmitted bidirectionally or unidirectionally by the wireless circuit section (24). The wireless communication data may include data encoded within corresponding data packets, such as wireless data associated with telephone calls, streaming media content, internet browsing, software applications running on the device (10), and email messages.

[0022] The wireless circuit section (24) may include a communication circuit section (26) (sometimes referred to herein as the wireless communication circuit section (26)) for transmitting and / or receiving wireless communication data using antennas (40). The communication circuit section (26) may include one or more radios (e.g., radio frequency transceivers, modems, etc.) and a baseband circuit section (e.g., one or more baseband processors) for transmitting radio frequency signals (38) using one or more antennas (40) (e.g., a transmitting antenna (40TX), a receiving antenna (40RX) and / or other antennas (40)).

[0023] The communication circuit (26) can transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals (38) within a corresponding frequency band (sometimes referred to in this specification as a communication band or simply "band") at radio frequencies. The frequency bands processed by the communication circuit section (26) are wireless local area network (WLAN) frequency bands (e.g., Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) or other WLAN communication bands) such as 2.4 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 2400 to 2480 MHz), 5 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 5180 to 5825 MHz), Wi-Fi® 6E band (e.g., 5925 to 7125 MHz) and / or other Wi-Fi® bands (e.g., 1875 to 5160 MHz), wireless personal area network (WPAN) frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz Bluetooth® band or other WPAN communication bands, cellular phone frequency bands (e.g., bands of about 600 MHz to about 5 GHz, 3G bands, 4G LTE bands, It may include 5G new radio frequency range 1 (FR1) bands of less than 10 GHz, 5G new radio frequency range 2 (FR2) bands of 20 to 60 GHz, etc., other centimeter wave or millimeter wave frequency bands of 10 to 300 GHz, near-field communication frequency bands (e.g., 13.56 MHz), satellite navigation frequency bands (e.g., GPS bands of 1565 to 1610 MHz, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) bands, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) bands, etc.), ultra-wideband (UWB) frequency bands operating under IEEE 802.15.4 protocols and / or other ultra-wideband communication protocols, communication bands under the 3GPP radio communication standard family, communication bands under the IEEE 802.XX standard family and / or any other desired frequency bands of interest.

[0024] The communication circuit (26) may be coupled to antennas (40) using one or more transmission paths and / or one or more reception paths. The communication circuit (26) uses transmission paths to transmit radio frequency signals (38) and uses reception paths to receive radio frequency signals (38). If desired, the communication circuit (26) may be coupled to a transmitting antenna (40TX) via a transmission path such as transmission path (34). The communication circuit (26) may use transmission path (34) to transmit radio frequency signals (38) using the transmitting antenna (40TX). A transmission path (34) (sometimes referred to herein as a transmission chain (34)) may include one or more signal paths (e.g., radio frequency transmission lines), an amplifier circuit, a filter circuit, a switching circuit, a radio frequency front-end circuit (e.g., components on a radio frequency front-end module), and / or any other desired path or circuit for transmitting radio frequency signals from a communication circuit (26) to a transmission antenna (40TX).

[0025] In addition to transmitting wireless communication data, the wireless circuit section (24) may also use antennas (40) to perform spatial ranging operations. The wireless circuit section (24) may include a long-range spatial ranging circuit section (28) for performing spatial ranging operations. The long-range spatial ranging circuit section (28) may include a mixer circuit section, an amplifier circuit section, a transmitter circuit section (e.g., signal generators, synthesizers, etc.), a receiver circuit section, a filter circuit section, a baseband circuit section, an ADC circuit section, a DAC circuit section, and / or any other desired components used to perform spatial ranging operations using antennas (40). The long-range spatial ranging circuit section (28) may include, for example, a radar circuit section (e.g., a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar circuit section, an OFDM radar circuit section, an FSCW radar circuit section, a phase-coded radar circuit section, or other types of radar circuit sections). The antennas (40) may include separate antennas for transmitting wireless communication data and radio frequency signals for spatial ranging, or one or more antennas (40) used for both transmitting wireless communication data and performing spatial ranging. Using a single antenna (40) for both transmitting wireless communication data and performing spatial ranging may serve to minimize the amount of space occupied in the device (10) by the antennas (40), for example.

[0026] For example, in one embodiment described herein, the wireless circuit (24) may use a transmitting antenna (40TX) for both transmitting wireless communication data to the communication circuit (26) and performing spatial ranging operations to the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28). Thus, the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) may be coupled to the transmitting antenna (40TX) via a transmission path (34). When performing spatial ranging operations, the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) may use the transmitting antenna (40TX) to transmit radio frequency signals (42). The radio frequency signals (42) may include one or more signal tones, continuous waves of radio frequency energy, broadband signals, chirp signals, or any other desired transmission signals for use in spatial ranging operations (e.g., radar signals). Unlike radio frequency signals (38), radio frequency signals (42) may not have radio communication data (e.g., cellular communication data packets, WLAN communication data packets, etc.). Radio frequency signals (42) may also sometimes be referred to herein as spatial ranging signals (42), long-range spatial ranging signals (42), or radar signals (42). The long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) may transmit radio frequency signals (42) at one or more carrier frequencies in a corresponding radio frequency band (e.g., a frequency band including frequencies such as about 10 GHz or more, about 20 GHz or more, less than 10 GHz, 20-30 GHz, or more than 40 GHz).

[0027] Radio frequency signals (42) may be reflected from objects outside the device (10), such as external objects (46). External objects (46) may be, for example, ground, buildings, parts of buildings, walls, furniture, ceilings, people, body parts, animals, vehicles, landscapes or geographical features, obstacles, external communication equipment such as external wireless communication equipment (48), or any other physical object or entity outside the device (10). A receiving antenna (40RX) may receive reflected radio frequency signals (44). The reflected signals (44) may be a reflected version of the transmitted radio frequency signals (42) that is reflected back toward the device (10) from the external objects (46).

[0028] A receiving antenna (40RX) may be coupled to a long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) via a receiving path (36) (sometimes referred to herein as a receiving chain (36)). The long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) may receive signals (44) reflected from the receiving antenna (40RX) via the receiving path (36). The receiving path (36) may include one or more signal paths (e.g., radio frequency transmission lines), an amplifier circuit (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA) circuit), a filter circuit, a switching circuit, a radio frequency front-end circuit (e.g., components on a radio frequency front-end module), and / or any other desired path or circuit for transmitting radio frequency signals from the receiving antenna (40RX) to the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28).

[0029] The control circuit (14) can process transmitted radio frequency signals (42) and received reflected signals (44) to detect or estimate the range R between the device (10) and the external object (46). If desired, the control circuit (14) can also process the transmitted and received signals to identify the two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial position of the external object (46), the velocity of the external object (46), and / or the angle of arrival of the reflected signals (44). If desired, a loopback path, such as a loopback path (50), can be combined between the transmission path (34) and the reception path (36). The loopback path (50) can be used to transmit the transmitted signals on the transmission path (34) to the receiver circuit within the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28). For example, in embodiments where the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) performs spatial ranging using the FMCW method, the loopback path (50) may be a de-chirp path that transmits chirp signals on the transmission path (34) to a de-chirp mixer within the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28). In these embodiments, Doppler shifts of continuous wave transmission signals may be detected and processed to identify the velocity of an external object (42), and the time-dependent frequency difference between radio frequency signals (42) and reflected signals (44) may be detected and processed to identify range R and / or the location of the external object (46). For example, the use of continuous wave signals to estimate range R may enable the control circuit (14) to reliably distinguish between the external object (46) and other background or slower moving objects. This example is merely illustrative, and generally, the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) may implement any desired radar or long-range spatial ranging method.

[0030] Radio frequency transmission lines within the transmission path (34) and the reception path (36) may include coaxial cables, microstrip transmission lines, stripline transmission lines, edge-coupled microstrip transmission lines, edge-coupled stripline transmission lines, transmission lines formed from combinations of these types of transmission lines, etc. Transmission lines within the device may be integrated within rigid and / or flexible printed circuit boards if desired. If desired, one or more radio frequency lines may be shared between the transmission path (34) and the reception path (36). Components of the radio circuit section (24) may be formed on one or more common boards or modules (e.g., rigid printed circuit boards, flexible printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, chips, packages, system-on-chip, etc.).

[0031] The example of FIG. 1 is merely illustrative. In the example of FIG. 1, for clarity, the control circuit section (14) is shown as being separated from the wireless circuit section (24), but the wireless circuit section (24) may include a processing circuit section forming part of the processing circuit section (18) and / or a storage circuit section forming part of the storage circuit section (16) of the control circuit section (14) (e.g., parts of the control circuit section (14) may be implemented on the wireless circuit section (24). For example, part or all of the baseband circuit section within the wireless circuit section (24) may form part of the control circuit section (14). Additionally, the wireless circuit section (24) may include any desired number of antennas (40). The antennas (40) may include more than one transmitting antenna (40TX), more than one receiving antenna (40RX), and zero, one, or more than one other antenna (40). Each antenna (40) can be coupled to a communication circuit (26) and / or a long-range space ranging circuit (28) through dedicated transmission and / or reception paths or through one or more transmission and / or reception paths shared among the antennas.

[0032] The long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) does not need to be coupled to all antennas (40) within the wireless circuit (24). Similarly, the communication circuit (26) does not need to be coupled to all antennas (40) within the wireless circuit (24) (for example, some antennas (40) may be used to perform only spatial ranging operations without transmitting wireless communication data, or to transmit only wireless communication data without performing spatial ranging). Antennas (40) used only for receiving signals may be coupled to the communication circuit (26) and / or the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) using one or more receiving paths (e.g., receiving path (36)). Antennas (40) used only for transmitting signals may be coupled to the communication circuit (26) and / or the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) using one or more transmitting paths (e.g., transmitting path (34)). One or more antennas (40) may be used for both transmitting and receiving signals. In these scenarios, the antenna may be coupled to the communication circuit (26) and / or the long-range space ranging circuit (28) using both the transmitting path and the receiving path, and if desired, one or more components or signal paths (e.g., radio frequency transmission lines) may be shared between both the transmitting path and the receiving path. Although described herein as a transmitting antenna for simplification, the transmitting antenna (40TX) may also be used for receiving radio frequency signals to the communication circuit (26) if desired (e.g., an additional receiving path (not shown) may be coupled to the transmitting antenna (40TX) to the communication circuit (26)). Similarly, the receiving antenna (40RX) may also be used for transmitting radio frequency signals if desired.The receiving antenna (40RX) is exemplified only as providing reflected signals (44) to the long-range space ranging circuit (28), but the receiving antenna (40RX) may also provide received radio frequency signals (38) to the communication circuit (26) (for example, the receiving path (36) may also connect the receiving antenna (40RX) to the communication circuit (26).

[0033] The long-range space ranging circuit (28) can be used to accurately identify the range R when an external object (46) is at relatively long distances from the device (10). However, in practice, the long-range space ranging circuit (28) is used to identify the critical range R from the device (10). TH It indicates a blind spot for nearby external objects at distances of less than (e.g., about 1-2 cm). An external object (46) within this blind spot (e.g., a critical range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX)). TH When located within, the long-range space ranging circuit (28) may not be able to identify the presence, location, and / or velocity of an external object (46) with satisfactory accuracy. The critical range R of the transmitting antenna (40TX). TH External objects (46) inside may be exposed to a relatively large amount of radio frequency energy (e.g., from radio frequency signals (38 and / or 42) transmitted by the transmitting antenna (40TX). In scenarios where the external object (46) is a body part or a person, if care is not taken, this transmitted radio frequency energy may cause the radio circuit (24) to exceed regulatory limits or other limits regarding a specific absorption rate (SAR) (e.g., when the transmitted signals are at frequencies below 6 GHz) and / or maximum permissible exposure (MPE) (e.g., when the transmitted signals are at frequencies above 6 GHz). Critical range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX). THTo detect the presence of an external object (46) within, the wireless circuit section (24) may include an ultra-short range (USR) object detector, such as a USR detector (30). The USR detector (30) is in ultra-short ranges (e.g., a critical range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX)). TH It can perform the role of detecting external objects (46) within the ranges. In other words, the USR detector (30) can perform external object detection within the blind spot of the long-range space ranging circuit (28).

[0034] The USR detector (30) may include a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor, such as a VSWR sensor (32). The VSWR sensor (32) may be interposed on the transmission path (34). The VSWR sensor (32) may collect VSWR values ​​using a transmitting antenna (40TX). The VSWR values ​​are reflection coefficient values ​​(e.g., S 11 It may include complex scattering parameter values ​​(S-parameter values) such as S. 11 The magnitude of the values ​​(e.g., |S 11 | Values) can indicate the amount of transmitted radio frequency energy reflected backward along the transmission path (34) (e.g., in response to the presence of an external object (46) in or adjacent to the transmitting antenna (40TX). VSWR values ​​collected by the VSWR sensor (32) indicate the external object (46) being reflected back in a critical range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX). TH It may be insensitive to situations located at greater distances. However, the VSWR values ​​collected by the VSWR sensor (32) are the threshold range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX) where the external object (46) is located. TH The control circuit (14) can identify when it is located within (for example, within the blind spot of the long-distance space ranging circuit (28)).

[0035] In this way, the USR detector (30) and the long-range space ranging circuit (28) can identify the presence of the external object (46) and optionally the range R to the external object (46), regardless of whether the external object (46) has moved to a location relatively close to or relatively far from the device (10) over time. Additionally, the USR detector (30) can identify the presence of the external object (46) within a blind spot of the long-range space ranging circuit (28) so that appropriate action can be taken to ensure that the wireless circuit (24) continues to meet any applicable SAR and / or MPE regulations. By using the same transmitting antenna (40TX) to transmit radio frequency signals (38 / 42) and to measure VSWR, the VSWR measurements will be very closely correlated with the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by an external object (46) from the transmitted radio frequency signals (38 / 42), thereby providing high reliability in the use of the USR detector (30) to meet any applicable SAR and / or MPE regulations (e.g., the critical range R of the device (10)). TH It provides greater reliability than in scenarios where proximity sensors separate from the transmitting antenna or transmission chain are used to detect the presence of external objects inside.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a plot illustrating how VSWR measurements made by the VSWR sensor (32) can change due to the presence of an external object (46) adjacent to the transmitting antenna (40TX). The curve (60) is a critical range R TH Reflected S-parameter S as a function of frequency in the absence of an internal external object (46). 11 The size of (i.e., |S 11 Plot |). As illustrated by the curve (60), in the absence of an external object (46), |S 11| can have a relatively high value across the frequency band of interest B (e.g., the frequency band used to transmit radio frequency signals (38 or 42) of FIG. 1).

[0037] The curve (62) is the threshold range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX) of the external object (46). TH |S as a function of frequency when inside 11 Plot |. As illustrated by the curve (62), |S 11 | can have a relatively low value across frequency band B due to the presence of an external object (46). Generally, the external object (46) has a critical range R TH If it is within, |S 11 | will continue to decrease as the object approaches the transmitting antenna (40TX), as indicated by the arrow (64). The control circuit (14) uses the VSWR sensor (32) to obtain VSWR values ​​(e.g., |S, such as those indicated by the curves (60 and 62)). 11 | values) can be collected, (e.g., collected |S 11 | By comparing the values ​​with one or more critical levels) the external object (46) is in a critical range R TH Collected VSWR values ​​can be processed to identify when within. Critical range R TH If it exceeds, |S 11 | will indicate no change or a negligible change in response to changes in the distance between the transmitting antenna (40TX) and the external object (46). At these relatively long distances, a long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) (Fig. 1) may be used to detect the presence, location (e.g., range R) and / or velocity of the external object (46).

[0038] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating how a VSWR sensor (32) can be positioned on a transmission path (34). As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission path (34) may include a power amplifier (PA), such as a PA (96). The input of the PA (96) may be coupled to the long-range space ranging circuit (28) and / or communication circuit (26) of FIG. 1. The output of the PA (96) may be coupled to a transmitting antenna (40TX) through a switch such as an antenna switch (94). The output of the PA (96) may also be coupled to a matched load (88) through a switch such as a matched load switch (90). The matched load (88) may be coupled in series between the matched load switch (90) and ground (82).

[0039] In the example of FIG. 3, the VSWR sensor (32) is a directional switch coupler. This is merely exemplary, and generally, the VSWR sensor (32) can be implemented using any desired VSWR sensor architecture. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the VSWR sensor (32) may include a directional coupler (72) interposed on the transmission path (34) between the PA (96) and the transmission antenna (40TX) (e.g., along a radio frequency transmission line within the transmission path (34) coupled between the output of the PA (96) and the transmission antenna (40TX). The directional coupler (72) may have a first port (P1) coupled to the output of the PA (96) and a second port (P2) communically coupled to the transmission antenna (40TX). The directional coupler (72) may have a third port (P3) coupled to the first end, comprising a resistor (84) coupled in series between the end switch (78) and ground (82). The directional coupler (72) may also have a fourth port (P4) coupled to a second terminal, which includes a resistor (86) coupled in series between the terminal switch (80) and the ground (82). The VSWR sensor (32) may have a forward (FW) switch (74) coupled between the port (P3) and the phase and amplitude (magnitude) detector (70). The VSWR sensor (32) may also have a reverse (RW) switch (76) coupled between the port (P4) and the phase and amplitude detector (70). The phase and amplitude detector (70) may have a control path (98) coupled to the USR detector (30) or other components of the control circuit (14) (Fig. 1).

[0040] VSWR measurements (e.g., S-parameter values, such as S 11When collecting values, the PA (96) may output a transmission signal sigtx (e.g., while the antenna switch (94) is closed). The transmission signal sigtx may be a radar transmission signal transmitted by the long-range space ranging circuit (28) (e.g., radio frequency signals (42) of FIG. 1), a radio communication data transmission signal transmitted by the communication circuit (26) (e.g., radio frequency signals (38) of FIG. 1), or a dedicated test signal for use in VSWR measurement (e.g., one or more tones transmitted by the signal generator, local oscillator, and / or other signal generating circuit of the USR detector (30) of FIG. 1).

[0041] When collecting VSWR measurements, the VSWR sensor (32) can perform forward path measurements and reverse path measurements using the transmitted signal sigtx. When performing forward path measurements, the FW switch (74) is closed, the RW switch (76) is opened, the switch (80) is closed, and the switch (78) is opened so that the transmitted signal sigtx is uncoupled from the transmission path (34) by the directional coupler (72) and routed to the phase and amplitude director (70) through the FW switch (74). The phase and amplitude detector (70) can measure and store the amplitude (magnitude) and / or phase of the transmitted signal sigtx for further processing (e.g., as a forward signal phase and magnitude measurement).

[0042] (For example, due to impedance discontinuities between the transmission path (74) and the transmission antenna (40TX) that undergo impedance loading from any external object in or adjacent to the transmission antenna (40TX)) at least a portion of the transmission signal sigtx will be reflected from the transmission antenna (40TX) back toward the PA (96) as the reflected transmission signal sigtx'. When performing reverse path measurements, the FW switch (74) is opened, the RW switch (76) is closed, the switch (80) is opened, and the switch (78) is closed so that the reflected transmission signal sigtx' is uncoupled from the transmission path (34) by the directional coupler (72) and routed to the phase and amplitude director (70) through the RW switch (76). The phase and amplitude detector (70) can measure and store the amplitude (magnitude) and / or phase of the reflected transmission signal sigtx' for further processing (e.g., as a reverse signal phase and magnitude measurement). The control circuit (14) is S 11 Stored forward and reverse phase and magnitude measurements can be processed to identify complex scattering parameter values, such as the values. S 11 The values ​​are scalar magnitudes |S 11 | and is characterized by the corresponding phase. In this way, the VSWR sensor (32) is characterized by the external object (46) being within the critical range R TH VSWR values ​​that can be used to determine when it is located in a range R less than or equal to (e.g., S 11 The values) can be measured. The long-range space ranging circuit (28) (Fig. 1) also allows an external object (46) to be measured from the transmitting antenna (40TX) at a critical range R TH When located in a range R that exceeds , a transmitting antenna (40TX) can be used to identify the range R.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary operations that may be involved in using a long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) (Fig. 1) to perform long-range (far-field) spatial ranging operations and using a VSWR sensor (32) to perform USR detection operations under a time multiplexing method. The time multiplexing method is such that an external object (46) over time reaches a critical range R TH To ensure that an external object (46) can be detected whether moving within or beyond, it involves periodically switching between using the transmitting antenna (40TX) to perform long-range or USR detection over time.

[0044] In operation (100), the wireless circuit section (24) can perform USR object detection using the VSWR sensor (32) during a first time period. USR object detection is performed in response to transmission signals sigtx transmitted through the transmission path (34) S 11 It may involve measuring values. The control circuit (14) is S 11 The magnitude of the values ​​(e.g., |S 11 | values) threshold range R of the transmitting antenna (40TX) TH It can be compared with one or more threshold values ​​associated with the presence of external objects within. The object is within the critical range R TH If detected within (e.g., |S 11 | When the values ​​fall below the threshold value), processing can proceed to operation (104) through path (102).

[0045] In operation (104), the control circuit (14) has a critical range R THAppropriate action can be taken based on the detected (identified) presence of an external object (46) within. For example, the control circuit (14) can reduce the transmission power level of subsequent transmission signals sigtx, reduce the maximum allowable transmission power level of subsequent transmission signals sigtx, and switch to use a different antenna for the transmission of transmission signals sigtx. This is such that the wireless circuit (24) has a threshold range R TH It can help ensure that any applicable SAR / MPE regulations are continuously satisfied in the presence of an external object (46) within. Processing is critical range R TH To continue monitoring the presence of an external object (46) inside, it can loop back to the operation (100) through the path (106).

[0046] Critical range R TH If no object is detected within (e.g., |S 11 | If one or more of the values ​​exceed a threshold value), processing can proceed to operation (110) via path (108). In operation (110), the long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) from the transmitting antenna (40TX) to a threshold range R TH In order to detect the presence, location, and / or velocity of an external object (46) beyond, ranging operations can be performed using a transmitting antenna (40TX). The long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) can perform these operations during a second time period. This may involve, for example, transmitting radio frequency signals (42) using the transmitting antenna (40TX) and receiving reflected signals (44) using the receiving antenna (40RX) (Fig. 1).

[0047] In operation (112), the control circuit (14) may store the position (e.g., range R) and / or velocity of the external object (46) for subsequent processing. For example, one or more software applications running on the device (10) may use the identified position / velocity to perform software operations. If desired, the control circuit (14) may increase the transmission power level of subsequent transmission signals sigtx or the maximum allowable transmission power level. Processing may subsequently loop back to operation (100) via path (114), and the wireless circuit (24) may, when the external object is within the threshold range R TH Even when moving within or beyond it, the USR detection and long-range space ranging can be continuously alternated to identify the presence, location and / or speed of external objects (46) over time.

[0048] To maximize the reliability and accuracy of USR operations performed using the VSWR sensor (32), the VSWR sensor (32) can perform USR object detection using a background removal method. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of exemplary operations involving the use of a wireless circuit (24) to perform long-range spatial ranging operations and USR object detection using a background removal method.

[0049] To perform background removal, the VSWR sensor (32) has a threshold range R THIt is necessary to characterize the background VSWR at the transmitting antenna (40TX) in the absence of external objects within. In operation (120), the radio circuit (24) may collect radio performance metric data associated with the radio frequency performance of the transmitting antenna (40TX) and / or the receiving antenna (40RX). The radio performance metric data may include signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data, or, for example, any other desired performance metric data collected during the transmission of the radio frequency signals (38) of FIG. 1, the transmission of the radio frequency signals (42), the reception of the radio frequency signals (38), and / or the reception of the reflected signals (44). The control circuit (14) may collect the radio performance metric data, a threshold range R TH In the absence of external objects within, it can be compared with a predetermined range of wireless performance metric values ​​(e.g., a predetermined range of satisfactory RSSI values, SNR values, etc.) associated with satisfactory wireless frequency performance and / or operation of the wireless device (24). The predetermined range of wireless performance metric values ​​may be characterized by an upper threshold value or value and / or a lower threshold value or value.

[0050] Wireless performance metric data is external object (46) critical range R TH It can serve as a rough indicator of whether it is within range R. For example, an external object (46) is within range R TH When inside, an external object (46) may partially block or cover one or more antennas (40) (thereby preventing the antennas from properly receiving radio frequency signals) and may undesirably load or detun one or more antennas (40) within the device (10). When the collected radio performance metric data is outside a predetermined range, this is a critical range R THIt may indicate the potential presence of an external object (46) inside. However, when the collected wireless performance metric data falls within a predetermined range (e.g., the wireless circuit part (24) is within a critical range R TH (Because it is typically performed as expected in the absence of external objects within) critical range R TH It can indicate that the probability of external objects existing within is very low. When the collected wireless performance metric data falls within a predetermined range (thereby, the critical range R TH (Indicating that there are no external objects inside), the VSWR sensor (32) can collect background VSWR measurements to perform background removal. Thus, processing can proceed to operation (124) through path (122).

[0051] In operation (124), the VSWR sensor (32) can collect a background VSWR value (measurement) VSWR_BG using the transmission signals sigtx provided to the transmitting antenna (40TX) (Fig. 3). The background VSWR value VSWR_BG is, for example, background S 11 It may include a value. The temperature sensor (45) (Fig. 1) may also collect a temperature measurement Tn corresponding to the temperature of, around, and / or within the device (10) when the background VSWR measurement VSWR_BG is collected. Generally, VSWR measurements may be temperature-sensitive. For example, different VSWR measurements may be obtained at different temperatures under the same antenna loading conditions. By collecting the temperature measurement Tn (for example, to ensure that accurate VSWR measurements are also taken to perform USR detection even if the temperature changes over time), the control circuit (14) may identify that the background VSWR value VSWR_BG corresponds to a specific temperature.

[0052] In operation (126), the control circuit (124) can store the background VSWR value VSWR_BG and the corresponding temperature Tn (VSWR_BG(Tn)) in the VSWR data table for subsequent processing (for example, the control circuit (14) can associate the background VSWR_BG value with the corresponding temperature Tn in the VSWR data table so that the control circuit continues to recognize the temperature at which the background VSWR value was collected). The control circuit (14) can store the VSWR data table in memory (for example, the storage circuit (16) of FIG. 1) and / or using any desired data structure(s).

[0053] In an optional operation (128), the control circuit (14) can update the stored VSWR data table. For example, the control circuit (14) can remove outlier background VSWR values ​​VSWR_BG from the VSWR data table (e.g., VSWR_BG values ​​that differ by an excessive amount from other VSWR_BG values ​​in the VSWR data table). This can help ensure that the background VSWR values ​​in the VSWR data table remain an accurate representation of the background VSWR measurements for the VSWR sensor (32) over time. If desired, the control circuit (14) can average two or more of the background VSWR values ​​VSWR_BG stored in the VSWR data table (e.g., so that average background VSWR values ​​are used instead of individual background VSWR measurements during subsequent processing). Any other desired data filtering operations may be performed on the VSWR data table.

[0054] If desired, the control circuit (14) may perform a case detection algorithm to detect whether a removable device case exists on the device (10) (by comparing the expected background VSWR values ​​for the device (10) with the collected background VSWR values ​​in the VSWR data table in the absence of a removable device case, such as during factory calibration or at other times). The control circuit (14) may update the VSWR data table so that each stored background VSWR value VSWR_BG is associated with a case status identifier that identifies whether a removable device case existed on the device (10) and / or which type of removable device case existed when the background VSWR value is collected. Associating the case state identifier with the stored background VSWR values ​​can ensure that the control circuit (14) can perform accurate VSWR measurements to perform USR detection, even when the device has a removable case capable of loading the impedance of the transmitting antenna (40TX) and when the user removes, adds, or changes the device case over time.

[0055] Processing can subsequently be looped back to operation (120) via path (130). The wireless circuit (24) can perform only one iteration of operations (124-128), or in response to an application call or user input to the device (10) (e.g., commanding the wireless circuit (24) to update or refresh its background VSWR measurements) and / or in response to any desired trigger condition, it can continue to collect background VSWR values ​​VSWR_BG periodically (e.g., according to a fixed schedule) for a predetermined number of iterations (e.g., adding to and / or updating the VSWR data table). The long-range spatial ranging circuit (28) can perform long-range spatial ranging operations simultaneously using the transmitting antenna (40TX) and / or the communication circuit (26) can perform wireless communications simultaneously using the transmitting antenna (40TX) during operations (120-128) if desired. If the wireless performance metric data collected in operation (120) is outside the predetermined range, this is the threshold range R TH The presence of potential external objects within can be indicated, and processing can proceed to operation (134) through path (132).

[0056] In operation (134), the VSWR sensor (32) can collect a real-time VSWR value (measurement) VSWR_RT using the transmission signals sigtx provided to the transmitting antenna (40TX) (Fig. 3). The real-time VSWR measurement VSWR_RT is, for example, real-time S 11 It may include a value. The temperature sensor (45) (Fig. 1) may also collect a real-time temperature measurement Tn' corresponding to the temperature of the device (10), its surroundings, and / or within it when the background VSWR measurement VSWR_RT is collected.

[0057] In operation (136), the control circuit (14) may generate (calculate, compute, determine, identify, define, etc.) a USR index value USR_INDEX (sometimes referred to herein as background-removed reflection coefficient index value USR_INDEX) by subtracting the collected background VSWR value VSWR_BG from the real-time VSWR value VSWR_RT. The USR index value USR_INDEX may also sometimes be referred to herein as difference value USR_INDEX. If desired, the collected background VSWR value VSWR_BG may be the background VSWR value VSWR_BG collected while the temperature sensor (45) measures temperature Tn' during the repetition of operation (124). The control circuit (14) may identify, for example, a background VSWR value VSWR_BG from a stored VSWR data table associated with the measured temperature Tn = Tn' in the VSWR data table. If background VSWR values ​​VSWR_BG associated with a measured temperature Tn' do not exist in the data table, the control circuit may use the background VSWR value measured at the temperature Tn closest to the measured temperature Tn', and may interpolate a plurality of background VSWR values ​​to estimate the background VSWR value VSWR_BG at the measured temperature Tn' for subtraction from the real-time VSWR value VSWR_RT. In embodiments where the case detection algorithm is performed, the control circuit (14) may subtract the background VSWR_BG value corresponding to the current case state (and temperature Tn') of the device (10) from the real-time VSWR value VSWR_RT (e.g., based on case state identifiers in the VSWR data table).

[0058] In operation (138), the control circuit (14) can compare the USR index value USR_INDEX with one or more predetermined USR index threshold values ​​TH. The USR index threshold value TH is a threshold range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX). THVSWR measurements associated with the presence of external objects (e.g., |S 11 | can correspond to the value). When a single USR index threshold value TH is used, the comparison is performed by the control circuit (14) in the threshold range R TH It may allow the identification of the presence of an external object (46) within. When multiple index threshold values ​​TH are used, the comparison(s) also allow the control circuit (14) to determine the threshold range R. TH It may be possible to estimate the range R for an external object (46) within. If the USR index value USR_INDEX exceeds the USR index threshold TH, this is the threshold range R TH The presence of an external object (46) can be indicated within, and processing can proceed to operation (142) through path (140).

[0059] In operation (142), the control circuit (14) allows an external object (46) to reach the threshold range R of the device (10) (transmitting antenna (40TX)). TH It can be identified that it is within. When multiple index threshold values ​​TH are used, the control circuit (14) is within the threshold range R TH A range R for an external object (46) can be further estimated within (e.g., where each index threshold value TH is a threshold range R). TH Corresponding to different ranges within).

[0060] In operation (144), the control circuit (14) has a critical range R TH Additional action may be taken based on the identified (detected) presence of an external object (46) within. For example, the control circuit (14) may take additional action based on one or more software applications running on the device (10) (e.g., external object (46) within a critical range R THThe identified presence of an external object (46) can be used as input to software applications that perform operations based on whether it is present within. The control circuit (14) can control the radio circuit (24) to reduce the transmit power level or maximum transmit power level used to transmit subsequent radio frequency signals (e.g., radio frequency signals (38 or 42) of FIG. 1) using the transmit antenna (40TX). If desired, the control circuit (14) can control the radio circuit (24) to switch the transmit antenna (40TX) out of use for a different antenna within the device (10). Reducing the transmit power level, limiting the maximum transmit power level, or switching the transmit antenna (40TX) out of use can prevent the transmit antenna (40TX) from transmitting an excessive amount of radio frequency energy to a nearby external object (46), thereby allowing the device (10) to continue satisfying any applicable SAR / MPE regulations. The processing can subsequently be looped back to the operation (120) via the path (130), and the wireless circuit (24) can continue to monitor the presence of an external object (46) near the transmitting antenna (40TX) (e.g., the external object (46) is within a critical range R TH Until it moves beyond, at this point the long-range space ranging circuit (28) may resume detection of the external object (46).

[0061] When the USR index value USR_INDEX is less than or equal to the threshold value TH during the comparison in operation (138), this is the threshold range R TH The absence of an external object (46) can be indicated within, and processing can proceed to operation (148) through path (146). In operation (148), the control circuit (14) is within a critical range R THIt can be identified that no objects exist within. Subsequently, the long-range space ranging circuit (28) is at a critical range R TH The transmitting antenna (40TX) can be used to detect / track the location of an external object (46) beyond the threshold range. If desired, the control circuit (14) can increase the transmitting power level or maximum transmitting power level of the transmitting antenna (40TX). Any other desired processing operations may be performed within the threshold range R. TH It can be performed in response to the absence of an external object (46) within. Processing can subsequently be looped back to operation (120) through path (130).

[0062] FIG. 6 is a plot of the USR index value USR_INDEX (in V units) as a function of the range R between the external object (46) and the transmitting antenna (40TX). The USR index values ​​USR_INDEX are background-removed values, because the USR index values ​​USR_INDEX are generated by subtracting background VSWR measurements from real-time VSWR measurements taken using the VSWR sensor (32). As illustrated by the curve (150) in FIG. 6, at relatively distant ranges R, the USR index value USR_INDEX is not disturbed by changes in range R. However, the USR index value USR_INDEX is at a critical range R where the external object (46) TH It will increase as it approaches (e.g., within 1-2 cm of the transmitting antenna (40TX)). The index threshold TH is the threshold range R from the transmitting antenna (40TX) where the external object (46) is. TH It can correspond to the USR index value USR_INDEX when positioned at. Accordingly, the control circuit (14) (for example, during operation (138) of FIG. 5) when the USR index value USR_INDEX exceeds the index threshold value TH, the external object (46) is in the threshold range R of the transmitting antenna (40TX). THIt can be determined that it is within. The example in FIG. 6 is merely illustrative, and generally, the curve (150) may have other shapes. (e.g., critical range R TH Multiple index threshold values ​​TH can be used to provide an estimate of the range R within.

[0063] If desired, additional calibration operations may be performed while collecting VSWR measurements to increase the robustness of USR detection. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of exemplary operations that may be performed by the control circuit (14) when collecting VSWR measurements using these additional calibration operations. For example, operations (160-166) of FIG. 7 may be performed during operations (124) of FIG. 5, operations (168-172) of FIG. 7 may be performed during operations (134) of FIG. 5, and operation (174) may be performed during operations (136) of FIG. 5.

[0064] In operation (160), the PA (96) (Fig. 3) may start transmitting a transmission signal sigtx. The transmission signal sigtx may be a dedicated test signal (e.g., a single tone, multiple tones, or other transmission signals generated by a signal generator separate from the communication circuit (26) and the long-range space ranging circuit (28) of Fig. 1), a communication transmission signal generated by the communication circuit (26) (e.g., radio frequency signals (38)), or a transmission signal generated by the long-range space ranging circuit (28) (e.g., radio frequency signals (42)).

[0065] In operation (162), the control circuit (14) receives a reverse background in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal S BG_RWTo measure, a VSWR sensor (32) (e.g., a phase and amplitude detector (70) or other signal measurement circuit) may be used. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) of FIG. 3 is closed, the FW switch (74) is opened, the RW switch (76) is closed, the switch (80) is opened, and the switch (78) is closed.

[0066] In operation (164), the control circuit (14) is a forward background IQ signal S BG_FW A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is closed, the FW switch (74) is closed, the RW switch (76) is opened, the switch (80) is closed, and the switch (78) is opened.

[0067] In operation (166), the control circuit (14) is a forward open switch background IQ signal S BG_OPEN An additional calibration step can be performed by using the VSWR sensor (32) to measure. During this measurement, both the FW switch (74) and the RW switch (76) are opened.

[0068] In operation (168), the control circuit (14) receives a reverse real-time in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal S RT_RW A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is closed, the FW switch (74) is opened, the RW switch (76) is closed, the switch (80) is opened, and the switch (78) is closed.

[0069] In operation (170), the control circuit (14) receives a forward real-time in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal S RT_FW A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is closed, the FW switch (74) is closed, the RW switch (76) is opened, the switch (80) is closed, and the switch (78) is opened.

[0070] In operation (172), the control circuit (14) is a forward open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN An additional calibration step can be performed by using the VSWR sensor (32) to measure. During this measurement, both the FW switch (74) and the RW switch (76) are opened.

[0071] In operation (174), the control circuit (14) uses the equation USR_INDEX = [(S RT_RW - S RT_OPEN ) / (S RT_FW - S RT_OPEN )] - [(S BG_RW - S BG_OPEN ) / (S BG_FW - S BG_OPEN A USR index value USR_INDEX can be generated according to )] (for example, when performing subtraction in operation (136) of FIG. 5). IQ signals S RT_FW , S BG_FW , S RT_RW , S BG_FW , S RT_OPEN , and S BG_OPEN While the values ​​may be complex values, the USR index value USR_INDEX is a real scalar value. Calculating USR_INDEX in this way can provide relatively robust USR object detection for the device (10). The example in FIG. 7 is merely illustrative. If desired, the wireless circuit (24) may further correct the USR index value USR_INDEX using the matched load (88) of FIG. 3.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of exemplary operations that can be performed by the control circuit (14) when collecting VSWR measurements that are corrected using a matched load (88). For example, the operations (180-188) of FIG. 8 can be performed during the operation (124) of FIG. 5, the operations (190-196) of FIG. 8 can be performed during the operation (134) of FIG. 5, and the operation (198) can be performed during the operation (136) of FIG. 5.

[0073] In operation (182), the control circuit (14) is a reverse background IQ signal S BG_RW A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) of FIG. 3 is closed, the matched load switch (90) is opened, the FW switch (74) is opened, the RW switch (76) is closed, the switch (80) is opened, and the switch (78) is closed.

[0074] In operation (184), the control circuit (14) is a forward background IQ signal S BG_FW A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is closed, the matched load switch (90) is opened, the FW switch (74) is closed, the RW switch (76) is opened, the switch (80) is closed, and the switch (78) is opened.

[0075] In operation (186), the control circuit (14) is a forward open switch background IQ signal S BG_OPEN A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, both the FW switch (74) and the RW switch (76) are opened.

[0076] In operation (188), the control circuit (14) is a reverse background matched load IQ signal S BG_MATCH An additional calibration step can be performed by using a VSWR sensor (32) to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is opened, the matched load switch (90) is closed, the FW switch (74) is opened, the RW switch (76) is closed, the switch (80) is opened, and the switch (78) is closed.

[0077] In operation (190), the control circuit (14) is a reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_RWA VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is closed, the matched load switch (90) is opened, the FW switch (74) is opened, the RW switch (76) is closed, the switch (80) is opened, and the switch (78) is closed.

[0078] In operation (192), the control circuit (14) is a forward real-time IQ signal S RT_FW A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is closed, the matched load switch (90) is opened, the FW switch (74) is closed, the RW switch (76) is opened, the switch (80) is closed, and the switch (78) is opened.

[0079] In operation (194), the control circuit (14) is a forward open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN A VSWR sensor (32) can be used to measure. During this measurement, both the FW switch (74) and the RW switch (76) are opened.

[0080] In operation (196), the control circuit (14) is a reverse real-time matched load IQ signal S RT_MATCH An additional calibration step can be performed by using a VSWR sensor (32) to measure. During this measurement, the antenna switch (94) is opened, the matched load switch (90) is closed, the FW switch (74) is opened, the RW switch (76) is closed, the switch (80) is opened, and the switch (78) is closed.

[0081] In operation (198), the control circuit (14) uses the equation USR_INDEX = [(S RT_RW - S RT_MATCH ) / (S RT_FW - S RT_OPEN )] - [(S BG_RW - S BG_MATCH ) / (S BG_FW - S BG_OPENA USR index value USR_INDEX can be generated according to )]. Calculating USR_INDEX in this way can provide relatively robust USR object detection for the device (10). The examples in FIGS. 7 and 8 are merely exemplary. Although calibration operations are described in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the context of USR detection, these calibration operations can be used to calibrate any directional coupler-based VSWR sensor to be used to perform any desired VSWR measurements.

[0082] The switches (78, 80, 74, 76, 90, and 94) of FIG. 3 can be implemented using any desired switching architecture. When referred to as "open" herein, each switch (78, 80, 74, 76, 90, and 94) has a very high impedance or a very low transconductance g through the switch. m (e.g., an impedance exceeding a threshold impedance value or a transconductance less than a threshold transconductance value) can be formed. Where referred to as “closed” in this specification, each switch (78, 80, 74, 76, 90, and 94) can form a very low impedance or a very high transconductance g through the switch. m (e.g., impedance exceeding a threshold impedance value or transconductance less than a threshold transconductance value) can be formed. For example, switches such as switches (78, 80, 74, 76, 90, and 94) can be formed using transistors each having source, drain, and gate terminals. Each switch can be closed or “turned on” by asserting a gate voltage provided to the gate terminal to provide an electrical connection between its source terminal and drain terminal. Similarly, each switch can be opened or “turned off” by de-asserting a gate voltage to provide electrical isolation between its source terminal and drain terminal.

[0083] The methods and operations described above in relation to FIGS. 1 through 8 may be performed by the components of the device (10) using software, firmware and / or hardware (e.g., dedicated circuitry or hardware). Software code for performing these operations may be stored in non-transient computer-readable storage media (e.g., tangible computer-readable storage media) stored in one or more of the components of the device (10) (e.g., storage circuitry (16) of FIG. 1). Software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, program instructions, or code. Non-transient computer-readable storage media may include drives, non-volatile memory (e.g., non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM)), removable flash drives or other removable media, other types of random access memory, etc. Software stored in non-transient computer-readable storage media may be executed in a processing circuitry located in one or more of the components of the device (10) (e.g., processing circuitry (18) of FIG. 1, etc.). The processing circuit section may include a microprocessor, central processing units (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit having a processing circuit section, or other processing circuit sections. The components of FIGS. 1 and 3 may be implemented using hardware (e.g., circuit components, digital logic gates, etc.) and / or software where applicable.

[0084] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided comprising a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor communically coupled to the transmitting antenna, and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to use the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to perform spatial ranging operations for external objects located further away from the transmitting antenna and to use the VSWR sensor to detect external objects located within the threshold distance from the transmitting antenna.

[0085] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a radar circuit portion that is communically coupled to a transmitting antenna via a transmitting path and communically coupled to a receiving antenna via a receiving path, and a VSWR sensor is disposed on the transmitting path between the radar circuit portion and the transmitting antenna.

[0086] According to another embodiment, the radar circuit is configured to transmit radar signals using a transmitting antenna and receive a reflected version of the radar signals using a receiving antenna, and one or more processors are configured to perform spatial ranging operations by processing the radar signals transmitted using the transmitting antenna and the reflected version of the radar signals received using the receiving antenna.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a wireless communication transceiver coupled to a transmitting antenna via a transmission path so as to be communicable, and the wireless communication transceiver is configured to transmit wireless communication data using the transmitting antenna.

[0088] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to use a VSWR sensor to detect an external object within a threshold distance from a transmitting antenna by measuring VSWR values ​​using radio frequency transmission signals containing radio communication data transmitted by a radio communication transceiver.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a signal generator that is separate from the wireless communication transceiver and separate from the radar circuitry, the signal generator is configured to generate radio frequency test signals, and one or more processors are configured to use a VSWR sensor to detect an external object within a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna by measuring VSWR values ​​using the radio frequency test signals transmitted by the signal generator.

[0090] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to use a VSWR sensor to detect an external object within a threshold distance from a transmitting antenna by measuring VSWR values ​​using radar signals transmitted by a radar circuit.

[0091] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to use a VSWR sensor to detect an external object by measuring a background VSWR value using the VSWR sensor, measuring a real-time VSWR value using the VSWR sensor, and identifying that the external object is within a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna when the difference between the real-time VSWR value and the background VSWR value exceeds a threshold value.

[0092] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to reduce the transmission power level of a transmitting antenna in response to identifying that an external object is within a critical distance from the transmitting antenna.

[0093] According to another embodiment, one or more processors are configured to collect wireless performance metric data, measure the background VSWR value using a VSWR sensor when the collected wireless performance metric data is within a predetermined range of wireless performance metric values, and measure the real-time VSWR value using a VSWR sensor when the collected wireless performance metric data is outside the predetermined range of wireless performance metric values.

[0094] According to another embodiment, wireless performance metric data includes signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data or received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data collected in response to radio frequency signals received by a receiving antenna.

[0095] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature value when the VSWR sensor measures a real-time VSWR value, and one or more processors are configured to identify a stored background VSWR value as a background VSWR value, and the stored background VSWR value corresponds to a temperature value measured by the temperature sensor.

[0096] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided comprising an antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals, a radio frequency transmission line communicably coupled to the antenna, a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor disposed along the radio frequency transmission line, and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to collect radio performance metric data associated with the reception of radio frequency signals by the electronic device, and when the collected radio performance metric data exceeds a radio performance metric threshold, measure a first VSWR value using the VSWR sensor, and when the collected radio performance metric data is less than the radio performance metric threshold, measure a second VSWR value using the VSWR sensor, and when the difference between the second VSWR value and the first VSWR value exceeds a threshold, reduce the maximum transmission power level of the radio frequency signals transmitted by the antenna.

[0097] According to another embodiment, the VSWR sensor comprises a directional coupler disposed on a radio frequency transmission line, a forward switch coupled to the directional coupler, a reverse switch coupled to the directional coupler, and a phase and amplitude detector coupled between the forward switch, the reverse switch, and one or more processors, and the first VSWR value is a reverse background in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal S BG_RW Includes, and the first VSWR value is the forward background IQ signal S BG_FW Includes, and the first VSWR value is the open switch background IQ signal S BG_OPEN Includes, and the second VSWR value is the reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_RW Includes, and the second VSWR value is the forward real-time IQ signal S RT_FW Includes, and the second VSWR value is the open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN Includes; the difference value is (S RT_RW - S RT_OPEN ) / (S RT_FW - S RT_OPEN) - (S BG_RW - S BG_OPEN ) / (S BG_FW - S BG_OPEN It is the same as ).

[0098] According to another embodiment, the VSWR sensor has an open switch background IQ signal S while both the forward switch and the reverse switch are open. BG_OPEN and open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN It is configured to collect.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the electronic device includes an antenna switch that couples a radio frequency transmission line to an antenna, a matched load coupled to ground, and a matched load switch that couples a radio frequency transmission line to the matched load.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the VSWR sensor comprises a directional coupler disposed on a radio frequency transmission line, a forward switch coupled to the directional coupler, a reverse switch coupled to the directional coupler, and a phase and amplitude detector coupled between the forward switch, the reverse switch, and one or more processors, and the first VSWR value is a reverse background in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal S BG_RW Includes, and the first VSWR value is the forward background IQ signal S BG_FW Includes, and the first VSWR value is the open switch background IQ signal S BG_OPEN Includes, and the first VSWR value is the matched load reverse background IQ signal S BG_MATCH Includes, and the second VSWR value is the reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_RW Includes, and the second VSWR value is the forward real-time IQ signal S RT_FW Includes, and the second VSWR value is the open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN Includes, and the second VSWR value is the matched load reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_MATCH Includes, and the difference value is (S RT_RW - S RT_MATCH) / (S RT_FW - S RT_OPEN ) - (S BG_RW - S BG_MATCH ) / (S BG_FW - S BG_OPEN It is the same as ).

[0101] According to another embodiment, the VSWR sensor receives the matched load reverse background IQ signal S while the forward switch is open, the reverse switch is closed, the antenna switch is open, and the matched load switch is closed. BG_MATCH and matched load reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_MATCH It is configured to collect.

[0102] According to one embodiment, a method for operating a wireless circuit to perform external object detection is provided, comprising the steps of: transmitting a radar signal using a transmitting antenna; receiving a reflected version of the radar signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna using a receiving antenna; identifying, using one or more processors, a range from the transmitting antenna to an external object that is farther than a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna based on the radar signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna and the reflected version of the radar signal received by the receiving antenna; generating a background VSWR measurement and a real-time VSWR measurement for the transmitting antenna using a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor; and identifying, using one or more processors, that an external object is closer than a threshold distance from the antenna when the difference between the real-time VSWR measurement and the background VSWR measurement exceeds a threshold value.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: one or more processors collecting radio performance metric data associated with the reception of radio frequency signals by a receiving antenna; using one or more processors to control a VSWR sensor to generate a background VSWR measurement for a transmitting antenna when the collected radio performance metric data is within a predetermined range of radio performance metric values; and using one or more processors to control a VSWR sensor to generate a real-time VSWR measurement for a transmitting antenna when the collected radio performance metric data is outside a predetermined range of radio performance metric values.

[0104] The foregoing is merely illustrative, and various modifications may be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

[0105] delete

Claims

Claim 1 As an electronic device, the device comprises: a transmitting antenna; a receiving antenna; a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor commutably coupled to the transmitting antenna; a radar circuit portion commutably coupled to the transmitting antenna via a transmitting path and commutably coupled to the receiving antenna via a receiving path — the VSWR sensor is disposed on the transmitting path between the radar circuit portion and the transmitting antenna —; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to use the VSWR sensor to detect an external object located within a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna during a first time period, and to use the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to perform spatial ranging operations for external objects located further than the threshold distance from the transmitting antenna during a second time period different from the first time period, and wherein the one or more processors measure a background VSWR value using the VSWR sensor; and measure a real-time VSWR value using the VSWR sensor; An electronic device configured to use the VSWR sensor to detect an external object by identifying that the external object exists within the threshold distance from the transmitting antenna when the difference between the real-time VSWR value and the background VSWR value exceeds a threshold value. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the radar circuit is configured to transmit radar signals using the transmitting antenna; and to receive a reflected version of the radar signals using the receiving antenna, and the one or more processors are configured to perform spatial ranging operations by processing the radar signals transmitted using the transmitting antenna and the reflected version of the radar signals received using the receiving antenna. Claim 4 An electronic device according to paragraph 3, further comprising a wireless communication transceiver coupled to the transmitting antenna so as to be communicable through the transmission path, wherein the wireless communication transceiver is configured to transmit wireless communication data using the transmitting antenna. Claim 5 An electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to use the VSWR sensor to detect the external object within the threshold distance from the transmitting antenna by measuring VSWR values ​​using radio frequency transmission signals including the radio communication data transmitted by the radio communication transceiver. Claim 6 An electronic device according to claim 4, further comprising a signal generator separate from the wireless communication transceiver and separate from the radar circuit, wherein the signal generator is configured to generate radio frequency test signals, and the one or more processors are configured to use the VSWR sensor to detect the external object within the threshold distance from the transmitting antenna by measuring VSWR values ​​using the radio frequency test signals transmitted by the signal generator. Claim 7 An electronic device according to paragraph 3, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to use the VSWR sensor to detect the external object within the threshold distance from the transmitting antenna by measuring VSWR values ​​using the radar signals transmitted by the radar circuit. Claim 8 delete Claim 9 An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to reduce the transmission power level of the transmitting antenna in response to identifying that the external object is within the threshold distance from the transmitting antenna. Claim 10 An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to collect wireless performance metric data; measure the background VSWR value using the VSWR sensor when the collected wireless performance metric data is within a predetermined range of wireless performance metric values; and measure the real-time VSWR value using the VSWR sensor when the collected wireless performance metric data is outside the predetermined range of wireless performance metric values. Claim 11 An electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the wireless performance metric data comprises signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data or received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data collected in response to radio frequency signals received by the receiving antenna. Claim 12 An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the VSWR sensor further comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature value when measuring the real-time VSWR value, and the one or more processors are configured to identify a stored background VSWR value as a background VSWR value, and the stored background VSWR value corresponds to a temperature value measured by the temperature sensor. Claim 13 An electronic device comprising: an antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals; a radio frequency transmission line communicably coupled to the antenna; a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor disposed along the radio frequency transmission line; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to collect radio performance metric data associated with the reception of radio frequency signals by the electronic device, and when the collected radio performance metric data exceeds a radio performance metric threshold, measure a first VSWR value using the VSWR sensor, and when the collected radio performance metric data is less than the radio performance metric threshold, measure a second VSWR value using the VSWR sensor, and when the difference between the second VSWR value and the first VSWR value exceeds a threshold, reduce the maximum transmission power level of the radio frequency signals transmitted by the antenna. Claim 14 In paragraph 13, the VSWR sensor comprises a directional coupler disposed on the radio frequency transmission line, a forward switch coupled to the directional coupler, a reverse switch coupled to the directional coupler, and a phase and amplitude detector coupled between the forward switch, the reverse switch and the one or more processors; and the first VSWR value is a reverse background in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal S BG_RW Includes; the first VSWR value is the forward background IQ signal S BG_FW Includes; the first VSWR value is the open switch background IQ signal S BG_OPEN Includes; the second VSWR value is the reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_RW Includes; the second VSWR value is the forward real-time IQ signal S RT_FW Includes; the second VSWR value is the open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN Includes; the above difference value is (S RT_RW - S RT_OPEN ) / (S RT_FW - S RT_OPEN ) - (S BG_RW - S BG_OPEN ) / (S BG_FW - S BG_OPEN An electronic device identical to ). Claim 15 In paragraph 14, the VSWR sensor is the open switch background IQ signal S while both the forward switch and the reverse switch are open. BG_OPEN and the above open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN An electronic device configured to collect. Claim 16 An electronic device according to claim 13, further comprising: an antenna switch for coupling the radio frequency transmission line to the antenna; a matched load coupled to ground; and a matched load switch for coupling the radio frequency transmission line to the matched load. Claim 17 In paragraph 16, the VSWR sensor comprises a directional coupler disposed on the radio frequency transmission line, a forward switch coupled to the directional coupler, a reverse switch coupled to the directional coupler, and a phase and amplitude detector coupled between the forward switch, the reverse switch and the one or more processors; the first VSWR value is a reverse background in-phase quadrature (IQ) signal S BG_RW Includes; the first VSWR value is the forward background IQ signal S BG_FW Includes; the first VSWR value is the open switch background IQ signal S BG_OPEN Includes; the first VSWR value is the matched load reverse background IQ signal S BG_MATCH Includes; the second VSWR value is the reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_RW Includes; the second VSWR value is the forward real-time IQ signal S RT_FW Includes; the second VSWR value is the open switch real-time IQ signal S RT_OPEN ...including; the second VSWR value is the matched load reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_MATCH Includes; the above difference value is (S RT_RW - S RT_MATCH ) / (S RT_FW - S RT_OPEN ) - (S BG_RW - S BG_MATCH ) / (S BG_FW - S BG_OPEN An electronic device identical to ). Claim 18 In paragraph 17, the VSWR sensor is the matched load reverse background IQ signal S while the forward switch is open, the reverse switch is closed, the antenna switch is open, and the matched load switch is closed. BG_MATCH and the above-mentioned matched load reverse real-time IQ signal S RT_MATCH An electronic device configured to collect. Claim 19 A method for operating a wireless circuit to perform external object detection, comprising: transmitting a radar signal using a transmitting antenna; receiving a reflected version of the radar signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna using a receiving antenna; identifying, using one or more processors, a range from the transmitting antenna to an external object that is further than a threshold distance from the transmitting antenna based on the radar signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna and the reflected version of the radar signal received by the receiving antenna; generating a background VSWR measurement and a real-time VSWR measurement for the transmitting antenna using a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) sensor; and identifying, using one or more processors, that the external object is closer than the threshold distance from the antenna when the difference between the real-time VSWR measurement and the background VSWR measurement exceeds a threshold value. Claim 20 A method according to claim 19, further comprising: a step of collecting radio performance metric data associated with the reception of radio frequency signals by the receiving antenna using the one or more processors; a step of controlling the VSWR sensor to generate the background VSWR measurement for the transmitting antenna when the collected radio performance metric data is within a predetermined range of radio performance metric values ​​using the one or more processors; and a step of controlling the VSWR sensor to generate the real-time VSWR measurement for the transmitting antenna when the collected radio performance metric data is outside the predetermined range of radio performance metric values ​​using the one or more processors.

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