Active RF Domain Repeaters for NLOS Radar Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems face challenges in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) target detection due to signal attenuation and inability to distinguish between NLOS and line-of-sight (LOS) reflections, leading to inaccurate localization of targets.
Innovation Solution
The use of active RF domain repeaters with roadside units (RSUs) that include active amplifiers to enhance signal strength and provide angle information, enabling full duplex communication and beamforming to differentiate between NLOS and LOS paths, thereby improving target detection and localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If radar signals are transmitted in NLOS directions, then target detection capability is improved, but signal attenuation occurs leading to reduced detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an active RF domain repeater as an intermediary device between the radar source and NLOS targets. The repeater receives attenuated radar signals, amplifies them using active amplifiers, and retransmits them in NLOS directions. This mediator compensates for signal attenuation and enables reliable NLOS target detection without sacrificing detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal parameter (amplitude/strength) by using active amplifiers in the RF domain repeater to boost the attenuated radar signals. This parameter change compensates for signal loss during NLOS propagation, maintaining detection accuracy while extending detection capability to NLOS scenarios.
2Device complexity
If conventional radar systems are used for NLOS detection, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish between NLOS and LOS reflections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The active RF domain repeater acts as a mediator that provides angle information about the received signals. By measuring the angle of arrival at the repeater and the angle of departure to the target, the system can triangulate and distinguish NLOS paths from direct LOS paths, enabling accurate path differentiation despite increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the radar system by deploying an external RF domain repeater at a different location than the source radar. This dimensional change enables the system to distinguish between LOS and NLOS paths by comparing angles from multiple spatial positions, effectively adding geometric diversity to the detection capability.
3Reliability
If active RF domain repeaters with amplifiers are deployed, then signal strength is maintained for NLOS detection, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the repeater by using active amplifiers instead of passive reflection. This active amplification maintains signal strength levels suitable for detection, compensating for the complexity increase through improved signal reliability and extended operational range.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances NLOS target detection by maintaining signal strength and providing accurate angle information, allowing for precise localization of targets, even in scenarios where direct reflection is not possible.
Implementation Method 1
active amplifiers to enhance signal strength
Implementation Method 2
receiving, from an active radar repeater associated with the RSU, radar signals for a radar beam sweep
Implementation Method 3
provide angle information, enabling full duplex communication and beamforming to differentiate between NLOS and LOS paths
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) target detection. In an aspect, a source vehicle receives, from a roadside unit (RSU), a notification that the RSU is capable of repeating radar signals transmitted by the source vehicle in NLOS directions from the source vehicle, receives, from an active radar repeater associated with the RSU, radar signals for a radar beam sweep in at least one NLOS direction from the source vehicle, receives an angle of each beam of the radar beam sweep, and performs target object detection based on the radar signals for the at least one NLOS direction and the angle of each beam of the radar beam sweep. Example architectures for the active radar repeater are also disclosed.