Dual-Mode Analog Beamforming Circuit for MIMO Radar Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analog beam forming systems cannot implement MIMO techniques due to the lack of orthogonal transmission and independent processing of signals, which is essential for radar applications, as they use a single transmit or receive data stream per panel and are unable to process signals independently.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode analog beam former circuit with a beam-index-look-up table (LUT) that supports both communication and ST-CDMA MIMO radar modes, allowing for phase and amplitude adjustments of each antenna element, enabling orthogonal coding and independent processing of signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If analog beam forming systems use a single transmit or receive data stream per panel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to implement MIMO techniques and process signals independently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between communication mode and radar mode within the same analog beam forming circuit. The circuit can reconfigure its operation mode based on external control signals, allowing it to adapt between single-stream communication operation and multi-stream radar MIMO operation without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal analog beam forming circuit that can perform both communication functions and radar MIMO functions. By using the same transmit and receive antenna panels for both modes and implementing mode switching control, the system achieves multi-functionality without duplicating hardware components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If analog beam formers support multiple data streams per panel for MIMO, then the adaptability for radar applications is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between communication mode and radar mode within the same analog beam forming circuit. The circuit can reconfigure its operation mode based on external control signals, allowing it to adapt between single-stream communication operation and multi-stream radar MIMO operation without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the analog beam forming circuit to support both communication and radar modes in advance through design. The circuit is pre-configured with the capability to handle multiple data streams per panel when needed, but this capability is not always active. The mode switching mechanism allows the system to activate the MIMO capability only when radar operation is required, avoiding continuous complexity.
3Device complexity
If a single circuit supports both communication and radar modes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of each mode may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between communication mode and radar mode within the same analog beam forming circuit. The circuit can reconfigure its operation mode based on external control signals, allowing it to adapt between single-stream communication operation and multi-stream radar MIMO operation without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
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AI summary
A dual-mode analog beam forming (ABF) circuit (104) for a communication unit (100) that includes a plurality of individual antenna elements (102), wherein the dual-mode ABF circuit (104) comprises at least one of: a RF splitter (212, 512) for splitting an input modulated RF signal into a plurality of modulated RF signals that are applied to respective antenna elements of the plurality of individual antenna elements and/or a RF combiner (232) for combining a plurality of input modulated RF signals into a modulated RF signal. A plurality of phase adjustment elements is respectively coupled to a beam-index LUT (117) and a phase of each phase adjustment element is individually controlled by the beam-index LUT. The beam-index LUT is configured to support antenna beam forming of two modes of operation, comprising an analog beam forming communication mode of operation; and a ST-CDMA-MIMO radar mode of operation.