FMCW Radar Phase Encoded Data Channel for Simultaneous Communication and Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current FMCW radar systems lack the capability to simultaneously process data and timing information, as well as obstacle detection information, without requiring additional hardware, which is essential for small vehicles like unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that need to navigate and communicate efficiently without increasing weight or power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a phase-encoded data channel into FMCW radar systems, utilizing antennas, mixers, analog-to-digital converters, and signal processing units to determine data, timing, and obstacle detection information simultaneously, allowing for communication capabilities without additional hardware, and using techniques like phase-shift keyed data symbols and chirp finite impulse response filters for efficient data recovery and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware is added to enable data and timing information processing in FMCW radar systems, then the capability to simultaneously process data, timing, and obstacle detection information is improved, but the weight and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a phase-encoded data channel within the existing FMCW radar signal path, allowing the radar system to simultaneously perform obstacle detection and data communication functions using the same hardware components (antennas, mixers, ADCs, and signal processing units). This multi-functional approach enables data and timing information processing without adding separate communication hardware, thereby avoiding increased weight and power consumption while enhancing system versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware is added to enable data and timing information processing in FMCW radar systems, then the capability to simultaneously process data, timing, and obstacle detection information is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a phase-encoded data channel within the existing FMCW radar signal path, allowing the radar system to simultaneously perform obstacle detection and data communication functions using the same hardware components (antennas, mixers, ADCs, and signal processing units). This multi-functional approach enables data and timing information processing without adding separate communication hardware, thereby avoiding increased weight and power consumption while enhancing system versatility
3Adaptability or versatility
If the FMCW radar system processes only obstacle detection information, then the system complexity is low, but the capability to simultaneously determine data, timing, and obstacle detection information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the FMCW radar signal into distinct components: the original radar return signal for obstacle detection and a phase-encoded data channel superimposed on the signal. By separating these functions in the signal domain and using dedicated processing paths (with techniques like phase-shift keyed data symbols and chirp finite impulse response filters), the system can simultaneously extract obstacle detection information and data/timing information without creating unmanageable complexity in the overall processing architecture
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
Enables small vehicles to use FMCW radar systems for navigation, surveillance, and communication while maintaining system efficiency, allowing for precise timing and data transfer with improved obstacle detection and reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a mixer configured to receive the signal from the one or more antennas and generate a difference signal
Implementation Method 2
receiving a signal with a phase encoded data channel
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices are disclosed of using a Frequency-Modulated-Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar unit for data communication by receiving a signal with a phase encoded data channel, and processing the signal with the phase encoded data channel to simultaneously determine data and timing information.