Full-Duplex Radar Sensing Using Wireless Chipset Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radars are costly and space-intensive, making them unsuitable for incorporation in smaller consumer devices, which limits their performance due to size and cost constraints, and existing wireless communication chipsets are not optimized for radar sensing, lacking full-duplex operation and digital beamforming capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication chipset is repurposed for radar sensing by implementing full-duplex operation, digital beamforming, and radar modulations using a controller that enables simultaneous transmission and reception, allowing the chipset to function as both a continuous-wave and pulse-Doppler radar, and supporting digital beamsteering and frequency modulation for target detection and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional radar sensors are used, then radar sensing performance is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication chipset is designed to perform both wireless communication and radar sensing functions using the same hardware components (transmitter, receiver, antennas, switches). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated radar hardware, thereby reducing device size while maintaining radar sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the radar sensing functionality with the existing wireless communication chipset by integrating radar-specific operations (full-duplex transmission/reception, beamforming) into the communication hardware architecture. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions into a single device, reducing overall size and component count.
2Reliability
If conventional radar sensors are used, then radar sensing performance is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the wireless communication chipset to perform both wireless communication and radar sensing, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated radar hardware components. This multi-functionality reduces bill of materials costs and manufacturing complexity, making radar sensing affordable for consumer devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing wireless communication chipset infrastructure (transmitters, receivers, antennas, switches) is repurposed to provide radar sensing functionality. The same hardware components that handle communication signals are configured to generate and process radar signals, eliminating the need for additional dedicated radar components and reducing overall system cost.
3Area of stationary object
If a single antenna is used in wireless communication chipset, then device size is reduced, but full-duplex radar operation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic switching of antenna connections using electronically controlled switches. The switches rapidly alternate between connecting the transmitter to the antenna and connecting the receiver to the antenna, enabling full-duplex radar operation with a single physical antenna. This dynamic time-division approach provides the functional equivalence of multiple antennas without the physical space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and apparatuses are described that enable full-duplex operation for radar sensing using a wireless communication chipset. A controller initializes or controls connections between one or more transceivers and antennas in the wireless communication chipset. This enables the wireless communication chipset to be used as a continuous-wave radar or a pulse-Doppler radar. By utilizing these techniques, the wireless communication chipset can be re-purposed or used for wireless communication or radar sensing.