Integrated Wireless Chipset Radar for Presence and Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices face challenges in integrating radar capabilities due to the high cost of standalone radar solutions and limitations of other sensing modalities like cameras, PIR/USPD, and CSI-based sensing, which often result in false positives or lack location information.
Innovation Solution
Reusing Wi-Fi/Bluetooth transmit and receive chains to mimic traditional radar operations, integrating frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar in wireless chipsets, utilizing digital dechirping techniques for presence and localization detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standalone radar solutions are integrated into wireless devices, then radar functionality and presence detection capability are improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the Wi-Fi radio to perform both wireless communication and radar operations using the same hardware components (TX chain, RX chain, antennas). The baseband processor is configured to switch between communication mode and radar mode, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate dedicated radar hardware, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines radar functionality with the existing Wi-Fi communication infrastructure by merging the radar TX/RX chains with the Wi-Fi TX/RX chains. The same antennas and radio frequency components are used for both communication signals and radar chirp signals, effectively merging two functions into one unified system that reduces overall device complexity and cost
2Reliability
If other sensing modalities like cameras, PIR/USPD, or CSI-based sensing are used, then presence detection is achieved, but false positives increase or location information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical sensing (cameras) and passive infrared sensing with electromagnetic wave-based radar sensing. By using radio frequency chirp signals and analyzing their reflections, the system achieves more reliable presence detection with accurate location information, substituting mechanical/optical systems with an electromagnetic field-based approach that is less prone to false positives and provides precise ranging capabilities
3Reliability
If dedicated radar hardware is added to wireless devices, then radar functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves cost-effective radar functionality by making the Wi-Fi radio multi-functional. The same TX chain, RX chain, and antennas used for wireless communication are repurposed for radar operations. This eliminates the need for dedicated radar hardware components, significantly reducing bill of materials costs and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining full radar functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges radar hardware requirements with existing Wi-Fi communication hardware, combining the TX/RX chains and antennas into a single shared infrastructure. This consolidation eliminates duplicate components, reduces manufacturing complexity, and lowers production costs while enabling both communication and radar functions in the same device
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
Provides credible presence or location information with minimal additional costs, enabling low-cost ambient experiences and sensor fusion without the need for extra sensors, while maintaining compatibility with existing wireless standards.
Implementation Method 1
generates a set of chirps, where each chirp corresponds to a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal
Implementation Method 2
transmits the set of chirps through an antenna
Implementation Method 3
receives a reflected set of chirps corresponding to the set of chirps of the FMCW signal
Implementation Method 4
utilizing digital dechirping techniques for presence and localization detection
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies directed to providing a wireless chipset with integrated radar for presence detection and localization are described. A first wireless device uses a transmit (TX) chain to send data to a second wireless device. The first wireless device generates a chirp signal and uses the TX chain to send the chirp signal. A receive (RX) chain of the first wireless device receives reflected signals corresponding to the chirp signal. The first wireless device determines digital values using the reflected signals and the chirp signal. The first wireless device determines that an environment in which the first wireless device is located has been disrupted by an object using the digital values.