Microwave Sensor Circuit Reusing Wireless Carrier for Stable Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave sensors lack wireless communication functionality and suffer from unstable signal sources and severe phase noise in their circuit designs.
Innovation Solution
A microwave sensor with integrated wireless communication module, switching module, signal transceiver antenna, first amplifier, signal transmitting antenna, mixer, signal receiving antenna, and processing module, which reuses wireless communication signals as a microwave signal source, utilizing a special circuit design to provide both wireless communication and microwave sensing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a microwave sensor integrates both a wireless communication module and a microwave sensing module, then the device provides both wireless communication and sensing functions, but the signal source becomes unstable and severe phase noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated device into two separate modules: a microwave sensing module and a wireless communication module. Each module operates independently with its own signal path, eliminating mutual interference. The switching module selectively connects either the sensing antenna or communication antenna to the shared LNA, ensuring stable signal sources for both functions without cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching module as an intermediary component that manages the connection between the antenna system and the LNA. This switching mechanism acts as a mediator that prevents direct interference between the microwave sensing signal and wireless communication signal, maintaining signal stability while enabling both functions to coexist in the same device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a microwave sensor integrates both a wireless communication module and a microwave sensing module, then the device provides both wireless communication and sensing functions, but severe phase noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal paths into separate channels for sensing and communication functions. By using a switching module to selectively connect either the sensing antenna or communication antenna to the LNA, the system prevents the generation of phase noise that would occur if both signals were processed simultaneously through the same path.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching module operates periodically, alternating between connecting the sensing antenna and communication antenna to the LNA based on operational mode. This periodic switching action ensures that only one signal path is active at a time, eliminating the phase noise interference that would result from simultaneous signal processing.
3Reliability
If separate circuit structures are used for wireless communication and microwave sensing, then signal stability is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the microwave sensing module and wireless communication module into a single integrated device with shared components. The LNA and antenna system are shared between both functions, while the switching module enables selective activation. This merging approach maintains signal stability through proper isolation while reducing overall device complexity and cost compared to completely separate implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the LNA and antenna system to serve both microwave sensing and wireless communication purposes. The switching module enables a single LNA and antenna structure to be universally used for different functions, eliminating the need for duplicate separate circuits and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of separate signal paths.
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
The sensor achieves a stable signal source, reduces phase noise, simplifies circuit design, and lowers costs while enhancing versatility and reliability, making it suitable for various intelligent systems.
Implementation Method 1
the wireless communication module generates a continuous carrier signal when the switching module is switched to the first amplifier, and the continuous carrier signal is transmitted to the signal transmitting antenna and the mixer after the continuous carrier signal passes through the first amplifier to cause the signal transmitting antenna to transmit a radar signal
Implementation Method 2
the mixer uses the continuous carrier signal as a local oscillator signal and generates an intermediate frequency signal according to the reflected signal and the local oscillator signal
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave sensor includes a wireless communication module, switching module, signal transceiver antenna, first amplifier, signal transmitting antenna, mixer, signal receiving antenna and processing module. The processing module controls the wireless communication module to perform wireless communication function when the switching module is switched to the signal transceiver antenna. The wireless communication module generates a continuous carrier signal when the switching module is switched to the first amplifier, and the continuous carrier signal is transmitted to the signal transmitting antenna and the mixer to cause the signal transmitting antenna to transmit a radar signal. The signal receiving antenna receives the reflected signal of the radar signal, and the mixer uses the continuous carrier signal as a local oscillator signal and generates an intermediate frequency signal according to the reflected signal and local oscillator signal. The mixer transmits the intermediate frequency signal to the processing module to perform signal processing.