mmWave Modem Radar Mode Using Shared 5G Beamforming Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for equipping mobile communication devices with radar capability, such as dedicated radar chips or phased arrays, increase device cost and size due to the need for large antenna arrays, limiting their application to short-range, low-resolution functions like gesture recognition.
Innovation Solution
Integrate radar functionality into mmWave communication devices by sharing the 5G beamforming transceiver, RF front-end components, and antenna array between radar and communication modem, allowing the modem to operate in both radar and communication modes, and utilize OFDM symbols or FMCW signals for radar operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated radar chip is integrated into the mobile device, then radar functionality is achieved, but device cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device's existing transceiver and antenna array are designed to perform both communication and radar functions. The transceiver can be configured to generate communication signals or radar signals (such as FMCW or OFDM waveforms) based on operational mode, eliminating the need for separate dedicated radar hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines radar functionality with the existing communication infrastructure by merging the radar signal generation and processing into the communication modem and transceiver. The same antenna array used for communication serves dual purposes for both communication and radar operations, reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a phased array is mounted on the device to add FMCW radar, then long-range radar capability is achieved, but device size increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device's existing antenna array, designed for communication purposes, is utilized for radar operations as well. The antenna elements can be configured to form beams for radar detection, achieving long-range capability without requiring a separate dedicated phased array structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the antenna array and transceiver between communication mode and radar mode. The same physical antenna elements can be electronically steered and configured to achieve different beam patterns and detection ranges depending on the operational requirements, eliminating the need for fixed dedicated radar antenna structures.
3Measurement precision
If the antenna array size is increased to create a narrow beam for high angular resolution, then measurement precision improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic beamforming and electronic steering of the existing antenna array to achieve narrow beams and high angular resolution. By dynamically adjusting the phase and amplitude of signals across the antenna elements, the system can electronically create focused beams without physically increasing the antenna array dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as signal frequency, beamforming weights, and processing algorithms to achieve high angular resolution with the existing antenna array. By optimizing these parameters, the system can achieve narrow beam widths and improved measurement precision without expanding the physical antenna structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device comprises a modem and a transceiver, wherein the modem comprises digital baseband circuitry for generating a digital baseband signal for transmission, and the transceiver is configured to receive the digital baseband signal from the modem and to generate therefrom a radiofrequency signal for transmission by the communication device. The communication device controls the modem to operate in a first mode, and controls the modem to operate in a second mode. The first mode is a radar mode in which the modem generates radar baseband signals for transmission as one or more radar radiofrequency signals by the transceiver, and the second mode is a communication mode in which the modem generates information-containing baseband signals for transmission by the transceiver.