Millimeter-Wave Radar Imaging Using Multi-Bounce Scattering Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millimeter-wave systems have a limited imaging field-of-view due to their high directionality and reliance on single-bounce paths that scatter once from objects in the environment before being received at the system, and existing systems that utilize multi-bounce paths require prior environment knowledge from additional sensors like lidars.
Innovation Solution
A method that exploits natural multi-bounce scattering in the environment to image objects beyond the single-bounce field-of-view without additional hardware or prior knowledge, using a sequential iterative procedure to extract arbitrary-order multi-bounce paths and perform matched filtering to localize objects, including single-bounce, double-bounce, and triple-bounce reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If millimeter-wave systems use single-bounce paths for imaging, then the system complexity is low, but the field-of-view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses environment objects (walls, surfaces, other objects) as intermediaries to enable multi-bounce scattering paths. These intermediaries allow the radar signal to reach areas beyond the direct field-of-view by bouncing off these objects, effectively expanding the imaging area without adding complex hardware systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from considering only direct line-of-sight paths (one dimension) to incorporating multi-bounce scattering paths that utilize environmental objects (adding spatial dimensions). This allows imaging in regions that are not directly visible to the radar, effectively expanding the field-of-view by utilizing the three-dimensional environment for signal propagation.
2Area of stationary object
If millimeter-wave systems use multi-bounce paths, then the field-of-view is expanded, but prior environment knowledge from additional sensors is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the millimeter-wave radar system self-sufficient by using its own transmitted signal and the natural multi-bounce scattering properties of the environment. The system processes the scattered signals directly without requiring additional sensors like lidars to provide prior environment knowledge, thereby eliminating the need for extra hardware while still achieving expanded field-of-view imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal processing parameters and algorithms to extract and utilize multi-bounce scattering paths from the received signals. By modifying how the radar processes and interprets the scattered signals (rather than adding hardware), the system achieves expanded imaging capability without requiring additional sensors or prior environment knowledge.
3Area of stationary object
If millimeter-wave systems use multi-bounce paths, then objects beyond field-of-view can be imaged, but localization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into different bounce-order components (single-bounce, double-bounce, triple-bounce, etc.). By separately processing and localizing objects based on their respective bounce orders, the system can apply appropriate localization algorithms to each segment, thereby maintaining higher localization accuracy for objects detected through multi-bounce paths while still expanding the overall imaging coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs iterative signal processing where the localization results from one bounce order provide feedback for improving the localization of objects detected through higher-order bounces. This feedback mechanism allows the system to refine localization accuracy progressively, compensating for the signal degradation that occurs with multiple bounces and thereby maintaining measurement precision across the expanded field-of-view.
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 imaging of objects beyond the field-of-view with improved localization accuracy, reducing median localization error by 2 to 10 times over traditional methods, and allows sensing around-corners and behind-the-radar without additional hardware or environment knowledge.
Implementation Method 1
reliance on single-bounce paths that scatter once from objects in the environment before being received at the system
Implementation Method 2
receiving, using the radar, a plurality of reflections of the transmitted radar signal from a plurality of objects in an environment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for exploiting multi-bounce scattering to increase the field-of-view of millimeter-wave radar imaging without prior environment knowledge is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a radar signal based on a fixed transmit beam pattern and receiving a plurality of reflections of the transmitted radar signal from a plurality of objects in an environment, wherein the reflections may be single-bounce reflections, double-bounce reflections, and triple-bounce reflections. Additionally, the method includes performing a single-bounce matched filtering to localize a first plurality of objects based on the received single-bounce reflection, performing a double-bounce matched filtering to localize a second plurality of objects based on the received double-bounce reflection and the localized first plurality of objects, and performing a triple-bounce matched filtering to localize a third plurality of objects based on the received triple-bounce reflection, the localized first plurality of objects and, the localized second plurality of objects. Further, a map that includes the plurality of objects localized by the single-bounce matched filtering, the double-bounce matched filtering, and the triple-bounce matched filtering is generated.