Millimeter-Wave Communication and Radar Sharing FMCW Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter wave radars are limited in their ability to simultaneously perform complex calculations for applications like autonomous driving and gesture recognition due to separate operational modes for communication and radar sensing, which hinders efficient integration and increases device size and cost.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electric device that combines millimeter wave communication and radar sensing functions, allowing simultaneous operation in different time slots using shared components like the sine-wave generator, frequency upconverter, and demodulation circuits, with a control module to switch between modes as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate operational modes for communication and radar sensing are used, then functional independence is maintained, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges millimeter wave communication and radar sensing functions into a single integrated device that shares common components including antenna arrays, sine-wave generators, frequency upconverters, and demodulation circuits. This consolidation reduces device size and cost while maintaining both functional capabilities through time-division operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device is designed to perform multiple functions using the same hardware resources. The antenna arrays, signal generation circuits, and processing units can operate in either communication mode or radar sensing mode, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
2Reliability
If separate operational modes for communication and radar sensing are used, then dedicated hardware can be provided, but integration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs time-division multiplexing where communication and radar sensing operations are performed in different time slots. The control module schedules periodic switching between communication mode and radar sensing mode, allowing the same hardware to be dedicated to one function at a time while achieving high integration efficiency through shared resources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If simultaneous communication and radar sensing operation is enabled, then functionality is enhanced, but interference between operations may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control module implements time-division operation where communication and radar sensing are executed in alternating time slots rather than simultaneously. This periodic switching eliminates mutual interference between the two functions while maintaining the ability to perform both operations, achieving versatile functionality without harmful interactions.
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 integrated device reduces size and cost while enabling simultaneous high-quality communication and radar sensing, facilitating applications such as autonomous driving and gesture recognition with improved efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology. The FMCW technology continuously provides a plurality of sine-wave signals with linearly incremental frequencies
Implementation Method 2
frequency upconverter, and demodulation circuits
Data Source
AI summary
An electric device and a method for utilizing millimeter wave communication and radar sensing are provided. The electric device includes an antenna module, a millimeter wave communication module, a radar sensing module and a control module. The millimeter wave communication module and the radar sensing module share a sine-wave generator circuit, a frequency upconverter and a frequency downconverter, and respectively perform a millimeter wave communication operation and a radar sensing operation in accordance with an operation indicator signal transmitted by the control module. The method includes: using an operation indicator signal transmitted by a control module to control a millimeter wave communication module and a radar sensing module to perform a millimeter wave communication operation and a radar sensing operation in a predetermined work period.