Multistatic Radar Using 5G Signals for Target Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multistatic radar systems face challenges with heavy equipment requirements and computational needs, particularly in field applications, where they often rely on large, unwieldy transmitters and receivers, and struggle with low latency in communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-node radar network system utilizing 5G communication systems with base nodes, request nodes, and listening nodes, including mobile devices and cloud computing resources, to transmit and receive 5G RF signals for target object positioning, allowing for beam direction control and computation of target object location using synchronized nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fixed-site or vehicle-mounted transmitters with phased array beam-steering are used, then RF power concentration in a given direction is improved, but equipment weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 5G base stations as intermediary components that already possess beam-forming capabilities through their phased array antennas. Instead of deploying dedicated heavy radar transmitters, the system leverages the existing 5G infrastructure's base stations to provide the necessary RF power concentration, thereby avoiding the weight penalty of carrying specialized radar equipment while maintaining the required directional power concentration
Solution Approach 2:
The 5G base stations serve multiple functions: they provide communication services and simultaneously function as radar signal sources with inherent beam-forming capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated radar transmitters, reducing overall system weight and complexity while maintaining RF power concentration capabilities
2Reliability
If passive receivers are used to receive radar signals, then signal reception capability is improved, but receiver size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mobile electronic devices (smartphones, tablets) as intermediary receiving platforms. These devices use their existing 5G communication receivers to detect reflected radar signals, leveraging the ubiquity and portability of consumer electronics rather than relying on large specialized passive receivers. This approach maintains signal reception capability while dramatically improving portability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the communication receiver circuits in mobile devices as copies of specialized radar receivers. Since these devices already contain sensitive RF reception capabilities optimized for 5G frequencies, they can effectively detect the reflected radar signals without requiring duplicate specialized hardware, thus achieving portability without sacrificing reception capability
3Measurement precision
If cloud computing resources are used for target position calculation, then computational precision is improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computational workload by performing initial signal processing and time difference calculations locally on mobile devices, then uploading only the essential measurement data (time differences, signal strength) to cloud computing resources for final position calculation. This segmentation reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, thereby minimizing communication latency while still leveraging cloud computing precision for the final positioning algorithm
4Reliability
If specialized multistatic radar equipment is deployed, then target detection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves target detection capability by repurposing existing 5G communication infrastructure (base stations and mobile devices) for dual use: communication and radar detection. This eliminates the need for specialized radar equipment, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining detection capability through the clever use of reflected signal analysis on existing hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the 5G network's own infrastructure to serve the radar detection function. Base stations transmit signals that are reflected off targets and detected by mobile devices, which then process the data to determine target positions. The existing communication network essentially serves itself by providing both communication and sensing functions, eliminating the need for separate specialized detection equipment
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
This approach reduces equipment weight and complexity, enhances signal processing capabilities, and improves latency in communication networks, enabling more efficient and accurate tracking of targets using off-the-shelf 5G components.
Implementation Method 1
Waves reflecting off of the target object are received by the receiver element
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi node radar network system is disclosed. The system includes a base node (104) configured to transmit a directional 5G RF signal, a request node (120) configured to request the base node (104) to transmit the 5G RF signal, and one or more listening nodes (124) configured to receive reflections of the 5G RF signal reflected off of a target object. The system further includes a computation module (228) configured to determine the location of the target object from data received from at least one of the base node (104), the request node (120), or the one or more listening nodes (124). A method for determining the position of a target object in a multi node radar system is disclosed.