Phased Antenna Array Proximity Detection Using Power Metrics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for detecting human body proximity in mm-wave wireless communications require dedicated hardware, leading to increased size, weight, power consumption, and cost, while also facing challenges with minimum detectable range and interference.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing multiple transmitting antenna paths of 5G phased arrays to detect human body proximity without additional hardware, by calculating power metrics from injected and reflected signals across multiple antenna elements and comparing them to threshold values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated proximity sensors (infrared, capacitive, camera, FMCW radar) are used to detect human body presence, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity, size, weight, power consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing mmWave antenna array perform dual functions: both wireless communication and proximity detection. By utilizing the same hardware components (antenna elements, power detectors, processing circuitry) for both purposes, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors while maintaining reliable detection capability through power metric calculations from reflected signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own transmitted mmWave signals and the resulting reflected power measurements to perform self-detection of proximity objects. The antenna array transmits signals, detects reflected power levels, and processes this information to determine object presence, thereby serving its own detection needs without requiring external specialized sensors.
2Reliability
If FMCW radar solutions are used for proximity detection, then detection range is improved, but minimum detectable range and resolution for small distances deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from traditional FMCW radar approaches to measuring power metrics of reflected mmWave signals. By analyzing the power levels and characteristics of signals reflected from objects at close range, the system achieves precise detection of small distances while maintaining the ability to detect objects at various ranges through adaptive power threshold comparisons.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If transmitter output power is reduced to comply with MPE limits when human body is detected, then electromagnetic field exposure compliance is improved, but communication link performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors reflected power metrics from the antenna array to detect the presence of human bodies or objects. Based on this feedback information, the system dynamically adjusts transmitter output power levels to comply with MPE limits when necessary, while maintaining optimal communication performance when safe. The feedback loop enables real-time power adaptation to ensure both compliance and performance.
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 enables reliable detection of human body proximity with reduced size, weight, power consumption, and cost, while maintaining communication link performance and compliance with electromagnetic field exposure limits.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, via a first antenna element and a second antenna element among the multiple antenna elements, a transmission signal; determining, for the first antenna element, a first power of a first injected signal and a second power of a first reflected signal corresponding to the transmission signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for proximity detection using a phased antenna array including multiple antenna elements. A method includes transmitting, via a first antenna element and a second antenna element among the multiple antenna elements, a transmission signal; determining, for the first antenna element, a first power of a first injected signal and a second power of a first reflected signal corresponding to the transmission signal; determining, for the second antenna element, a third power of a second injected signal and a fourth power of a second reflected signal corresponding to the transmission signal; calculating, for the first antenna element, a first power metric based on at least one of the first power of the first injected signal or the second power of the first reflected signal; calculating, for the second antenna element, a second power metric based on at least one of the third power of the second injected signal or the fourth power of the second reflected signal; comparing the first power metric with a first threshold value; comparing the second power metric with a second threshold value; and determining whether an object is detected within a proximity range of the phased antenna array, based on the comparison of at least one of the first power metric with the first threshold value or the second power metric with the second threshold value.