Portable Radar Using Mobile Devices for 3D Target Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems are expensive, bulky, power-intensive, and require expertise to configure and use, limiting their accessibility and versatility for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, portable radar system that leverages the processing power and display functionality of mobile computing devices, using a wired or wireless interface to communicate with mobile devices, and configured with an open set of instructions for interacting with applications to accept control inputs and output target detection information in three dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional radar systems are used, then reliable target detection is achieved, but the system becomes expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is divided into separate functional modules: transmit array, receive array, transmitter electronics, receiver electronics, and processing circuitry. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables portable configurations by distributing components across different physical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system uses standard communication interfaces (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB) that are universally compatible with mobile computing devices. The transmit and receive arrays can function in multiple configurations, and the system supports various operating modes including target detection, tracking, and imaging across different frequency bands.
2Reliability
If traditional radar systems are used, then reliable target detection is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system uses pulsed transmission instead of continuous wave transmission. The transmit array emits radar signals in periodic pulses, allowing the system to consume power only during transmission intervals rather than continuously, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical radar components with electronic alternatives. Digital signal processing circuitry substitutes for analog hardware, and electronic beam forming replaces mechanical antenna rotation, reducing power consumption while improving reliability and enabling portable operation.
3Reliability
If traditional radar systems are used, then target detection capability is maintained, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile computing device serves as an intermediary between the radar hardware and the user. The device runs applications that provide intuitive graphical interfaces for controlling radar operations, visualizing target data, and configuring system parameters, making the complex radar system easy to operate without specialized expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system automatically performs signal processing, target detection, and data analysis without requiring manual intervention. The processing circuitry autonomously handles raw radar data, applies detection algorithms, and generates target information, allowing the system to serve itself and reducing the operational burden on users.
4Reliability
If traditional radar systems are used, then target detection is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system uses commercially available, low-cost components including off-the-shelf antenna elements, standard communication modules, and mass-produced mobile computing devices. These components are significantly cheaper than traditional radar parts and can be rapidly manufactured and replaced if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates across multiple frequency bands and can adjust transmission parameters dynamically. This flexibility allows the radar to achieve reliable detection performance by optimizing operating parameters rather than relying on expensive specialized hardware, enabling cost-effective deployment in various applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable radar system that may leverage the processing power, input and/or display functionality in mobile computing devices. Some examples of mobile computing devices may include mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers and similar devices. The radar system of this disclosure may include a wired or wireless interface to communicate with the mobile computing device, or similar device that includes a display. The radar system may be configured with an open set of instructions for interacting with an application executing on the mobile computing device to accept control inputs as well as output signals that the application may interpret and display, such as target detection and tracking. The radar system may consume less power than other radar systems. The radar system of this disclosure may be used for a wide variety of applications by consumers, military, law enforcement and commercial use.