Radar Burst Scheduling for All-Weather Autonomous Perception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-based sensors, such as cameras and LiDAR, perform poorly in adverse weather conditions, limiting their reliability for autonomous perception and navigation in vehicles and robots.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a radar system with a radar device that uses Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar technology and Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna schemes to effectively determine range, speed, and direction of objects, providing reliable data in various weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light-based sensors (cameras, LiDAR) are used for autonomous perception, then the system can perceive and navigate through the environment, but the sensors perform poorly under adverse weather conditions (rain, snow, hail, poor visibility)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces light-based sensors (optical/mechanical system) with radar sensors (electromagnetic system operating at radio frequencies). This substitution is fundamental because radar uses electromagnetic waves that penetrate through adverse weather conditions (rain, snow, hail) where light-based sensors fail, thereby resolving the reliability issue in adverse weather while maintaining environmental perception capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from optical frequencies (light-based sensors) to radio frequency frequencies (radar sensors). This parameter change enables the sensing system to operate effectively in adverse weather conditions, as radio waves can penetrate through precipitation and poor visibility conditions that block optical waves, thus improving reliability without being affected by weather harmful factors
2Reliability
If radar transmissions are scheduled continuously to ensure reliable detection, then detection reliability is improved, but the radar system consumes more energy and increases computational load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scheduling of radar transmissions rather than continuous operation. The radar controller transmits radar signals at predetermined time intervals based on detected object characteristics and environmental conditions. This periodic action maintains detection reliability by scheduling transmissions strategically while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the radar transmission schedule based on real-time conditions. The radar controller modifies transmission frequency and timing according to detected object characteristics, environmental factors, and system state. This dynamic scheduling ensures reliable detection when needed while reducing energy consumption during stable conditions, balancing reliability and energy efficiency through adaptive control
3Measurement precision
If FMCW radar technology with MIMO antenna schemes is implemented to determine range, speed, and direction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a radar system that simultaneously performs multiple measurement functions (range detection, speed measurement, direction determination) using a unified FMCW radar platform with MIMO antenna configuration. This multi-functional approach achieves high measurement precision across multiple parameters while avoiding the need for separate specialized sensors for each measurement type, thereby managing system complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) antenna schemes that add spatial dimensionality to the radar measurements. By employing multiple transmit and receive antennas, the system extracts additional information (direction, speed) from the same radar signals, enhancing measurement precision without requiring completely separate sensing systems. This dimensional expansion achieves multi-parameter measurement through a single integrated radar platform
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 radar system enhances the ability of autonomous vehicles and robots to navigate and perceive their environment accurately in all-weather conditions by providing reliable range, speed, and direction information, overcoming the limitations of light-based sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a radar device that uses Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar technology
Implementation Method 2
the radar system enhances the ability of autonomous vehicles and robots to navigate and perceive their environment
Implementation Method 3
Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna schemes to effectively determine range, speed, and direction of objects
Implementation Method 4
the radar system enhances the ability of autonomous vehicles and robots to navigate and perceive their environment accurately
Data Source
AI summary
For example, an apparatus may include a scheduler configured to determine scheduling information to schedule radar transmissions of a radar device during a sequence of radar frames. For example, the scheduler may be configured to determine a burst-based frame setting to schedule a sequence of radar burst transmissions during a radar frame of the sequence of radar frames. In one example, the burst-based frame setting may include a setting of a burst gap duration. In one example, the burst gap duration may include a duration of a burst gap between first and second consecutive radar burst transmissions of the sequence of radar burst transmissions.