Radar Chirp Synchronization Using Embedded Binary Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar transceiver systems face challenges in achieving synchronization between the transmitter and receiver units without increasing hardware complexity, which is crucial for accurate measurement and detection of radar signals.

Innovation Solution

A radar transceiver arrangement that generates and transmits a predetermined binary code within each delay time of radar waveforms, using BFSK modulation, allowing for correlation and synchronization between the transmitter and receiver units through software-based methods, reducing the need for additional hardware triggers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an additional synchronization/triggering signal in hardware is used, then the receiver knows what digital samples can be associated with the beginning and end of each chirp, but the hardware complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hardware synchronization signal approach with a software-based correlation method. The receiver correlates the received radar signal with stored reference chirp waveforms to automatically identify sample boundaries, eliminating the need for additional hardware triggering mechanisms while maintaining synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the radar signal itself to provide synchronization information. By embedding synchronization data within the radar waveforms and using correlation processing, the receiver self-synchronizes without requiring external triggering signals or additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple consecutive chirps are transmitted in FMCW format, then wide band performance is achieved, but the complexity of tracking and synchronizing each chirp increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth performanceVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary correlation processing between received chirps and reference waveforms to pre-establish synchronization information before the main detection phase. This allows the system to handle multiple consecutive chirps efficiently by reusing the correlation framework rather than requiring separate synchronization tracking for each chirp.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The correlation processing unit serves multiple functions: it performs synchronization, identifies chirp boundaries, and prepares data for detection. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall complexity of handling multiple consecutive chirps in FMCW mode by consolidating tasks into a single processing framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 accurate synchronization and reduces hardware complexity by embedding binary codes in radar signals, facilitating efficient data processing and enhancing robustness against fading effects in multi-target scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

the binary code is of the type BFSK, Binary Frequency Shift Keying, where the digital signs in the binary code vary between two different frequencies in a frequency span

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency Modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

The correlation unit is adapted to perform a correlation calculation between the digital IF signal and the original binary code provided by the code generator unit such that a correlation function is obtained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrelation:

Implementation Method 3

The receiver unit comprises a mixer unit adapted to mix the transmitted radar signal with the received radar signal and to output an analogue intermediate frequency, IF, signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Heterodyne

Implementation Method 4

The receiver unit further comprises an analogue to digital converter, ADC, unit adapted to output a digital IF signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnalogue to Digital Conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP4471455B1Synchronization of a receiver unit and a transmitter unit in a radar transceiver arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 MAGNA ELECTRONICS SWEDEN AB
  • EP4471455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4471455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4471455B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a radar transceiver arrangement (101)) comprising a control unit (107), a transmitter unit (140) and a receiver unit (141). The transmitter unit (140) is adapted to generate and transmit a radar signal (108) comprising a plurality of subsequent radar waveforms (r) with a delay time (tD) between each radar waveform (r), and the receiver unit (141) is adapted to receive reflected radar signals (109). For at least a subset of the transmitted radar waveforms (r), the radar transceiver arrangement (101) is adapted to generate and transmit a predetermined binary code (300) within each delay time (tD), the binary code (300) being comprised in the transmitted radar signal (108).