Radar Chirp Signal Frequency Segmentation for Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar apparatuses face challenges in enhancing performance, particularly in accurately detecting small objects like pedestrians, due to limitations in distance resolution and Doppler accuracy caused by frequent changes in chirp signal center frequencies, which increase control complexity and memory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus that generates and transmits chirp signals with a configuration of varying transmission delays and center frequencies, reducing the number of control operations and memory needed by transmitting the same chirp signal in multiple periods with delayed and frequency-modulated sweeps, thereby enhancing distance resolution and reducing phase errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the center frequency of chirp signals is changed for each transmission period to improve distance resolution, then distance resolution is improved, but control complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency variation into blocks of N transmission periods. Within each block, the center frequency is changed only at the beginning (first transmission period) rather than every period. This segmentation reduces the number of frequency change operations from one per transmission period to one per block of N periods, thereby reducing control complexity while maintaining the overall frequency sweep for distance resolution improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The center frequency is changed in advance at the beginning of each block (first transmission period) before the actual measurement transmissions. This preliminary frequency setting allows the system to maintain a constant center frequency during the N transmission periods, reducing the need for frequent control operations and memory updates while still achieving the required frequency diversity for high distance resolution.
2Measurement precision
If the center frequency of chirp signals is changed for each transmission period to improve distance resolution, then distance resolution is improved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting frequency changes into blocks of N transmission periods, the system reduces memory requirements. Instead of storing frequency information for every transmission period, the system only needs to store the center frequency setting for each block's first transmission period. This segmentation approach reduces memory usage by a factor of approximately N while maintaining the frequency sweep capability needed for high distance resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reuses the same chirp signal waveform across N transmission periods within a block, changing only the center frequency at the block level. This copying approach allows the system to maintain signal consistency and reduce memory requirements by not storing separate frequency-modulated waveforms for each transmission period,而是 reusing the base chirp signal with updated frequency parameters.
3Reliability
If chirp signals are transmitted frequently to improve detection capability, then detection capability is improved, but phase errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic frequency changes at block boundaries (every N transmission periods) rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains a constant center frequency during each block, reducing phase errors and improving Doppler accuracy, while still achieving frequency diversity across blocks for enhanced detection capability. The periodic structure allows the system to balance between frequent transmission for detection and stable frequency for accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If the number of transmission periods is increased to improve detection accuracy, then detection accuracy is improved, but detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the transmission into blocks of N periods with frequency changes only at block boundaries, the system achieves detection accuracy equivalent to continuous frequency changes but in reduced time. The segmentation allows efficient processing and reduces overhead, maintaining detection accuracy while minimizing the total detection time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the block size parameter N to balance detection accuracy and detection time. By adjusting N, the system can achieve the required detection accuracy with the minimum necessary number of transmission periods, thereby reducing detection time while maintaining performance requirements.
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 improves distance and Doppler accuracy, extends frequency change width, and maintains signal consistency across transmission periods, leading to enhanced detection capabilities for small objects without increasing chirp transmission time.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission antenna 106 that transmits the chirp signals
Implementation Method 2
radar apparatus 10 that transmits chirp signals
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a radar apparatus whose performance is enhanced. The radar apparatus, includes: signal generation circuitry, which, in operation, generates a plurality of chirp signals; and a transmission antenna, which, in operation, transmits the plurality of chirp signals. The signal generation circuitry configures a transmission delay for the plurality of chirp signals for each of a predetermined number of transmission periods, where the predetermined number is greater than or equal to two. The signal generation circuitry changes a center frequency of the plurality of chirp signals for each of the predetermined number of transmission periods.