Radar Chirp Slope Switching Without Phase Shifters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems, particularly in automotive applications, face challenges due to the need for additional hardware and complexity introduced by phase shifters used for generating chirp signals, which increase costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A radar system that utilizes a bit modulator, digital frequency controller, and phase-locked loop to generate chirp signals without the need for phase shifters, where the bit modulator outputs binary code bits, the digital frequency controller generates frequency ranges based on these bits, and the phase-locked loop produces chirp signals comprising these frequency ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a phase shifter is used to generate chirp signals and switch chirp slopes, then chirp modulation can be achieved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the phase shifter component from the chirp signal generation system. Instead of using a phase shifter to modulate the chirp signal, the invention extracts the modulation function and integrates it directly into the frequency controller, which determines the frequency sweep characteristics of the chirp signal based on binary code inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the frequency control function and the chirp modulation function into a single integrated frequency controller. This merging eliminates the need for separate phase shifter hardware while maintaining the ability to generate different chirp slopes and modulate the signal according to binary code.
2Device complexity
If a phase shifter is used for chirp signal generation, then frequency switching is possible, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the frequency switching function from the phase shifter and implements it within the frequency controller. The frequency controller directly adjusts the frequency sweep parameters based on binary code inputs, eliminating the need for additional phase shifter hardware and reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical phase shifter system with a digital control approach. The frequency controller uses binary code inputs to digitally determine frequency sweep characteristics, substituting the analog phase shifting mechanism with a digital frequency synthesis approach that is both cheaper and faster.
3Area of stationary object
If additional hardware components are added for chirp modulation, then signal differentiation is enabled, but system space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signal differentiation function into the frequency controller by making the frequency sweep characteristics (start frequency, end frequency, sweep direction) dependent on binary code inputs. This integration eliminates the need for separate phase shifter hardware while maintaining the ability to differentiate and modulate chirp signals for MIMO radar applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates the frequency sweep for the chirp signal, determines the sweep characteristics based on binary code inputs, and enables signal differentiation for multiple antenna elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated phase shifters and reduces overall system space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method generate a signal for transmission by a radar system. A bit modulator outputs a bit of a binary code. A digital frequency controller outputs a range of frequencies. An order of the range of frequencies is based on the bit. A phase-locked loop generates a signal for transmission by the radar system. The signal includes a chirp comprising the range of frequencies in the order output by the digital frequency controller.