Radar Phase Noise Suppression via Comparison Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems with distributed transceiver units without a common high-frequency carrier signal struggle to perform coherent measurements due to phase noise, which affects the accuracy of distance, position, and angle estimation.
Innovation Solution
A radar method and system where at least two spatially separated transceiver units transmit and receive signals simultaneously, forming comparison signals to calculate phase correction values for each sample value, thereby suppressing phase noise and nonlinearities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If distributed transceiver units without a common high-frequency carrier signal are used, then device complexity is reduced, but phase noise increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces comparison signals as intermediary elements that are formed from transmitted and received signals at each transceiver unit. These comparison signals serve as mediators to estimate and compensate for phase noise and interference variables, enabling coherent measurements without requiring a common high-frequency carrier signal across all units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the comparison signals are processed to generate phase correction values that are fed back to correct the measured signals. This feedback loop continuously compensates for phase noise and interference, allowing the system to maintain measurement accuracy despite the absence of a common carrier signal.
2Ease of manufacture
If incoherent local oscillators are used in distributed radar units, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Comparison signals act as intermediaries that capture the interference variables introduced by incoherent local oscillators. By forming these comparison signals from the transmitted and received signals at each unit, the system can later use them to compensate for the phase noise, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite using easier-to-manufacture incoherent oscillators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters by forming comparison signals from the raw transmitted and received signals, then using these to calculate phase correction values. This parameter transformation allows the system to convert the harmful phase noise introduced by incoherent oscillators into correctable data, maintaining measurement precision while using easier-to-manufacture components.
3Reliability
If phase correction is applied to suppress interference variables, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct functional steps: forming comparison signals from transmitted and received signals, processing these comparison signals to estimate interference variables, and applying phase correction to the measured signals. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, improving signal quality while keeping the overall complexity manageable through modular processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A radar method comprising transmitting and receiving signals simultaneously or overlapping in time by spatially separated transceiver units. Comparison signals are formed from transmitted and received signals by respective transceiver units. A phase correction is formed for each of a plurality of sample values, to generate a measure of phase difference per sample value between the comparison signals. A measure of phase difference is used to improve accuracy of distance or velocity measurements between the transceiver units. A radar system includes transceiver units and an evaluation unit configured to perform the method.