Millimeter-Wave Radar Phase Synchronization via Annihilating Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing millimeter-wave radar systems require wiring for phase synchronization between transmitters/receivers, which becomes impractical when transmitters/receivers are far apart, necessitating a solution that eliminates the need for such wiring.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system utilizing a plurality of transmitters/receivers that employ an Annihilating Filter method to estimate the angle of a target by generating a convolution matrix from stacked antenna data, determining filter coefficients, calculating phase differences, and estimating arrival angles without the need for wiring or cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wiring is used for phase synchronization between transmitters/receivers, then synchronization precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase when transmitters/receivers are far apart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase synchronization function from physical wiring connections and implements it through signal processing algorithms. By removing the wiring requirement and using mathematical processing of received signals, the system achieves phase synchronization without the complexity of physical connections between distant transmitters/receivers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical wiring system with a signal processing system. Instead of using physical wires to transmit synchronization signals, the system uses digital signal processing techniques to achieve phase alignment, substituting a mechanical connection system with an information processing system
2Measurement precision
If multiple transmitters/receivers are used to improve angle estimation precision, then measurement precision is improved, but the need for additional synchronization circuits increases device complexity and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to achieve synchronization self-service through signal processing. The transmitters/receivers automatically align their phases through algorithmic processing of the signals they exchange, without requiring external synchronization circuits or additional hardware components to manage phase alignment
3Reliability
If wiring is used for phase synchronization, then synchronization is achieved, but loss of energy increases due to additional high-frequency synchronization circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy-consuming synchronization circuits from the system and replaces them with computational methods. By removing the physical synchronization hardware, the system eliminates the continuous power consumption associated with maintaining synchronized phases through active circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning system includes a transceiver and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit acquires a plurality of antenna data from the transceiver, the antenna data being obtained by radio waves being transmitted and received between transmitting antennas and receiving antennas. In angle estimation processing of the target by employing an Annihilating Filter method, the signal processing unit generates a convolution matrix by stacking the plurality of antenna data in a row direction of a matrix and combining the antenna data, and determines a filter coefficient vector from simultaneous equations expressed by using a matrix product of the convolution matrix and the filter coefficient vector. The signal processing unit calculates a phase difference between antennas from the determined filter coefficient vector and performs an operation to estimate an arrival angle of the reflected wave from the target.