Radar Sensing With Reduced-Angle PSK Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems face challenges in achieving high resolution and long measurement range while maintaining desirable radar operation, particularly in data communication, as data embedded in radar signals can complicate signal processing and lead to performance issues such as dynamic range loss and increased sidelobe levels.
Innovation Solution
The use of phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation with reduced phase angles less than π on frequency-ramped carrier signals, combined with deramping reflections using a linearized version of the radar waveforms, to encode and decode communication data within radar signals, mitigating losses and enhancing data communication while maintaining radar performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is embedded in radar signals for communication, then data communication capability is improved, but signal processing complexity and dynamic range loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radar signal into distinct components: a base FMCW carrier signal and a separate PSK-modulated data signal. The carrier signal maintains its original linear frequency modulation for radar processing, while the data signal is modulated onto a portion of the spectrum. This segmentation allows independent optimization of radar performance and data communication without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between communication capability and processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary frequency-shift keying (FSK) or phase-shift keying (PSK) modulated signal as a mediator between the radar carrier and the data to be transmitted. This intermediary signal carries the communication data while being integrated into the radar waveform structure, enabling data communication without fundamentally altering the radar signal's core properties, thus maintaining radar performance while adding communication capability.
2Measurement precision
If high resolution and long measurement range are achieved, then radar sensing performance is improved, but signal complexity and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the FMCW carrier signal parameters (slope, bandwidth, duration) to achieve the desired measurement range and resolution. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system achieves high precision sensing while keeping the signal structure relatively simple and manageable. The linear frequency ramp is designed with specific slope values that balance range and resolution requirements without excessive complexity.
3Productivity
If PSK modulation is applied to radar signals for data communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but dynamic range loss and sidelobe levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the data modulation from the main radar carrier by using frequency or phase modulation on a subordinate signal component. The PSK modulation is applied to a data-carrying signal that occupies a different spectral region or represents a separate modulation layer, allowing the main carrier to retain its optimal waveform for radar detection without suffering from modulation-induced sidelobes or dynamic range compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the PSK modulation parameters (phase shift magnitude, symbol rate, constellation points) to minimize the impact on radar performance. By carefully controlling the modulation depth and rate, the system achieves efficient data communication while limiting the introduction of sidelobes and dynamic range loss to acceptable levels that do not significantly degrade radar sensing capability.
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 allows for effective data communication and radar sensing, reducing dynamic range loss and energy loss in reflected signals, thereby achieving enhanced radar performance and efficient data transmission in applications like automotive radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
The RF signals carry communication data encoded via phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation
Implementation Method 2
receive object-reflected versions of RF signals
Implementation Method 3
demodulates the received signal waveforms by deramping the received object-reflected versions of RF signals using a linearized version of the radar waveforms
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to radar apparatuses and methods involving the communication of data with radar signals. As may be implemented with one or more embodiments, a sequence of radar waveforms are transmitted as RF signals, the RF signals carrying communication data encoded onto a ramped radar carrier signal via phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation. Such modulation may utilize a modified, reduced-angle modulation with phase angles of less than π. Object-reflected versions of the RF signals are received and demodulated by deramping the received object-reflected versions of RF signals using a linearized version of the radar waveforms (e.g., without PSK modulation). This approach can mitigate compression peak loss.