Signal Processing Device for Radar Target Distinction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Radar systems face complications in distinguishing between multiple measurement targets, such as the chest and abdomen, due to the need for either rotating antennas or multiple antennas, which increases system complexity, especially when they have either distance resolution but no angular resolution or vice versa.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing device and radar system that use a transmission antenna and a reception antenna to determine multiple measurement targets by analyzing responses to signals in different directions, employing a reflecting plate to differentiate between targets based on distance or angle, even with simple configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple antennas are provided to detect phase for distinguishing measurement targets, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget distinction capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement process by time rather than by spatial arrangement of multiple antennas. The single antenna transmits different signals at different time intervals, and the determination unit processes responses from different time periods to distinguish multiple measurement targets. This temporal segmentation replaces the need for multiple spatially arranged antennas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of signal transmission timing and direction. By transmitting signals at different time intervals and in different directions, and by processing responses based on time-of-flight and directional information, the system can distinguish multiple targets using a single antenna instead of multiple antennas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If antenna rotation scanning is performed to distinguish measurement targets by angle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget distinction capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic signal transmission in different directions over time. The transmission antenna transmits signals in different directions at different time intervals, and the determination unit dynamically processes the responses based on directional information and time-of-flight to distinguish multiple measurement targets without mechanical rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical antenna rotation with electronic signal processing. Instead of physically rotating the antenna to scan different directions, the system transmits electromagnetic signals in different directions electronically and uses signal processing to determine target positions based on time-of-flight and directional characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a single antenna is used without angular resolution, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configurationVSAvoidtarget distinction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds the time dimension to the measurement process. By measuring the time-of-flight of signals reflected from different targets and combining this with directional transmission information, the system can distinguish multiple targets along the depth dimension even with a single antenna lacking angular resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces signal processing as an intermediary between the single antenna and target distinction. The determination unit processes the temporal and directional characteristics of received signals to extract position information, acting as an intermediary that enables target distinction capability without requiring multiple physical antennas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables the distinction and measurement of multiple targets independently of their positional relationship, simplifying the radar system configuration and overcoming the limitations of systems with either distance or angular resolution alone.

Implementation Method 1

receive a response to a predetermined signal transmitted from a transmission antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11534085B2Signal processing device, radar system, and signal processing method

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

Provided is a signal processing device capable of distinguishing and measuring a plurality of measurement targets even with simple configuration. The signal processing device including a reception processing unit that receives a response to a predetermined signal transmitted from a transmission antenna, and a determination unit that determines the plurality of measurement targets by a response to a plurality of signals corresponding to a second direction having a predetermined range different from a first direction having a predetermined range.