Radar Signal Semantic Parameter Extraction via Velocity Envelope Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for extracting semantic parameters from radar signals, such as human gait analysis, are limited in effectively isolating and processing time-dependent velocity data to obtain accurate and interpretable information about objects, particularly in distinguishing between different human activities like walking, biking, or standing.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining an envelope of the time-dependent velocity data, which can be done directly in the time domain or through Fourier transformation, and processing it to extract semantic parameters like minimum and maximum velocities, repetition frequencies, and phases, allowing for the separation of useful information from noise and enabling visualization using human body models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Fourier transformation is applied to determine cadence frequencies, then frequency analysis capability is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency analysis capabilityVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies envelope detection before frequency analysis to pre-process the velocity data and extract the dominant frequency components. This preliminary action simplifies the subsequent Fourier transformation by reducing the data complexity and focusing on the relevant frequency range, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If envelope detection is applied to velocity data, then information extraction capability is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation extraction capabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the velocity data into distinct phases (e.g., swing phase and stance phase) and applies envelope detection to each segment separately. This segmentation allows for more precise extraction of semantic parameters from different motion phases while managing processing complexity by dividing the overall task into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If velocity data segmentation is applied to separate useful information from noise, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation by transforming velocity data into envelope amplitude and phase parameters. This parameter transformation consolidates the useful information into fewer, more meaningful parameters while filtering out noise, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio and reducing the dimensionality of the data that requires further processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1969389B1Method for extracting a semantic parameter, computer system and computer program product
Publication Date: 2011.10.12 NEDERLANDSE ORG VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
  • EP1969389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1969389B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1969389B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for extracting a semantic parameter of an object from a radar signal. The method comprises the step of retrieving time dependent velocity data of the object from the radar signal. Further, the method comprises the steps of determining an envelope of the time dependent velocity data of the object and processing the envelope for obtaining a semantic parameter of the object.