Virtual Distance Radar Testing via Frequency Difference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for testing radar devices are expensive, time-consuming, and require significant space due to the need for physical displacement or multiple delay lines, making them inefficient for high-volume testing.

Innovation Solution

An all-electronic virtual distance technique is used to simulate distances by determining frequency differences between signals, allowing for efficient and compact testing of radar devices without the need for physical displacement or multiple delay lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical displacement or multiple delay lines are used to simulate distances, then testing accuracy is improved, but testing cost, time, and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidtesting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical systems (physical displacement of targets, multiple physical delay lines) with an electronic signal processing system. The testing device generates electronic test signals with predetermined frequency differences that simulate distance information, eliminating the need for physical movement or multiple physical cable lengths. This substitution directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through accurate frequency control while dramatically improving productivity through automated electronic testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for distance simulation from physical dimension (actual distance, cable length) to frequency parameter (frequency difference between signals). By generating test signals with specific frequency differences corresponding to desired distance values, the system achieves accurate distance simulation without physical displacement or multiple delay lines, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and testing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If physical displacement or multiple delay lines are used to simulate distances, then testing accuracy is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces space-consuming physical infrastructure (large test areas for physical displacement, extensive cable management for multiple delay lines) with a compact electronic signal generation system. The testing device generates all necessary test signals electronically within a confined space, eliminating the need for large physical test areas while maintaining testing accuracy through precise frequency control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of distance information through frequency modulation rather than physical replication. Instead of creating multiple physical delay lines of different lengths, the system generates electronic signals with frequency differences that represent different distance values. This virtual copying approach maintains measurement precision across multiple distance simulations while requiring minimal physical space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If physical displacement or multiple delay lines are used to simulate distances, then testing accuracy is improved, but testing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares test signals in advance with predetermined frequency differences corresponding to various distance values. The testing device generates these frequency-modulated test signals electronically before actual testing begins, eliminating the need for time-consuming physical setup, target displacement, or cable reconfiguration during testing. This preliminary electronic preparation maintains testing accuracy while significantly reducing total testing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical operations (physical target displacement, manual cable switching) with rapid electronic signal generation. The testing device can switch between different virtual distance simulations by simply changing signal frequency parameters, achieving the same testing accuracy as physical methods but in a fraction of the time through automated electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3259611B1Virtual distance test techniques for radar applications
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 TERADYNE INC
  • EP3259611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3259611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3259611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A testing device for testing a radar device. The testing device may be configured to determine a first frequency difference between a frequency of a first signal or a second signal and a frequency of a third signal based on a first distance value; transmit to the radar device the first signal; receive the second signal from the radar device; transmit to the radar device the third signal at an offset relative to at least one of the first signal and the second signal based on the first frequency difference; and receive from the radar device a fourth signal indicating a second distance value or a second frequency difference between the frequency of the second signal and the frequency of the third signal, determined by the radar device, for comparison with the first distance value or the first frequency difference.