Radio Wave Object Detection Using Spatiotemporal Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio wave-based object detection systems using active antenna arrays face limitations in detecting objects outside the aperture plane and achieving high resolution, leading to restricted detection ranges and poor accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a transmission unit and a reception unit with antennas to emit and receive radio waves, and a processing device that calculates and corrects the amplitude distribution of reflected radio waves using a correction operator derived from the point spread function, allowing for expanded detection ranges and improved resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the aperture length of the aperture plane is increased to broaden the detection range, then the position range of detectable objects is improved, but the size of the transmission/reception device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a 2D aperture plane to a 3D volumetric detection space by introducing depth information through time-of-flight measurements. This allows the system to detect objects in three dimensions (azimuth, elevation, and range) without increasing the physical aperture size, effectively adding a temporal dimension to the detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from spatial amplitude distribution to spatiotemporal amplitude distribution by incorporating time-of-flight information. This parameter change enables the system to distinguish objects at different ranges and angles using the same aperture, expanding detection coverage without increasing aperture dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If the aperture length is increased to improve detection resolution, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the size of the transmission/reception device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the time dimension to the spatial detection, creating a spatiotemporal detection framework. This allows the system to achieve high resolution in all three spatial dimensions (azimuth, elevation, range) by utilizing time-of-flight measurements, eliminating the need to increase aperture size for improved resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic time-varying measurements by transmitting continuous or pulsed waves and measuring the time-varying reflected signals. This dynamic measurement approach enables high-resolution range detection and improves angular resolution through temporal signal processing, without requiring a larger static aperture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of transmission/reception antennas is increased to expand detection range, then the detection coverage is improved, but the cost of the transmission/reception device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the time dimension to expand detection coverage without increasing the number of antennas. By measuring the time-of-flight of reflected waves, the system can detect objects at various ranges using the same antenna array, effectively creating a volumetric detection space from a 2D aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses time-of-flight measurement as an intermediary parameter to extend detection capabilities. Instead of adding more antennas to cover larger spatial volumes, the system uses temporal measurements to distinguish objects at different ranges, with time acting as the intermediary that links the fixed aperture to expanded detection coverage.
4Measurement precision
If the number of transmission/reception antennas is increased to improve imaging resolution, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the cost of the transmission/reception device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic time-varying signal measurements to improve imaging resolution without adding more antennas. By analyzing the temporal characteristics of reflected waves and applying time-of-flight information, the system achieves high-resolution imaging in range and improved angular resolution through temporal signal processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution-determining parameters from purely spatial (aperture size, antenna spacing) to include temporal parameters (time-of-flight resolution, signal bandwidth). This parameter change enables high-resolution imaging using the same number of antennas by utilizing the additional information provided by time-varying measurements.
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 enables the detection of objects beyond the traditional aperture limits while maintaining a compact and cost-effective system, enhancing detection accuracy and resolution without increasing the apparatus size or cost.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission unit, including a transmission antenna, to emit a radio wave toward an object using the transmission antenna
Implementation Method 2
a reception unit, including a reception antenna, to receive the radio wave reflected by the object as a reception signal
Data Source
AI summary
An object detection apparatus 1000 includes: a transmission unit 1101, having a transmission antenna, configured to emit a radio wave toward an object using the transmission antenna; a reception unit 1102, having a reception antenna, configured to receive the radio wave reflected by the object as a reception signal and generate an intermediate frequency signal from the reception signal received; and a processing device 1211. The processing device 1211 calculates an amplitude distribution of the radio wave reflected by the object on the basis of the placement of the transmission antenna, the placement of the reception antenna, the frequency of the radio wave emitted from the transmission antenna, and the intermediate frequency signal, and furthermore, using a correction operator calculated from a point spread function indicating characteristics of the transmission unit 1101 and the reception unit 1102, corrects the amplitude distribution calculated.