Ranging Module Spatial Resolution via Signal Re-extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection systems using radar struggle to improve spatial resolution without decreasing frame rate, as continuous fine angular scanning increases scanning time and reduces frame rate when other systems are not used.
Innovation Solution
A ranging module that generates a frequency-swept electromagnetic wave, continuously scans it without stopping, and processes signals to calculate distances with improved spatial resolution by re-extracting data from previous pixels if a distance change is detected, maintaining frame rate without additional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic wave scanning is performed in fine angular resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but scanning time increases and frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning at low angular resolution to acquire basic spatial information first. Then, based on the preliminary results, it identifies regions of interest and performs detailed scanning only in those specific areas at high angular resolution. This preliminary action approach avoids the need to scan the entire field of view at high resolution, thus maintaining frame rate while improving spatial resolution where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different scanning resolutions to different spatial regions. Regions identified as containing objects or of interest are scanned with fine angular resolution to improve spatial resolution, while other regions use coarser scanning to maintain overall frame rate. This local quality differentiation allows the system to optimize measurement precision in critical areas without sacrificing overall productivity.
2Measurement precision
If continuous fine angular scanning is performed, then spatial resolution is improved, but scanning time per frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary coarse scan to quickly identify regions of interest before conducting detailed fine scans. This preliminary action reduces the overall scanning time by avoiding unnecessary fine scans in empty or irrelevant regions, thus reducing time loss while maintaining spatial resolution where it matters.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning process is divided into multiple segments: a preliminary low-resolution scan segment and subsequent high-resolution scan segments focused on specific regions. This segmentation allows the system to allocate scanning resources efficiently, reducing total scanning time while achieving high spatial resolution in critical areas.
3Device complexity
If other systems are not used, then device complexity is reduced, but spatial resolution improvement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the angular resolution of scanning based on detected object positions and characteristics. When objects are detected, the system automatically increases scanning resolution in those regions without requiring additional hardware systems. This dynamic adaptation enables spatial resolution improvement while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scanning parameter (angular resolution) dynamically based on detection needs. By adjusting the resolution parameter rather than relying on fixed high-resolution hardware, the system achieves improved spatial resolution without increasing device complexity. This parameter-based approach allows flexible optimization of measurement precision.
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 enhances spatial resolution for object detection while maintaining frame rate, accurately determining object existence and position with high accuracy and improved resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission driver 10 configured to generate a transmission wave, which is a frequency-swept electromagnetic wave
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter 20 configured to transmit the transmission wave repeatedly
Implementation Method 3
a scanner 30 configured to continuously scan the transmission wave transmitted from the transmitter without stopping in space
Implementation Method 4
a receiver 50 configured to receive a reflected wave generated by reflection of the transmission wave off an object
Implementation Method 5
a signal converter 70 configured to convert a combined signal, which is generated by combining the transmission wave and the reflected wave per pixel, into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 6
a first calculator 83 configured to calculate a distance from the processed signal corresponding to a current pixel
Data Source
AI summary
In a ranging module, a first calculator calculates a distance from a processed signal corresponding to a current pixel. A determiner determines whether the distance calculated by the first calculator differs from a preset limit distance. A re-extractor is configured to, in response to the determiner determining that the distance differs from the preset limit distance, extract pieces of data of processing sections each corresponding to a sweep time of a transmission wave from a time-series of the processed signals saved in a data storage corresponding from a pixel previous to the current pixel in a scanning direction of a scanner to the current pixel while shifting the processing sections one after the other by a time period shorter than the sweep time. A second calculator calculates the distance from the data of each processing section extracted by the re-extractor.