Ranging Apparatus Using Shared Circuit for Phase Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ranging systems using communication-type phase detection schemes face limitations in measuring distance due to increased circuit scale and short measurable distances when combining data communication and ranging circuits, particularly because they often utilize channels with large spacings.
Innovation Solution
A ranging apparatus that employs a shared transmitting/receiving circuit for both data communication and ranging, utilizing multiple continuous waves in the same channel for phase detection, allowing for longer distance measurement by generating CWs with different frequencies for ranging signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a circuit for data communication and a circuit for ranging are combined, then device integration is improved, but circuit scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the data communication circuit and ranging circuit into a single integrated circuit. The transmitting circuit generates both data communication signals and ranging signals (continuous waves), and the receiving circuit processes both types of signals. This merging approach improves device integration while the shared circuit architecture prevents excessive scale increase by reusing common components.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitting circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can generate data communication signals on demand and also generate continuous wave ranging signals. The receiving circuit similarly handles both data communication reception and ranging signal detection. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated circuits, improving integration without proportionally increasing scale.
2Measurement precision
If a channel with large spacing is used for data communication, then communication performance is improved, but measurable distance becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal generation function by introducing a dedicated continuous wave generation unit that operates independently within the transmitting circuit. This unit generates multiple continuous waves with different frequencies in the same channel, allowing the ranging function to operate with fine frequency spacing while the data communication function uses the full channel bandwidth. This segmentation enables long measurable distance without compromising communication performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the ranging signals by generating multiple continuous waves with different frequencies within the same communication channel. Instead of using a single frequency or wide-spaced frequencies, the system uses closely-spaced frequency components (e.g., f0, f0+Δf, f0+2Δf) that fit within the channel bandwidth. This parameter change allows accurate phase detection for long-distance ranging while maintaining compatibility with the data communication channel.
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 longer range measurements while maintaining a compact circuit design and improving ranging accuracy by utilizing multiple CWs within a single channel, thereby extending the measurable distance and reducing circuit complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a ranging apparatus adopting communication type ranging by a phase detection scheme... configured to transmit a transmission signal obtained by modulating transmission data... generating CWs with different frequencies for ranging signals
Data Source
AI summary
A ranging apparatus of an embodiment is a ranging apparatus adopting communication type ranging by a phase detection scheme. The ranging apparatus including: a transmitting circuit configured to be able to transmit by a plurality of channels used for data communication and configured to transmit a transmission signal obtained by modulating transmission data; and a control circuit configured to control the transmission circuit to cause a plurality of continuous waves having mutually different frequencies to be generated in a same channel as continuous waves used for ranging by the phase detection scheme.