Selective Range-Doppler Processing for Unambiguous Target Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar systems face challenges in achieving unambiguous target detection and resolution in range and Doppler domains, particularly in next-generation networks like 5G and 6G, which require advanced sensing capabilities for applications such as digital twins and autonomous vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a two-dimensional range-Doppler periodogram processing using back-to-back Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) operations to efficiently estimate range and Doppler information, followed by constant false alarm rate (CFAR) processing to detect targets reliably.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional radar processing methods are used, then the system can detect targets, but the range and Doppler resolution is insufficient for next-generation network sensing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange and Doppler resolutionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the range-Doppler processing into distinct stages: initial target detection in the conventional Doppler span, identification of ambiguous targets, and selective extended processing only for those ambiguous targets. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high resolution where needed while avoiding unnecessary processing elsewhere, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by performing extended range-Doppler processing selectively only for targets identified as potentially ambiguous, rather than processing all detected targets with the same level of detail. This approach achieves the required measurement precision for critical targets while reducing overall processing complexity by avoiding excessive action on unambiguous targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the Doppler span is extended to cover all possible target velocities, then unambiguous detection is achieved, but the processing load and computational complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunambiguous target detectionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first performing target detection within the conventional Doppler span before extending processing to ambiguous targets. This preliminary detection step identifies which targets require further analysis, allowing the system to achieve reliable unambiguous detection only when necessary, thereby reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own initial detection results to identify ambiguous targets that require extended processing. By having the detection process itself generate the list of targets needing further analysis, the system avoids external control complexity and achieves reliable detection efficiently through self-directed selective processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If processing is performed across the entire range-Doppler spectrum, then all targets are detected, but the processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget detection completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the target population into two groups: unambiguous targets detected in the conventional Doppler span and ambiguous targets requiring extended processing. This segmentation allows the system to quickly process the majority of unambiguous targets while applying more time-consuming extended processing only to the smaller subset of ambiguous targets, thus improving detection completeness without proportionally increasing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing extended range-Doppler processing only on ambiguous targets rather than uniformly processing all detected targets. This approach ensures detection completeness for critical ambiguous targets while avoiding excessive processing time on already-clear unambiguous targets, effectively balancing reliability with processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables accurate and unambiguous detection of targets by enhancing range and Doppler resolution, improving the sensing capabilities of radio access networks for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

Implementing a two-dimensional range-Doppler periodogram processing using back-to-back Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) operations to efficiently estimate range and Doppler information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFast Fourier Transform:

Implementation Method 2

two-dimensional range-Doppler periodogram processing using back-to-back Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) operations to efficiently estimate range and Doppler information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4671805A1Methods and devices for range-doppler processing
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 INTEL CORP
  • EP4671805A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4671805A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4671805A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5b

AI summary

An apparatus including a memory and a processor configured to: obtain a range-Doppler periodogram of received sensing signals, wherein the range-Doppler periodogram is representative of one or more targets within a Doppler span; estimate a range-Doppler coordinate outside the Doppler span for the one or more targets; and selectively process a range-Doppler spectrum of the received sensing signals for the range-Doppler coordinate within a Doppler interval smaller than the Doppler span.