Sensor AGC Using Test Echo Saturation for Accurate Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Sensor systems, such as radar, face challenges in maintaining accurate signal strength within predefined limits due to saturation issues, leading to signal distortion, missed detection, and false detection, as they receive echo signals that exceed maximum or fall below minimum signal strength thresholds.

Innovation Solution

An automatic gain control (AGC) method that adjusts the gain for both transmitting and receiving chains based on saturation information from test echo signals, ensuring signal power remains within defined ranges by using a sequence of test and scanning unit signals to determine optimal gains for the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) output, thereby preventing distortion and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor receives echo signals with varying strength from reflectors at different ranges, then the sensor can detect objects at various distances, but the received signal strength may exceed the maximum strength limit causing signal distortion and blinding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidsignal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary gain adjustment during a calibration phase before actual object detection. Test signals are transmitted and received, and the gain is adjusted in advance to ensure that subsequent detection signals fall within the optimal reception range, preventing saturation and distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from test echo signals to automatically adjust the gain of the receiving chain. By monitoring the strength of received test signals and comparing them against optimal ranges, the system dynamically adjusts gain parameters to maintain signal accuracy across varying detection scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor receives weak echo signals from distant objects, then the sensor can extend detection range, but quantization noise is introduced leading to missed detection and false detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection rangeVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary gain adjustment during a calibration phase before actual object detection. Test signals are transmitted and received, and the gain is adjusted in advance to ensure that subsequent detection signals fall within the optimal reception range, preventing saturation and distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from test echo signals to automatically adjust the gain of the receiving chain. By monitoring the strength of received test signals and comparing them against optimal ranges, the system dynamically adjusts gain parameters to maintain signal accuracy across varying detection scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the sensor uses fixed gain for transmitting and receiving chains, then the circuit design is simpler, but the signal strength cannot be maintained within predefined range under varying reflection conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit designVSAvoidsignal strength control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary gain adjustment during a calibration phase before actual object detection. Test signals are transmitted and received, and the gain is adjusted in advance to ensure that subsequent detection signals fall within the optimal reception range, preventing saturation and distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own test signals to automatically determine the appropriate gain settings. By transmitting test signals and analyzing the received echo strengths, the sensor self-adjusts its gain parameters without requiring external calibration equipment or complex manual configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12047209B2Automatic gain control method, sensor, and radio device

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 CALTERAH SEMICON TECH (SHANGHAI) CO LTD

AI summary

An automatic gain control method, sensor (700), and radio device (900); by means of using the saturation information of a test echo unit to adjust the gain coefficient of a transmitting and receiving link, it is ensured that the received signal power used for target detection is located within a rated threshold range, further improving the accuracy of sensor (700) target detection, and avoiding defects such as missed detection, false detection, and even blindness.