Subband-Switched Radar Sensing for Close-Range Tomographic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar technologies face challenges in achieving high-resolution, close-range sensing and multilayered spatial analysis for applications like non-destructive inspection and security gates, due to difficulties in designing broadband circuits for high frequency bands and the need for downsized antennas.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system utilizing a transmitter with multiple antenna elements that control signal generation timing, divide frequency bands into subbands, and switch subbands to transmit high frequency signals, combined with a receiver that processes channel information to generate high-resolution images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high frequency band is used to increase resolution and reduce aperture diameter, then measurement precision and device size are improved, but circuit design difficulty and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is divided into multiple subbands, with each transmitting antenna element assigned to a specific subband. This segmentation allows the system to operate in high frequency ranges while simplifying individual circuit design, as each circuit only needs to handle a narrower frequency range rather than the entire broadband spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the subbands used by transmitting antenna elements based on measurement distance and target characteristics. This dynamic adaptation allows the radar to optimize resolution for close-range measurements while managing circuit complexity through frequency hopping and subband switching controlled by the control circuit.
2Measurement precision
If aperture diameter is increased to improve resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating frequency parameter to achieve higher resolution without increasing aperture diameter. By utilizing high frequency bands (divided into subbands), the radar achieves improved range and angular resolution while maintaining a compact antenna size suitable for mobile applications.
3Measurement precision
If broadband signal is used to achieve high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but circuit design and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband signal is segmented into multiple narrowband subbands, each handled by dedicated transmitting antenna elements. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardization of individual narrowband circuits while achieving overall broadband performance through the combined operation of multiple elements with frequency switching.
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
The system achieves high-resolution imaging and tomographic capabilities at close range while maintaining a compact design, enabling effective detection and characterization of objects with high frequency signals at low cost.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter that includes a plurality of transmitting antenna elements to: control timings of generation of a radar signal, generation of a code for a receiver to separate high frequency signals transmitted from the plurality of the transmitting antenna elements into the high frequency signals transmitted from individual ones of the transmitting antenna elements
Implementation Method 2
receive the high frequency signals transmitted from the transmitter and reflected or scattered by a measurement target
Implementation Method 3
generate an image of the measurement target by performing focus correction on the measurement target
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system includes: a transmitter including transmitting antenna elements, controlling timings of generations of a radar signal, a code, and a carrier signal for dividing a frequency band available into subbands and periodically switching the subbands, multiplying the radar signal and the code for each transmitting antenna element, generating a high frequency signal having a bandwidth of the subband using the radar signal multiplied by the code and the carrier signal, and transmitting the high frequency signal from each transmitting antenna element; and a receiver including receiving antenna elements, receiving the high frequency signals transmitted from the transmitter and reflected or scattered by a measurement target, generating channel information between the transmitter and the receiver using the carrier signal, the radar signal, and the code, specifying a position of the measurement target using the channel information, and generating an image of the measurement target by performing focus correction.