Switchable Delay Line for Precise Radar Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems face challenges in achieving precise control of the delay between the transmission of a wavelet and the generation of a reference wavelet, particularly in applications requiring high precision and low power consumption, especially in emerging short-range applications.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter-receiver system with switchable delay elements that allow for digital control of the total propagation delay of the delay line, enabling precise and convenient control of the correlation measurement by adjusting the delay in discrete steps smaller than half the period of the reference clock signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the delay between the reflected wavelet and the reference wavelet is precisely controlled to achieve high precision measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise delay control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The delay line is segmented into multiple individual delay elements (first delay element, second delay element, etc.), each contributing a specific propagation delay. By selectively activating or deactivating individual delay elements, the total delay can be precisely controlled in discrete steps, achieving high measurement precision while managing device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The delay line configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The system can vary the total propagation delay between minimum and maximum values in discrete steps by controlling the state of individual delay elements, allowing precise adaptation to different measurement requirements without requiring complex reconfiguration of the entire system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If pulse-based radar systems are used to achieve low power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to the pulsed nature limiting delay control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The delay line is divided into multiple discrete delay elements, each providing a controllable propagation delay. This segmentation enables precise control of the delay between transmitted and reference wavelets even in pulse-based systems, achieving high delay control precision while maintaining the low power consumption benefits of pulsed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delay parameter in discrete steps by switching individual delay elements on or off. This allows precise adjustment of the delay time without requiring continuous operation, maintaining compatibility with low-power pulse-based radar while achieving the necessary delay control precision for accurate time-of-flight measurements.
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 solution provides accurate and precise control of the time-of-flight measurement, enabling high-precision distance determination and improved accuracy in radar applications by allowing adjustable delay settings for various time-of-flight values.
Implementation Method 1
Each delay element of the delay line introduces a propagation delay to the reference clock signal when the delay element is in the respective first state, and introduces an increased propagation delay to the reference clock signal when the delay element is in the respective second state
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the inventive concept there is provided a transmitter-receiver system comprising: a transmitter arranged to transmit a wavelet; a receiver arranged to receive a wavelet; a wavelet generator arranged to generate a reference wavelet; and timing circuitry arranged to receive a reference clock signal, output a first trigger signal for triggering transmission of a wavelet and output a second trigger signal for triggering generation of a reference wavelet. The timing circuitry further comprises a delay line including at least one delay element and being arranged to receive a signal at an input of the delay line and transmit a delayed signal at an output of the delay line, wherein a state of each delay element of at least a subset of said at least one delay elements is switchable between at least a first state and a second state. A delay element in said first state, i.e. switched to its first state, presents a first propagation delay. A delay element in said second state, i.e. switched to its second state, presents a second propagation delay which differs from the first propagation delay by a value which is smaller than a period of the reference clock signal. Thereby a total propagation delay of the delay line is configurable by controlling the state of each delay element of said subset. The system further comprises a controller arranged to control a delay between the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal by controlling the total propagation delay of the delay line. The system is arranged to correlate the reference wavelet with a received wavelet for at least one setting of the total propagation delay.