User Device Radar Sensing via Base Station Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Base stations perform radar sensing while user devices remain idle, lacking the capability to perform simultaneous or concurrent radar sensing during this time.
Innovation Solution
User devices are enabled to perform passive, active, or hybrid radar sensing by receiving radar metadata from base stations, allowing them to receive and process radar reflections, and optionally generate their own radar signals to determine distance, velocity, and angle of arrival, without interfering with base station signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If base stations perform radar sensing to obtain environmental information, then sensing capability is improved, but user devices remain idle and cannot perform sensing simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user devices to perform multiple functions: they can operate as communication devices while also functioning as radar sensing devices. By equipping user devices with radar signal transmission and reception capabilities, the system transforms single-function devices into multi-functional units that can both communicate and perform environmental sensing independently or in collaboration with base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines communication and radar sensing functions into a unified joint communication and sensing system. Base stations and user devices share hardware resources and coordinate their operations, merging previously separate communication and sensing operations into an integrated system where both functions can occur simultaneously without mutual interference.
2Measurement precision
If user devices transmit radar signals for active sensing, then sensing accuracy is improved, but interference with base station communication signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where radar sensing operations and communication operations are scheduled in alternating time slots. During designated sensing time slots, user devices transmit radar signals while communication is suspended; during communication time slots, normal communication occurs while radar reception may continue. This periodic alternation eliminates interference between the two functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operational timeline into distinct communication frames and time slots, separating radar transmission, radar reception, and communication activities into non-overlapping intervals. This segmentation ensures that radar signals from user devices never simultaneously occupy the same time-frequency resources as communication signals, preventing interference while maintaining both functions.
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 user devices to actively participate in radar sensing during base station operations, enhancing environmental awareness and communication efficiency by sharing sensed data with base stations and other devices.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a set of radar reflections off of at least one object in an environment
Data Source
AI summary
A radar system includes a receiver, a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing machine instructions. The machine instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, within a communication frame, radar metadata including information indicative of sensing time slots within the communication frame. During the sensing time slots, the processor causes the receiver to obtain a set of radar reflections off of an object in an environment and determines, based on the set of received radar reflections and the radar metadata, at least one of a distance between the object and the radar system, a velocity of the object, and an angle of arrival for the object. In some implementations, the radar system is a first radar system, and the set of radar reflections are radar signals transmitted by a second radar system and reflected off of the object in the environment.