UWB Detect-and-Avoid Circuit for Radio Altimeter Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultra-wideband (UWB) radios interfere with radio altimeters used in rescue helicopters, potentially compromising altitude calculations and posing safety risks in low-visibility conditions due to shared frequency bands.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a detect-and-avoid circuit in UWB radios that monitors for priority signals, such as radio altimeter signals, and ceases transmission when these signals are detected within a specific distance or signal strength threshold, ensuring safe operation by avoiding interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If UWB radio transmits in the frequency band, then communication functionality is improved, but interference with radio altimeter signals occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidinterference with radio altimeter signals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of radio altimeter signals before UWB transmission begins. The detect circuit continuously monitors the frequency band for priority signals, and the controller pre-emptively prevents UWB transmission when altimeter signals are detected, avoiding interference before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A detect-and-avoid circuit acts as an intermediary between the UWB radio transmitter and the radio frequency environment. This intermediary circuit monitors for priority signals and controls the transmitter's operation, mediating between the need for UWB communication and the need to protect radio altimeter signals from interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If detect circuit monitors frequency band continuously, then interference detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detect-and-avoid circuit serves multiple functions: it detects priority signals, determines their presence within threshold criteria, and controls UWB transmission gating. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional circuit, the design achieves reliable interference detection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250097923A1Ultra-wideband radio system with detect and avoid capability

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 PIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

In general, one aspect disclosed features an apparatus comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio configured to transmit a UWB radio signal in a frequency band; a detect circuit configured to monitor the frequency band for the presence of a second radio signal in the frequency band; and a controller configured to cause the UWB radio to transmit the UWB signal responsive to the detect circuit detecting the presence of the second radio signal in the frequency band.