UWB Radar Receiver Programmable Gain Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-WideBand (UWB) pulse radar systems face limitations in measuring distance and accuracy due to strong mutual coupling between the transmitter and receiver, which degrades the signal-to-noise ratio and reduces the measuring range and level accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A receiver for UWB pulse radar systems is designed with a programmable gain network (PGN) block, including a programmable attenuator and a fast-acting power limiter, to dynamically control gain and reduce cross-coupling effects, allowing for higher accuracy and longer measurement distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB radar uses ultra short pulse width to enable measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but measuring distance is shortened due to attenuation of low pulse power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the receiver gain programmable and adjustable. The receiver gain can be dynamically changed to optimize performance for different measurement distances. When measuring distant targets, the gain is increased to amplify weak return signals; when measuring nearby targets, the gain is reduced to prevent saturation from strong signals. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between measurement accuracy and measuring distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the receiver gain parameter to extend measuring distance while maintaining accuracy. By programmably adjusting the gain parameter, the system can compensate for signal attenuation over long distances, thereby extending the maximum measurable distance without sacrificing the measurement precision that ultra-short pulses provide.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UWB radar transmits pulses with very short pulse durations to cover wide frequency spectrum, then frequency spectrum coverage is improved, but pulse power is reduced resulting in shorter measuring distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of increasing transmitter power with an electronic signal processing approach at the receiver. Instead of mechanically increasing pulse power to extend range, the system uses electronic gain adjustment and signal processing to amplify weak return signals, thereby extending measuring distance while maintaining the low-power, wide-spectrum characteristics of ultra-short UWB pulses.
3Device complexity
If there is strong mutual coupling between transmitter and receiver, then signal processing is simplified, but signal-to-noise ratio is degraded reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful mutual coupling interference from the signal processing path. By using programmable gain control and signal processing techniques, the system separates and eliminates the strong coupling signals between transmitter and receiver, preventing them from degrading the signal-to-noise ratio. This allows the system to maintain measurement accuracy without requiring complex signal processing to handle coupling interference.
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 solution enables UWB radar systems to measure longer distances with higher accuracy by reducing cross-coupling noise and enhancing signal processing, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and overall measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver coupled to the antenna (or to another antenna) for receiving radar signals reflected from the product surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A receiver for an ultra wideband (UWB) pulse radar system (100) includes a programmable gain network (PGN) block (135) coupled to process a received UWB radar signal. The programmable PGN block includes programmable attenuator (115) having an output coupled to an input node of a UWB low noise amplifier (LNA) (105), and a fast acting power limiter (110) is between the input node and a system ground and/or a power supply node for the radar system. A sampling unit (120) is coupled between an output of the LNA and a processor (140). The processor implements an attenuation algorithm, wherein the processor is coupled to the programmable attenuator, and provides attenuation control signals to dynamically control a gain or attenuation of the programmable attenuator, such as based on a distance from a transmitting antenna (175) to the product material.