UWB Receiver Module Synchronization via Channel Impulse Response Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-wideband (UWB) receiver modules face challenges in synchronizing with UWB transmitter modules due to unpredictable timing offsets and the need for extensive processing to identify reflected UWB signalling, especially in multi-device radar systems.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an ultra-wideband receiver module that wirelessly synchronizes with a UWB transmitter module by identifying predetermined features in the channel impulse response (CIR), such as the channel tap with the highest tap-response-value, to align the CIRs and reduce processing requirements for identifying reflected signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the UWB receiver module processes all channel taps to identify reflected UWB signalling, then the identification accuracy is improved, but the processing complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only a subset of channel taps that are most likely to contain reflected UWB signalling, rather than processing all channel taps. This is achieved by identifying specific taps based on timing information from initial ranging signalling, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining identification accuracy for reflected signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of initial ranging signalling to obtain timing information about the direct path between transmitter and receiver. This preliminary action enables the receiver to predict which channel taps will contain reflected signals, allowing selective processing of only those relevant taps in subsequent radar signalling
2Measurement precision
If the UWB receiver module calculates CIR for all channel taps, then the synchronization accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary channel taps for CIR calculation based on timing information from initial ranging. By identifying which taps correspond to reflected signals and processing only those, the system achieves synchronization accuracy without the computational burden of calculating CIR for all channel taps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by calculating CIR for only a subset of channel taps that are relevant to reflected signal detection, rather than performing exhaustive calculations for all taps. This partial processing is sufficient to achieve the required synchronization accuracy while significantly reducing processing time
3Measurement precision
If the UWB receiver module uses wired synchronization, then the synchronization precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired synchronization system with a wireless synchronization method. Instead of using physical connections and dedicated sync hardware, the system uses wireless exchange of initial ranging signalling to obtain timing information and achieve synchronization, thereby eliminating the need for complex wired synchronization infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the UWB communication interface multi-functional by using it for both data transmission and synchronization purposes. The same wireless UWB link that carries radar signalling also carries initial ranging signalling for synchronization, eliminating the need for separate dedicated synchronization hardware and reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultra-wideband, UWB, receiver module (213) comprising: an antenna for wirelessly receiving UWB signalling from a UWB transmitter module (212) and a processor. The processor is configured to: determine a channel impulse response, CIR, (519) of the wirelessly received UWB signalling, wherein the CIR comprises a plurality of channel taps each having a tap-response-value; identify a predetermined feature (520) in the CIR and an associated channel tap; and based on the channel tap that is associated with the identified feature (520) in the CIR (519), synchronize the UWB receiver module (213) for reception of subsequent UWB signalling.