Wireless Signal Radar Sensing via Combined Ambiguity Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems operating at high frequencies face challenges in being utilized for radar sensing due to interference and hardware sharing complexities, with IEEE 802.11p signals lacking the required accuracy and data rate for automotive radar applications.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to process wireless communication signals, specifically those following IEEE 802.11ad standards, by combining radar ambiguity functions of the deterministic preamble and random data payload to enhance range and velocity estimation, using point-wise minimum selection to suppress side lobes and improve resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If communication systems operate at high frequencies for providing high communication bandwidth, then communication data rate is improved, but sensing resolution and accuracy cannot meet automotive radar requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines communication and radar sensing functions into a single system, allowing the same high-frequency communication transceiver to perform both communication data transmission and radar sensing operations simultaneously, thereby achieving both high communication data rate and adequate sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The communication transceiver is designed to serve multiple functions: it can transmit communication signals for data exchange and simultaneously function as a radar transmitter for sensing applications, making the system versatile and eliminating the need for separate dedicated radar hardware
2Reliability
If separate radar and communication systems are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but system size, cost, and resource efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate radar and communication systems into a single integrated platform, combining their transmitters, receivers, and signal processing functions. This reduces system size, component count, and overall complexity while maintaining the functional performance of both systems through dedicated processing channels
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system uses a universal transceiver that can operate in both communication mode and radar sensing mode, allowing a single hardware platform to perform multiple functions. This eliminates redundant components and reduces system cost while maintaining optimization for each specific function through software-defined processing
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication and radar systems share spectrum bands, then spectrum utilization is improved, but interference between the two systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into separate channels: communication signals and radar sensing signals are processed independently through dedicated signal processing paths. This allows both systems to share the same spectrum band while preventing mutual interference through temporal and spectral separation in the processing domain
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the radar processing monitors communication signal characteristics and adjusts radar processing parameters accordingly, and vice versa. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal performance for both functions while sharing the same hardware platform and spectrum resources
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 approach allows for precise radar sensing by leveraging communication systems for both communication and radar functions, reducing costs and improving sensing accuracy and data rate without altering the transmitter, thus enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of integrated radar and communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
the transmitted communication signal is also reflected by surrounding objects, back to the vehicle as a 'communication signal echo'
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to using wireless communication signals in radar sensing. A method of processing wireless communication signals for this purpose comprises receiving a reflected communication signal (39), the reflected communication signal (39) being a sent communication signal (31) comprising a sent preamble part and a sent data payload, that is reflected off of at least one object (12). Accordingly, the reflected communication signal (39) comprises a corresponding reflected preamble part and a reflected data payload. The method further comprises determining a first radar ambiguity function for the reflected preamble part of the reflected communication signal (39), and determining a second radar ambiguity function for the reflected data payload of the reflected communication signal (39). The first and the second radar ambiguity functions are combined, using a point-wise minimum selection, for obtaining a combined radar ambiguity function.