Patent Application
20230107754
The present disclosure relates to a system for facilitating detecting an external object. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a corresponding method for facilitating detecting an external object, and to a computer program for carrying said method.
Radar-based detection systems are able to detect external objects by transmitting radar signals which are reflected by said objects. For instance, a radar device may transmit a signal which is reflected by a human being moving in a particular manner. Subsequently, the reflected signal may be received by the radar device, thereby resulting in a detection of the moving human being. In this way, a kicking movement toward a trunk may be detected, for example. In some examples, such a radar-based detection system may be used to assist a smart access system.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for facilitating detecting an external object, the system comprising: at least one radar device configured to transmit one or more radar signals; a controller configured to control said radar device; wherein the controller is configured to cause the radar device to operate in a first mode in which the radar device transmits a first radar signal for determining one or more communication channel characteristics; wherein the controller is further configured to cause the radar device to operate in a second mode in which the radar device transmits a second radar signal, wherein one or more properties of the second radar signal are based on the communication channel characteristics determined when the radar device operates in the first mode.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is further configured to optimize a configuration of the radar device when the radar device operates in the first mode, wherein said configuration is optimized for determining the communication channel characteristics.
In one or more embodiments, optimizing said configuration includes selecting an optimal value of at least one of the following parameters: a number of frames for transmission, a number of symbols per frame, a code sequence for said symbols, a pulse shape, a pulse repetition rate, a frame duration, a transmission power level, a carrier frequency, a receiver performance level.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the communication channel characteristics by analyzing one or more channel impulse responses received by the radar device in response to the transmitted first radar signal.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to analyze the channel impulse responses to determine at least one of the following communication channel characteristics: a clutter-to-noise ratio, a number of reflections, a power level of the strongest one of said reflections, an interference power level.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is further configured to optimize a configuration of the radar device when the radar device operates in the second mode, wherein said configuration is optimized for detecting the external object.
In one or more embodiments, optimizing said configuration includes selecting an optimal value of at least one of the following parameters: a transmission power level, a frame duration, a frame repetition rate, a pulse repetition rate, a pulse width.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to perform channel sensing on multiple channel frequencies and to cause the radar device to transmit the second radar signal on a specific one of said channel frequencies, wherein said specific one of the channel frequencies has the most suitable communication channel characteristics for transmitting the second radar signal.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to cause the radar device to operate in the first mode at regular intervals and/or before each attempt to detect the external object.
In one or more embodiments, the radar device is an ultra-wideband communication device configured to operate in a radar mode.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method is conceived for facilitating detecting an external object, the method comprising: causing, by a controller, at least one radar device to operate in a first mode in which the radar device transmits a first radar signal for determining one or more communication channel characteristics; causing, by said controller, the radar device to operate in a second mode in which the radar device transmits a second radar signal, wherein one or more properties of the second radar signal are based on the communication channel characteristics determined when the radar device operates in the first mode.
In one or more embodiments, the controller optimizes a configuration of the radar device when the radar device operates in the first mode, wherein said configuration is optimized for determining the communication channel characteristics.
In one or more embodiments, the controller determines the communication channel characteristics by analyzing one or more channel impulse responses received by the radar device in response to the transmitted first radar signal.
In one or more embodiments, the controller optimizes a configuration of the radar device when the radar device operates in the second mode, wherein said configuration is optimized for detecting the external object.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, comprising executable instructions which, when executed by a controller, cause said controller to perform a method of the kind set forth.
Embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
As mentioned above, radar-based detection systems are able to detect external objects by transmitting radar signals which are reflected by said objects. For instance, a radar device may transmit a signal which is reflected by a human being moving in a particular manner. Subsequently, the reflected signal may be received by the radar device, thereby resulting in a detection of the moving human being. In this way, a kicking movement toward a trunk may be detected, for example. In some examples, such a radar-based detection system may be used to assist a smart access system.
In particular, in ultra-wideband (UWB) smart access systems a radar sensor can assist a UWB ranging device to make an access procedure more convenient for a user. For example, a vehicle may operate a radar sensor behind the rear bumper and automatically open the trunk when detecting that a user performs a kicking motion towards the sensor and when a legitimate key fob is within the vehicle's proximity. The latter may require that the key fob has a predefined distance to the vehicle and that the key fob has successfully performed an authorization process with the vehicle. To reduce system cost the same UWB device can operate in both a radar and a ranging mode. Alternatively, the radar sensor may be based on a technology different from UWB. For such a kick sensor the radar detection performance strongly depends on the environment (i.e., the channel condition) and may be impacted by reflections from nearby static objects (static clutter), reflections from undesired moving targets (dynamic clutter), and wireless interference from other devices operating in the proximity and in the same frequency (coexistence).
To guarantee a specified detection probability and user experience the radar device (i.e., the radar sensor) is typically configured for the best performance, for example for the best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). However, configuring the radar device for the best device performance under all circumstances will significantly increase the power consumption of a radar-based detection system.
Now discussed are a system for facilitating detecting an external object, a corresponding method for facilitating detecting an external object, and a corresponding computer program, which may achieve a reduced power consumption of the radar device or radar devices included in said system.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is further configured to optimize a configuration of the radar device when the radar device operates in the first mode, wherein said configuration is optimized for determining the communication channel characteristics. In this way, the determination of the communication channel characteristics is facilitated. In particular, the properties of the first radar signal may be influenced by configuring the radar device, in such a way that the reflection of said first radar signal provides a suitable indication of the condition of the communication channel. In a practical implementation, optimizing said configuration includes selecting an optimal value of at least one of the following parameters: a number of frames for transmission, a number of symbols per frame, a code sequence for said symbols, a pulse shape, a pulse repetition rate, a frame duration, a transmission power level, a carrier frequency, a receiver performance level.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the communication channel characteristics by analyzing one or more channel impulse responses received by the radar device in response to the transmitted first radar signal. In this way, the determination of the communication channel characteristics is further facilitated. In particular, the channel impulse responses may provide a suitable indication of the condition of the communication channel. In a practical implementation, the controller is configured to analyze the channel impulse responses to determine at least one of the following communication channel characteristics: a clutter-to-noise ratio, a number of reflections, a power level of the strongest one of said reflections, an interference power level.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is further configured to optimize a configuration of the radar device when the radar device operates in the second mode, wherein said configuration is optimized for detecting the external object. By optimizing the configuration of the radar device, the properties of the second radar signal may be influenced in such a way that the likelihood of a correct detection of the external object is increased. In a practical implementation, optimizing said configuration includes selecting an optimal value of at least one of the following parameters: a transmission power level, a frame duration, a frame repetition rate, a pulse repetition rate, a pulse width.
In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to perform channel sensing on multiple channel frequencies and to cause the radar device to transmit the second radar signal on a specific one of said channel frequencies, wherein said specific one of the channel frequencies has the most suitable communication channel characteristics for transmitting the second radar signal. In this way, since the second radar signal is transmitted under the most favorable conditions, the likelihood of a correct detection of the external object may be further increased. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to cause the radar device to operate in the first mode at regular intervals and/or before each attempt to detect the external object. In this way, the channel conditions may be determined sufficiently often or when it is most needed.
In a practical implementation, the radar device is an ultra-wideband communication device configured to operate in a radar mode. In this way, the system cost may be reduced, compared to a scenario in which a UWB device configured to perform ranging operations coexists with a separate, dedicated radar device. However, the skilled person will appreciate that the radar device comprised in the presently disclosed system may also be such a dedicated radar device.
Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a technology that uses a high signal bandwidth, in particular for transmitting digital data over a wide spectrum of frequency bands with very low power. For example, UWB technology may use the frequency spectrum of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz and may feature a high-frequency bandwidth of more than 500 MHz and very short pulse signals, potentially capable of supporting high data rates. The UWB technology enables a high data throughput for communication devices and a high precision for the localization of devices. In particular, UWB technology may be used for so-called ranging operations, i.e. for determining the distance between communicating devices. Therefore, UWB technology may be used to advantage in various applications, such as automotive applications.
UWB technology—also referred to as impulse-radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB)—is a RF communication technology that uses pulses having a short duration for data communication. An important feature of IR-UWB technology is that it can be used for secure and accurate distance measurements between two or more devices. Typical distance measurement methods are the so-called single-sided two-way ranging (SS-TWR) method and the double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR) method.
Because UWB technology has an accurate distance measurement capability, it may be used to advantage in access systems in which the position of devices should be determined to enable access to an object. For instance, a vehicle access system may comprise a user's smart device (e.g., key fob) and another smart device (e.g., an anchor embedded in the vehicle). To enable access to the vehicle, the user's smart device must have a predefined range relative to the other smart device. Therefore, UWB transceivers are typically configured to operate in a ranging mode. In another example, UWB technology may be used for accessing a building or a predefined space within a building.
In the ranging mode of operation, frames will typically be exchanged between two devices via at least one antenna on each device, and at least a SS-TWR operation will be carried out (which may also be referred to as a ping-pong operation). In particular, channel impulse responses (CIRs) are estimated on both devices, timestamps will be generated based on the CIRs on both devices, and those timestamps are exchanged. Then, a time of flight (ToF) is calculated based on the timestamps and a range (i.e., a distance) is calculated based on the ToF. Alternatively, a DS-TWR operation may be carried out (which may also be referred to as a ping-pong-ping operation). The angle-of-arrival (AoA) mode of operation is similar to the ranging mode, but it involves at least two antennas on one device. In particular, in the AoA mode of operation, two phase values associated with at least two CIRs are calculated on one device. Then, a phase difference of arrival (PDoA) is calculated based on the two-phase values, and an AoA is calculated based on the PDoA. The AoA mode of operation may facilitate a more accurate determination of the position of an object and may thus complement ranging operations performed in the ranging mode. As used in this description, the ranging mode of operation may therefore be extended to include the AoA mode of operation, in the sense that when a device operates in the ranging mode, it may optionally perform additional operations which are typically performed in the AoA mode of operation.
In the radar mode of operation, frames are transmitted by at least one device and those frames are received by the same device and/or by one or more other devices. Then, the CIRs are estimated on the device or devices receiving the frames, and the range and/or velocity and/or AoA are calculated based on the estimated CIRs. The radar mode of operation may be used to advantage to detect (i.e., sense) the presence of objects or human beings. However, the radar mode of operation may also be used to estimate a distance, although with a lower accuracy than the ranging mode of operation will typically achieve. The skilled person will appreciate that the given examples are non-limiting examples of how the different modes of operation can be implemented. In other words, the modes may be implemented differently, depending on the requirements imposed by the application, for example.
Initially, the radar device may be operated with a first radar configuration 308 which is optimized for channel sensing. For a radar device using UWB frames or pulses, this configuration 308 may include one or more of the following optimized parameters: an optimized number of frames for transmission (1, . . . , M), number of symbols per frame, code sequence for the symbols, pulse shape, pulse repetition rate (e.g., sensing on a low rate), frame duration (e.g., short frames to save power for sensing), transmission power, carrier frequency, receiver performance (e.g. sensitivity, dynamic range handling capability). With this configuration 308 the radar device may transmit the first radar signal and determine multiple channel impulse responses (CIRs) from the received environmental reflections. The CIRs may then be processed to determine 312 channel characteristics, such as a clutter-to-noise ratio, a number of reflections (i.e., peaks in the CIRs), a power level of the strongest reflection (e.g., when a nearby-reflector such as a car bumper is present), and an interference power level (e.g., when a nearby radio transmits an unwanted signal). The channel characteristics may include characteristics on different channel frequencies. Based on the channel characteristics a second radar configuration 310 is determined, which may be used in the target detection phase 304. In the target detection phase 304 the radar device is operated with a second radar configuration 310, which is optimized for the actual detection task in the environment determined during channel sensing. For a kick sensor, for example, the device may be configured to optimally detect a kick towards a rear bumper when it is determined during channel sensing that the car is parked close to other cars or objects (i.e., in case of multiple reflections).
More specifically, it is assumed that N radar devices are available, where N is greater than or equal to 1. Thus, the method be applied to a single radar device or to multiple radar devices, to cover both bi-static radar and multi-static radar. A first radar signal is transmitted 402 from at least one of the N devices. This radar signal corresponds to the M frames using a first radar configuration as shown in
The systems and methods described herein may at least partially be embodied by a computer program or a plurality of computer programs, which may exist in a variety of forms both active and inactive in a single computer system or across multiple computer systems. For example, they may exist as software program(s) comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats for performing some of the steps. Any of the above may be embodied on a computer-readable medium, which may include storage devices and signals, in compressed or uncompressed form.
As used herein, the term “computer” refers to any electronic device comprising a processor, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a specific-purpose processor or a microcontroller. A computer is capable of receiving data (an input), of performing a sequence of predetermined operations thereupon, and of producing thereby a result in the form of information or signals (an output). Depending on the context, the term “computer” will mean either a processor in particular or more generally a processor in association with an assemblage of interrelated elements contained within a single case or housing.
The term “processor” or “processing unit” refers to a data processing circuit that may be a microprocessor, a co-processor, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic circuit, and/or any circuit that manipulates signals (analog or digital) based on operational instructions that are stored in a memory. The term “memory” refers to a storage circuit or multiple storage circuits such as read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, Flash memory, cache memory, and/or any circuit that stores digital information.
As used herein, a “computer-readable medium” or “storage medium” may be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport a computer program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium may include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray disc (BD), and a memory card.
It is noted that the embodiments above have been described with reference to different subject-matters. In particular, some embodiments may have been described with reference to method-type claims whereas other embodiments may have been described with reference to apparatus-type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above that, unless otherwise indicated, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject-matter also any combination of features relating to different subject-matters, in particular a combination of features of the method-type claims and features of the apparatus-type claims, is considered to be disclosed with this document.
Furthermore, it is noted that the drawings are schematic. In different drawings, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs. Furthermore, it is noted that in an effort to provide a concise description of the illustrative embodiments, implementation details which fall into the customary practice of the skilled person may not have been described. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill.
Finally, it is noted that the skilled person will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference sign placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprise(s)” or “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Measures recited in the claims may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements and/or by means of a suitably programmed processor. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21200528.4 | Oct 2021 | EP | regional |
