The examples described herein relate to systems and methods for networking together through-wall radar sensors to generate a combined image based on signal data from the networked through-wall radar sensors.
First responders, military, and other personnel may need to determine the location of an individual or object located within a building or structure. Through-wall radar sensors may be used to determine if an individual is located within a building or structure. Present one-dimensional (1D) through-wall radar sensors may be used to detect an object through a wall and determine the distance to the object. 1D through-wall radar sensors are small and compact allowing them to be mobile. However, 1D through-wall radar sensors do not provide any angular resolution, which may be problematic in locating the object.
A two-dimensional (2D) through-wall radar sensor may be able to detect an object through a wall, determine the distance to the object, and determine what azimuth angle the object is relative to the sensor. A three-dimensional (3D) through-wall radar sensor may be able to detect an object through a wall, determine the distance to the object, determine what azimuth angle the object is relative to the sensor, and determine at what elevation angle the object is located at. However, 2D through-wall radar sensors and 3D through-wall radar sensors rely on antennas connected to the through-wall radar sensor with the resolution dependent upon spacing of the antennas. Antenna spacing of only a few feet apart make such systems too large and/or heavy to be mobile. First responders, and the like, do not have the time to set up such 2D or 3D through-wall radar sensors when attempting to locate an object and/or individual potentially located within a building or structure. Other disadvantages may exist.
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for networking together through-wall radar sensors to generate a combined image based on signal data from the networked through-wall radar sensors.
One example of the present disclosure is a system that includes a first through-wall radar sensor and a second through-wall radar sensor. The second through-wall radar sensor is networked with the first through-wall radar sensor. The system includes a display of an area, wherein the display of the area is based on data from the first through-wall radar sensor combined with data from the second through-wall radar sensor.
The display of the area may be a 2D display or a 3D display. The system may include a third through-wall radar sensor, wherein the third through-wall radar sensor is networked with the first through-wall radar sensor and the second through-wall radar sensor. The display of the area may be based on combined data from the first through-wall radar sensor, the second through-wall radar sensor, and the third through-wall radar sensor.
The display of the area may include data from a camera feed, a map, or a thermal image feed. The system may include an antenna array, wherein the antenna array is networked with the first through-wall radar sensor and the second through-wall radar sensor and wherein the display of the area is based on combined data from the first through-wall radar sensor, the second through-wall radar sensor, and the antenna array. The antenna array may be a 2D antenna array or may be a 3D antenna array. The system may include an ambient radio frequency signal, wherein the display of the area is further based on ambient radio frequency signal.
One example of the present disclosure is a system that includes a first through-wall radar sensor, the first through-wall radar sensor generates a first radar signal and a first communication device connected to the first through-wall radar sensor. The system includes a second through-wall radar sensor, the second through-wall radar sensor generates a second radar signal and a second communication device connected to the second through-wall radar sensor. The system includes a controller, wherein the controller is networked with the first through-wall radar sensor via the first communication device and is networked with the second through-wall radar sensor via the second communication device via the second communication device. The system includes a screen connected to the controller, wherein the screen displays an image of an object based on data from the first radar signal and data from the second radar signal.
The screen may be wirelessly connected to the controller. The image may be a 2D image. The controller may be integral to the first through-wall radar sensor. The system may include a third through-wall radar sensor, the third through-wall radar sensor generates a third radar signal and may include a third communication device connected to the third through-wall radar sensor. The controller may be networked with the third through-wall radar sensor via the third communication device. The screen may display the image of the object based on data from the first radar signal, data from the second radar signal, and data from the third radar signal. The image may be a 3D image.
The controller may be networked with the first through-wall radar sensor and the second through-wall radar sensor via a wired connection, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), fifth generation New Radio (5G-NR), or Ultra-Wideband (UWB). The first communication device may be a first mobile phone and the second communication device may be a second mobile phone. The data from the first radar signal may include detection data and ranging data and the data from the second radar signal may include detection data and ranging data. The system may include an ambient radio frequency signal, wherein the screen displays the image of the object further based on the ambient radio frequency signal.
One example of the present disclosure is a method for providing a network radar system. The method includes networking a first through-wall radar sensor to a second through-wall radar sensor and obtaining data from a first radar signal emitted from the first through-wall radar sensor. The method includes obtaining data from a second radar signal emitted from the second through-wall radar sensor and generating an image of an object based on data from the first radar signal and data from the second radar signal.
The image may be a 2D image. The method may include networking a third through-wall radar sensor with the first through-wall radar sensor and the second through-wall radar sensor. The method may include obtaining data from a third radar signal emitted from the third through-wall radar sensor. The method may include generating the image of the object based on data from the first radar signal, the second radar signal, and the third radar signal. The image may be a 3D image. The method may include receiving an ambient radio frequency signal and directing the first through-wall radar sensor and the second through-wall radar sensor to an area based on the ambient radio frequency signal.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The present disclosure uses multiple one-dimensional through-wall radar sensors 10 that are networked together to create a 2D image or display or an area of interest or a 3D image or display of an area of interest. Networking the through-wall sensors 10 together enables a use to create a large virtual antenna array with 2D and/or 3D capabilities while using compact formfactor 1D through-wall radar sensors 10. As shown in the figures, multiple through-wall radar sensors 10 are designated with A, B, etc., for ease of distinguishing between the through-wall radar sensors 10. Further, while the sensors are referred to herein as through-wall sensors a wall or obstruction need not be present, and the sensors will function through air and the like. The through-wall radar sensors 10 may be networked in various ways including, but not limited to, having a wired connection between each device, a wireless connection, a radio link, via wireless fidelity (WiFi), via WiFi Direct, via Bluetooth, via Long-Term Evolution (LTE), via Ultra-wideband (UWB), via UWB radar, via fifth generation New Radio (5G-NR), and/or via a cellular network.
1D through-wall radar sensors 10 may be networked together to create a multi-monostatic radar. 1D through-wall radar sensors 10 may be networked together to create a bi-static or a multi-static radar. Two or more through-wall radar sensors 10 may be networked together to create a 2D radar system. Three or more through-wall radar sensors 10 may be networked together to create a 3D radar system. The networked 1D through-wall radar sensors 10 may be placed on perpendicular walls, parallel walls, the same wall, and/or be located in free space. The data from the signals of networked 1D through-wall radar sensors may be combined to create a map or display of an area. The map or display of an area may be 2D or may be 3D. The map or display of an area may be displayed on a screen or display of each of the networked through-wall radar sensors and/or may be viewed on a remote device via a wired or wireless connection.
Individual through-wall sensors 10 can be mounted, handheld and/or worn and still be networked together. Chest mounted 2D and 3D antenna arrays can also be networked together with other through-wall sensors 10. The through-wall sensors 10 being networked together can also combine and display other types of data and information such as, but not limited to, thermal imaging feeds, geographical maps, camera feeds, and/or the like.
The through-wall radar sensors 10 may be integrated with a cell phone. The cell phone may be used to network a plurality of through-wall radar sensors 10 together. The through-wall radar sensor 10 transmits a pulse, or signal, to scan an area of interest and obtains information on the scanned area based on the reflection received back from the through-wall radar sensor 10. The transmitted and received signal may provide data regarding detection of a target, person, or other object, as well as ranging information. The ranging information is information concerning the distance between two or more through-wall radar sensors 10. The data from the signals of networked through-wall radar sensors 10 may be used to provide a 2D and/or 3D display of an area. The display of the area may be used to locate a target, such as a person, located within the area of interest. Each through-wall radar sensor may transmit pulses at high frequencies to obtain data about an area of interest. For example, the through-wall radar sensors may transmit signals at, but not limited to 10 megahertz. A communication device connected to the through-wall radar sensor may be used to communicate the data from the through-wall radar sensor to a controller 40. For example, the through-wall radar sensor may be integrated with a cellular telephone or may be connected to a cellular telephone.
The system 700 may utilize additional data sources regarding an area of interest. For example, a camera 60 (e.g., optical, infrared, ultraviolet, or the like) may provide data to the controller 40 via a connection 65. The data from the camera 60 may be combined with the data from the signals from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C in forming the display of the area of interest. As another example, a mapping system 70 (e.g., global positioning systems “GPS” or the like) may provide data to the controller 40 via a connection 75. The data from the mapping system 70 may be combined with the data from the signals from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C in forming the display of the area of interest. As yet another example, a thermal camera or imager 80 may provide data to the controller 40 via a connection 85. The data from the thermal camera or imager 80 may be combined with the data from the signals from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C in forming the display of the area of interest. The controller 40 may use combine other sources of information with the data from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C to create the display of an area as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
The ambient radio frequency signal 90 may be used to determine the presence of a target, or the like, in a general area. For example, the movement of a target may cause a detectable disturbance in an ambient radio frequency signal 90. The detected disturbance may be communicated to the controller 40 via network 20. The controller 40 may then focus the one or more through-wall radar sensors 10 to scan and/or focus on the area of interest where the disturbance was detected. The ambient radio frequency signal 90 may be helpful in limiting the search of a target within a large structure such as a building. The ambient radio frequency signal 90 may be used by the controller 40 of the system 800 to focus on a particular area or quadrant of the structure.
The system 900 includes a controller 40 that is connected to each of the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C. The controller 40 combines data from the signals received from each of the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C to provide a display of an area of interest that may be viewed on display, or screen, 50. The display 50 is connected via connection 45 with the controller 40. The connection 45 may be wired or wireless as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The display 50 and/or the controller 40 may be integral to one of the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. For example, each of the through-wall sensors 10A, 10B, 10C may include an integral display 50 upon which the display of an area of interest may be shown.
The system 700 may utilize additional data sources regarding an area of interest. For example, a camera 60 (e.g., optical or otherwise) may provide data to the controller 40 via a connection 65. The data from the camera 60 may be combined with the data from the signals from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C in forming the display of the area of interest. As another example, a mapping system 70 (e.g., GPS or otherwise) may provide data to the controller 40 via a connection 75. The data from the mapping system 70 may be combined with the data from the signals from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C in forming the display of the area of interest. As yet another example, a thermal camera or imager 80 may provide data to the controller 40 via a connection 85. The data from the thermal camera or imager 80 may be combined with the data from the signals from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C in forming the display of the area of interest. The controller 40 may use combine other sources of information with the data from the through-wall radar sensors 10A, 10B, 10C to create the display of an area as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
The method 1100 may include receiving an ambient radio frequency signal, at 1101, and directing the first through-wall radar sensor and the second through-wall radar sensor to an area based on the ambient radio frequency signal, at 1102. For example, an ambient radio frequency signal 90 may be used to determine the presence of a target in a general area. The movement of a target may cause a detectable disturbance in an ambient radio frequency signal 90. The detected disturbance may be communicated to the controller 40 via network 20. The controller 40 may then focus the one or more through-wall radar sensors 10 to scan and/or focus on the area of interest where the disturbance was detected. The ambient radio frequency signal 90 may be helpful in limiting the search of a target within a large structure such as a building. The ambient radio frequency signal 90 may be used by the controller 40 of the system 800 to focus on a particular area or quadrant of the structure.
The method 1100 may include networking a third through-wall radar sensor with the first through-wall radar sensor and the second through-wall radar sensor, at 1131. The method 1100 may also include obtaining data from a third radar signal emitted from the third through-wall radar sensor, at 1132. The step of generating an image of an object, at 1140, may be based on the data from the first radar signal combined with the data from the second radar signal and the third radar signal to determine if an object is located within an area of interest. The data may be used to generate a map or display of an area showing an object located within the area. The map or display may be a 3D display of the area. The method 1100 may include combining data from more than three through-wall radar sensors as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/902,208 entitled “NETWORKED THROUGH-WALL RADAR SENSORS TOGETHER TO CREATE 2D AND 3D COMBINED VIEWS OF THE AREA” filed on Sep. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62902208 | Sep 2019 | US |