SOFTWARE DEFINED AUTOMOTIVE RADAR SYSTEMS

A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on the environment, the current information stored in the radar system, and/or external information provided to the radar system. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the desired objective. 1. A radar sensing system for a vehicle , the radar sensing system comprising:a plurality of transmitters configured for installation and use on a vehicle, wherein the transmitters are configured to transmit modulated radio signals;a plurality of receivers configured for installation and use on the vehicle, wherein the receivers are configured to receive radio signals, and wherein the received radio signals are transmitted radio signals reflected from an object in the environment;wherein each transmitter of the plurality of transmitters comprises a digital processing unit, a digital-to-analog converter, an analog processing unit, and a transmit antenna;wherein each receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises a receive antenna, an analog processing unit, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital front end processing unit, and a digital back end processing system;a memory;a control unit configured to select an operating mode for the radar sensing system and to modify the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of receivers based on a current environment condition and operation status, and based on one of a best range resolution and a best velocity resolution;wherein range information data produced by the digital front end processing unit of at least one receiver of the plurality of receivers is stored in the memory and then processed by the corresponding digital back end processor of the at least one receiver of the plurality of receivers, as directed by the control unit; andwherein the range ...

Software defined automotive radar systems

A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on the environment, the current information stored in the radar system, and/or external information provided to the radar system. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the desired objective.

Successive signal interference mitigation

A radar sensing system for a vehicle includes a transmitter, a receiver, and an interference mitigation processor. The transmitter transmits radio signals. The receiver receives radio signals. The received radio signals include reflected radio signals that are each transmitted radio signals reflected from objects in the environment. The receiver also down-converts and digitizes the received radio signals to produce a baseband sampled stream. The interference mitigation processor produces a second received radio signal that includes reflected radio signals that are transmitted radio signals reflected from a first object. The interference mitigation processor uses the second received radio signal to remove selected samples from the baseband sampled stream that are attributed to radio signals reflected from the first object to produce a modified baseband sampled stream. The receiver uses the modified baseband sampled stream to detect a second object more distant than the first object.

INTEGRATED RECEIVERS AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING INTEGRATED INDUCTORS

A receiver includes an input section, a plurality of RF sections, an output circuit, and a controller. The input section receives and amplifies a radio frequency (RF) input signal to provide an amplified RF signal, and has a gain input. The plurality of RF sections each have an input for receiving the amplified RF signal, and an output for providing an intermediate frequency signal. The output circuit provides an intermediate frequency output signal in response to an output of at least one of the plurality of RF sections. The controller has an output coupled to the gain input of the input section. 1. A receiver comprising:an input section for receiving and amplifying a radio frequency (RF) input signal to provide an amplified RF signal; a programmable gain element for receiving and amplifying a corresponding amplified RF signal; and', 'a mixer for mixing said corresponding amplified RF signal with in-phase and quadrature local oscillator signals to provide an in-phase IF signal and a quadrature IF signal, and, 'a plurality of RF sections each having an input coupled for receiving said amplified RF signal, and an output for providing an intermediate frequency signal, each signal processing path comprisingan output circuit for providing an intermediate frequency output signal in response to an output of at least one of said plurality of RF sections.2. The receiver of claim 1 , further comprising a controller having outputs coupled to said programmable gain element of each of said plurality of RF sections claim 1 , forming a corresponding plurality of automatic gain control loops.3. The receiver of claim 2 , wherein:each of said plurality of RF sections further comprises a power detector for measuring a signal power in response to an output of a corresponding programmable gain element; andsaid controller further uses said signal power to implement a corresponding automatic gain control loop.4. The receiver of claim 2 , wherein said input section comprises:a plurality ...

SUCCESSIVE SIGNAL INTERFERENCE MITIGATION

A radar system for a vehicle includes a transmitter, a receiver, and an interference mitigator. The transmitter transmits radio signals. The receiver receives radio signals. The received radio signals include transmitted radio signals reflected from objects. The receiver also processes the received radio signals to produce a sample stream. The interference mitigator successively (i) generates respective signals corresponding to the transmitted radio signals that are reflected from each of a plurality of objects, and (ii) adds the respective signals to the sample stream to form a modified sample stream. The addition of the respective signals removes interference from the sample stream due to the transmitted radio signals reflected from the plurality of objects. The receiver is configured to use the modified sample stream to detect a first object at a first range which is more distant than respective ranges of the plurality of objects. 1. A radar sensing system for a vehicle , the radar sensing system comprising:a transmitter configured for installation and use on a vehicle, and configured to transmit radio signals;a receiver configured for installation and use on the vehicle, and configured to receive radio signals that include the transmitted radio signals reflected from objects in the environment;an interference mitigation processor;wherein the receiver is configured to process and digitize the received radio signals to produce a sample stream;wherein the sample stream is provided to the interference mitigation processor;wherein the interference mitigation processor is configured to successively (i) generate respective signals corresponding to the transmitted radio signals that are reflected from respective ones of a plurality of objects, and (ii) add the respective signals to the sample stream to form a modified sample stream, and wherein the addition of the respective signals removes interference from the sample stream due to the transmitted radio signals ...

INTEGRATED RECEIVER AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING INTEGRATED INDUCTORS AND METHOD THEREFOR

An integrated receiver includes a first signal processing path, a second signal processing path, and a controller. The first signal processing path has an input and an output for providing a first processed signal, and comprises a first tracking bandpass filter having a first integrated inductor formed with windings in a first number of metal layers of the integrated receiver. The second signal processing path has an input and an output for providing a second processed signal, and comprises a second tracking bandpass filter having a second integrated inductor formed with windings in a second number of metal layers of the integrated receiver. The second number of windings is lower than the first number. The controller enables one of the first and second signal processing paths corresponding to a selected channel of a radio frequency (RF) input signal to provide an output signal. 1. An integrated receiver comprising:a first signal processing path having an input, and an output for providing a first processed signal, and comprising a first tracking bandpass filter having a first integrated inductor, said first integrated inductor formed with windings in a first number of metal layers of the integrated receiver;a second signal processing path having an input, and an output for providing a second processed signal, and comprising a second tracking bandpass filter having a second integrated inductor, said second integrated inductor formed with windings in a second number of metal layers of the integrated receiver, said second number lower than said first number; anda controller for enabling one of said first and second signal processing paths corresponding to a selected channel of a radio frequency (RF) input signal to provide an output signal,wherein said controller, said first integrated inductor, and said second integrated inductor are formed on a single integrated circuit chip.2. The integrated receiver of claim 1 , wherein said first integrated inductor comprises ...

SOFTWARE DEFINED AUTOMOTIVE RADAR SYSTEMS

A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on one or more of a selected range resolution, a selected velocity resolution, and a selected angle of arrival resolution, as defined by memory requirements and processing requirements. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the memory requirements and processing requirements. The system also adapts to changing environmental conditions including interfering radio signals. 1. A radar sensing system for a vehicle , the radar sensing system comprising:an adaptable transmitter configured for installation and use on a vehicle, and configured to transmit radio signals;an adaptable receiver configured for installation and use on the vehicle, and configured to receive radio signals, wherein the received radio signals include transmitted radio signals transmitted by the transmitter and reflected from objects in an environment;a control unit configured to adaptively control a variable operation of at least one of the transmitter and the receiver in response to changing performance objectives, wherein the performance objectives are defined by environmental conditions and functional requirements; andwherein the receiver is adapted to process the received radio signals as controlled by the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to select an operational configuration for the receiver, and wherein the selected operational configuration of the receiver is in response to the changing performance objectives.2. The radar sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises an adaptable digital front end processor and an adaptable digital back end processor claim 1 , and wherein the control unit is configured to select an operational configuration for the digital front end processor and an ...

SOFTWARE DEFINED AUTOMOTIVE RADAR SYSTEMS

A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on one or more of a selected range resolution, a selected velocity resolution, and a selected angle of arrival resolution, as defined by memory requirements and processing requirements. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the memory requirements and processing requirements. 1. A method for operating a dynamically adaptable vehicular radar system , the method comprising:providing a transmitter configured for installation and use on a vehicle;providing a receiver configured for installation and use on the vehicle;wherein the receiver comprises a dynamically adaptable digital front end processor and a dynamically adaptable digital back end processor;providing a memory;transmitting radio signals using the transmitter;receiving radio signals using the receiver, wherein the received radio signals include transmitted radio signals transmitted by the transmitter and reflected from objects in an environment;controlling an operation of at least one of the transmitter and the receiver to provide at least one of a selected range resolution, a selected velocity resolution, and a selected angle of arrival resolution;storing data into the memory that was produced by the digital front end processing unit from the received radio signals; anddirecting the digital back end processor to process the stored data based upon the controlled operation of the at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , for a given radio signal bandwidth and receiver scan duration claim 1 , selection of a velocity resolution comprising an increased velocity resolution results in selection of a range resolution comprising a decreased range resolution.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein ...

Die-To-Die Communication Links For Receiver Integrated Circuit Dies And Related Methods

Die-to-die communication links for receiver integrated circuit dies within multi-die systems and related methods are disclosed for radio frequency (RF) receivers. The disclosed embodiments provide die-to-die communication links that allow for direct communication of operating parameters between receiver integrated circuit dies and other integrated circuit dies within a multi-die system so that the operation of receive path circuitry can be adjusted without requiring intervention from an external host processor integrated circuit. A variety of operating parameter information can be communicated through the die-to-die communication links so that the integrated circuit dies can quickly adjust to changing signal conditions without requiring intervention by the external host processor integrated circuit. 1. A multi-die system having die-to-die communications , comprising: a radio frequency (RF) input configured to receive an RF input signal;', 'receive path circuitry coupled to receive the RF input signal and configured to generate a tuned digital signal representing content of a channel within the RF input signal based upon a channel selection signal, the receive path circuitry including analog front end circuitry and digital circuitry;', 'a spur cancellation module within the digital circuitry configured to generate one or more spur cancellation signals for the receive path circuitry;', 'a control module configured to provide one or more control signals to the spur cancellation module; and', 'a first inter-die transmit and receive module configured to receive one or more operating parameters from a second integrated circuit die;', 'wherein the control module is further configured to adjust the one or more control signals for the spur cancellation module based upon the one or more operating parameters; and, 'a first integrated circuit die, comprising 'a second inter-die transmit and receive module configured to communicate the one or more operating parameters to the ...

INTEGRATED RECEIVER AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING INTEGRATED INDUCTORS AND METHOD THEREFOR

In one form, an integrated receiver includes a tracking bandpass filter, a tunable lowpass filter, and a mixer formed on a single integrated circuit chip. The tracking bandpass filter has an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) input signal, and an output, and comprises a variable capacitor having a capacitance that varies in response to a bandpass frequency control signal, in parallel with an integrated inductor. The integrated inductor comprises a plurality of windings formed in a plurality of metal layers. The tunable lowpass filter has an input coupled to the output of the tracking bandpass filter, and an output and having a tuning input for receiving a cutoff frequency signal. The mixer has a signal input coupled to the output of the tunable lowpass filter, a local oscillator input for receiving a local oscillator signal, and a signal output for providing a converted RF signal. 1. An integrated receiver comprising:a tracking bandpass filter having an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) input signal, and an output, and comprising a variable capacitor having a capacitance that varies in response to a bandpass frequency control signal, in parallel with an integrated inductor;said integrated inductor comprising a plurality of windings formed in a plurality of metal layers;a tunable lowpass filter having an input coupled to said output of said tracking bandpass filter, and an output and having a tuning input for receiving a cutoff frequency signal; anda mixer having a signal input coupled to said output of said tunable lowpass filter, a local oscillator input for receiving a local oscillator signal, and a signal output for providing a converted RF signal,wherein said tracking bandpass filter, said integrated inductor, said tunable lowpass filter, and said mixer are formed on a single integrated circuit chip.2. The integrated receiver of further comprising:a local oscillator having a tuning input, and an output for providing said local oscillator signal. ...

SOFTWARE DEFINED AUTOMOTIVE RADAR

A radar system has different modes of operation. In one mode, the radar operates as a single-input, multiple output (SIMO) radar system utilizing one transmitted signal from one antenna at a time. Codes with known excellent autocorrelation properties are utilized in this mode. At each receiver the response after correlating with various possible transmitted signals is measured in order to estimate the interference that each transmitter will represent at each receiver. The estimated effect of the interference from one transmitter to a receiver that correlates with a different code is used to mitigate the interference. In another mode, the radar operates as a multi-input, multiple-output (MIMO) radar system utilizing all the antennas at a time. Interference cancellation of the nonideal cross-correlation sidelobes when transmitting in the MIMO mode are employed to remove ghost targets due to unwanted sidelobes. 1. A radar sensing system for a vehicle , the radar sensing system comprising:a plurality of transmitters configured for installation and use on a vehicle, wherein the transmitters are configured to transmit modulated radio signals;a plurality of receivers configured for installation and use on the vehicle, wherein the receivers are configured to receive radio signals, wherein the received radio signals are transmitted radio signals reflected from an object in the environment;wherein each transmitter of the plurality of transmitters comprises a digital processing unit, a digital-to-analog converter, an analog processing unit, and transmitting antennas;wherein each receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises a receiving antenna, an analog processing unit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital processing unit; anda control unit configured to individually modify one or more operational parameters of one or more transmitters of the plurality of transmitters and one or more receivers of the plurality of receivers, wherein the control unit is configured ...

Software defined automotive radar

A radar system has different modes of operation. In a method for operating the radar system, at least one of one or more transmitters are configured to transmit modulated continuous-wave radio signals, while at least one of one or more receivers are configured to receive radio signals. The received radio signals include the transmitted radio signals transmitted by the one or more transmitters and reflected from objects in the environment. The method further includes selectively modifying an operational parameter of at least one of the transmitters or at least one of the receivers. The selected operational parameter is modified to meet changing operational requirements of the radar sensing system.

SUCCESSIVE SIGNAL INTERFERENCE MITIGATION

A radar sensing system for a vehicle includes a transmitter, a receiver, and an interference mitigation processor. The transmitter transmits radio signals. The receiver receives radio signals. The received radio signals include reflected radio signals that are each transmitted radio signals reflected from objects in the environment. The receiver also down-converts and digitizes the received radio signals to produce a baseband sampled stream. The interference mitigation processor produces a second received radio signal that includes reflected radio signals that are transmitted radio signals reflected from a first object. The interference mitigation processor uses the second received radio signal to remove selected samples from the baseband sampled stream that are attributed to radio signals reflected from the first object to produce a modified baseband sampled stream. The receiver uses the modified baseband sampled stream to detect a second object more distant than the first object. 1. A radar sensing system for a vehicle , the radar sensing system comprising:at least one transmitter configured for installation and use on a vehicle, and configured to transmit radio signals;at least one receiver configured for installation and use on the vehicle, and further configured to receive radio signals, wherein the received radio signals include transmitted radio signals that are reflected from objects in the environment;an interference mitigation processor;wherein the at least one receiver is further configured to down-convert and digitize the received radio signal to produce a baseband sampled stream;wherein the baseband sampled stream is provided to the interference mitigation processor;wherein the interference mitigation processor, via processing of the baseband sampled stream, determines estimates for reflected radio signals associated with selected objects at one or more ranges, determines estimates for parameters related to corresponding ones of the reflected radio ...

Phase-locked loop which can automatically adjust to and lock upon a variable input frequency

An apparatus is provided for automatically and dynamically adjusting a frequency division factor of a clock divider situated in the feedback loop of a phase-locked loop (PLL). The frequency division factor is modified based on changes in the input signal frequency forwarded to the PLL. If the input signal frequency increases, the decision circuit coupled to the input of the voltage controlled oscillator records that change as an encoded digital signal. That signal will accordingly modify the current frequency division factor dependent on current division factor as well as the current input signal frequency. The decision circuit can be modeled as an A/D converter, and the control unit placed between the decision circuit and the clock divider can be modeled as a state diagram. Each state of the state diagram is indicative of a frequency division factor, or a change in that division factor, wherein the coded digital signal indicates possible change from one state to another. By modifying the frequency division factor, the PLL can dynamically lock upon a changed input signal frequency without varying the clocking signal output from the PLL. Thus, the PLL can accommodate various input signal frequencies yet maintain a relatively fixed clocking signal to be forwarded as a timing reference to a digital processor.

Low-Cost Receiver Using Tracking Filter

A receiver ( 400 ) includes a tracking bandpass filter ( 420 ) and a signal processing circuit ( 430 - 480 ). The tracking bandpass filter ( 420 ) has a first input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, and an output, and includes a first portion ( 731 ) on a semiconductor die ( 730 ), and at least one inductor ( 721 ). The at least one inductor ( 721 ) is operatively coupled to the first portion of the tracking bandpass filter ( 420 ). The signal processing circuit ( 430 - 480 ) has an input coupled to the output of the tracking bandpass filter ( 420 ), and an output for providing a processed signal. The semiconductor die ( 730 ) and the at least one inductor ( 721 ) are integrated into a single multi-chip module (MCM) ( 710 ).

Successive signal interference mitigation

A radar sensing system for a vehicle includes a transmitter, a receiver, and an interference mitigation processor. The transmitter transmits radio signals. The receiver receives radio signals. The received radio signals include reflected radio signals that are each transmitted radio signals reflected from objects in the environment. The receiver also down-converts and digitizes the received radio signals to produce a baseband sampled stream. The interference mitigation processor produces a second received radio signal that includes reflected radio signals that are transmitted radio signals reflected from a first object. The interference mitigation processor uses the second received radio signal to remove selected samples from the baseband sampled stream that are attributed to radio signals reflected from the first object to produce a modified baseband sampled stream. The receiver uses the modified baseband sampled stream to detect a second object more distant than the first object.

Mixed-Mode Receiver Circuit Including Digital Gain Control

A receiver circuit includes an analog front-end and a digital processing unit. The analog front-end includes an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, a first control input for receiving a gain adjustment signal, a second control input for receiving a timing signal, and a signal output for providing a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The analog front-end updates gains of a plurality of gain stages according to the gain adjustment signal and in synchronism with the timing signal. The digital processing unit is configured to produce at least one output signal derived from the digital IF signal. The digital processing unit includes a timing recovery circuit configured to generate the timing signal based on the digital IF signal to control timing of the updating gains of each of the plurality of adjustable gain stages.

Circuit and method of clocking mulitiple digital circuits in multiple phases

A circuit includes a power supply terminal and a clock parsing circuit configured to produce multiple clock signals having a common clock period and different phases. The circuit further includes a plurality of digital circuits coupled to the clock parsing circuit and the power supply terminal. Each digital circuit includes an input to receive data and logic to process the data. Each digital circuit is responsive to a phase associated with a respective clock signal of the multiple clock signals to draw current from the regulated power supply terminal to process the data to produce a data output. Additionally, the circuit includes an output timing management circuit coupled to each of the plurality of digital circuits and configured to control data outputs of each of plurality of digital circuits to prevent timing violations at one or more destination circuits.

Phasenregelkreis und verfahren zum automatischen einrasten auf einer veränderlichen eingangsfrequenz

Software defined automotive radar systems

A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system includes transmitters configured to transmit radio signals, receivers configured to receive radar signals, and a control unit. The received radio signals include transmitted radio signals transmitted by the transmitters and reflected from objects in an environment. The control unit adaptively controls the transmitters and the receivers based on a selected operating mode for the radar system. The selected operating mode meets a desired operational objective defined by current environmental conditions. The control unit is configured to control the receivers to produce and process data according to the selected operating mode.

Software defined automotive radar

A method for operating a radar sensing system includes configuring a transmitter to transmit a radio signal. A receiver is configured to receive radio signals. The received radio signals include the transmitted radio signal transmitted by the transmitter and reflected from objects in the environment. The method includes with advanced temporal knowledge of the codes used to modulate the transmitted radio signal, using code values of the plurality of codes, and in combination with a bank of digital finite impulse response (FIR) filters, generating complementary signals of any self-interference noise. The method further includes subtracting the complementary signals at one or more points in the receiver prior to the interference desensing the receiver. The radar sensing system further includes a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) interference canceller for detecting the largest interference signals and sequentially cancelling them while signal processing the received radio signals.

Software defined automotive radar

A method for operating a radar sensing system includes configuring a transmitter to transmit a radio signal. A receiver is configured to receive radio signals. The received radio signals include the transmitted radio signal transmitted by the transmitter and reflected from objects in the environment. The method includes with advanced temporal knowledge of the codes used to modulate the transmitted radio signal, using code values of the plurality of codes, and in combination with a bank of digital finite impulse response (FIR) filters, generating complementary signals of any self-interference noise. The method further includes subtracting the complementary signals at one or more points in the receiver prior to the interference desensing the receiver. The radar sensing system further includes a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) interference canceller for detecting the largest interference signals and sequentially cancelling them while signal processing the received radio signals.