Radar sensor having a CFAR detector
First Claim
1. A radar transceiver apparatus comprising:
- a noise generator;
a PRF generator modulated by the noise generator;
a radar transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF bursts with controlled timing from the PRF generator, and for producing a baseband output;
an antenna connected to the radar transceiver for radiating RF bursts to, and receiving echo bursts from a target;
an interference processor coupled to the radar transceiver baseband output;
a threshold detector having first and second inputs for detecting baseband signals, with the first input coupled to the baseband output of the radar transceiver and the second input coupled to the interference processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector prevents false radar triggers due to RF interference by proportionally increasing the radar detection threshold as interference increases. The radar operates with a randomized PRF, which randomizes detected RF interference while maintaining echo signal coherence. Post-detection filters provide a signal channel and an interference channel. The interference channel augments the threshold of the signal threshold detector. The interference channel gain can be adjusted to ensure the detection threshold is always higher than noise in the signal channel, thereby eliminating false alarms due to RF interference. Accordingly, the CFAR detector eliminates a major false alarm nuisance, particularly in radar security sensors. Applications for the low-cost system include indoor and outdoor burglar alarms, automotive security alarms, home and industrial automation, robotics, and vehicle proximity sensors.
86 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A radar transceiver apparatus comprising:
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a noise generator;
a PRF generator modulated by the noise generator;
a radar transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF bursts with controlled timing from the PRF generator, and for producing a baseband output;
an antenna connected to the radar transceiver for radiating RF bursts to, and receiving echo bursts from a target;
an interference processor coupled to the radar transceiver baseband output;
a threshold detector having first and second inputs for detecting baseband signals, with the first input coupled to the baseband output of the radar transceiver and the second input coupled to the interference processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A radar sensor comprising:
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a radar transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF bursts at a random PRF, and for producing a baseband output;
an antenna for radiating RF bursts to, and receiving echo RF bursts from a target;
a baseband interference filter for filtering baseband interference from the baseband output;
an amplifier for amplifying the filtered baseband interference;
an interference envelope detector for generating a smoothed interference envelope of the amplified filtered baseband interference;
a threshold detector responsive to the difference between the baseband output and the smoothed interference envelope. a threshold detector responsive to the difference between the baseband output and the smoothed interference envelope. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of radar sensing, comprising:
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transmitting RF bursts at a PRF;
receiving RF echo bursts at the PRF;
sampling the received RF echo bursts with controlled timing at the PRF to provide a sampled baseband output;
noise modulating the PRF to randomize sampled interference;
filtering the sampled baseband output to exclude baseband signals and produce an interference signal;
threshold detecting the baseband signal using the interference signal to augment the threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification