18484308. Electronic Devices Having Spatial Ranging Calibration Capabilities simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)

Electronic Devices Having Spatial Ranging Calibration Capabilities

Organization Name

Apple Inc.

Inventor(s)

Jochen Schrattenecker of Alberndorf in der Riedmark (AT)

Bernhard Sogl of Unterhaching (DE)

Andreas Menkhoff of Oberhaching (DE)

Joonhoi Hur of Sunnyvale CA (US)

Harald Pretl of Schwertberg (AT)

Christian Mayer of Wilhering (AT)

Andreas Langer of Unterschleissheim (DE)

Rastislav Vazny of Saratoga CA (US)

Electronic Devices Having Spatial Ranging Calibration Capabilities - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18484308 titled 'Electronic Devices Having Spatial Ranging Calibration Capabilities

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes an electronic device with radar circuitry that is calibrated using a multi-tone calibration signal. The calibration signal is upconverted and transmitted by a first mixer and then mixed with the received calibration signal by a de-chirp mixer to produce a baseband multi-tone calibration signal. The baseband signal is offset from DC to prevent interference from system effects. The control circuitry sweeps the first mixer over the radio frequencies of operation to estimate the power droop and phase shift of the radar circuitry based on the baseband calibration signal. Distortion circuitry is used to invert the estimated power droop and phase shift in transmit signals for spatial ranging operations.

• The electronic device includes radar circuitry and control circuitry.
• The radar circuitry is calibrated using a multi-tone calibration signal.
• A first mixer upconverts the calibration signal for transmission.
• A de-chirp mixer mixes the transmitted and received calibration signals to produce a baseband multi-tone calibration signal.
• The baseband signal is offset from DC to prevent interference.
• The control circuitry sweeps the first mixer over the radio frequencies of operation to estimate the power droop and phase shift of the radar circuitry.
• Distortion circuitry is used to invert the estimated power droop and phase shift in transmit signals for spatial ranging operations.

Potential applications of this technology:

• Radar systems in autonomous vehicles for accurate distance and object detection.
• Radar systems in aviation for improved navigation and collision avoidance.
• Radar systems in weather monitoring for precise measurement of precipitation and wind patterns.

Problems solved by this technology:

• Calibration of radar circuitry to ensure accurate and reliable operation.
• Minimization of interference from system effects and DC noise.
• Compensation for power droop and phase shift in transmit signals.

Benefits of this technology:

• Improved accuracy and reliability of radar systems.
• Enhanced performance in spatial ranging operations.
• Reduction of false alarms and improved object detection capabilities.

Original Abstract Submitted

An electronic device may include radar circuitry. Control circuitry may calibrate the radar circuitry using a multi-tone calibration signal. A first mixer may upconvert the calibration signal for transmission by a transmit antenna. A de-chirp mixer may mix the calibration signal output by the first mixer with the calibration signal as received by a receive antenna or loopback path to produce a baseband multi-tone calibration signal. The baseband signal will be offset from DC by the frequency gap. This may prevent DC noise or other system effects from interfering with the calibration signal. The control circuitry may sweep the first mixer over the radio frequencies of operation of the radar circuitry to estimate the power droop and phase shift of the radar circuitry based on baseband calibration signal. Distortion circuitry may distort transmit signals used in spatial ranging operations to invert the estimated power droop and phase shift.