Patent ID: 6094158
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: A61H,G01S,H01Q,H03B,H03D

Abstract:
A frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) phase shift radar system that is capable of detecting both stationary and moving objects, said radar system including:a transmitter and a receiver:a linearly-tuned oscillator circuit arranged in said transmitter as a source of said electromagnetic radiation, said linearly-tuned oscillator circuit including a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a closed loop feedback circuit comprising a local oscillator, a harmonic mixer coupled to receive a stabilized local oscillator (LO) frequency signal from said local oscillator, and a radio frequency (RF) signal from an output of the VCO, said harmonic mixer being arranged to mix said LO frequency signal with said RF signal to obtain an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, and a linear frequency discriminator coupled to receive said IF signal and arranged to produce an output voltage signal that is directed to an input of the VCO for stabilizing the VCO;a signal processing unit coupled to an output of said receiver for computing a relative range and velocity of an object detected by the system; anda miniaturized front end assembly constructed and arranged to produce millimeter wavelength electromagnetic radiation, said front end assembly including a planar phased array having substantially narrow beamwidth characteristics, and a planar circuit including said VCO, said local oscillator, and said harmonic mixer.