System and method for processing multi-directional ultra wide band and frequency modulated continuous wave wireless backscattered signals

Abstract

In an example, the present invention provides an UWB and FMCW sensor apparatus. The apparatus has at least three transceiver modules. Each of the transceiver modules has an antenna array to be configured to sense a back scatter of electromagnetic energy from spatial location of a zero degree location in relation to a mid point of the device through a 360 degrees range where each antenna array is configured to sense a 120 degree range. In an example, each of the antenna array has a support member, a plurality of receiving antenna, a receiver integrated circuit coupled to the receiving antenna and configured to receive an incoming rf signal and covert the incoming rf signal into a base band signal, and a plurality of transmitting antenna. Each antenna array has a transmitter integrated circuit coupled to the transmitting antenna to transmit an outgoing rf signal.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A radio frequency (RF) sensing apparatus, comprising:
 an ultra wide band (UWB) antenna array comprising a plurality of transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antenna,   wherein the plurality of transmitting antenna is configured to transmit an outgoing MB signal to a spatial location,   wherein the plurality of receiving antenna is configured to receive an incoming UWB signal backscattered from a subject disposed in the spatial location, and   wherein the UWB antenna array arrangement allows for sensing of the subject from a first location in relation to a second location;   a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) antenna array comprising a plurality of transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antenna,   wherein the plurality of transmitting antenna is configured to transmit an outgoing FMCW signal to the spatial location,   wherein the plurality of receiving antenna is configured to receive an incoming FMCW signal backscattered from the subject disposed in the spatial location, and   wherein the FMCW antenna array arrangement allows for sensing of the subject from the first location in relation to the second location.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a transmitting circuit coupled to the plurality of UWB transmitting antenna or the plurality of FMCW transmitting antenna, the transmitting circuit configured to transmit a respective outgoing UWB signal or outgoing FMCW signal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a receiving circuit coupled to the plurality of UWB receiving antenna or the plurality of FMCW receiving antenna, the receiving circuit configured to convert the respective incoming UWB signal or incoming FMCW signal into a base band signal. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a virtual antenna array formed from the plurality of UWB receiving antenna or the plurality of FMCW receiving antenna, the virtual antenna array configured to sense a larger spatial region than an actual spatial region of the plurality of UWB receiving antenna or the plurality of FMCW receiving antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a housing, wherein the antenna array and the FMCW antenna array are disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the subject is a human subject, and wherein the radio frequency sensing apparatus is disposed in a room in a living space to detect movement of the human subject using either the incoming UWB signal or the incoming FMCW signal. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an audio sensor configured to detect sound associated with activity of the subject. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a UWB switch or a FMCW switch, wherein the UWB switch or the FMCW switch is configured to select the respective UWB antenna array or the FMCW antenna array to sense the UWB or FMCW back scattered signal. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an artificial intelligence module configured to process information associated with the back scattered UWB signal or the back scattered FMCW signal to provide a summary of activities or a vital sign of the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the artificial intelligence module is configured to process the information to notify a medical response team if immediate help is needed, or to device incentives to change behavioral patterns of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the UWB antenna array is arranged in a triangular arrangement so as to allow sensing through a 360 degree visibility range as measured in a horizontal plane in which the UWB antenna array is disposed, and a 80 degree visibility range as measured in a vertical plane normal to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the FMCW antenna array is arranged in a triangular arrangement so as to allow sensing through a 360 degree visibility range as measured in a horizontal plane in which the FMCW antenna array is disposed, and a 80 degree visibility range as measured in a vertical plane normal to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         14 . A method for sensing a subject in a spatial location, the method comprising:
 transmitting an ultra wide band (UWB) signal from an UWB antenna array toward the subject disposed at a first position and a second position in the spatial location;   receiving an incoming UWB back scattered signal from the subject in the first position and the second position with the UWB antenna array;   transmitting a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal from a FMCW antenna array toward the subject disposed at the first position and the second position in the spatial location;   receiving an incoming FMCW back scattered signal from the subject in the first position and the second position with the FMCW antenna array; and   sensing the subject from the first position in relation to the second position based on the receiving UWB back scattered signal or the FMCW back scattered signal.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the UWB antenna array comprises a plurality of UWB transmitting antenna and a plurality of UWB receiving antenna, and wherein the FMCW antenna array comprises a plurality of FMCW transmitting antenna and a plurality of FMCW receiving antenna, the method further comprising forming a virtual antenna array from any of the plurality of UWB or FMCW receiving antenna thereby permitting sensing of a larger spatial region than an actual spatial region of the plurality of UWB receiving antenna or the plurality of FMCW receiving antenna. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using either the incoming UWB signal or the incoming FMCW signal to sense movement of a human subject in a living space. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising sensing activity associated with the subject with an audio sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising actuating a UWB switch or a FMCW switch so as to select the respective UWB antenna array or the FMCW antenna array to send the UWB or FMCW signal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising processing information associated with the back scattered UWB signal or the back scattered FMCW signal to provide a summary of activities or a vital sign of the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising processing the information to notify a medical response team if immediate help is needed, or to devise incentives to change behavioral patterns of the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensing comprises sensing through a 360 degree visibility range as measured in a horizontal plane in which the UWB antenna array or the FMCW antenna array is disposed, and a 80 degree visibility range as measured in a vertical plane normal to the horizontal plane.