Design, tune & test 24GHz radar solutions

Challenge

Project challenges included introducing radar technology, which was new to the customer in this consumer market segment. It was crucial to select a best-in-class radar device that offered the right features at an appropriate price point. However, no existing test processes were in place, necessitating the design and implementation of new testing methods.

We aimed to identify the optimal sensitivity threshold to detect a person sitting still in a room while avoiding false triggers from moving curtains, pets, and other disturbances.

Learnings

This project provided numerous valuable learnings, including the operating and design principles of FMCW (Frequency Modulation Continuous Wave) radar.

We gained experience in the rapid development and integration of radar solutions into consumer-grade electronic products, as well as understanding radar-tuned range parameters such as angle and velocity through FFT, RF front-end settings, and chirp and frame configurations.

Additionally, we explored the application of machine learning for classifying humans and non-humans.

The significance of radar testing solutions for development, design verification, and compliance also emerged as an important takeaway from this project.