Determining distance to a target object utilizing wireless devices operating as radar devices

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for computing a target distance estimate using a wireless device. A waveform is transmitted to an object (e.g., automobile) by a wireless device. Reflections of the waveform are then received, such as on two forward directional antennas. A channel impulse response (e.g., a frequency-domain channel impulse response) is then obtained from the reflections. A parameterized function is applied to the channel impulse response. Parameters of the parameterized function are fitted to measure the channel impulse response. A distance to the object is then estimated based on the fitted parameters. In this manner, by operating wireless devices as radar devices, a higher accuracy in target range estimates can be achieved with less spectrum bandwidth when compared to standard radar waveforms with standard radar processing. Furthermore, by utilizing wireless devices as opposed to radar devices, the cost problem associated with radar is addressed.