What is radar? Why and how does Ledsreact use it for sports performance testing?

What is radar? Why and how does Ledsreact use it for sports performance testing?

Understanding Radar Technology in Sports Performance Testing

What is radar?

Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is a detection system that uses electromagnetic waves to determine the range, angle, and velocity of objects. It works by transmitting radio waves that bounce off objects and return to the receiver. By analyzing these reflected signals, radar systems can precisely measure various characteristics of moving objects.

How we use radar in the Ledsreact Pro

1. The device emits radio waves that bounce off the athlete and return to the sensor.

2. By analyzing the time it takes for these waves to return and their characteristics, the Ledsreact Pro can determine the athlete's exact position and speed.
  • If the athlete moves toward the radar: the reflected waves are compressed, increasing their frequency
  • If the athlete moves away: the waves are stretched out, decreasing their frequency
  • The difference between the transmitted and received frequencies tells us the athlete's velocity
  • This allows for extremely precise speed measurements (down to cm/s)

    • 3. The system then uses this information to trigger visual and auditory cues, guiding the athlete through various drills and exercises.

    Visualization of radar-based measurements by the Ledsreact ProVisualization of radar-based measurements by the Ledsreact Pro

    Two types of radar

    The Ledsreact Pro utilizes two distinct types of radar systems, developed in partnership with Swiss radar technology experts, to provide comprehensive athlete performance measurement:

    Corner radars

    Four radar units positioned at the corners of the testing area provide:


    • Short to medium-range detection (up to 15m)

    • High-precision angle measurement

    • Multi-directional movement tracking

    • Ideal for agility drills and change-of-direction exercises


    These corner units excel at tracking complex movement patterns in exercises like:


    • Agility box drills

    • T-tests

    • 5-10-5 shuttle runs

    • Custom multi-directional exercises

    • "Basic" drills that do not collect data (much like the discontinued Ledsreact Basic device)

    Side radars

    Two advanced radar units mounted on the sides deliver:


    • Long-range detection (validated up to 40m, capable of 60m+)

    • Extremely accurate speed measurement

    • Precise distance tracking

    • Perfect for linear sprint analysis and long-distance change of direction exercises

    Top-down schematic of the Ledsreact Pro with its radar directions

    Advantages of radar technology in sports

    1. Non-Contact Measurement

    • No wearables required = less hassle with lost devices, empty batteries, etc...

    • Nothing to attach to athletes

    • No interference with natural movement

    1. High Precision

    • Millisecond timing accuracy (0.029s interval)

    • Precise speed measurements

    • Accurate distance tracking

    • Continuous measurements

    1. Multi-Target Tracking

    • Can track multiple athletes simultaneously

    • Distinguishes between different participants

    • Real-time data processing

    1. Lighting & Weather Resistant

    • Functions in various weather conditions

    • Protected against water and dust splashes

    • Works in different lighting conditions including total darkness

    • Reliable indoor and outdoor performance

    1. Gamification and Real-Time Feedback

    • LEDs connected to the radar’s tracking data makes complex, measurable agility exercises possible

    • Cognitive integration through reactive decision-making

    • Near-immediate performance results for coaches and athletes (within 5 to 30 seconds)


    1. Simple Setup with a Single Device

    • Simple, cost-effective setup: position the Ledsreact Pro, set up your colored cones for your exercise, and simply press “Play”

    • No timing gates to knock over; wind and vibration resistant

    • No calibration required

    • No fixed installations


    1. Long-Range Spatial Coverage

    • Long-range tracking capability (validated up to 40 meters, works up to 60m, theoretically to 100 meters)

    • Wide angular coverage for complex movement patterns

    • ​360° coverage, no "dead zones" or tracking gaps within the measurement area

    What part of the body does the radar track?

    The Ledsreact Pro's radar systems track what we call the 'dominant reflection point' of the athlete's movement. Rather than tracking a specific body part, the radar detects the strongest radar reflection from the athlete's body at any given moment.
    For a moving person, this dominant reflection point tends to correspond roughly to the torso/core area, as this represents the largest continuous surface area. However, the exact tracking point can dynamically shift based on the athlete's movement pattern and body position. This is actually advantageous, as it allows our system to capture the most relevant point of motion for different types of movements:


    • During linear sprints, it typically tracks the torso's center of mass

    • During lateral movements, it may track the leading side of the body

    • During complex agility drills, it adapts to follow the primary direction of movement


    Our Kalman filtering algorithms then process this raw radar data to filter out noise and generate a smooth, accurate trajectory that represents the athlete's overall movement path. This approach provides reliable and consistent measurement of performance metrics like speed, acceleration, and position changes without requiring any wearable devices.


    Think of it like the system automatically finding and following the most representative point of the athlete's movement at any given moment, rather than being locked to a single fixed body location.


    Applications

    The dual radar system enables comprehensive testing across multiple domains:


    • Sprint performance analysis

    • Agility assessment

    • Change of direction evaluation

    • Acceleration/deceleration measurement

    • Complex movement pattern analysis

    • Return-to-play testing

    • Performance tracking over time

    Future developments

    Our ongoing research and development focuses on:


    • Extended range capabilities (testing up to 100m)

    • Enhanced multi-player tracking

    • Advanced movement pattern recognition

    • Improved environmental adaptation

    • Integration with additional performance metrics

    • Sensor fusion: overlaying radar data onto video-based analysis


    The combination of corner and side radar units in the Ledsreact Pro creates a comprehensive measurement system that provides coaches and athletes with precise, reliable data for performance assessment and improvement.


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