Millimeter-wave sensor system for parking assistance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a parking support Apparatus and Method of operation comprising of an mm-wave radar sensor, having an integrated mm-wave IC front end. The proposed Apparatus is capableof detecting the parking obstacle object distance and angle, having inherently low cost system topology, suitable as a replacement in functionality for the commonly used ultrasound sensors. The proposed apparatus topology consist of one transmitting and two planar antennae, mm-wave radar topology with one down conversion chain and one transmitter chain based on FMCW radar, CW radar and Doppler radar, analog combining circuitry and N mm-wave power detectors, where N takes integer values from 1 and larger. The specific proposed method of operation is adjusted to a dedicated application. A combination of more than one proposed apparatus enables smart observation of the parking area in front of the moving platform with wired or wireless connection to the information evaluation and control entity. The proposed apparatus topology with lower complexity consist of one transmit and two planar antennae, mm-wave radar topology without any down conversion chain and one transmitter chain based onCW radar operation, analog combining circuitry and N mm-wave power detectors, where N takes values from 1 to 3. The system operation topology allows full distance and obstacle angle calculation by theapparatus itself in one topology solution or to have the information being calculated, combining more sensors, using low complexity apparatus topologies, also proposed in this innovation. The integration of the proposed apparatus in the vehicle bumper is inherently possible and may be optically and functionally provided as an efficient replacement for ultrasound parking assist systems. The complete proposed sensor apparatus topologies with integrated antennae, mm-wave IC and digital processing parts may be realized in a module smaller than 1 x 1 x 0.5 cm and operating in the 77-81 GHz band.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a parking aid and operating method comprising a millimeter-wave radar sensor with an integrated millimeter-wave IC front end and having an innovative topology. The proposed device is capable of detecting object distance and parking obstacle angle, has an inherently low-cost system topology, and is suitable functionally as a replacement for commonly used ultrasonic sensors. The proposed device topology consists of one transmit planar antenna and two receive planar antennas, millimeter-wave radar topology, analog combinational circuits, and N millimeter-wave power detectors, where N takes integer values ​​of 1 and higher. The mmWave radar topology consists of a downconversion chain and a transmitter chain based on the operating principles of FMCW radar, CW radar and Doppler radar. The proposed specific operation method is presented to provide the specific proposed device operation. Background technique [0002] There ar...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0013] It can be observed that there are no reports of radar-based sensor solutions that enable the system to detect both distance and angle of obstacles in a simple way, with only one down-conversion chain or one Rx down-conversion channel

Images