Millimeter wave radar, antenna switching method of millimeter wave radar, and electronic device

Abstract

The application relates to a millimeter wave radar, an antenna switching method of the millimeter wave radar, an electronic device and a storage medium, the millimeter wave radar comprising a millimeter wave radar chip, a radio frequency switch, a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip comprises at least one transmitting channel and at least one receiving channel, the input end of each receiving channel is connected with one receiving antenna, and the output end of each transmitting channel is connected with the input end of one radio frequency switch; the radio frequency switch comprises a plurality of output ends, and the output end of each radio frequency switch is connected with one transmitting antenna; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip is used for sending a unit wave signal to the radio frequency switch through the transmitting channel, so as to adjust the working time sequence of each transmitting antenna connected with the radio frequency switch. Through the application, the problem that a millimeter wave radar system cannot simultaneously consider high resolution and high coverage detection in the related art is solved, and the technical effect of improving the detection resolution and coverage of the millimeter wave radar system is achieved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of millimeter wave radar, in particular to a millimeter wave radar, an antenna switching method of the millimeter wave radar, an electronic device and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the continuous development of semiconductor, integrated circuit and signal processing technology, millimeter wave radar has been more and more applied in military and civilian systems, especially the rapid increase of emerging sensing application demand represented by intelligent vehicles, and the high-speed development of radio frequency integrated circuit and digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP for short) technology, which promotes millimeter wave radar to be more and more widely used in daily life, and the technology has experienced the process of larger and larger bandwidth, more and more antennas, and higher and higher integration.

[0003] At present, the existing multi-antenna millimeter wave radar system is usually divided into two schemes of single chip and multi-chip cascade. In the single-chip multi-antenna millimeter wave radar system, a millimeter wave radar chip is connected with multiple receiving antennas and multiple transmitting antennas. In the multi-chip cascade millimeter wave radar system, multiple millimeter wave radar chips can be cascaded to support more receiving antennas and more transmitting antennas. In order to synchronize the signals of the receiving and transmitting antennas, the multiple millimeter wave radar chips are interconnected through a special synchronization interface, and in addition, an operation chip with sufficient computing power needs to be externally hung to realize efficient distributed processing of the received signals.

[0004] However, in such a technical scheme, the number of receiving and transmitting antennas that can be supported in the single-chip multi-antenna millimeter wave radar system is limited, and the angle detection coverage or angle detection resolution is limited, which is difficult to meet the complex sensing demand. Although the angle detection coverage or angle detection resolution can be improved in the multi-chip cascade millimeter wave radar system, the additional millimeter wave radar chips and operation chips increase the volume and complexity of the radar system, increase the operation and maintenance difficulty of the radar system, and reduce the reliability of the radar system.

[0005] At present, there is no effective solution to the problem that the millimeter wave radar system in the related art cannot balance high resolution and high coverage detection. SUMMARY

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a millimeter wave radar, an antenna switching method of the millimeter wave radar, an electronic device and a storage medium, to at least solve the problem that the millimeter wave radar system in the related art cannot balance high resolution and high coverage detection.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a millimeter wave radar, comprising: a millimeter wave radar chip, a radio frequency switch, a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip comprises at least one transmitting channel and at least one receiving channel, an input end of each receiving channel is connected with a receiving antenna, and an output end of each transmitting channel is connected with an input end of a radio frequency switch; the radio frequency switch comprises a plurality of output ends, and each output end of the radio frequency switch is connected with a transmitting antenna; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip is configured to send a unit waveform signal to the radio frequency switch through the transmitting channel, so as to adjust the working timing of each transmitting antenna connected with the radio frequency switch.

[0008] In some embodiments, the output end of the radio frequency switch is connected with the transmitting antenna through a first radio frequency signal line, the length of the first radio frequency signal line connected with each output end of the radio frequency switch is equal, the output end of the transmitting channel is connected with the input end of the radio frequency switch through a second radio frequency signal line, and the length of the second radio frequency signal line connected with each output end of the transmitting channel is equal in the case that the millimeter wave radar chip comprises a plurality of transmitting channels.

[0009] In some embodiments, the radio frequency switch comprises a first output end and a second output end, wherein the first output end is connected with a first transmitting antenna, and the second output end is connected with a second transmitting antenna; in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel reaches a first preset value within a preset working period, the radio frequency switch is configured to control the first output end to be conductive with the input end of the radio frequency switch, so as to make the first transmitting antenna emit the unit waveform signal outward; in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel reaches a second preset value within the preset working period, the radio frequency switch is configured to control the second output end to be conductive with the input end of the radio frequency switch, so as to make the second transmitting antenna emit the unit waveform signal outward.

[0010] In some embodiments, a preset number of unit waveform signals constitute the preset working period.

[0011] In some embodiments, the millimeter wave radar comprises a plurality of radio frequency switches, and the millimeter wave radar chip is configured to send unit waveform signals to the plurality of radio frequency switches simultaneously through the transmitting channel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the millimeter wave radar comprises a first radio frequency switch, a second radio frequency switch and a third radio frequency switch, wherein the output ends of the first radio frequency switch are connected with a first transmitting antenna and a fourth transmitting antenna respectively, the output ends of the second radio frequency switch are connected with a second transmitting antenna and a fifth transmitting antenna respectively, and the output ends of the third radio frequency switch are connected with a third transmitting antenna and a sixth transmitting antenna respectively; wherein the first transmitting antenna, the second transmitting antenna, the fourth transmitting antenna and the sixth transmitting antenna form a horizontal antenna array, the second transmitting antenna, the third transmitting antenna and the fifth transmitting antenna form a vertical antenna array, and the interval between the first transmitting antenna and the second transmitting antenna is equal to the interval between the second transmitting antenna and the third transmitting antenna.

[0013] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide an antenna switching method of a millimeter wave radar, applied to the millimeter wave radar of the first aspect, the method comprising: acquiring a unit waveform signal sent by a transmitting channel of a millimeter wave radar chip; in a preset working period, determining, according to the number of the unit waveform signals, a transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of the unit waveform signals in a plurality of transmitting antennas connected with a radio frequency switch as a working antenna; and controlling, by using the radio frequency switch, the working antenna and the output end of the transmitting channel to be conductive, so as to make the working antenna emit the unit waveform signal outward.

[0014] In some embodiments, the millimeter wave radar chip comprises a plurality of transmitting channels, and the output end of each transmitting channel is connected with a radio frequency switch; and determining, according to the number of the unit waveform signals, a transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of the unit waveform signals in a plurality of transmitting antennas connected with a radio frequency switch as a working antenna comprises: determining, according to the number of the unit waveform signals, a transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of the unit waveform signals in a plurality of transmitting antennas connected with each radio frequency switch as a working antenna, to obtain a plurality of working antennas.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: simultaneously emitting the unit waveform signal outward by using the plurality of working antennas, or emitting the unit waveform signal outward by using the plurality of working antennas according to a preset emission sequence.

[0016] In some embodiments, the transmitting the unit waveform signal outward from the plurality of working antennas according to the preset transmission sequence comprises: selecting a first preset number of working antennas from the plurality of working antennas as a first group of working antennas, and selecting a second preset number of working antennas from the plurality of working antennas as a second group of working antennas; adjusting a time interval for the first group of working antennas to transmit the unit waveform signal, and transmitting the unit waveform signal outward from the adjusted first group of working antennas according to the preset transmission sequence; adjusting the second preset number of the second group of working antennas, and transmitting the unit waveform signal outward from the adjusted second group of working antennas according to the preset transmission sequence.

[0017] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide an electronic device, comprising a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to implement the millimeter wave radar according to the first aspect.

[0018] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a storage medium, which stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the millimeter wave radar according to the first aspect is implemented.

[0019] Compared with the related art, the millimeter wave radar, the antenna switching method of the millimeter wave radar, the electronic device and the storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present application, the millimeter wave radar comprises a millimeter wave radar chip, a radio frequency switch, a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip comprises at least one transmitting channel and at least one receiving channel, the input end of each receiving channel is connected with one receiving antenna, and the output end of each transmitting channel is connected with the input end of one radio frequency switch; the radio frequency switch comprises a plurality of output ends, and the output end of each radio frequency switch is connected with one transmitting antenna; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip is configured to send a unit waveform signal to the radio frequency switch through the transmitting channel to adjust the working timing of each transmitting antenna connected with the radio frequency switch. The problem that the millimeter wave radar system in the related art cannot balance high resolution and high coverage detection is solved, and the technical effect of improving the detection resolution and coverage of the millimeter wave radar system is achieved.

[0020] The details of one or more embodiments of the present application are presented in the following drawings and description to make other features, objects and advantages of the present application more apparent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings described herein are intended to provide further understanding of the present application, and form a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their description serve to explain the present application, and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1is a structural block diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 is a working timing diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 3 is a structural block diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to a second embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 4 is a working timing diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to the second embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 5 is a structural block diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to a third embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 6 is an antenna arrangement diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to the third embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 7 is a first working timing diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to the third embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 8 is a second working timing diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to the third embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 9 is a flow chart of an antenna switching method of a millimeter wave radar according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application is described and explained below in connection with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and should not be used to limit the present application. Based on the embodiments provided in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of the present application. In addition, it can be understood that although the efforts made in this development process can be complex and lengthy, some design, manufacture or production changes made on the basis of the technical content disclosed in the present application by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the content disclosed in the present application are only routine technical means and should not be understood as insufficient disclosure of the present application.

[0033] Reference to an "embodiment" in this application means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily mutually exclusive of one another. It is expressly understood that that the embodiments described herein are merely examples from among a great variety of embodiments that, as a rule, are combinable with one another.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, technical terms or scientific terms used in the present application shall have the ordinary meanings as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "a", "an", "one", "this", and similar terms as used herein do not denote a limitation of quantity but rather denote a quantity of at least one. The terms "including" and / or "containing", or "has", and / or "having", or "comprising" and / or "comprises" as used herein are open-ended terms that are intended to encompass the possibility that the process, method, system, product, or apparatus includes, contains, has, or comprises more than one of the listed steps or units, or that the process, method, system, product, or apparatus includes, contains, has, or comprises at least one of the listed steps or units. The terms "connected", "coupled", or "linked" as used herein are not limited to direct connections or physical connections or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The term "plurality" means two or more. The term "and / or" describes associated objects in association relationships, which means that there are three relationships, for example, "A and / or B" can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The terms "first", "second", "third", and the like as used herein are merely used to distinguish similar objects, and do not represent a specific order of the objects.

[0035] The present embodiment provides a millimeter wave radar, Figure 1 is a structural block diagram of the millimeter wave radar according to the first embodiment of the present application, as Figure 1 shown, the millimeter wave radar comprises: a millimeter wave radar chip 10, a radio frequency switch 20, a transmitting antenna 30, and a receiving antenna 40; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip 10 comprises at least one transmitting channel 101 and at least one receiving channel 102, the input end of each receiving channel 102 is connected with one receiving antenna 40, and the output end of each transmitting channel 101 is connected with the input end of one radio frequency switch 20; the radio frequency switch 20 comprises a plurality of output ends, and the output end of each radio frequency switch 20 is connected with one transmitting antenna 30; wherein the millimeter wave radar chip 10 is configured to send a unit waveform signal to the radio frequency switch 20 through the transmitting channel 101, so as to adjust the working timing of each transmitting antenna 30 connected with the radio frequency switch 20.

[0036] In the embodiment, the millimeter wave includes electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of millimeter level, and the millimeter wave radar can be a radar system that transmits electromagnetic waves with a wavelength greater than 0.1 mm and less than 0.2 mm and a frequency between 20 GHz and 300 GHz. Currently, common millimeter wave radars mainly use 24 GHz, 60 GHz or 77 GHz transmission frequency bands.

[0037] As shown in the embodiment, the millimeter wave radar chip 10 includes two receiving channels 102 and one transmitting channel 101. Each receiving channel 102 is connected to a receiving antenna 40, and the output end of the transmitting channel 101 is connected to the input end of the radio frequency switch 20. The radio frequency switch 20 includes two output ends, and each output end of the radio frequency switch 20 is connected to a transmitting antenna 30. Figure 1

[0038] In the embodiment, the radio frequency switch 20 is a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch. By adding one single-pole double-throw switch to the millimeter wave radar chip 10 that originally only supports one transmitting and two receiving, the millimeter wave radar system can be expanded to a two-transmitting and two-receiving system.

[0039] In other embodiments, the radio frequency switch 20 can also use other single-pole multiple-throw (SPMT) switches or multiple-pole multiple-throw (MPMT) switches. For example, by adding three single-pole double-throw switches to the millimeter wave radar chip 10 that originally only supports three transmitting and four receiving, the millimeter wave radar system can be expanded to a six-transmitting and four-receiving system. By adding three single-pole triple-throw (SPDT) switches to the millimeter wave radar chip 10 that originally only supports three transmitting and four receiving, the millimeter wave radar system can be expanded to a nine-transmitting and four-receiving system.

[0040] In the above embodiments, by setting one or more radio frequency switches 20 in the millimeter wave radar system, more transmitting antennas 30 can be supported in the single-chip multi-antenna millimeter wave radar system, thereby improving the detection resolution (angle detection resolution, speed detection resolution, etc.) of the millimeter wave radar system. At the same time, the problem of increased volume and complexity of the radar system caused by the additional millimeter wave radar chips 10 and operation chips in the multi-chip cascaded millimeter wave radar system is avoided, and the reliability of the millimeter wave radar system is improved. Through the present application, the problem of millimeter wave radar systems in related technologies that cannot balance high resolution and high coverage detection is solved, and the technical effect of improving the detection resolution and coverage of the millimeter wave radar system is achieved.​

[0041] Figure 2 is a working timing diagram of the millimeter wave radar according to the first embodiment of the present application, as Figure 2 shown, in some embodiments, the radio frequency switch 20 includes a first output end and a second output end, wherein the first output end is connected with the first transmitting antenna 301, and the second output end is connected with the second transmitting antenna 302; in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches a first preset value within a preset working period, the radio frequency switch 20 is used to control the first output end to be conductive with the input end of the radio frequency switch 20, so as to make the first transmitting antenna 301 emit the unit waveform signals outward; in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches a second preset value within a preset working period, the radio frequency switch 20 is used to control the second output end to be conductive with the input end of the radio frequency switch 20, so as to make the second transmitting antenna 302 emit the unit waveform signals outward.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the emission sequence of the transmitting antenna 30 can be controlled according to the high and low level state of the radio frequency switch 20, for example, the radio frequency switch 20 is high level when controlling the first transmitting antenna 301 to emit the unit waveform signals outward, and the radio frequency switch 20 is low level when controlling the second transmitting antenna 302 to emit the unit waveform signals outward, wherein in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches the first preset value within a preset working period, the radio frequency switch 20 is high level; in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches the second preset value within a preset working period, the radio frequency switch 20 is low level.

[0043] In the present embodiment, a preset number of unit waveform signals can constitute a preset working period, as Figure 2 shown, the unit waveform signal is a waveform signal rising at each frequency, and two unit waveform signals can constitute a working period, in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches one within a working period (i.e. the first preset value), the radio frequency switch 20 controls the first output end to be conductive with the input end of the radio frequency switch 20, so as to make the first transmitting antenna 301 emit the unit waveform signals outward; in the case that the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches two within a working period (i.e. the second preset value), the radio frequency switch 20 controls the second output end to be conductive with the input end of the radio frequency switch 20, so as to make the second transmitting antenna 302 emit the unit waveform signals outward, so as to make the unit waveform signals sent by the millimeter wave radar chip 10 take turns to be emitted through the two transmitting antennas 30.

[0044] In the above embodiments, the unit waveform signal can also be a set of pulse signals, a set of Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals, or the like, and the preset working period can include one or more unit waveform signals.

[0045] Figure 3 is a structural block diagram of the millimeter wave radar according to the second embodiment of the present application, as Figure 3 shown, in some embodiments, the millimeter wave radar chip 10 can include four receiving channels 102 and two transmitting channels 101, each receiving channel 102 is connected with a receiving antenna 40, each transmitting channel 101 is connected with a radio frequency switch 20, and each radio frequency switch 20 is connected with two transmitting antennas 30, wherein the first radio frequency switch 201 is connected with the first transmitting antenna 301 and the second transmitting antenna 302, and the second radio frequency switch 202 is connected with the third transmitting antenna 303 and the fourth transmitting antenna 304.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the output end of the radio frequency switch 20 is connected with the transmitting antenna 30 through the first radio frequency signal line, and the length of the first radio frequency signal line connected with the output end of each radio frequency switch 20 is equal; the output end of the transmitting channel 101 is connected with the input end of the radio frequency switch 20 through the second radio frequency signal line, and the length of the second radio frequency signal line connected with the output end of each transmitting channel 101 is equal, so as to ensure that the unit waveform signal transmitted by the millimeter wave radar chip 10 can be transmitted to each transmitting antenna 30 in real time and synchronously.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the millimeter wave radar can include a plurality of radio frequency switches 20, and the millimeter wave radar chip 10 is further configured to send the unit waveform signal to each radio frequency switch 20 simultaneously by using the transmitting channel 101.

[0048] Figure 4 is a working timing diagram of the millimeter wave radar according to the second embodiment of the present application, as Figure 4 shown, the working period of the first radio frequency switch 201 and the second radio frequency switch 202 is the time length occupied by two unit waveform signals, and the millimeter wave radar chip 10 supports multi-channel real-time transmission, thereby realizing beamforming.

[0049] As Figure 4 shown, in one working period, the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches a time (i.e., the first preset value), the first radio frequency switch 201 controls the first transmitting antenna 301 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the second radio frequency switch 202 controls the third transmitting antenna 303 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward.

[0050] As Figure 4As shown, when the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmission channel 101 reaches two (i.e., the second preset value) in one working cycle, the first radio frequency switch 201 controls the second transmission antenna 302 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the second radio frequency switch 202 controls the fourth transmission antenna 304 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the millimeter wave radar chip 10 can send unit waveform signals to each radio frequency switch 20 simultaneously by using two transmission channels 101, and the first radio frequency switch 201 and the second radio frequency switch 202 make the first transmission antenna 301 and the third transmission antenna 303 and the second transmission antenna 302 and the fourth transmission antenna 304 transmit unit waveform signals alternately, so as to realize beamforming.

[0052] Figure 5 is a structural block diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to the third embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the millimeter wave radar chip 10 can include four receiving channels 102 and three transmission channels 101, each receiving channel 102 is connected with a receiving antenna 40, each transmission channel 101 is connected with a radio frequency switch 20, and each radio frequency switch 20 is connected with two transmission antennas 30, wherein the first radio frequency switch 201 is connected with the first transmission antenna 301 and the fourth transmission antenna 304, the second radio frequency switch 202 is connected with the second transmission antenna 302 and the fifth transmission antenna 305, and the third radio frequency switch 203 is connected with the third transmission antenna 303 and the sixth transmission antenna 306.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the millimeter wave radar system supporting 3 transmission and 4 reception is expanded to a millimeter wave radar system supporting 6 transmission and 4 reception by using three radio frequency switches 20.

[0054] In the present embodiment, according to the number of unit waveform signals, the transmission antenna 30 corresponding to the number of unit waveform signals in the plurality of transmission antennas 30 connected with each radio frequency switch 20 is determined as a working antenna, and a plurality of working antennas are obtained.

[0055] Figure 6 is an antenna arrangement diagram of a millimeter wave radar according to the third embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the first transmission antenna 301, the second transmission antenna 302, the fourth transmission antenna 304 and the sixth transmission antenna 305 form a horizontal antenna array, the second transmission antenna 302, the third transmission antenna 303 and the fifth transmission antenna 305 form a vertical antenna array, and the interval between the first transmission antenna and the second transmission antenna is equal to the interval between the second transmission antenna and the third transmission antenna.

[0056] In the embodiment, a first preset number of working antennas can be selected from the plurality of working antennas as a first group of working antennas, and a second preset number of working antennas can be selected from the plurality of working antennas as a second group of working antennas; the time interval of the first group of working antennas emitting unit waveform signals is adjusted, and the first group of working antennas adjusted is used to emit unit waveform signals outward according to a preset emission sequence; the second preset number of the second group of working antennas is adjusted, and the second group of working antennas adjusted is used to emit unit waveform signals outward according to a preset emission sequence.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6 The first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, and the third transmitting antenna 303 form an antenna array that can detect in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and there are only two transmitting antennas in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, that is, the first transmitting antenna 301 and the second transmitting antenna 302 exist in the horizontal direction, and the second transmitting antenna 302 and the third transmitting antenna 303 exist in the vertical direction.

[0058] In the embodiment, the first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, and the third transmitting antenna 303 can be used as a first group of working antennas and used individually through the first radio frequency switch configuration. At this time, more groups of unit waveform signals can be emitted by the first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, and the third transmitting antenna 303 to increase the speed detection resolution and the speed detection coverage.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6 The first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, the third transmitting antenna 303, the fourth transmitting antenna 304, the fifth transmitting antenna 305, and the sixth transmitting antenna 306 form an antenna array that can detect in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and there are four transmitting antennas in the horizontal direction and three transmitting antennas in the vertical direction, that is, the first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, the fourth transmitting antenna 304, and the sixth transmitting antenna 306 exist in the horizontal direction, and the second transmitting antenna 302, the third transmitting antenna 303, and the fifth transmitting antenna 305 exist in the vertical direction.

[0060] In the embodiment, after the to-be-detected angle range or speed range is determined, the first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, the third transmitting antenna 303, the fourth transmitting antenna 304, the fifth transmitting antenna 305, and the sixth transmitting antenna 306 can be used as a second group of transmitting antennas and used through the second radio frequency switch configuration to form a 6-transmitting-4-receiving radar system and improve the angle detection resolution.

[0061] In the above embodiments, the transmitting antenna 30 of the millimeter-wave radar system can be switched to the first group of working antennas by controlling the radio frequency switch 20 through software program before the millimeter-wave radar chip 10 transmits the unit waveform signal, and switched to the second group of working antennas after the millimeter-wave radar chip 10 transmits the unit waveform signal, thereby achieving the purpose of expanding the transmitting antenna 30. The first preset number and the second preset number can be selected according to actual needs, and this application does not impose any restrictions on them.

[0062] Figure 7 This is a first operating timing diagram of a millimeter-wave radar according to a third embodiment of this application, as follows: Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, and the third transmitting antenna 303 can be used as the first group of working antennas. By adjusting the time interval of the transmitting unit waveform signals of the first group of working antennas, the unit waveform signals are transmitted outward by the adjusted first group of working antennas in a preset transmission sequence, thereby adjusting the velocity detection resolution and velocity detection range of the millimeter-wave radar system. For example, the first group of working antennas can transmit more unit waveform signals within a fixed period to increase the velocity detection resolution and velocity detection range of the millimeter-wave radar system.

[0063] like Figure 7 As shown, the working cycle of the first RF switch 201, the second RF switch 202, and the third RF switch 203 is the duration occupied by the three unit waveform signals. In one working cycle, when the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmitting channel 101 reaches one, the first RF switch 201 controls the first transmitting antenna 301 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the second RF switch 202 and the third RF switch 203 switch to low level and stop working.

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown, when the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmission channel 101 reaches two within one working cycle, the second RF switch 202 controls the second transmitting antenna 302 to transmit the unit waveform signals outward, and the first RF switch 201 and the third RF switch 203 switch to low level and stop working.

[0065] like Figure 7 As shown, when the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmission channel 101 reaches three within one working cycle, the third RF switch 203 controls the third transmitting antenna 303 to transmit the unit waveform signals outward, and the first RF switch 201 and the second RF switch 202 switch to low level and stop working.

[0066] In the embodiment, the first preset values corresponding to the first radio frequency switch 201, the second radio frequency switch 202 and the third radio frequency switch 203 are all different. Specifically, the first preset value of the first radio frequency switch 201 is 1; the first preset value of the second radio frequency switch 202 is 2; and the first preset value of the third radio frequency switch 203 is 3.

[0067] In the embodiment, for the radar speed measurement function, the more the unit waveform signals transmitted in the fixed period, the higher the speed detection resolution; and the shorter the time interval of the unit waveform signals transmitted in the fixed period, the larger the speed detection range.

[0068] In the above embodiment, by controlling the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the certain transmitting antenna 30 or the multiple transmitting antennas 30 in the fixed period, the speed detection resolution and the speed detection range of the millimeter wave radar system can be adaptively adjusted.

[0069] Figure 8 is a second working timing diagram of the millimeter wave radar according to the third embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 8 In some embodiments, the working period of the first radio frequency switch 201, the second radio frequency switch 202 and the third radio frequency switch 203 is six time lengths occupied by the unit waveform signals. When the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmitting channel 101 reaches one in a working period, the first radio frequency switch 201 controls the first transmitting antenna 301 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the second radio frequency switch 202 and the third radio frequency switch 203 are switched to the low level to stop working.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8 When the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmitting channel 101 reaches two in a working period, the second radio frequency switch 202 controls the second transmitting antenna 302 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the first radio frequency switch 201 and the third radio frequency switch 203 are switched to the low level to stop working.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8 When the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmitting channel 101 reaches three in a working period, the third radio frequency switch 203 controls the third transmitting antenna 303 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the first radio frequency switch 201 and the second radio frequency switch 202 are switched to the low level to stop working.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8 When the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmitting channel 101 reaches four in a working period, the first radio frequency switch 201 controls the fourth transmitting antenna 304 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the second radio frequency switch 202 and the third radio frequency switch 203 are switched to the low level to stop working.

[0073] As Figure 8 shown in FIG. 8, when the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches five in one working cycle, the second radio frequency switch 202 controls the fifth transmitting antenna 305 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the first radio frequency switch 201 and the third radio frequency switch 203 are switched to the low level and stop working.

[0074] As Figure 8 shown in FIG. 9, when the number of unit waveform signals sent by the transmitting channel 101 reaches six in one working cycle, the third radio frequency switch 203 controls the sixth transmitting antenna 306 to transmit the unit waveform signal outward, and the first radio frequency switch 201 and the second radio frequency switch 202 are switched to the low level and stop working.

[0075] In the embodiment, the first preset values corresponding to the first radio frequency switch 201, the second radio frequency switch 202 and the third radio frequency switch 203 are all different, and the second preset values corresponding to the first radio frequency switch 201, the second radio frequency switch 202 and the third radio frequency switch 203 are also different. Specifically, the first preset value of the first radio frequency switch 201 is 1, and the second preset value is 4; the first preset value of the second radio frequency switch 202 is 2, and the second preset value is 5; the first preset value of the third radio frequency switch 203 is 3, and the second preset value is 6.

[0076] In the embodiment, for the radar angle measurement function, the more the number of transmitting antennas 30 sending unit waveform signals under the same antenna spacing, the higher the corresponding angle detection resolution; the shorter the antenna spacing of the transmitting antennas 30 under the same number, the larger the corresponding angle detection range.

[0077] Through the above embodiment, the six transmitting antennas 30 of the millimeter wave radar system can take turns to transmit unit waveform signals, and the first transmitting antenna 301, the second transmitting antenna 302, the third transmitting antenna 303, the fourth transmitting antenna 304, the fifth transmitting antenna 305 and the sixth transmitting antenna 306 can be used as the second group of working antennas. By adjusting the second preset number of the second group of working antennas, the second group of working antennas are used to transmit unit waveform signals according to the preset transmission order, so as to adjust the angle detection resolution of the millimeter wave radar system. For example, the setting of the third radio frequency switch 203 can be modified to make the sixth transmitting antenna 306 always not work, so that only five transmitting antennas 30 take turns to transmit unit waveform signals, so as to adjust the angle detection resolution of the millimeter wave radar system.

[0078] Figure 9 The flowchart of the antenna switching method of the millimeter wave radar according to the embodiment of the application is shown in FIG. 10, which comprises the following steps. Figure 9

[0079] ​Step S801, obtain a unit waveform signal sent by a transmitting channel of a millimeter wave radar chip.

[0080] Step S802, in a preset working period, determine, according to the number of unit waveform signals, a transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of unit waveform signals from a plurality of transmitting antennas connected with a radio frequency switch as a working antenna.

[0081] Step S803, control the working antenna and the output end of the transmitting channel to be conductive by using the radio frequency switch, so that the working antenna transmits the unit waveform signal outward.

[0082] In some embodiments, the millimeter wave radar chip includes a plurality of transmitting channels, and the output end of each transmitting channel is connected with a radio frequency switch; and determining, according to the number of unit waveform signals, a transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of unit waveform signals from a plurality of transmitting antennas connected with a radio frequency switch as a working antenna includes: determining, according to the number of unit waveform signals, a transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of unit waveform signals from a plurality of transmitting antennas connected with each radio frequency switch as a working antenna, to obtain a plurality of working antennas.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method further includes: transmitting the unit waveform signal outward by using the plurality of working antennas simultaneously, or transmitting the unit waveform signal outward by using the plurality of working antennas according to a preset transmission sequence.

[0084] In some embodiments, transmitting the unit waveform signal outward by using the plurality of working antennas according to the preset transmission sequence includes: selecting a first preset number of working antennas from the plurality of working antennas as a first group of working antennas, and selecting a second preset number of working antennas from the plurality of working antennas as a second group of working antennas; adjusting the time interval of the first group of working antennas transmitting the unit waveform signal, and transmitting the unit waveform signal outward by using the adjusted first group of working antennas according to the preset transmission sequence; adjusting the second preset number of the second group of working antennas, and transmitting the unit waveform signal outward by using the adjusted second group of working antennas according to the preset transmission sequence.

[0085] In this embodiment, the millimeter wave radar system can transmit the unit waveform signal by using the second group of working antennas through the configuration of the radio frequency switch, at this time the radio frequency switch can be in a straight-through state of a certain antenna or in a switching state between the connected antennas.

[0086] In this embodiment, the millimeter wave radar system can transmit by using the first group of working antennas by controlling the transmission time interval or the transmission times of the unit waveform signal.

[0087] In the above embodiments, the millimeter-wave radar system can calculate the angle range to be precisely detected based on the received signal, which generally includes potential detection targets, strong reflection signals, key areas of interest in the application scenario, etc. In addition, it can also determine the speed range to be precisely detected.

[0088] In some embodiments, the millimeter-wave radar chip can support beamforming, and the beamforming vector can be configured to be aligned with the angle range to be precisely detected, with each element of the beamforming vector corresponding to a transmitting antenna.

[0089] In this embodiment, the first set of working antennas can correspond to detection methods with low angular resolution, high velocity resolution, and coverage, while the second set of working antennas can correspond to detection methods with high angular resolution, low velocity resolution, and coverage. First, by configuring an RF switch, the first set of working antennas can be used to perform a wide-range search to detect the velocity range and velocity range of interest (corresponding to the target to be detected). Then, an RF switch can be configured here, and the second set of working antennas can be used for high-precision detection.

[0090] Through the above embodiments, the millimeter-wave radar system can adjust the number of transmitting antennas in the second group of working antennas by configuring radio frequency switches, and use the adjusted second group of working antennas to transmit unit waveform signals. The millimeter-wave radar system can also adjust the transmission time interval or transmission number of the control unit waveform signal, and use the adjusted first group of working antennas to transmit unit waveform signals, so as to achieve the technical effect of adaptively adjusting the angle detection resolution and velocity detection resolution.

[0091] It should be noted that the specific examples in this embodiment can refer to the examples described in the above embodiments and optional implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0092] This embodiment also provides an electronic device. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 10 As shown, the electronic device includes a memory 904 and a processor 902. The memory 904 stores a computer program, and the processor 902 is configured to run the computer program to perform the steps in any of the above method embodiments.

[0093] Specifically, the processor 902 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that can be configured to implement the embodiments of this application.

[0094] The memory 904 can include a mass storage for data or instructions. By way of example, and without limitation, the memory 904 can include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), flash memory, a USB drive, a magneto-optical disk, a tape drive, a cassette drive, a Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) ROM, or a combination of two or more of these. The memory 904 can be removable and / or non-removable (or fixed) as appropriate. The memory 904 can be internal or external to the detection apparatus of the target abnormal behavior as appropriate. In particular embodiments, the memory 904 is a non-volatile memory. In particular embodiments, the memory 904 includes a Read-Only Memory (ROM) and a Random Access Memory (RAM). The ROM can be a mask-programmed ROM, a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), an Electrically Alterable ROM (EAROM), or a FLASH, or a combination of two or more of these, as appropriate. The RAM can be a Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM) or a Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM), which can be a Fast Page Mode Dynamic Random-Access Memory (FPMDRAM), an Extended Data Output Dynamic Random-Access Memory (EDODRAM), a Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM), or the like, as appropriate.

[0095] The memory 904 can be used to store or buffer various data files needed for processing and / or communication, and possible computer program instructions executed by the processor 902.

[0096] The processor 902 realizes any one of the millimeter wave radars in the above embodiments by reading and executing the computer program instructions stored in the memory 904.

[0097] Optionally, the electronic device described above can further include a transmission device 906 connected with the processor 902 and an input / output device 908 connected with the processor 902.

[0098] Optionally, in the embodiment, the processor 902 can be configured to perform the following steps by computer program:

[0099] S1, obtaining a unit waveform signal sent by a transmitting channel of a millimeter wave radar chip.

[0100] S2, in a preset working period, determining, according to the number of unit waveform signals, a transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of unit waveform signals in a plurality of transmitting antennas connected with a radio frequency switch as a working antenna.

[0101] S3, controlling the working antenna and the output end of the transmitting channel to be conductive by using the radio frequency switch, so that the working antenna emits the unit waveform signal outward.

[0102] It should be noted that the specific examples in the embodiment can refer to the examples described in the above embodiments and optional implementation manners, and the embodiment will not be described here.

[0103] In addition, in combination with the millimeter wave radar in the above embodiments, the present embodiment can provide a storage medium for implementation. The storage medium has a computer program stored thereon; the computer program is executed by a processor to realize any one of the millimeter wave radars in the above embodiments.

[0104] Those skilled in the art should understand that the technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way, and in order to make the description concise, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are not described, however, as long as the combinations of the technical features do not exist contradictory, it should be considered that it is within the scope of the present application.

[0105] The above embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present application, and the description is more specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the scope of the present application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, some modifications and improvements can be made, which are all within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A millimeter wave radar, characterized by, The millimeter-wave radar includes: a millimeter-wave radar chip, an radio frequency switch, a transmitting antenna, and a receiving antenna; wherein... The millimeter-wave radar chip includes at least one transmit channel and at least one receive channel. The input of each receive channel is directly connected to a receiving antenna, and the output of each transmit channel is connected to the input of a radio frequency switch. The radio frequency switch includes multiple output terminals, and each output terminal of the radio frequency switch is connected to a transmitting antenna. The millimeter-wave radar chip is used to transmit unit waveform signals to the radio frequency switch through the transmission channel to adjust the operating timing of each transmitting antenna connected to the radio frequency switch. Within a preset working cycle, based on the number of unit waveform signals, the transmitting antenna among the multiple transmitting antennas connected to the RF switch that corresponds to the number of unit waveform signals is determined as the working antenna.

2. The millimeter wave radar of claim 1, wherein, The output terminal of the radio frequency switch is connected to the transmitting antenna through a first radio frequency signal line, and the length of the first radio frequency signal line connected to the output terminal of each radio frequency switch is equal. The output terminal of the transmission channel is connected to the input terminal of the radio frequency switch via a second radio frequency signal line. In the case that the millimeter-wave radar chip includes multiple transmission channels, the length of the second radio frequency signal line connected to the output terminal of each transmission channel is equal.

3. The millimeter wave radar of claim 1, wherein, The radio frequency switch includes a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal is connected to a first transmitting antenna and the second output terminal is connected to a second transmitting antenna. If the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmitting channel reaches a first preset value within a preset working cycle, the radio frequency switch is used to control the first output terminal to be connected to the input terminal of the radio frequency switch, so that the first transmitting antenna transmits the unit waveform signal outward. If the number of unit waveform signals transmitted by the transmitting channel reaches a second preset value within a preset working cycle, the radio frequency switch is used to control the second output terminal to be connected to the input terminal of the radio frequency switch, so that the second transmitting antenna transmits the unit waveform signal outward.

4. The millimeter wave radar of claim 3, wherein, A preset number of unit waveform signals constitute the preset working cycle.

5. The millimeter-wave radar according to claim 1, characterized in that, The millimeter-wave radar includes multiple radio frequency switches, and the millimeter-wave radar chip is used to simultaneously send unit waveform signals to multiple radio frequency switches using the transmission channel.

6. The millimeter-wave radar according to claim 5, characterized in that, The millimeter-wave radar includes a first radio frequency switch, a second radio frequency switch, and a third radio frequency switch, wherein, The output terminal of the first RF switch is connected to the first transmitting antenna and the fourth transmitting antenna, respectively; the output terminal of the second RF switch is connected to the second transmitting antenna and the fifth transmitting antenna, respectively; and the output terminal of the third RF switch is connected to the third transmitting antenna and the sixth transmitting antenna, respectively. The first transmitting antenna, the second transmitting antenna, the fourth transmitting antenna, and the sixth transmitting antenna form a horizontal antenna array, and the second transmitting antenna, the third transmitting antenna, and the fifth transmitting antenna form a vertical antenna array. The spacing between the first transmitting antenna and the second transmitting antenna is equal to the spacing between the second transmitting antenna and the third transmitting antenna.

7. An antenna switching method for millimeter-wave radar, applied to the millimeter-wave radar according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method includes: Acquire the unit waveform signal transmitted by the transmission channel of the millimeter-wave radar chip; Within a preset working cycle, based on the number of unit waveform signals, the transmitting antenna corresponding to the number of unit waveform signals among the multiple transmitting antennas connected to the RF switch is determined as the working antenna; The radio frequency switch is used to control the working antenna to be connected to the output terminal of the transmitting channel, so that the working antenna can transmit the unit waveform signal outward.

8. The antenna switching method for millimeter-wave radar according to claim 7, characterized in that, The millimeter-wave radar chip includes multiple transmission channels, and the output of each transmission channel is connected to an RF switch. Based on the number of unit waveform signals, the transmitting antennas among the multiple transmitting antennas connected to the RF switch that correspond to the number of unit waveform signals are determined as the working antennas, including: Based on the number of unit waveform signals, the transmitting antennas that correspond to the number of unit waveform signals among the multiple transmitting antennas connected to each of the RF switches are determined as working antennas, thus obtaining multiple working antennas.

9. The antenna switching method for millimeter-wave radar according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The unit waveform signal is transmitted outward simultaneously using multiple working antennas, or the unit waveform signal is transmitted outward according to a preset transmission sequence using multiple working antennas.

10. The antenna switching method for millimeter-wave radar according to claim 8, characterized in that, Transmitting the unit waveform signal outward using multiple working antennas in a preset transmission sequence includes: A first preset number of working antennas are selected from the plurality of working antennas as a first group of working antennas, and a second preset number of working antennas are selected from the plurality of working antennas as a second group of working antennas; Adjust the time interval for transmitting the unit waveform signal using the first set of working antennas, and then use the adjusted first set of working antennas to transmit the unit waveform signal outward in a preset transmission sequence; Adjust the second preset number of the second group of working antennas, and use the adjusted second group of working antennas to transmit the unit waveform signal outward in a preset transmission sequence.

11. An electronic device comprising a memory and a processor, characterized in that, The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to perform the antenna switching method for the millimeter-wave radar according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

12. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the antenna switching method of the millimeter-wave radar according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

Images