Millimeter wave radar antenna cover embedded with carbon nanotubes and millimeter wave radar system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a radome for a millimeter wave radar and a millimeter wave radar system with the radome. The radome for a millimeter wave radar system includes a member that is transparent to millimeter waves and non-conductive, and carbon nanotubes embedded in the member. The arrangement of the carbon nanotubes in the member makes the radome transparent to millimeter wave frequency signals, and the arrangement is adjusted to suppress specific external radio frequency signals from interfering.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of millimeter wave, and in particular, to an antenna cover of a millimeter wave radar and a millimeter wave radar system with the antenna cover. BACKGROUND

[0002] Millimeter wave (mmWave) radar technology is a cornerstone of rapidly developing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles, and is also widely used in smart home and smart building fields, and even used to monitor human vital signs and detect the presence of personnel. These radars operate in the millimeter wave spectrum of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, providing high-resolution detection capabilities for objects, which are critical for collision avoidance and precise navigation in complex environments.

[0003] With the development of technology, integrated millimeter wave radar systems have become an indispensable part. These systems use high-frequency waves to detect objects at various distances and speeds, which have obvious advantages over traditional sensors such as cameras or infrared sensors, which can be affected by fog, rain, or low-light environmental conditions.

[0004] However, the deployment of millimeter wave radar systems brings specific challenges, especially regarding the problem of radio frequency interference (RFI). Radio frequency interference sources can severely degrade radar performance, resulting in reduced or failed accuracy in object detection. Such interference often comes from various electronic devices, other vehicles equipped with communication devices, and even industrial sources, as well as various objects in smart home / smart building, especially metal objects, which can cause radio frequency interference.

[0005] The above information disclosed in the background section is only intended to strengthen the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore it can include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. SUMMARY

[0006] In view of the above, the present disclosure provides an antenna cover of a millimeter wave radar and a millimeter wave radar system with the antenna cover.

[0007] Other characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or will be learned by practice of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna cover of a millimeter wave radar system is provided, characterized by comprising: a member transparent to millimeter waves and non-conductive; and carbon nanotubes embedded in the member; wherein the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes in the member makes the antenna cover transparent to millimeter wave frequency signals, and the arrangement is adjusted to correspond to specific external radio frequency signals to suppress interference from the specific external radio frequency signals.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said member is comprised of polyethylene terephthalate, polyetherimide or a combination of both.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said arrangement of said carbon nanotubes in said member includes concentration, distribution and / or alignment of said carbon nanotubes.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said arrangement of said carbon nanotubes is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, said adjustment is achieved by applying an external electric field to said member.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said arrangement of said carbon nanotubes is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, said adjustment is achieved by applying an external electric field to said member.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said arrangement of said carbon nanotubes is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, said adjustment is achieved by applying an external electric field to said member.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said carbon nanotubes are functionalized by magnetic nanoparticles, said arrangement of said carbon nanotubes is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, said adjustment is achieved by applying an external magnetic field to said member

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said carbon nanotubes form an interconnected conductive network within said member.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said arrangement of the orientation and distribution of said carbon nanotubes within said member results in an anisotropy in the electromagnetic properties of said member.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said arrangement of said carbon nanotubes is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, said adjustment is achieved by changing the temperature of said member.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said carbon nanotubes are comprised of single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes or a combination of both.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein said radome is intended to provide effective radio frequency interference shielding in the frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, further comprising a sensor system integrated into said radome to monitor said specific external radio frequency signals.

[0021] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a millimeter wave radar system is provided, which includes the radome of the present disclosure.

[0022] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radome according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radome according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radome according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radar system according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments may, however, be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of example embodiments to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0029] Moreover, described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques described herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, devices, systems, implementations, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] The block diagrams illustrated in the drawings are merely functional entities, and do not necessarily have to correspond to physically independent entities. That is, the functional entities can be implemented in the form of software, or in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0031] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. Thus, a first component discussed below could be termed a second component without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure concept. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] Those skilled in the art can understand that the modules or flows in the drawings are only schematic diagrams of example embodiments, and thus cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radome according to an example embodiment.

[0034] As Figure 1 shown, the radome of a millimeter wave radar system according to the present disclosure includes a member 110 that is transparent to millimeter waves and not conductive; and carbon nanotubes 120 embedded in the member 110; wherein the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes 120 in the member 110 makes the radome transparent to millimeter wave frequency signals, and the arrangement is adjusted correspondingly to specific external radio frequency signals to suppress interference of the specific external radio frequency signals. As Figure 1 shown in FIG. 1, although the reference numeral 120 only points to one carbon nanotube, it should be understood that this is only for illustration purposes, and there can be multiple or even many carbon nanotubes in the member 110.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the member 110 being transparent to millimeter waves means that when a millimeter wave signal passes through the member 110, its electromagnetic properties are not affected or are very slightly affected, including signal strength attenuation, radiation direction change, polarization direction, etc. High transparency to millimeter waves can be achieved by selecting a material with appropriate dielectric constant as the member. In addition, the member 110 can be transparent or not transparent to visible light, and can have different colors, which can be adapted to the installation environment of the millimeter wave radar.

[0036] Although the millimeter wave radar cover shown in Figure 1 is rectangular, it should be understood that the millimeter wave radar cover of the present disclosure can be of any shape, which can be adapted according to the appearance and performance needs of the radar.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the carbon nanotubes 120 of the embedded member 110 can be arranged in a number of ways, and the relative positions and the like of the plurality of carbon nanotubes can be arranged according to the performance requirements of the millimeter wave radar to achieve the purpose of suppressing external radio frequency interference and maintaining the best transparency to the millimeter wave radar frequency.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the millimeter wave radar operates in the 40 GHz frequency band, the carbon nanotubes 120 can be arranged so that the millimeter wave signals in this frequency band can pass through the radome with the least influence, while the signals in other frequency bands are attenuated to the greatest extent by the radome, thereby shielding and reducing the interference of signals in other frequency bands on the millimeter wave radar and improving the detection performance of the millimeter wave radar.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the member 110 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyetherimide (PEI), or a combination of the two. The member 110 can use high-quality, durable non-conductive polymers that are selected for their excellent transparency and environmental resistance. These materials can be selected for their mechanical stability and minimal impact on radar signal transmission. The member 110 can be composed of one or more of these two or other suitable materials and can be arranged according to different environmental requirements and electromagnetic conditions.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes 120 in the member 110 includes the concentration, distribution, and / or alignment of the carbon nanotubes.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the concentration of the carbon nanotubes 120 refers to the number of carbon nanotubes per unit volume, such as 5000 carbon nanotubes per cubic millimeter in the member 110, and in another example, 10000 carbon nanotubes per cubic millimeter.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution of the carbon nanotubes 120 refers to the fact that the concentration of the carbon nanotubes 120 at different positions in the member 110 can be different, and the arrangement can also be different. For example, the concentration of the carbon nanotubes 120 at a first position in the member 110 is 5000 per cubic millimeter, and the concentration of the carbon nanotubes 120 at a second position is 10000 per cubic millimeter. In another example, the carbon nanotubes 120 at a third position in the member 110 are randomly cloud-shaped, while the carbon nanotubes 120 at a fourth position in the member 110 are arranged in concentric circles in the x and y directions and are uniformly spaced in the z direction. According to different electromagnetic characteristic requirements and radio frequency interference elimination requirements, the distribution of the carbon nanotubes 120 in the member 110 can also have other forms.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the alignment of the carbon nanotubes 120 in the member 110 can be the same or different. For example, some carbon nanotubes are aligned in the x-axis direction, while others are aligned in the y-axis direction. The alignment of the carbon nanotubes 120 in the member 110 can also have other forms according to different electromagnetic property requirements and radio frequency interference elimination requirements.

[0044] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave antenna cover according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2 , in the antenna cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes 220 is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, and the adjustment is achieved by applying an external electric field to the member 210.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device 230 and / or the device 240 are included to dynamically adjust the electromagnetic properties of the antenna cover. For example, the device 230 and the device 240 can apply a voltage to the antenna cover body to form an external electric field, and the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes 220 embedded in the member 210 responds to the external electric field to change the concentration, distribution, and / or alignment, so that the electromagnetic properties of the entire antenna cover change, such as the wavelength of the radio frequency interference to be shielded shifts, etc.

[0047] In the antenna cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes 220 responds to the external electric field by realigning or redistributing.

[0048] For example, the carbon nanotubes are originally aligned with respect to the x-axis, and after the device 230 and the device 240 apply a first external electric field, the carbon nanotubes change to be aligned with respect to the y-axis. In another example, the concentration and distribution of the carbon nanotubes 220 can also change with the operation of the device 230 and / or the device 240.

[0049] In the antenna cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes 220 is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, and the adjustment is achieved by applying an external mechanical force to the member 210 to change the alignment and concentration of the carbon nanotubes 220 in the member 210.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2 , the device 230 and / or the device 240 can apply mechanical pressure to the antenna cover member 210, such as the two devices being close to each other, thereby extruding the member 210, causing the alignment, concentration, and distribution of the carbon nanotubes 210 in the member 210 to change, which will cause the electromagnetic properties of the antenna cover to change, for example, the dielectric constant of the antenna cover changes, thereby adjusting the radio frequency interference shielding performance of the antenna cover.

[0051] In a radome according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, carbon nanotubes 210 are functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles, and the arrangement of the carbon nanotubes 210 is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, which is achieved by applying an external magnetic field to the components 210.

[0052] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, devices 230 and 240 apply a magnetic field to the radome. In response to the magnetic field, the alignment, concentration, and distribution of carbon nanotubes 210 functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles in component 210 change. Such changes cause changes in the electromagnetic properties of the radome, such as a change in the dielectric constant of the radome, thereby adjusting the radio frequency interference shielding performance of the radome.

[0053] In a radome according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, carbon nanotubes 220 form an interconnected conductive network within component 210.

[0054] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, carbon nanotubes 220, due to their sufficiently high concentration and close proximity, will form a network with varying degrees of conductivity, altering the electromagnetic properties of the radome, such as the dielectric constant, thereby enhancing or changing the radome's radio frequency interference shielding performance, for example, causing a shift in the wavelength of the shielded radio frequency interference.

[0055] In a radome according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement of the orientation and distribution of carbon nanotubes 220 within component 210 causes the electromagnetic properties of component 210 to exhibit anisotropy.

[0056] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the orientation and distribution of carbon nanotubes 220 within component 210 can result in different electrical conductivity and / or electromagnetic properties in the x-axis and y-axis directions, thereby providing customized electromagnetic response and / or radio frequency interference shielding performance in the x-axis and y-axis directions. For example, shielding against 20 GHz radio frequency interference is best in the x-axis direction, while shielding against 25 GHz radio frequency interference is best in the y-axis direction.

[0057] In a radome according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement of carbon nanotubes 220 is adjusted according to different external radio frequency signals, the adjustment being achieved by changing the temperature of component 210.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, device 230 and / or device 240 can heat or cool component 210, causing component 210 to expand or contract in volume, thereby affecting the concentration, distribution and alignment direction of carbon nanotubes 220, or further affecting the expansion or contraction of carbon nanotube network. The dielectric properties of the radome can be changed as a result, thereby enhancing or changing the radio frequency interference shielding performance of the radome, such as causing the shielded radio frequency interference wavelength to shift.

[0059] In an antenna cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the carbon nanotubes 220 are single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, or a combination of both. For example, the carbon nanotubes 220 can all be single-walled carbon nanotubes, or all be multi-walled carbon nanotubes. In another example, the ratio of single-walled carbon nanotubes to multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotubes 220 is 50 / 50, while in another example the ratio can be 20 / 80. The dielectric properties of the antenna cover can thus be varied, thereby enhancing or changing the radio frequency interference shielding properties of the antenna cover, such as a shift in the wavelengths of radio frequency interference that are shielded, etc.

[0060] In an antenna cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna cover is intended to provide effective radio frequency interference shielding in a frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. In another example, the radio frequency interference shielding range can be narrowed to 40 GHz to 90 GHz.

[0061] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave antenna cover according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3 , in an antenna cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor system 350 is further integrated into the antenna cover to monitor specific external radio frequency signals.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor system 350 can be a radio frequency detector for monitoring radio frequency interference in the environment in which the millimeter wave radar is located. For example, the sensor system 350 can find that the radio frequency interference at 35 GHz is more serious, and thus notify the control device, which can send a signal to the devices 330 and / or 340 to adjust the arrangement of the concentration, distribution, and alignment of the carbon nanotubes 320 in the antenna member 310 through electric field, magnetic field, mechanical, or thermal effects, etc., thereby enhancing or changing the radio frequency interference shielding properties of the antenna cover, such as a shift in the wavelengths of radio frequency interference that are shielded to the 35 GHz frequency point, etc.

[0064] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radar system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4 , a millimeter wave radar system 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an antenna cover 490 of the present disclosure.

[0066] Although in Figure 4The millimeter wave radar 460 is shown by the solid line circle, it should be understood that the illustration is exemplary, because the radar 460 is covered by the radome 490, it can not be visible to the outside world under visible light conditions. Moreover, the radar 460 can be any shape, not just the circular shape in the illustration.

[0067] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above-mentioned modules can be distributed in the device according to the description of the embodiment, and can also be changed in one or more devices different from the embodiment. The modules of the above-mentioned embodiment can be combined into one module, or can be further split into multiple sub-modules.

[0068] Through the above description of the embodiment, those skilled in the art can easily understand that the example embodiments described herein can be implemented by software, or by software combined with necessary hardware. Therefore, the operation process of the technical solution according to the embodiment of the disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a U disk, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or a network, including a plurality of instructions to make a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a mobile terminal, or a network device, etc.) execute the method according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

[0069] The above specifically shows and describes the example embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the detailed structure, arrangement or implementation method described herein; on the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A radome for a millimeter-wave radar system, characterized in that, include: Components that are transparent to millimeter waves and non-conductive; and Carbon nanotubes embedded in the component; as well as Two devices for dynamically adjusting the electromagnetic characteristics of the radome; The arrangement of the carbon nanotubes in the component makes the radome transparent to millimeter-wave frequency signals, and the carbon nanotubes form an interconnected conductive network within the component. An external electric field is applied to the radome using the two devices, causing the arrangement of carbon nanotubes in the component to respond to the external electric field, resulting in changes in concentration, distribution, and alignment. Mechanical pressure is applied to the components in the radome using the two devices, causing changes in the alignment, concentration, and distribution of carbon nanotubes within the components. Carbon nanotubes are functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles. When a magnetic field is applied to the radome using the two devices, the carbon nanotubes functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles in the component respond to the magnetic field, causing changes in their alignment, concentration, and distribution; or The two devices are used to heat or cool the components in the radome, causing the components to expand or contract, thereby producing changes in concentration, distribution and alignment. This allows the arrangement to be adjusted relative to a specific external radio frequency signal in order to suppress interference from that specific external radio frequency signal.

2. The radome as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The component is made of polyethylene terephthalate, polyetherimide, or a combination of both.

3. The radome as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The arrangement of the carbon nanotubes therein responds to the external electric field by realigning or redistributing them within the member.

4. The radome as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The arrangement of the orientation and distribution of the carbon nanotubes within the component causes the electromagnetic properties of the component to be anisotropic.

5. The radome as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The carbon nanotubes mentioned therein are single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, or a combination of both.

6. The radome as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The radome is designed to provide effective radio frequency interference shielding in the frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

7. The radome as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a sensor system integrated into the radome to monitor the specific external radio frequency signal.

8. A millimeter-wave radar system comprising the radome as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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