Antenna arrangement for motor vehicle for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an antenna arrangement (2) for a motor vehicle (1) for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic radiation, comprising at least two sub-antenna groups (3), which are arranged at a predetermined first distance (5) from one another, each sub-antenna group (3) having at least one transmitting antenna (6) and at least one receiving antenna (7), a second distance (8) between the at least one transmitting antenna (6) and the at least one receiving antenna (7) is smaller than a predetermined first distance (5) between the sub-antenna groups (3). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an antenna device for emitting electromagnetic radiation for a motor vehicle, the device having at least two antenna subgroups, which are arranged at a predetermined first distance from one another. In addition, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a similar antenna device. Background Art

[0002] Antenna arrangements are known from the prior art which have a large number of antenna subgroups, such as transmitting antennas or receiving antennas. The construction of large-area distributed radar antennas has been based on the basic concept of distributed individual radiators. These individual radiators are distributed over the entire aperture according to special optimization methods. In this case, the transmitting and receiving antennas are arranged in a mixed manner.

[0003] This results in a powerful array, but the large number of connecting cables and optical fibers required has a disadvantageous effect. It has also been found that different types of EPIC chips (Electronic Photonic Integration Chips) must also be produced with this arrangement. Both cases lead to expensive systems and are therefore not preferred for economic reasons. In addition, the known solutions require more installation space and a greater weight.

[0004] Another disadvantage of the prior art is the challenge in calibrating the individual antenna positions of the distributed antenna array. The resulting phase ambiguity makes the calibration very expensive. There is also angular ambiguity combined with the ambiguity caused by the high side lobes in the antenna pattern. In addition, in the prior art, it is challenging to find the corresponding target peaks in a single spectrum and their association between different antennas. In addition, a large number of different hardware modules or corresponding EPIC chips are required, which makes it relatively unattractive. A complex system structure is also necessary.

[0005] Document DE 10 2019 134 304 A1 describes a radar system and a method for operating a radar system. The radar system comprises a plurality of transmitting antennas (which can be used to transmit radar signals to a surveillance area of ​​the radar system), a plurality of receiving antennas (which can be used to receive echoes of radar signals reflected in the surveillance area) and at least one antenna electronics unit, to which the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are connected in terms of signal technology via antenna input lines. At least some of the antennas are arranged in antenna groups. The respective phase centers of at least some of the antennas are arranged along at least one antenna orientation axis. The respective phase centers of at least some of the transmitting antennas are located on the same transmitting antenna orientation axis, and these transmitting antennas are arranged in a plurality of transmitting antenna groups each having at least two transmitting antennas. The transmission phase center distance between the phase centers of at least two transmitting antennas in a transmitting antenna group is smaller than the transmission group distance between the transmission group centers of adjacent transmitting antenna groups.

[0006] Document US2020 / 153 122A1 discloses an antenna group device, comprising a first antenna element and a second antenna element, wherein the first antenna element is arranged to form a first radiation pattern having a recessed section at the center of the first radiation pattern, and the second antenna element is arranged to form a second radiation pattern having a protruding section at the center of the second radiation pattern.

[0007] Document WO2014 / 004505A1 describes a device for determining the position of a target object using a dual-channel monopulse radar. The radar device may include two transmitting antennas and a common receiving antenna, which are arranged in a coplanar layout. The transmitting antennas may be positioned on the focal plane of the radar along a focal plane axis, which extends through and is perpendicular to the target axis of the radar. The transmitting antennas may be spaced apart from each other in a first dimension at a distance that is approximately equivalent to half the wavelength of the average operating frequency of the radar. In the second dimension, one of the transmitting antennas may be bent at an angle of theta1 relative to the target axis, and the other transmitting antenna may be bent at an angle of theta2 relative to the target axis. The transmitting antennas are not at cross-views with each other in the first dimension. Summary of the invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize an antenna device and a motor vehicle, by which a large aperture can be better realized for the motor vehicle.

[0009] The above technical problems are solved by an antenna device and a motor vehicle.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention relates to an antenna device for a motor vehicle for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic radiation, the device having at least two antenna subgroups, which are arranged at a predetermined first distance from each other.

[0011] It is provided that the respective antenna subgroup has at least one transmitting antenna and at least one receiving antenna, wherein a second distance between the at least one transmitting antenna and the at least one receiving antenna is smaller than a predetermined first distance between the antenna subgroups.

[0012] In particular, large antenna arrays can be realized by optimizing the arrangement of radar antennas, for example. It is advisable to group the antenna elements in a clever way into subgroups. This allows a reduction in the number of different components and thus the use of many common parts. In addition, the number of connecting lines can be reduced.

[0013] The invention therefore proposes in particular to combine at least one transmitting antenna and at least one receiving antenna in a subgroup to form a submodule.

[0014] For example, if at least two transmitting antennas and one receiving antenna, or two receiving antennas and one transmitting antenna, are installed, a single subgroup can achieve angle measurement. Angle clarity and angle resolution are very important here. Angle resolution is achieved by connecting multiple widely distributed subgroups to each other. The subgroup can be considered calibrated in any case in terms of its first approximation angle measurement characteristics. For each subgroup with a corresponding antenna, the required lead-in wire is less than that of a separately constructed antenna. For example, the subgroup can also be implemented with other numbers of antenna elements. The number of channels can be further varied, wherein the number of phases is proportional to the number of antennas. By grouping the subgroups, fewer antennas are to be installed than in the traditional configuration. This results in advantages in mass production. In addition, compared to previous methods, power consumption is also reduced by the subgroups. Data transmission can also be carried out on fewer phases. By multiplexing methods (such as IQ modulation and / or FDMA, TDMA, etc.) and optical circulators when necessary, the received data of multiple antennas or even the transmitted data and diagnostic and control information can be transmitted through one phase, and the complexity of the antenna device can be further reduced. The subgroups can also be designed as uniform arrays or non-uniform arrays here. A uniform antenna is understood here to mean an antenna configuration with equidistant antennas.

[0015] According to an advantageous design, the second distance corresponds essentially to half the wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation. In particular, the wavelength can be referred to as λ. Therefore, it is preferred to have a second distance of λ / 2. In particular, the individual antennas of the subgroup are realized at a distance of essentially λ / 2 in an advantageous design, where λ represents the wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation. However, it is also possible for a subgroup to be composed of a plurality of antennas of any number. These antennas can also be positioned in multiples of approximately λ / 2. Alternatively, the antennas can also be positioned at a distance of λ / 2 to a plurality of λ. This makes it possible to achieve reliable reception of electromagnetic radiation.

[0016] It has proven to be advantageous if the sub-antenna group has at least one second transmitting antenna and / or at least one second receiving antenna. In particular, the sub-antenna group therefore has at least three antennas. For example, two transmitting antennas and one receiving antenna and / or at least one transmitting antenna and two receiving antennas can be formed. This is particularly advantageous for achieving a correspondingly high angular resolution.

[0017] It has also proven to be advantageous that the corresponding transmitting antenna and / or the corresponding receiving antenna is designed as an electronic-photonic integrated chip. An electronic-photonic integrated chip (EPIC) is in particular a co-integration of electronic and photonic components, in which silicon photonics technology is used. This enables the monolithic integration of photonic structural elements, high-frequency electronic devices and digital electronic devices on the chip. It has the advantage in particular that gigahertz signals are transmitted via optical carrier signals in the infrared-terahertz frequency range. The central station generates the optical carrier frequency (terahertz) here. The signal to be transmitted, for example, with 1 / n of the radar frequency, is modulated to this frequency and sent to the corresponding antenna chip via an optimized optical fiber. Frequency doubling is performed on the chip so that the antenna chip can emit radiation in the original but doubled frequency form. Signal detection is performed in the opposite way. All data is processed at the central station. Therefore, a better antenna array can be provided.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least two antenna subgroups are connected to form a coherent antenna arrangement, which can thus reliably detect the environment, for example based on radar technology.

[0019] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the antenna device is designed for a communication device of a motor vehicle. For example, communication with a satellite can be possible based on the antenna device. The antenna device can thus be used in a highly flexible manner.

[0020] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the antenna device is designed for a radar device of a motor vehicle. For example, the radar device can in turn be designed for an assistance system of a motor vehicle. Better detection of the environment can be achieved, so that, for example, better at least partial assistance or full assistance operation can be achieved.

[0021] In another advantageous embodiment, the antenna subgroup has at least one transmitting antenna and three receiving antennas, which are advantageously mounted at a second distance, ideally at a distance of λ / 2. This directly results in the unambiguity in the angle measurement over 180°, which is required, for example, in the case of a radar system. By increasing the number of antennas, the accuracy is increased, especially in the azimuth angle measurement, and a signal-to-noise ratio gain is achieved compared to the prior art.

[0022] It has also proven to be advantageous if at least one subgroup is formed in a bumper of the motor vehicle and / or a window system of the motor vehicle and / or a roof system of the motor vehicle. The antenna device can thus be installed in a motor vehicle in a highly flexible manner, for example for communication or as a radar device for environmental detection. The antenna device can thus be used in a motor vehicle in a highly flexible manner.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle having at least one antenna arrangement according to the preceding aspect.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the antenna device are considered to be advantageous embodiments of the motor vehicle.

[0025] The invention even comprises combinations of features of the described embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention are described below. In the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic front view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle with an embodiment of an antenna device is shown;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the rear of a motor vehicle embodiment showing an antenna device embodiment;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle with an embodiment of an antenna device is shown;

[0030] Figure 4 A block diagram of an antenna device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0031] Figure 5 A block diagram schematically illustrates a subset of embodiments of an antenna arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, the components are respectively individual, mutually unrelated features of the present invention, which also improve the present invention independently of each other and thus also constitute components of the present invention individually or in a different manner than the combination shown. In addition, the embodiments can also be supplemented by other already described features of the present invention.

[0033] Elements with the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in each case in the figures.

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic front view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 is shown. In this embodiment, the motor vehicle 1 has at least one antenna device 2. In this embodiment, the motor vehicle 1 has at least three antenna devices 2. For example, the first antenna device can be arranged in the bumper of the motor vehicle 1, the second antenna device 2 can be arranged in the glass device of the motor vehicle 1 (here, for example, in the windshield of the motor vehicle 1), and the third antenna device 2 can be arranged on the roof of the motor vehicle 1.

[0035] also Figure 1 The antenna arrangement 2 is shown to have at least two subgroups 3. In particular, it is possible for the antenna arrangement 2 to have a plurality of, in particular more than two, subgroups 3.

[0036] Furthermore, it is shown that in the present exemplary embodiment the motor vehicle 1 has an assistance system 4. For example, the antenna device 2 can be designed as a radar device for the assistance system 4. Alternatively or additionally, the antenna device 2 can also be designed as a communication device for the motor vehicle 1, for example.

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a motor vehicle 1 is shown. In particular, it is shown here that a corresponding antenna arrangement 2 with a corresponding subgroup 3 can also be formed at the rear of the vehicle.

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 is shown. In particular, it is shown here that the antenna device 2 can be formed on the roof side or even on the vehicle side of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0039] Figure 4 1 shows a schematic diagram according to a block diagram of an antenna arrangement 2. In particular, it is shown here that the antenna arrangement 2 has at least three subgroups.

[0040] Figure 4 In particular, an embodiment of an antenna device 2 for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic radiation for a motor vehicle 1 is shown, which has at least two antenna subgroups 3, which are arranged at a predetermined first distance 5 from one another. It is provided that each antenna subgroup 3 has at least one transmitting antenna 6 and at least one receiving antenna 7, wherein a second distance 8 between the at least one transmitting antenna 6 and the at least one receiving antenna 7 is smaller than the predetermined first distance 5 between the antenna subgroups 3.

[0041] especially Figure 4 It is shown that different first distances 5 can also be formed between sub-antenna groups 3 .

[0042] also Figure 4 It is also shown that the second distance 8 corresponds substantially to half the wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation. Figure 4 The sub-antenna group 3 is shown to have at least one second transmitting antenna and / or a second receiving antenna 7. In the present embodiment, it is particularly shown that the sub-antenna group 3 can have, for example, one transmitting antenna 6 and two receiving antennas 7. In addition, it can be particularly provided that the corresponding transmitting antenna 6 and / or the corresponding receiving antenna 7 is designed as an electronic-photonic integrated chip. In addition Figure 4 It is shown that at least two antenna subgroups 3 are connected to form a coherent antenna arrangement 2 .

[0043] Especially in the case of an electronic-photonic integrated chip (EPIC) design and distribution of these chips over a large surface area on the vehicle surface, coherent signal processing of the individual antennas 6 , 7 can provide a resolution in the range of 0.1 degrees.

[0044] The radiation characteristics of antennas 6 and 7 are basically subject to the laws of physics. For example, the planar antennas 6 and 7 that are currently widely used can provide great advantages due to their very space-saving installation depth, which can be implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB). However, these antenna structures usually transmit most of the power perpendicular to the surface. Beam deflection within a range of about 60 degrees is technically unsuitable. As mentioned above, current radar antennas have a typical size of 6 cm x 8 cm for ACC operation and the angular resolution required for this. For this sensor, very simple installation space can be found at different locations on the vehicle.

[0045] In contrast to antenna geometries for assistance and semi-automatic driving functions, the angular resolution required for highly automated vehicles is much finer, in the region of about 0.1 degrees. The resulting antenna size is about 1.2 m due to physical considerations. For such an antenna size, there may not be a suitable large area available on the vehicle skin. Therefore, creative antenna concepts are required. The solution according to the invention involves mounting the antennas 6, 7 on a large, more or less flat surface, such as a glass surface. Alternatively, integration on large but not necessarily flat components, such as bumpers, plastic anti-collision strips, etc., is conceivable.

[0046] For this purpose, for example, an EPIC chip can be used. An electronic-photonic integrated chip (EPIC) is in particular a co-integration of electronic and photonic components, in which silicon photonics technology is used. This enables the monolithic integration of photonic structural elements, high-frequency electronic devices and digital electronic devices on the chip. It has the advantage in particular that gigahertz signals are transmitted via optical carrier signals in the infrared-terahertz frequency range. The central station generates the optical carrier frequency (terahertz) here. The signal to be transmitted, which is 1 / n of the radar frequency, for example, is modulated to this frequency and sent to the corresponding antenna chip via an optimized optical fiber. Frequency doubling is performed on the chip so that the antenna chip can emit radiation in the original but doubled frequency form. Signal detection is performed in the opposite way. All data is processed at the central station. Therefore, better antenna arrays can be provided.

[0047] Figure 4 Here, a simple configuration of the corresponding antenna submodule 3 is shown by arranging a transmitting antenna 6 and two receiving antennas 7. These antennas 6, 7 are advantageously mounted very close to each other, ideally at a distance that corresponds to the spatial step width, which is approximately half the wavelength of the underlying transmission frequency. This directly results in the required unambiguity in the angle measurement over 180°.

[0048] and Figure 4Similar to the embodiment shown, the configuration of the antenna subgroup 3 can also be constructed in such a way that it has two transmitting antennas and one receiving antenna. These antennas are advantageously installed very close to each other, ideally at a distance of λ / 2. This directly forms the required clarity in the angle measurement over 180°.

[0049] Figure 5 Another embodiment of a sub-antenna group 3 is shown. In this embodiment, it is particularly shown that the sub-antenna group 3 can have, for example, one transmitting antenna 6 and three receiving antennas 7. These antennas are advantageously installed very close to each other, ideally at a distance of about λ / 2. This directly creates the required unambiguity in the angle measurement over 180°. Figure 4 Compared with the embodiment of the present invention, increasing the number of antennas 6 and 7 can improve the accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio gain during azimuth measurement.

[0050] Other embodiments of the sub-antenna group 3 may be formed by a configuration of a transmitting antenna 6 with a coefficient of m and a receiving antenna 7 with a coefficient of n, wherein m and n are elements of a normal number, and m+n≥1.

[0051] Reference numerals list

[0052] 1Motor Vehicle

[0053] 2 Antenna Devices

[0054] 3 antenna groups

[0055] 4Assistance systems

[0056] 5First Distance

[0057] 6 Transmitting antennas

[0058] 7 Receiving Antenna

[0059] 8 Second Distance

Claims

1. An antenna device (2) for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic radiation for a motor vehicle (1), the antenna device having at least two antenna subgroups (3), the at least two antenna subgroups being arranged at a predetermined first distance (5) from one another, It is characterized in that The corresponding sub-antenna group (3) has at least one transmitting antenna (6) and at least one receiving antenna (7), wherein a second distance (8) between the at least one transmitting antenna (6) and the at least one receiving antenna (7) is smaller than a predetermined first distance (5) between the sub-antenna groups (3).

2. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The second distance (8) corresponds substantially to half the wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation.

3. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The antenna subgroup (3) has at least one second transmitting antenna (6) and / or at least one second receiving antenna (7).

4. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The corresponding transmitting antenna (6) and / or the corresponding receiving antenna (7) are designed as an electronic-photonic integrated chip.

5. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least two antenna subgroups (3) are connected to form a coherent antenna device (2).

6. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The antenna device (2) is designed for a communication device of a motor vehicle (1).

7. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The antenna device (2) is designed for a radar system of a motor vehicle (1).

8. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The antenna subgroup (3) has at least one transmitting antenna (6) and / or three receiving antennas (7).

9. The antenna device (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least one subgroup (3) is formed in a bumper of the motor vehicle (1) and / or a window system of the motor vehicle (1) and / or a roof system of the motor vehicle (1).

10. A motor vehicle (1) having at least one antenna device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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