Radar antenna device and radar system

Abstract

The invention discloses a radar antenna device and a radar system. The radar antenna device is used for being installed on the side surface of a vehicle. The radar antenna device comprises two antenna circuit boards, each antenna circuit board is provided with a first surface, and at least one signal transmitting element and at least one signal receiving element are arranged on the first surface of each circuit board. The at least one signal emitting element is provided with a first signal area, and a normal included angle between the first signal area and the center of the first surface ranges from 0 degree to 50 degrees. The radar antenna device also comprises a base used for arranging two antenna circuit boards. The first end of each antenna circuit board is coupled to the two ends of the base respectively, and an included angle of 52.5-65 degrees is formed between each antenna circuit board and the base, so that a first direction which is parallel to the base and extends from the center of the first surface is located in the first signal area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to radar antenna devices and radar systems. Background Technology

[0002] Existing automotive radar uses antenna circuit boards to transmit and receive signals. The signal radiation pattern of the antenna circuit board is directional. Within a range of -50 degrees to 50 degrees from the normal to the antenna circuit board, the signal radiation intensity is relatively high, resulting in a longer detection range for the radar. Typically, automotive radar devices have two antenna circuit boards mounted on a base, arranged approximately in a triangle with the base. The base is attached to the side surface of the vehicle, securing the radar device to that surface. When the vehicle's direction of travel is outside the range of maximum signal radiation intensity from the antenna circuit boards, the radar detection range is shortened. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention describes a technique for setting up a radar antenna device with a signal transmitting element, which enables the strongest signal area of ​​the radar antenna device mounted on the side surface of a vehicle to be substantially parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel, thereby enhancing the detection range in the direction of vehicle travel.

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention is a radar antenna device for mounting to a side surface of a vehicle. The radar antenna device includes two antenna circuit boards, each having a first surface. At least one signal transmitting element and at least one signal receiving element are disposed on the first surface of each antenna circuit board. The at least one signal transmitting element has a first signal region located at an angle between 0 and 50 degrees to the normal to the center of the first surface. The radar antenna device also includes a base for mounting the two antenna circuit boards. A first end of the first antenna circuit board is coupled to one end of the base, forming a first angle with the base. A first end of the second antenna circuit board is coupled to the other end of the base, forming a second angle with the base. The first angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, and the second angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, such that a first direction extending parallel to the center of the first surface from the base is located within the first signal region.

[0005] A second aspect of the invention is a radar system. The radar system includes a control unit and a plurality of radar antenna devices electrically coupled to the control unit. The plurality of radar antenna devices are mounted to two side surfaces, a front surface, and a rear surface of a vehicle, and are used to transmit and receive radar signals, and to transmit the received radar signals back to the control unit. Each radar antenna device includes two antenna circuit boards, each antenna circuit board having a first surface, on which at least one signal transmitting element and at least one signal receiving element are disposed. The at least one signal transmitting element has a first signal region located at an angle between 0 and 50 degrees to the normal to the center of the first surface. The radar antenna device also includes a base for mounting the two antenna circuit boards, such that the first surface of each antenna circuit board faces away from the base. A first end of the first antenna circuit board is coupled to one end of the base, forming a first angle with the base. A first end of the second antenna circuit board is coupled to the other end of the base, forming a second angle with the base. The first included angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, and the second included angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, so that the first direction, which extends parallel to the base from the center of the first surface, is located within the first signal area.

[0006] To provide a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an example antenna circuit board having a signal transmitting unit and a signal receiving unit, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of the signal region and radar antenna radiation pattern of an example antenna circuit board with a signal transmitting unit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an example radar antenna device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a radar system installed on multiple surfaces of a vehicle according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] Similar reference numerals or names in the accompanying drawings denote the same elements. It should also be understood that the various exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings are merely illustrative and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0012] Symbol Explanation

[0013] 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d: Radar antenna device

[0014] 110, 110a, 110b: Antenna circuit boards

[0015] 110a1, 110b1: First end

[0016] 110a2, 110b2: Second end

[0017] 111, 111a, 111b: Signal transmitting units

[0018] 112: Signal receiving unit

[0019] 113a: First Signal Zone

[0020] 113b: Second Signal Zone

[0021] 113c: Third signal region

[0022] 114a, 114b, 114c, 114c1, 114c2: included angle

[0023] 115a: First direction

[0024] 115b: Second direction

[0025] 115c, 120c: Normal

[0026] 116, 116a, 116b: First surface

[0027] 120: Base

[0028] 120S: Surface

[0029] 200: Radar System

[0030] 210: Control Unit

[0031] 300: Vehicles

[0032] 310: Vehicle side surface

[0033] 311a, 311b: Side surfaces

[0034] 312a: Front surface

[0035] h: height

[0036] 312b: Back surface Detailed Implementation

[0037] Figure 1A schematic diagram of an antenna circuit board 110 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown. The antenna circuit board 110 has a signal transmitting unit 111 and a signal receiving unit 112 disposed on a first surface 116 of the antenna circuit board 110. The signal transmitting unit 111 is used to transmit a signal, and the signal receiving unit 112 receives the signal reflected by an object for object detection. Figure 1 In the example, one signal transmitting unit 111 and one signal receiving unit 112 are each disposed on the antenna circuit board 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, multiple signal transmitting units and multiple signal receiving units may be disposed on the antenna circuit board, for example, two signal transmitting units and four signal receiving units, or designed according to other requirements. The signal transmitting unit 111 and the signal receiving unit 112 disposed on the antenna circuit board 110 both have radar antennas capable of transmitting and receiving signals, depending on the radar antenna radiation pattern of the signal transmitting unit 111 (e.g., Figure 2B As shown, different transmitted signal strengths will occur in different directions relative to the first surface 116 of the antenna circuit board 110. Then, reference will be made to... Figure 2A and Figure 2B The details are as follows.

[0038] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A schematic diagram illustrating the signal region and radar antenna radiation pattern (based on low-current transmitted signal 1 or low-current transmitted signal 2) of an example antenna circuit board 110 having a signal transmitting unit 111 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the radar antenna radiation pattern of the signal transmitting unit 111 is designed to be directional, that is, the signal transmission intensity (gain) of the radar antenna of the signal transmitting unit 111 is stronger at a specific angle. In this example, it radiates approximately from the center of the signal transmitting unit 111 toward the normal 115c perpendicular to the first surface 116 of the antenna circuit board 110, and the radar antenna radiation pattern on the first surface 116 of the antenna circuit board 110 is referenced to... Figure 2B The example radar antenna radiation pattern shown is based on either low-current transmitted signal 1 or low-current transmitted signal 2.

[0039] In conjunction with Figure 2B As can be seen from the example radar antenna radiation pattern and Table 1 below, Figure 2AThe displayed signal transmitting unit 111 has a radiation field pattern comprising a first signal region 113a, a second signal region 113b, and a third signal region 113c. The first signal region 113a, located on either side of the normal 115c and with angles between it and the normal 115c ranging from -50 degrees to 0 degrees and from 0 degrees to 50 degrees, represents the region with the strongest signal transmission intensity (average gain of 10.22–10.79 dB). The second signal region 113b, located with angles between it and the normal 115c ranging from -70 degrees to -50 degrees and from 50 degrees to 70 degrees, represents the region with moderate signal transmission intensity (average gain of 4.62–5.33 dB). The third signal region 113c, located with angles between it and the normal 115c ranging from -90 degrees to -70 degrees and from 70 degrees to 90 degrees, represents the region with the weakest signal transmission intensity (average gain of -4.75–-6.31 dB).

[0040] Table 1: Relationship between antenna transmission intensity and angle

[0041]

[0042] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating an example radar antenna device 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided on a side surface 310 of a vehicle. The radar antenna device 100 includes antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b, wherein antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b are connected to... Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe antenna circuit board 110 shown is identical. A signal transmitting element 111a is disposed on the first surface 116a of antenna circuit board 110a, and a signal transmitting element 111b is disposed on the first surface 116b of antenna circuit board 110b. The radar antenna device 100 also includes a base 120 for mounting or fixing antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b. The first surfaces 116a and 116b of antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b face away from the base 120, meaning that the signal transmitting elements 111a and 111b do not face the base 120 or the side surface 310 of the vehicle. The first end 110a1 of antenna circuit board 110a and the first end 110b1 of antenna circuit board 110b are respectively coupled to the two ends of base 120, and form a first angle 114a and a second angle 114b with base 120 respectively. In another embodiment, antenna circuit board 110a and antenna circuit board 110b are indirectly fixed to base 120 by bracket (not shown). Radar antenna device 100 can be mounted to the side surface 310 of a vehicle, or other flat surfaces of the vehicle body or flat surfaces of mounting objects (e.g., brackets) via base 120. It is understood that the side surface 310 of the vehicle, other flat surfaces of the vehicle body, or flat surfaces of mounting objects on which base 120 is mounted are substantially parallel to the base. As discussed above, the strongest signal transmission areas of signal transmitting elements 111a and 111b are respectively located in the range between -50 degrees and 0 degrees and between 0 degrees and 50 degrees with the normal 115c, that is, the first signal area as mentioned above (e.g., Figure 2A and Figure 2B The first signal region 113a) is defined as follows: the normal 115c is located at the center of signal transmitting elements 111a and 111b and is perpendicular to the first surfaces 116a and 116b, respectively. To ensure that the first direction 115a, extending parallel to the base 120 from the center of the first surfaces 116a and 116b, is located within the first signal region where the transmitted signal is strongest, the first angle 114a and the second angle 114b formed between the antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b and the base 120 are both between 52.5 degrees and 65 degrees. Thus, the angle between the first direction 115a, extending parallel to the base 120 from the center of the first surfaces 116a and 116b, and the normal 115c is between 25 and 37.5 degrees, which is within the aforementioned first signal region. When the base 120 is installed on the side surface 310 of the vehicle, the first direction 115a is approximately parallel to the side surface 310 of the vehicle. In other words, when the first direction 115a is located in the first signal zone with the strongest transmitted signal, the radar detection range in front of and behind the vehicle's direction of travel can be increased.

[0043] Specifically, for example, when the angle between the antenna circuit board 110 and the side surface of the vehicle to which it is mounted (possibly by one end of the antenna circuit board 110 being mounted on a base parallel to and fixed to the side surface of the vehicle) is 25 to 50 degrees, the angle between the antenna circuit board 110 and the normal direction of the first surface of the antenna circuit board in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is 40 to 65 degrees, which means it is located in the second signal area, rather than the first signal area where the transmitted signal is strongest. The equation (1) used to calculate the maximum radar signal (detection) range is as follows:

[0044]

[0045] Where, d max G represents the maximum radar signal (detection) range, σ represents the radar cross-seciton, and G represents the radar cross-seciton. TX G represents the signal transmission gain. RX The signal receiving gain is represented by λ, and the signal wavelength is represented by T. meas SNR represents the product of the number of chirps and the chirp duration (number of chirps x chip duration). min This represents the minimum detectable signal, where k is a constant 1.38 × 10⁻⁶. -23 T represents temperature and F represents frequency. According to equation (1) above, it can be understood that the signal transmission gain G... TX Enhanced radar maximum signal (detection) range d max Proportional, meaning that increasing the signal transmission gain G in a specific direction, such as the direction of a vehicle's forward or backward movement, will increase the signal transmission gain G. TX For example, shifting the transmission direction, which is the same as the vehicle's forward and backward movement direction, from a medium signal region (e.g., the second signal region 113b) with an average signal gain of 4.62 dB to a strong signal region (e.g., the first signal region 113b) with an average signal gain of 10.22 dB can increase the radar's maximum signal (detection) range d. max Similarly, this increases. That is, as discussed in the previous example, when the angle between the first direction 115a (parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel) extending from the center of the first surface 116a and the first surface 116b parallel to the base 120 and the normal 115c is 25 to 37.5 degrees, and it is located in the first signal zone where the transmitted signal is strongest, the radar detection range before and after the vehicle's direction of travel can be increased.

[0046] In some embodiments, the second end 110a2 of antenna circuit board 110a is coupled to the second end 110b2 of antenna circuit board 110b. In one embodiment, a normal 120C is perpendicular to the base 120 and passes through the second end 110a2 of antenna circuit board 110a and the second end 110b2 of antenna circuit board 110b. There is an included angle 114c1 between normal 120C and antenna circuit board 110a, and an included angle 114c2 between normal 120C and antenna circuit board 110b. A third included angle 114c is formed between antenna circuit board 110a and antenna circuit board 110b. The third included angle 114c is the sum of included angles 114c1 and 114c2, and the third included angle 114c can be 50 to 75 degrees. In one embodiment, when antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b have the same dimensions, angle 114c1 and angle 114c2 are the same. In another embodiment, when antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b have different dimensions, angle 114c1 and angle 114c2 are different. In one embodiment, the first direction 115a and the normal 115c of antenna circuit board 110a have an angle 114c1, and the first direction 115a and the normal 115c of antenna circuit board 110b have an angle 114c2.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the radar antenna device 100 has a height h, which is the shortest distance between the coupling point of the second end 110a2 of the antenna circuit board 110a and the second end 110b2 of the antenna circuit board 110b and the surface 120S of the bottom 120, wherein the surface 120S is the contact surface between the bottom 120 and the vehicle side surface 310.

[0048] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating a radar system 200 installed on side surfaces 311a, 311b, front surface 312a, and rear surface 312b of a vehicle 300 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown. The radar system 200 includes radar antenna devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d, respectively installed on the side surfaces 311a, 311b, 312a, and 312b of the vehicle 300. The radar antenna devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d are similar to... Figure 3 The radar antenna device 100, details of which are omitted here, is also described. The radar system 200 further includes a control unit 210 electrically coupled to radar antenna devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d. Radar antenna devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d can transmit and receive radar signals (e.g., via...). Figure 1 The signal transmitting unit 111 and the signal receiving unit 112), and the control unit 210 that transmits the received radar signals back. According to the aforementioned, the angle between the antenna circuit board and the base plate of each of the radar antenna devices 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d (e.g., Figure 3 The first included angle 116a and the second included angle 116b between the antenna circuit boards 110a and 110b and the base 120 are 52.5 to 65 degrees, which allows the first direction 115a and the second direction 115 to be located within the strongest signal area of ​​the radar antenna devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d respectively mounted on the vehicle side surfaces 311a, 311b, 312a, and 312b (e.g., ...). Figure 2A and Figure 2B The first signal area 113a). For example, the second direction 115b can be located within the strongest signal area of ​​the radar antenna devices 100c and 100d installed on the front surface 312a and rear surface 312b, increasing the radar detection range on both sides of the vehicle, and for example, the first direction 115a can be located within the strongest signal area of ​​the radar antenna devices 100a and 100b installed on the side surface 311a and side surface 311b, increasing the radar detection range at the front and rear of the vehicle, such as Figure 4 As shown in the image.

[0049] Based on the above embodiments and examples, it can be seen that the technology provided by the present invention makes the angle between the antenna circuit board and the entire radar mounting surface (through the base) 52.5 degrees to 65 degrees. Benefiting from the fact that the direction parallel to the radar mounting surface (or base) falls within the strong signal area where the radar antenna transmits the strongest signal, when the radar antenna device is installed on the side surface of the vehicle, the detection distance directly in front of and directly behind the vehicle can be increased by 10% to 40% (based on the calculation of equation (1)). Furthermore, when the radar system composed of the radar antenna device provided by the present invention is installed around the vehicle, the detection range of the front, rear, left, and right sides of the vehicle can be increased by 10% to 40%.

[0050] While this document may describe many details, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as claimed or potentially claimed, but rather as illustrative of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described herein in separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments. Furthermore, although several features may be described above as operating in certain combinations and even initially claimed in this manner, one or more features from the claimed combinations may in some cases be excluded from the said combinations, and the claimed combinations may be for sub-combinations or variations thereof. Similarly, although several operations are depicted in a specific order in the drawings, it should not be construed that these operations must be performed in the specific order shown or in sequential order, or that all described operations must be performed to achieve the desired result.

[0051] Only a few examples and implementations have been described. Variations, modifications, and enhancements based on the examples and implementations, as well as other implementations, can be made based on the disclosure.

[0052] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments and exemplary details, it is understood that these examples are intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit it. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A radar antenna device for mounting to the side surface of a movable vehicle, comprising: A first antenna circuit board and a second antenna circuit board, each having a first surface, with at least one signal transmitting component and at least one signal receiving component disposed on the first surface of each of the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board, wherein the at least one signal transmitting component has a first signal area, the first signal area being located at an angle between 0 and 50 degrees to the normal of the center of the first surface. as well as A base is used to mount the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board, such that the first surface of each of the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board faces away from the base. The first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board are respectively coupled to both ends of the base. The first antenna circuit board forms a first angle with the base, and the second antenna circuit board forms a second angle with the base. The first included angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, and the second included angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, such that a first direction extending from the center of the first surface parallel to the base is located within the first signal area.

2. The radar antenna device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first antenna circuit board is coupled to the second antenna circuit board to form a third included angle, the third included angle being 50 to 75 degrees.

3. The radar antenna device of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal transmitting component on the first surface of each of the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board has a second signal region and a third signal region, wherein the second signal region is located at an angle between 50 and 70 degrees to the normal of the first surface of the first antenna circuit board, and the third signal region is located at an angle between 70 and 90 degrees to the normal of the first surface of the first antenna circuit board. in, The signal transmission intensity of the first signal region is greater than that of the second signal region, and the signal transmission intensity of the second signal region is greater than that of the third signal region.

4. The radar antenna device of claim 3, wherein a second direction extending perpendicularly from the center of the first surface to the base is located within the third signal zone.

5. The radar antenna device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first direction is parallel to the direction of movement of the vehicle.

6. A radar system for mounting to a side surface of a movable vehicle, comprising: Control unit; as well as Multiple radar antenna devices are electrically coupled to the control unit. These radar antenna devices are mounted on the two side surfaces, the front surface, and the rear surface of the vehicle, and are configured to transmit and receive radar signals, and to transmit the received radar signals back to the control unit. These radar antenna devices include: A first antenna circuit board and a second antenna circuit board, each having a first surface, with at least one signal transmitting component and at least one signal receiving component disposed on the first surface of each of the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board, wherein the at least one signal transmitting component has a first signal area, the first signal area being located at an angle between 0 and 50 degrees to the normal of the center of the first surface. as well as A base is used to mount the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board, such that the first surface of each of the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board faces away from the base. The first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board are respectively coupled to both ends of the base. The first antenna circuit board forms a first angle with the base, and the second antenna circuit board forms a second angle with the base. The first included angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, and the second included angle is 52.5 to 65 degrees, such that a first direction extending from the center of the first surface parallel to the base is located within the first signal area.

7. The radar system of claim 6, wherein the first antenna circuit board and the second antenna circuit board are coupled to form a third angle, the third angle being 50 to 75 degrees.

8. The radar system of claim 6, wherein the at least one signal transmitting component on the first surface of each of the two antenna circuit boards has a second signal region and a third signal region, wherein the second signal region is located at an angle between 50 and 70 degrees to the normal of the first surface of the first antenna circuit board, and the third signal region is located at an angle between 70 and 90 degrees to the normal of the first surface of the first antenna circuit board. in, The signal transmission intensity of the first signal region is greater than that of the second signal region, and the signal transmission intensity of the second signal region is greater than that of the third signal region.

9. The radar system of claim 8, wherein a second direction perpendicular to the base and extending from the center of the first surface is located within the third signal zone.

10. The radar system of claim 6, wherein two of the radar antenna devices are respectively mounted on the two side surfaces of the vehicle, and the first direction of each of the two radar antenna devices is parallel to the direction of movement of the vehicle. Two other radar antenna devices are respectively mounted on the front and rear surfaces of the vehicle, and the first direction of each of the other two radar antenna devices is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle.

Images