Eight-transmitting and eight-receiving dual-chip 4D millimeter wave radar antenna array

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of millimeter wave radars, in particular to an eight-transmitting and eight-receiving dual-chip 4D millimeter wave radar antenna array, which comprises eight transmitting antennas and eight receiving antennas, and the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are arranged in the horizontal direction and the pitching direction in a physical space. According to the utility model, the eight transmitting antennas and the eight receiving antennas are arranged, the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are distributed in the horizontal direction and the pitching direction in a physical space according to a certain rule, and the array element coordinates of the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are distributed in a differentiated manner according to a preset optimization algorithm instead of being simply and uniformly distributed; therefore, the equivalent array synthesized by the virtual channels has better sidelobe performance and higher angular resolution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of millimeter-wave radar technology, specifically to an 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array. Background Technology

[0002] Millimeter-wave radar, with its high precision, strong anti-interference capabilities, and all-weather operation, has become a core sensor in fields such as autonomous driving, intelligent transportation, and drone obstacle avoidance. The 77GHz band (76-81GHz), in particular, has become the mainstream choice for automotive radar (such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) due to its shorter wavelength (approximately 3.9mm), wider bandwidth (up to 4GHz), and higher resolution.

[0003] Antenna layout design is the core of 4D millimeter-wave radar design. The rationality of the antenna layout design directly determines the performance of the millimeter-wave radar. On the one hand, with the increasing number of sensors on vehicles, the installation space left for millimeter-wave radar on actual vehicles is getting smaller and smaller. On the other hand, waveguide antennas are larger in size than microstrip antennas. Therefore, how to design a reasonable antenna layout within a limited space, which can meet the angle measurement performance of the antenna layout, reduce the interference of the bumper on the radar performance, and ensure the reasonable arrangement of the 16 waveguide antennas in the layout and the interference-free wiring, is the key to waveguide antenna layout design.

[0004] Existing technologies, such as the Chinese utility model patent with publication number CN216563514U, entitled "Antenna Array and Millimeter-Wave Radar," specifically disclose a system comprising three transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas, all of which are single-row antennas; the three transmitting antennas are arranged on the same plane with consistent heights, and the four receiving antennas are also arranged on the same plane with consistent heights; the spacing between the three transmitting antennas and the spacing between the four receiving antennas are both integer multiples of L, where L is 0.5 times the vacuum wavelength of the vehicle-mounted radar's operating frequency band; and the spacing between the three transmitting antennas is greater than the spacing between the four receiving antennas.

[0005] The above solution can solve the problem of not being able to simultaneously achieve the desired horizontal field of view and angular resolution of the vehicle-mounted radar antenna.

[0006] However, in actual use, the above scheme adopts a layout with equal spacing and height. This layout will result in an excessively large overall size, making the entire antenna board too large, which in turn causes problems such as complex wiring and insufficient sidelobe control.

[0007] To address these issues, an 8-transmit, 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array is proposed. Utility Model Content

[0008] Technical problems to be solved

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing technology, this utility model provides an 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array, which can effectively solve the problem of unreasonable antenna array design in the existing millimeter-wave radar.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0012] This utility model provides an 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array, including 8 transmitting antennas and 8 receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas and receiving antennas are arranged in the horizontal and elevation directions in physical space, and the array element positions of the transmitting antennas and receiving antennas are non-uniformly distributed in the horizontal and elevation directions. The antenna array is synthesized into an equivalent array with 18 array elements and 56 half-wavelength aperture in the horizontal direction and an equivalent array with 13 array elements and 38 half-wavelength aperture in the elevation direction through virtual channel technology.

[0013] The eight transmitting antennas and eight receiving antennas are divided into two groups, each group including four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas, and the two groups of antennas are respectively connected to two independent radio frequency chips.

[0014] Furthermore, the spatial coordinate relationship of the array elements in the receiving antenna is as follows:

[0015] The coordinates in the horizontal direction are the sums of the horizontal translation distances of the receiving antenna for 0, 4 half-wavelengths, 18 half-wavelengths, 24 half-wavelengths, 29 half-wavelengths, 0, 0, and 18 half-wavelengths, respectively.

[0016] The coordinates in the elevation direction are 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 11.5 half-wavelengths, 19.5 half-wavelengths, and 11.5 half-wavelengths, respectively, and the sum of the translation distance of the receiving antenna along the elevation direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the spatial coordinate relationship of the array elements in the transmitting antenna is as follows:

[0018] The coordinates in the horizontal direction are 5.5 half-wavelengths, 9.5 half-wavelengths, 20.5 half-wavelengths, 32.5 half-wavelengths, 32.5 half-wavelengths, 32.5 half-wavelengths, 14.5 half-wavelengths, and 14.5 half-wavelengths, respectively, and are the sum of the horizontal translation distance of the transmitting antenna.

[0019] The coordinates in the elevation direction are 19.5 half wavelengths, 19.5 half wavelengths, 19.5 half wavelengths, 19.5 half wavelengths, 9.5 half wavelengths, 1 half wavelength, 5 half wavelengths, and 14.5 half wavelengths, respectively, which are the sums of the translation distance of the transmitting antenna along the elevation direction.

[0020] Furthermore, the element spacing of the equivalent array in the horizontal direction is: 4.5 wavelengths, 4.5 wavelengths, 7.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 3.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 1.5 wavelength, 2.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 6.5 wavelengths, 5.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 6.5 wavelengths, and 5.5 wavelengths.

[0021] The element spacing of the equivalent array in the pitch direction is: 4.5 wavelengths, 4.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 0.5 wavelengths, 5 wavelengths, 3 wavelengths, 2 wavelengths, and 8 wavelengths.

[0022] Furthermore, the equivalent array in the horizontal direction constitutes a linear array with an aperture of 56 half-wavelengths, and its theoretical resolution is 2.04 degrees.

[0023] The equivalent array in the pitch direction forms a linear array with an aperture of 38 half-wavelengths and a theoretical resolution of 3.01 degrees.

[0024] Furthermore, a set of six-element pitch arrays is provided on both sides of the equivalent array in the pitch direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas on the left and the four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas on the right are respectively connected to two independent radio frequency chips.

[0026] Beneficial effects

[0027] The technical solution provided by this utility model, compared with the known public technology, has the following advantages:

[0028] Beneficial effects:

[0029] This invention sets up 8 transmitting antennas and 8 receiving antennas, and the transmitting and receiving antennas are distributed in the horizontal and vertical directions in physical space according to certain rules. Furthermore, the array element coordinates of the transmitting and receiving antennas are not simply uniformly arranged, but are differentially distributed according to a preset optimization algorithm, so that the equivalent array after virtual channel synthesis has better sidelobe performance and higher angular resolution.

[0030] By connecting the left-side 4-transmit 4-receive antenna and the right-side 4-transmit 4-receive antenna to two independent RF chips respectively, the functions can be physically divided and the wiring path can be simplified. At the same time, the antenna board can be split into two smaller sub-boards, thereby reducing the deformation and processing errors that may be caused by the large-size waveguide board and improving assembly accuracy and consistency. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal virtual array layout in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the elevation virtual array layout in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the actual antenna array in Embodiment 1 of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above, diagonally above, or on the surface of the second feature, indicating that the second feature is supported and fixed by the first feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0039] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments.

[0040] Example:

[0041] This utility model relates to an 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array, which aims to achieve high horizontal and elevation angle resolution within a limited physical size through a compact and efficient antenna arrangement structure and virtual channel technology. By combining 8 transmit and 8 receive antennas, several virtual array elements are synthesized after ignoring symmetrical redundant channels.

[0042] The arrangement uses a non-equidistant array, which is beneficial for sidelobe suppression.

[0043] In millimeter-wave radar array design, angular resolution is typically determined by the antenna aperture. Its theoretical angular resolution θ (unit: °) can be estimated by θ / (D*cos(θ)), where θ is the millimeter-wave wavelength, approximately 3.9 mm in the 77 GHz band, θ is the scanning angle, and in the main viewing direction, θ = 0°, cos(θ) = 1.

[0044] D is the equivalent array aperture of the antenna in a certain direction; θ is the angle of beam deviation from the main axis direction; when θ = 0, that is, the main viewing direction.

[0045] See attached document Figure 1-3 This solution provides a layout method suitable for environments with the most limited installation space.

[0046] One example of this scheme, an 8-transmit, 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array, also includes 8 transmitting antennas and 8 receiving antennas. The transmitting and receiving antennas are arranged in the horizontal and elevation directions in physical space. The spatial coordinate relationship of the array elements in the receiving antenna is as follows: the horizontal coordinates are the sums of the horizontal distances of 0, 4.5 wavelengths, 18.5 wavelengths, 24.5 wavelengths, 29.5 wavelengths, 0, 0, and 18.5 wavelengths, respectively, and the horizontal translation distance of the receiving antenna; the elevation coordinates are 0, 0... The coordinates of the array elements in the transmitting antenna are: 0, 0, 0, 0, 11.5 half-wavelengths, 19.5 half-wavelengths, and 11.5 half-wavelengths, respectively, and the sum of their translational distances along the elevation direction; the spatial coordinate relationships of the array elements in the transmitting antenna are: where the coordinates in the horizontal direction are the sums of the translational distances of the transmitting antenna along the horizontal direction for the 5.5, 9.5, 20.5, 32.5, 32.5, 32.5, 14.5, and 14.5 half-wavelengths, respectively; and the coordinates in the elevation direction are... The coordinates of 19.5 half-wavelengths, 19.5 half-wavelengths, 19.5 half-wavelengths, 19.5 half-wavelengths, 9.5 half-wavelengths, 1 half-wavelength, 5 half-wavelengths, and 14.5 half-wavelengths are respectively the sum of the translation distance of the transmitting antenna along the elevation direction; the antenna array is synthesized into an equivalent array of 18 elements in the horizontal direction and into an equivalent array of 13 elements in the elevation direction using virtual channel technology; the element spacing of the equivalent array in the horizontal direction is: 4 half-wavelengths, 4 half-wavelengths, 7 half-wavelengths, ... The array elements of the equivalent array in the elevation direction are: 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 6.5 wavelengths, 5.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 6.5 wavelengths, and 5.5 wavelengths; the element spacing of the equivalent array in the elevation direction is: 4.5 wavelengths, 4.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 0.5 wavelengths, 5.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, and 8.5 wavelengths.

[0047] Furthermore, the equivalent array in the horizontal direction forms a linear array with an aperture of 56 half-wavelengths and a theoretical resolution of 2.04 degrees; the equivalent array in the pitch direction forms a linear array with an aperture of 38 half-wavelengths and a theoretical resolution of 3.01 degrees.

[0048] Specifically, the horizontal coordinates of the receiving antenna are 0, 4, 18, 24, 29, 0, 0, 18 (unit is half wavelength), and the horizontal coordinates of the transmitting antenna are 5.5, 9.5, 20.5, 32.5, 32.5, 32.5, 14.5, 14.5 (unit is half wavelength), forming an equivalent aperture of D = 28θ.

[0049] And θ≈1 / 28≈2.04°.

[0050] At a scanning angle of ±15°, the resolution decreases slightly to: θ≈1 / 28·cos(15°)≈2.11°.

[0051] This allows for a balance between high performance and compact structure.

[0052] Any of the above layouts can be configured with a set of six-element auxiliary arrays on both sides of the main elevation array to achieve multi-beam superposition, enhanced directional stability, and improved anti-interference capability.

[0053] Meanwhile, the four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas on the left can be connected to the first chip, while the right side is connected to the second chip, thereby realizing a dual-chip architecture, modular antenna board, and greatly simplifying wiring and processing technology, improving the consistency and maintainability of the whole machine.

[0054] In addition, a set of six-element elevation arrays is set on both sides of the equivalent array in the elevation direction. The main elevation array on the left and the secondary elevation array on the right are both composed of array elements from the transmitting and receiving antennas, forming a six-element non-uniform elevation array. By comparing the output signals of the main and secondary arrays, abnormal data (such as multipath interference) is eliminated, thereby improving the robustness of the angle measurement signal.

[0055] In this embodiment, the four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas on the left and the four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas on the right can be connected to two radio frequency chips respectively. This allows the original large waveguide antenna board (82mm*60mm) to be divided into two smaller waveguide antenna boards (41mm*60mm) for fabrication. Because the larger the waveguide antenna board, the greater the warping and dimensional tolerance of the waveguide antenna board, this method makes it easier to control the warping and dimensional tolerance of the waveguide antenna board, greatly reducing the difficulty of production.

[0056] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions will not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the protection scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An 8-transmit, 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array, characterized in that, It includes 8 transmitting antennas and 8 receiving antennas, of which: The transmitting and receiving antennas are arranged in the horizontal and elevation directions in the physical space, and the array elements of the transmitting and receiving antennas are non-uniformly distributed in the horizontal and elevation directions. The antenna array is synthesized into an equivalent array with 18 array elements and 56 half-wavelength aperture in the horizontal direction and an equivalent array with 13 array elements and 38 half-wavelength aperture in the elevation direction through virtual channel technology. The eight transmitting antennas and eight receiving antennas are divided into two groups, each group including four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas, and the two groups of antennas are respectively connected to two independent radio frequency chips.

2. The 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spatial coordinate relationship of the array elements in the receiving antenna is as follows: The coordinates in the horizontal direction are the sums of the horizontal translation distances of the receiving antenna for 0, 4 half-wavelengths, 18 half-wavelengths, 24 half-wavelengths, 29 half-wavelengths, 0, 0, and 18 half-wavelengths, respectively. The coordinates in the elevation direction are 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 11.5 half-wavelengths, 19.5 half-wavelengths, and 11.5 half-wavelengths, respectively, and the sum of the translation distance of the receiving antenna along the elevation direction.

3. The 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spatial coordinate relationship of the array elements in the transmitting antenna is as follows: The coordinates in the horizontal direction are 5.5 half-wavelengths, 9.5 half-wavelengths, 20.5 half-wavelengths, 32.5 half-wavelengths, 32.5 half-wavelengths, 32.5 half-wavelengths, 14.5 half-wavelengths, and 14.5 half-wavelengths, respectively, and are the sum of the horizontal translation distance of the transmitting antenna. The coordinates in the elevation direction are 19.5 half wavelengths, 19.5 half wavelengths, 19.5 half wavelengths, 19.5 half wavelengths, 9.5 half wavelengths, 1 half wavelength, 5 half wavelengths, and 14.5 half wavelengths, respectively, which are the sums of the translation distance of the transmitting antenna along the elevation direction.

4. The 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array according to claim 3, characterized in that, The element spacing of the equivalent array in the horizontal direction is: 4.5 wavelengths, 4.5 wavelengths, 7.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 3.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 1.5 wavelength, 2.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 6.5 wavelengths, 5.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 6.5 wavelengths, and 5.5 wavelengths. The element spacing of the equivalent array in the pitch direction is: 4.5 wavelengths, 4.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 2.5 wavelengths, 3.5 wavelengths, 1.5 wavelength, 0.5 wavelengths, 5 wavelengths, 3 wavelengths, 2 wavelengths, and 8 wavelengths.

5. The 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array according to claim 4, characterized in that, The equivalent array in the horizontal direction forms a linear array with an aperture of 56 half-wavelengths and a theoretical resolution of 2.04 degrees. The equivalent array in the pitch direction forms a linear array with an aperture of 38 half-wavelengths and a theoretical resolution of 3.01 degrees.

6. The 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, A set of six-element pitch arrays is provided on each side of the equivalent array in the pitch direction.

7. The 8-transmit 8-receive dual-chip 4D millimeter-wave radar antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas on the left and the four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas on the right are respectively connected to two independent radio frequency chips.

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