Radar apparatus and radar system

Abstract

To provide a radar device and a radar system capable of monitoring a plurality of monitoring ranges by one radar device.SOLUTION: A radar device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a radar module that radiates a transmission signal, and a re-radiator that re-radiates the transmission signal by at least one of transmission and reflection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radar device and a radar system. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been active development of monitoring (sensing) technologies for autonomous driving, driver assistance, and passenger status detection. Millimeter-wave radar devices are being used as one of the monitoring technologies. In autonomous driving and driver assistance, radar devices that monitor the front as well as the rear and sides are also being used. Radar devices that monitor the interior of the vehicle are also being used to detect passenger status. As vehicles become more sophisticated, the range that needs to be monitored by radar devices continues to expand, and the number of radars installed is also increasing. As the number of installed radar devices increases, the cost of installing the radar devices and the cost of maintenance such as radar device calibration increase. For this reason, radar devices that can be used for multiple purposes and monitor a wide area with a single radar device are being considered.

[0003] For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose technologies that use a single radar device to monitor both the outside and inside of the vehicle. These technologies involve installing radar in the side mirrors of the vehicle to monitor the outside of the vehicle while driving and the inside of the vehicle when the side mirrors are folded down (parked). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-142660 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-174390 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2, folding the side mirrors physically changes the range monitored by the radar device, so switching the monitoring range (between the outside and the inside of the vehicle cabin) takes time, and simultaneous monitoring of the outside and the inside of the vehicle cabin is not considered. Also, since it is difficult to fold the side mirrors while driving, monitoring the inside of the vehicle cabin while driving is not considered. If the side mirrors are forgotten to be folded, it is difficult to monitor the inside of the vehicle even when parked. Furthermore, the angle of the side mirrors is not necessarily set to an angle appropriate for the radar device, so there is a possibility that the radar device will not monitor at the optimal angle.

[0006] The present disclosure contributes to providing a radar device and a radar system that can monitor both the interior and exterior of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A radar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a radar module that emits a transmission signal, and a re-radiation unit that re-radiates the transmission signal by at least one of transmission and reflection.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a radar system is provided on a vehicle, the radar device including a radar module that emits a transmission signal and a re-radiation unit that re-radiates the transmission signal by at least one of transmission and reflection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a single radar device can monitor the ranges inside and outside the vehicle cabin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] Side view of the vehicle [Figure 1B] A diagram showing the vehicle's condition as seen from above [Figure 2A] Side view of the vehicle [Figure 2B]A diagram showing the vehicle's condition as seen from above [Figure 3A] Side view of the vehicle [Figure 3B] A diagram showing the vehicle's condition as seen from above [Figure 4A] A diagram showing the vehicle's condition as seen from above [Figure 4B] Side view of the vehicle [Figure 5A] A diagram showing the vehicle's condition as seen from above [Figure 5B] Side view of the vehicle [Figure 6] A diagram showing the vehicle's condition as seen from above [Figure 7] Side view of the vehicle [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a re-radiation unit; [Figure 9] Diagram showing the connection between the radar device and the ECU DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a radar device according to the first embodiment.

[0013] The radar device is installed on a vehicle 100 and is composed of a radar module 110 and a re-radiation unit 120.

[0014] The radar module 110 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle interior. The radar module 110 emits, for example, millimeter waves as the transmission signal 130. The radar module 110 may emit radio waves of other frequencies as the transmission signal 130. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the directivity (main radiation direction) of the radio waves that are the transmission signal 130 is shown by a straight line. The transmission signal 130 may be a narrow beam that is scanned, or a wide beam. The radar module 110 can also receive the waves that are reflected by the target from the transmission signal 130, and detect the position and moving speed of the target.

[0015] The re-radiation unit 120 is installed on, for example, the windshield. For example, the re-radiation unit 120 is provided on substantially the entire surface of the windshield. The re-radiation unit 120 can be configured with a metasurface. The re-radiation unit 120 re-radiates the transmission signal 130 emitted by the radar module 110. When re-radiating the transmission signal 130, the re-radiation unit 120 can control at least one of transmission and reflection, and can control the re-radiation direction. The re-radiation unit 120 is made of a transparent material so as not to obstruct the driver's view. The configuration of the re-radiation unit 120 will be described later.

[0016] The re-radiation unit 120 transmits the transmission signal 130 and re-radiates it outside the vehicle cabin, thereby enabling monitoring of targets outside the vehicle cabin. The re-radiation unit 120 reflects the transmission signal 130 and re-radiates it inside the vehicle cabin, thereby enabling monitoring of occupants inside the vehicle cabin. Monitoring of occupants includes not only determining whether or not an occupant is present, but also acquiring vital signals of the occupants. The re-radiation direction of the re-radiation unit 120 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is merely an example, and the re-radiation direction may be appropriate depending on the seating arrangement of the vehicle 100. The re-radiation direction may be changed depending on the area from which the re-radiation unit 120 reflects the transmission signal 130 and / or the time at which the re-radiation unit 120 reflects the transmission signal 130.

[0017] Here, when the re-radiation unit 120 is configured with a film having a periodic structure such as a metasurface, reflection / transmission may be switched by electrically switching the re-radiation unit 120 ON / OFF (for example, ON = reflection, OFF = transmission). Furthermore, the directivity of the re-radiation unit 120 may be controlled by providing a phase-shifted area or an area that is electrically switched ON / OFF in the periodic structure of the re-radiation unit 120. For example, re-radiation toward the front seats and re-radiation toward the rear seats of the vehicle 100 may be switched depending on the area and / or time.

[0018] Furthermore, by switching the state of the re-radiating section 120 between a state in which the transmission signal 130 passes and a state in which the transmission signal 130 is reflected, it is possible to monitor both the outside and the inside of the vehicle cabin with a single radar module 110.

[0019] Furthermore, when the radar module 110 is installed on the ceiling inside the vehicle cabin to monitor the outside of the vehicle 100, the re-radiation unit 120 can be set to a transparent state (e.g., transmits light without controlling reflection), thereby simplifying the structure of the re-radiation unit 120. Furthermore, by switching the state of the re-radiation unit 120, monitoring of the outside and inside of the vehicle cabin can be switched, so that the monitoring range can be switched between the outside and inside of the vehicle cabin in a short time. Furthermore, by changing the direction of re-radiation from the re-radiation unit 120 into the vehicle cabin, the front seats or rear seats can be monitored. The transmission signal 130 reflected by a target inside or outside the vehicle cabin is transmitted or reflected by the re-radiation unit 120 toward the radar module 110. The radar module 110 may radiate the transmission signal 130 toward the rear of the vehicle, and the re-radiation unit 120 may be provided on the rear window.

[0020] (Embodiment 2) 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a radar device according to the second embodiment.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the radar module 110 is installed on the ceiling inside the vehicle, but in the second embodiment, the radar module 110 is installed on, for example, the dashboard.

[0022] When re-radiating the transmission signal 130 to the outside of the vehicle cabin, the re-radiation unit 120 does not simply transmit the transmission signal 130, but controls the directivity to transmit the transmission signal.

[0023] The rest is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0024] According to the second embodiment, by installing the radar module 110 on the dashboard, it is possible to reduce the feeling of pressure on the upper part of the passengers and improve the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle interior.

[0025] (Embodiment 3) 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a radar device according to the third embodiment.

[0026] In the first and second embodiments, when the re-radiation unit 120 re-radiates the transmission signal 130 into the vehicle interior, the re-radiation is performed so that the occupants in the vehicle interior can be monitored, but in the third embodiment, the re-radiation unit 120 changes the direction of the re-radiation and re-radiates the signal so that the rear of the vehicle 100 can be monitored through the rear window of the vehicle 100. In Figures 3A and 3B, the radar module 110 is installed on the dashboard as in the second embodiment, but the radar module may also be installed on the ceiling inside the vehicle interior as in the first embodiment.

[0027] The rest is the same as in the first or second embodiment.

[0028] According to the third embodiment, the re-radiation unit 120 changes the direction of re-radiation of the transmission signal 130, so that the area behind the vehicle 100 can be monitored.

[0029] (Fourth embodiment) 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a radar device according to the fourth embodiment. Seats are not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0030] 4A and 4B show the transmission signal 130 emitted from the radar module 110 and the transmission signal 130 re-emitted by the re-emission section 120, but do not show the transmission signal 130 passing through the re-emission section 120.

[0031] In the first and second embodiments, when the re-radiation unit 120 re-radiates the transmission signal 130 into the vehicle interior, the re-radiation unit 120 re-radiates the transmission signal 130 so that the passengers in the vehicle interior can be monitored, but in the fourth embodiment, the re-radiation unit 120 changes the direction of re-radiation so that the side of the vehicle 100 can be monitored. In Figures 4A and 4B, the radar module 110 is installed on the ceiling inside the vehicle interior as in the first embodiment, but the radar module 110 may be installed on the dashboard as in the second embodiment.

[0032] The rest is the same as in the first to third embodiments.

[0033] According to the fourth embodiment, the re-radiation unit 120 changes the direction of re-radiation of the transmission signal 130, so that the sides of the vehicle 100 can be monitored.

[0034] (Embodiment 5) 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a radar device according to embodiment 5. 5A and 5B show a transmission signal 130 emitted from the radar module 110 and a transmission signal 130 re-emitted by the re-emission unit 120, but do not show the transmission signal 130 passing through the re-emission unit 120. Also, seats are not shown in FIG. 5A.

[0035] In the fifth embodiment, the re-radiation unit includes a re-radiation unit 120-1 provided on the windshield and a re-radiation unit 120-2 provided on the side window. The re-radiation unit 120-2 may be provided on the glass of a fixed window (a window that does not open or close). FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a state in which the rear seats are monitored by setting the re-radiation unit 120-1 provided on the windshield in a reflective state and the re-radiation unit 120-2 provided on the side window in a reflective state. By setting the re-radiation unit 120-2 provided on the side window in a transmissive state, the sides of the vehicle 100 can be monitored, as in the fourth embodiment. The blind spots at the lower sides of the vehicle 100 may be monitored by controlling the directivity when the re-radiation unit 120-2 provided on the side window re-radiates (transmits) the transmission signal 130 to the outside of the vehicle compartment.

[0036] The re-radiation unit 120-2 may be provided on a side mirror. The re-radiation unit 120-2 provided on the side mirror can monitor the rear seats or the sides of the vehicle 100 by controlling the directivity of re-radiating the transmission signal 130. The re-radiation unit 120-2 provided on the side mirror may control the direction in which the transmission signal 130 is re-radiated in accordance with the movement (angle) of the side mirror.

[0037] The rest is the same as in the first to fourth embodiments.

[0038] According to the fifth embodiment, by using the re-radiation unit 120-2 provided on the side window, the rear seats can be monitored from the direction of the side window, so that the rear seats can be monitored regardless of the situation of the front seats. By providing the re-radiation unit 120-2 on the glass of a fixed window that does not open or close, stable monitoring can be performed without being affected by the opening or closing of the side window.

[0039] (Sixth embodiment) Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a radar device according to the sixth embodiment. In Fig. 6, seats are not shown.

[0040] In the first to fifth embodiments, the re-radiation units 120 are provided on almost the entire surface of the windshield, but in the sixth embodiment, the re-radiation units 120 are provided on a portion of the windshield. For example, the re-radiation units 120 are provided on the left and right ends of the windshield. The transmission signal 130 passes through the portion of the windshield where the re-radiation units 120 are not provided, so that the outside of the vehicle cabin can be monitored. Furthermore, the re-radiation units 120 re-radiate the transmission signal 130 into the vehicle cabin to monitor the interior of the vehicle cabin. As in the fifth embodiment, the re-radiation units 120 may also be provided on the side windows or side mirrors.

[0041] The rest is the same as in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0042] According to embodiment 6, by limiting the area in which the re-radiation unit 120 reflects the transmission signal 130 to at least a portion of the area (for example, by providing the re-radiation unit 120 on a portion of the windshield), the time or area in which it is difficult to monitor the outside of the vehicle cabin can be minimized.

[0043] (Embodiment 7) Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a radar device according to the seventh embodiment. In Fig. 7, seats are not shown.

[0044] In the seventh embodiment, in the cases of the first to sixth embodiments, a reference object 710 is provided inside the vehicle cabin. The reference object 710 can directly receive the transmission signal 130 from the radar module 110, and can also receive the transmission signal 130 re-radiated by the re-radiation unit 120. By using the reference object 710, it is possible to calibrate the radar module 110 and the re-radiation unit 120. Note that the reference object 710 does not need to be newly installed; an object inside the vehicle cabin can be used as the reference object 710. For example, a structure on the center console, a door handle, a vehicle pillar, or the like can be used as the reference object 710. Calibration may be performed using a plurality of reference objects 710 as a reference.

[0045] Here, the reference object 710 that directly receives the transmission signal 130 from the radar module 110 and the reference object 710 that receives the re-radiated signal re-radiated by the re-radiator 120 do not have to be the same. For example, a doorknob may be used as the reference object 710 that directly receives the transmission signal 130 from the radar module 110, and a structure on the center console may be used as the reference object 710 that receives the re-radiated signal re-radiated by the re-radiator 120.

[0046] The radar module 110 and the re-radiating unit 120 installed in the first to sixth embodiments can be calibrated by using the reference object 710 of the seventh embodiment.

[0047] The reference object 710 in the vehicle interior is fixed in a predetermined position when the vehicle 100 is manufactured, so calibration can be performed with high precision and with few steps (low workload), without affecting the design or aerodynamic characteristics. In addition, both the radar module 110 and the re-radiation unit 120 can be calibrated.

[0048] (Configuration of re-radiation unit 120) The configuration of the re-radiation unit 120 in the first to seventh embodiments will be described. The re-radiation unit 120 can switch between transmitting (re-radiating in a first direction) and reflecting (re-radiating in a second direction) the transmission signal 130 based on at least one of the time, the re-radiation frequency, and the area in the re-radiation unit 120 from which the transmission signal 130 is re-radiated. The re-radiation unit 120 may be able to switch between re-radiation in three or more directions.

[0049] The re-radiation unit 120 can be configured with a metasurface. The metasurface can transmit or reflect the transmission signal 130 emitted by the radar module 110, for example, in response to an external control signal. The re-radiation unit 120 can switch between transmitting and reflecting the transmission signal 130 by switching the control signal over time.

[0050] The re-radiation unit 120 can also be configured with a radio wave control sheet. The radio wave control sheet can reflect specific frequencies and transmit frequencies other than the specific frequencies. The radio wave control sheet can transmit some frequencies of the transmission signal 130 and reflect other frequencies of the transmission signal 130. For example, if the radar module 110 transmits radio waves of 77 to 81 GHz as the transmission signal 130, the radio wave control sheet may reflect the 77 GHz radio waves of the transmission signal 130 and transmit the 78 to 81 GHz radio waves of the transmission signal. The re-radiation unit 120 can switch between transmission and reflection depending on the frequency. The radio wave control sheet may switch between the frequencies of the transmission signal 130 that it reflects and the frequencies of the transmission signal 130 that it transmits using a control signal. For example, the radio wave control sheet may reflect radio waves of 77 to 80 GHz and transmit the 81 GHz radio waves using a control signal.

[0051] In this way, by using a radio wave control sheet as the re-radiation unit 120, it is possible to monitor the inside and outside of the vehicle.

[0052] It has been explained that the re-emission unit 120 can switch between transmission (re-emission in a first direction) and reflection (re-emission in a second direction) and can further control the directivity, but a specific configuration will now be described.

[0053] 8, for example, the re-radiation unit 120 may have regions 121 that reflect the transmission signal 130 and regions 122 that transmit the transmission signal 130 arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Note that the reflecting region 121 and the transmitting region 122 are not limited to a checkerboard pattern and may have any shape.

[0054] Furthermore, in the re-radiation unit 120, the element that reflects the transmission signal 130 may be configured in any shape on a transparent film. The region 122 that transmits the transmission signal 130 may be a transparent film, and the region 121 that reflects the transmission signal 130 may be an element on the transparent film. The re-radiation unit 120 can transmit the transmission signal 130 through the transparent film portion and reflect the transmission signal 130 at the element portion that reflects the transmission signal.

[0055] Furthermore, by using a plurality of re-emitting sections 120 and performing a plurality of reflections, re-emission may be switched between three or more directions.

[0056] The metasurface and the radio wave control sheet may be combined. For example, the region 121 that reflects the transmission signal 130 and the region 122 that transmits the transmission signal 130 shown in FIG. 8 may be configured with a metasurface, and the direction in which the transmission signal 130 is re-emitted may be switched over time.

[0057] The re-radiation unit 120 can be, for example, a metasurface formed on a conductive transparent film. Here, the re-radiation unit 120 can control the transmission and reflection of the transmission signal by passing a control signal through ultra-fine wires provided on the conductive transparent film. For this reason, the ultra-fine wires may be arranged on the conductive transparent film to match the reflective region 121 and the transmissive region 122, or may be arranged in any shape. Furthermore, in the region that reflects the transmission signal, the driver can see outside the vehicle through the re-radiation unit 120.

[0058] (Connection between radar device and ECU) 9, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 910 is connected to a re-radiation unit 120, which is configured, for example, by a metasurface, and is connected to a radar module 110. The radar module 110 includes a signal processing unit (DSP: Digital Signal Processor) 920 and a transmission / reception unit 930.

[0059] The ECU 910 switches the direction in which the re-radiation unit 120 re-radiates the transmission signal 130. The radar module 110 and the re-radiation unit 120 are synchronized, and the radar module 110 recognizes that a reflected signal detected when the re-radiation unit 120 is in a state where the transmission signal 130 is transmitted is a reflected signal from a target outside the vehicle cabin, and recognizes that a reflected signal detected when the re-radiation unit 120 is in a state where the transmission signal 130 is reflected is a reflected signal from a target inside the vehicle cabin. The synchronization of the radar module 110 and the re-radiation unit 120 may be performed by the ECU 910, by another device, or by the radar module 110 and the re-radiation unit 120 mutually.

[0060] The DSP 920 performs signal processing for the radar module 110 under the control of the ECU 910. For example, the DSP 920 calculates the distance from the vehicle 100 to a target and the direction of the target based on information on the direction in which the re-radiation unit 120 re-radiates the transmission signal 130 and information on the reflected signal reflected by the target. Note that the radar device may be configured using multiple radar modules.

[0061] The transceiver 930 emits a transmission signal under the control of the DSP 920 .

[0062] The ECU 910 may be directly connected to the radar module 110 and perform signal processing instead of the DSP 920 .

[0063] When performing calibration, the ECU 910 controls the radar module 110 and the re-radiator 120 so that the transmission signal 130 follows the path shown in FIG.

[0064] The ECU 910 may control the radar module 110 and the re-radiator 120 depending on the state of the vehicle 100. For example, the ECU 910 may perform calibration before shipping (before delivery), and control the radar module 110 and the re-radiator 120 to perform intrusion detection and abandoned vehicle detection (detection inside the vehicle cabin) while the vehicle is parked, and to perform detection outside and inside the vehicle cabin while the vehicle is moving. Furthermore, the ECU 910 may monitor the front of the vehicle and the inside of the vehicle cabin when the vehicle is moving forward, and monitor the rear of the vehicle and the sides of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving backward.

[0065] Furthermore, the ECU 910 may control the direction in which the re-radiation unit 120 re-radiates the transmission signal 130 so that the detection is centered on the direction of a previously detected target (or a newly detected target). This allows for highly accurate detection of the target.

[0066] (Combination of techniques disclosed in each embodiment) The techniques disclosed in each embodiment can be combined. For example, by combining the techniques disclosed in the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the directivity of the re-radiation unit 120 when re-radiating the transmission signal 130 can be set to the seats, the rear of the vehicle, and the sides of the vehicle. Furthermore, by combining the techniques disclosed in the first and fifth embodiments, even if the technology disclosed in the first embodiment cannot adequately monitor the rear seats, the technology disclosed in the fifth embodiment can be used to perform monitoring.

[0067] In these cases, the directivity may be controlled by the frequency of the transmission signal 130, by a control signal from an ECU or the like, or by the location of the re-radiation unit 120 arranged on the windshield.

[0068] As a method of adjusting the reflective area, for example, the location where the re-emitting section 120 is installed may be selected as in embodiment 6, or the area of ​​the re-emitting section 120 may be adjusted as in FIG. 8, or the location where the re-emitting section 120 is installed may be selected and then the area of ​​the re-emitting section 120 may be adjusted.

[0069] In the above-described embodiments, the notation of each component may be replaced with other notations such as "...circuitry," "...assembly," "...device," "...unit," or "...module."

[0070] Furthermore, the present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software linked to hardware. Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely controlled by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of a single chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI.

[0071] The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0072] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, it is natural that such technology can be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology is also a possibility.

[0073] (1) A radar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a radar module that emits a transmission signal, and a re-radiation unit that re-radiates the transmission signal by at least one of transmission and reflection. (2) A radar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is the radar device of (1), wherein the re-radiating unit is configured with a metasurface. (3) In a radar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar device of (1), the re-radiator transmits the transmission signal at a first time and reflects the transmission signal at a second time different from the first time. (4) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a radar device is the radar device of (1), wherein a first region of the re-radiating section transmits the transmission signal, and a second region of the re-radiating section different from the first region reflects the transmission signal. (5) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar device of (1), the radar module emits a transmission signal of a first frequency and a transmission signal of a second frequency different from the first frequency as the transmission signal, and the re-radiator transmits the transmission signal of the first frequency and reflects the transmission signal of the second frequency. (6) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a radar system includes the radar device of (1) mounted on a vehicle. (7) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is the radar system of (6), wherein the radar module is installed inside the vehicle and the re-radiation unit is installed on the glass of the vehicle. (8) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (7), the re-radiation unit is installed at the left and right ends of the windshield of the vehicle. (9) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is the radar system of (7), wherein the radar module is installed on the ceiling of the vehicle interior. (10) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes the radar system of (7), wherein the radar module is installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. (11) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (7), the vehicle re-radiates the transmission signal outside the vehicle cabin, and when re-radiating the transmission signal into the vehicle cabin, reflects the transmission signal. (12) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in a vehicle of the radar system of (11), the re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal when the radar device performs calibration, and transmits the transmission signal when the radar device detects a target outside the vehicle cabin. (13) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is a radar system as in (11), wherein the re-radiator reflects at least a portion of the transmission signal while the vehicle is parked and transmits at least a portion of the transmission signal while the vehicle is moving. (14) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (11), the glass is the windshield of the vehicle, and the re-radiation unit, when re-radiating the transmission signal into the interior of the vehicle, reflects the transmission signal in the direction of a seat inside the interior of the vehicle. (15) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (11), the glass is the windshield of the vehicle, and when the re-radiator detects a target behind the vehicle, it reflects the transmitted signal toward the rear window of the vehicle. (16) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (11), the glass is the windshield of the vehicle, and the re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal toward the side window of the vehicle when re-radiating the transmission signal into the interior of the vehicle. (17) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (11), the glass is the windshield and side glass of the vehicle, and the re-radiation unit has a first re-radiation unit installed on the windshield and a second re-radiation unit installed on the side glass, and when the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal into the interior of the vehicle, the first re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal in the direction of the side glass, and the second re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal reflected by the first re-radiation unit in the direction of the rear seats in the vehicle interior. (18) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (11), the glass is the windshield and side glass of the vehicle, the re-radiation unit has a first re-radiation unit installed on the windshield and a second re-radiation unit installed on the side glass, and when the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal to the side of the vehicle, the first re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal in the direction of the side glass, and the second re-radiation unit transmits the transmission signal reflected by the first re-radiation unit to the side of the vehicle. (19) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (11), the glass is the windshield of the vehicle, the re-radiation unit is installed on the windshield and the side mirror, the re-radiation unit has a first re-radiation unit installed on the windshield and a second re-radiation unit installed on the side mirror, and when the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal into the vehicle cabin, the first re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal in the direction of the side mirror, and the second re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal reflected by the first re-radiation unit in the direction of the rear seats in the vehicle cabin. (20) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (11), the vehicle performs calibration by radiating the transmission signal to a fixed object within the vehicle or re-radiating the transmission signal. (21) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (6), the radar device is controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle. (22) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the radar system of (21), the ECU controls the radar module and the re-radiator depending on the state of the vehicle. (23) In one aspect of the present disclosure, in the vehicle radar system of (21), the radar module is synchronized with the re-radiator. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The present disclosure is useful for on-vehicle radar devices and radar systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100 vehicles 110 Radar Module 120 Re-radiating section 121 Area that reflects the transmitted signal 122 Area through which transmitted signals are transmitted 130 Transmitted Signal 710 Reference object 910 ECU 920 DSP 930 Transmitter / Receiver

Claims

1. a radar module for emitting a transmission signal; a re-radiation unit that re-radiates the transmission signal by at least one of transmission and reflection; A radar device comprising:

2. The re-radiation portion is composed of a metasurface. The radar device according to claim 1 .

3. the re-radiation unit transmits the transmission signal at a first time and reflects the transmission signal at a second time different from the first time. The radar device according to claim 1 .

4. a first region of the re-radiating portion transmits the transmission signal, and a second region of the re-radiating portion different from the first region reflects the transmission signal; The radar device according to claim 1 .

5. the radar module emits, as the transmission signals, a transmission signal of a first frequency and a transmission signal of a second frequency different from the first frequency, and the re-radiator transmits the transmission signal of the first frequency and reflects the transmission signal of the second frequency; The radar device according to claim 1 .

6. A radar system comprising the radar device according to claim 1 mounted on a vehicle.

7. The radar module is installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; The re-radiation unit is installed on the glass of the vehicle.

7. The radar system of claim 6.

8. The re-radiation units are installed at the left and right ends of the windshield of the vehicle.

8. The radar system of claim 7.

9. The radar module is installed on the ceiling of the vehicle interior.

8. The radar system of claim 7.

10. The radar module is installed on the dashboard of the vehicle.

8. The radar system of claim 7.

11. the re-radiation unit transmits the transmission signal when the transmission signal is re-radiated to the outside of the vehicle; reflecting the transmitted signal when the transmitted signal is to be re-radiated into the interior of the vehicle; 8. The radar system of claim 7.

12. the re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal when the radar device performs calibration, and transmits the transmission signal when the radar device detects a target outside the vehicle. The radar system of claim 11.

13. the re-radiation unit reflects at least a part of the transmission signal while the vehicle is parked, and transmits at least a part of the transmission signal while the vehicle is moving. The radar system of claim 11.

14. the glass is a windshield of the vehicle, When the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal into the interior of the vehicle, the re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal in a direction toward a seat in the interior of the vehicle. The radar system of claim 11.

15. the glass is a windshield of the vehicle, When detecting a target behind the vehicle, the re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal toward a rear window of the vehicle. The radar system of claim 11.

16. the glass is a windshield of the vehicle, When the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal into the interior of the vehicle, the re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal in a direction toward a side window of the vehicle. The radar system of claim 11.

17. the glass is a windshield and a side glass of the vehicle, the re-radiation unit includes a first re-radiation unit installed on the windshield and a second re-radiation unit installed on the side window; When the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal into the interior of the vehicle, the first re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal toward the side window; The second re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal reflected by the first re-radiation unit toward a rear seat in the interior of the vehicle. The radar system of claim 11.

18. the glass is a windshield and a side glass of the vehicle, the re-radiation unit includes a first re-radiation unit installed on the windshield and a second re-radiation unit installed on the side window; When the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal to the side of the vehicle, the first re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal toward the side window; The second re-radiation unit transmits the transmission signal reflected by the first re-radiation unit to the side of the vehicle. The radar system of claim 11.

19. the glass is a windshield of the vehicle, The re-radiation units are installed on the windshield and the side mirrors, the re-radiation unit includes a first re-radiation unit installed on the windshield and a second re-radiation unit installed on the side mirror, When the re-radiation unit re-radiates the transmission signal into the vehicle interior, the first re-radiator reflects the transmission signal in the direction of the side mirror; The second re-radiation unit reflects the transmission signal reflected by the first re-radiation unit toward a rear seat in the vehicle interior. The radar system of claim 11.

20. When the radar module is calibrating, the radar module radiates the transmission signal to a fixed object within the vehicle or re-radiates the transmission signal. The radar system of claim 11.

21. The radar device is controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle.

7. The radar system of claim 6.

22. The ECU controls the radar module and the re-radiator in accordance with the state of the vehicle.

22. The radar system of claim 21.

23. The radar module is synchronized with the re-radiator.

22. The radar system of claim 21.

Images