Antenna module and MIMO radar system with the same

Abstract

A MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) radar system and antenna modules may be disclosed. A MIMO radar system according to one embodiment includes a plurality of antenna modules that simultaneously radiate radar signals and simultaneously receive reflected signals reflected from an object to generate ADC (Analog to Digital Conversion) data; and a data receiving module connected to the plurality of antenna modules, storing ADC data and performing beamforming processing on the ADC data, wherein the plurality of antenna modules may be arranged horizontally and expanded.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna module and a MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) radar system including the same. Background Technology

[0002] Radar is a device that obtains information regarding the location of an object by determining its bearing and distance using the reflection and scattering characteristics of radio waves. In other words, radar radiates radio waves toward an object, receives the reflected waves of that energy, and measures the target's position based on the round-trip time and the antenna's directional characteristics, utilizing the straight-line propagation and constant speed of the waves.

[0003] Meanwhile, in order to achieve target identification performance through the miniaturization and high resolution of radar, there is a need to develop a radar system capable of accurately searching for targets in the high frequency band, the W band (56 GHz to 110 GHz).

[0004] Conventionally, general MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) antennas have been developed to manufacture and use systems that meet development objectives. While such systems can be applied to platforms that meet development objectives, there are problems with their difficulty in applying them to other platforms or technologies. The problem to be solved

[0005] The present invention can provide a MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) radar system and an antenna module that can be applied to various platforms using an expandable antenna module. means of solving the problem

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar system may be disclosed. A MIMO radar system according to one embodiment comprises: a plurality of antenna modules that simultaneously radiate radar signals and simultaneously receive reflected signals reflected from an object to generate Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC) data; and a data receiving module connected to the plurality of antenna modules, storing the ADC data and performing beamforming processing on the ADC data, wherein each of the plurality of antenna modules includes a modularized MIMO antenna module, and the modularized MIMO antenna module has an expandable structure arranged in a horizontal direction, wherein each antenna of the plurality of antenna modules includes an antenna having six transmitting channels and eight receiving channels, and each of the plurality of antenna modules includes a receiving antenna that receives the reflected signal; and a transmitting antenna that radiates the radar signal. The receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna are manufactured as a board including an MMIC chip connected to the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna, and the board has dimensions of 103 mm in width × 89 mm in height, and the receiving antenna may have a shape in which four antennas are arranged in the azimuth direction at a first preset interval and two antennas are arranged at a second preset interval, the first preset interval is configured to be 2.15 mm and the second preset interval is configured to be 51.6 mm, and the transmitting antenna may have six antennas arranged at a third preset interval and the third preset interval is configured to be 8.6 mm.

[0007] In one embodiment, the receiving antenna may include dummy antennas located at both ends of the board and not connected to the MMIC chip.

[0008] In one embodiment, the plurality of antenna modules can be expanded to an even number.

[0009] In one embodiment, CPWG feed lines are connected to the eight receiving antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the receiving antennas can be designed to be 20.5 mm in diameter.

[0010] In one embodiment, CPWG feed lines are connected to the six transmitting antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the transmitting antennas can be designed to be 28.27 mm.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an antenna module may be disclosed. An antenna module according to one embodiment includes a transmitting antenna that radiates a radar signal; a receiving antenna that receives a reflected signal reflected by an object; and an MMIC chip connected to the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna. The antenna module includes a modularized MIMO antenna module, and the modularized MIMO antenna module has an expandable structure arranged in a horizontal direction. The antenna module is manufactured as a board having dimensions of 103 mm in width × 89 mm in height. The receiving antenna may have a shape in which four antennas are arranged in an azimuth direction at a first preset interval, and two antennas are arranged at a second preset interval. The first preset interval is configured to be 2.15 mm, and the second preset interval is configured to be 51.6 mm. The transmitting antenna may have six antennas arranged at a third preset interval, and the third preset interval is configured to be 8.6 mm.

[0012] In one embodiment, the receiving antenna may include dummy antennas located at both ends of the board and not connected to the MMIC chip.

[0013] In one embodiment, CPWG feed lines are connected to the eight receiving antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the receiving antennas can be designed to be 20.5 mm in diameter.

[0014] In one embodiment, CPWG feed lines are connected to the six transmitting antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the transmitting antennas can be designed to be 28.27 mm. Effects of the invention

[0015] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the antenna module can be expanded, and the expandable antenna module can be used to increase the utility when designing radar that meets the purpose of various platforms.

[0016] In addition, a radar system with high gain and high azimuth resolution can be designed simply by expanding the antenna module.

[0017] In addition, the antenna module can be expanded to an even number, which not only increases the gain by 6 dB but also theoretically increases the radar detection range by 30% under the same conditions.

[0018] In addition, by expanding the antenna modules to an even number, the beam width can be narrowed by more than double when digital beamforming is performed on the data generated by the antenna modules, thereby enabling the acquisition of high-resolution azimuth angles.

[0019] In addition, by expanding the antenna module with 48 channels to an even number, beam synthesis results of antennas with many channels can be obtained.

[0020] According to various embodiments of the present invention, it is applicable to the fields of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) detection systems, sensors in Urban Air Mobility (UAM), navigation radar sensors in unmanned surface vessels, or collision avoidance sensors. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) radar system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a MIMO antenna. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a MIMO antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an antenna module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a plurality of antenna modules according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the beam characteristics when one antenna module is arranged according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the beam characteristics when four antenna modules according to one embodiment of the present invention are arranged in the horizontal direction. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the beam characteristics when eight antenna modules according to one embodiment of the present invention are arranged in the horizontal direction. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention are illustrative for the purpose of explaining the technical concept of the present invention. The scope of rights according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented below or the specific description thereof.

[0023] All technical and scientific terms used in this invention, unless otherwise defined, have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All terms used in this invention are selected for the purpose of further explaining this invention and are not selected to limit the scope of rights according to this invention.

[0024] Expressions such as "comprising," "having," "having," etc. used in the present invention should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments, unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence containing such expressions.

[0025] Unless otherwise stated, singular expressions described in the present invention may include the meaning of the plural form, and this applies likewise to singular expressions described in the claims.

[0026] Expressions such as "first," "second," etc. used in the present invention are used to distinguish multiple components from one another and do not limit the order or importance of said components.

[0027] As used in the present invention, the term “part” refers to software or hardware components such as FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays) and ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). However, “part” is not limited to hardware and software. “Part” may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to run on one or more processors. Accordingly, by example, “part” includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, as well as processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Components and functions provided within “part” may be combined into a smaller number of components and “parts” or separated into additional components and “parts.”

[0028] The expression "based on" used in the present invention is used to describe one or more factors affecting the act or operation of a decision or judgment described in the phrase or sentence containing said expression, and this expression does not exclude additional factors affecting the act or operation of a decision or judgment.

[0029] In the present invention, where it is stated that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component can be directly connected or connected to the other component, or can be connected or connected through a new or different component.

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments below, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the MIMO radar system (100) may include a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) and a data receiving module (120).

[0032] A plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can radiate radar signals and receive reflected signals reflected from an object. In one embodiment, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can simultaneously radiate radar signals and simultaneously receive reflected signals.

[0033] According to various embodiments, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can simultaneously radiate radar signals, thereby increasing the detection range. Additionally, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can simultaneously receive reflected signals, thereby obtaining an effect similar to an array corresponding to a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N). That is, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can obtain an effect similar to an array corresponding to the number of antenna modules with respect to beam width and side lobe levels.

[0034] According to various embodiments, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) may include antenna modules usable in the W band (75 GHz to 79 GHz). In one embodiment, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) may include modularized MIMO antenna modules. Accordingly, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can be easily expanded using modularized MIMO antennas.

[0035] According to various embodiments, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can generate Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC) data based on a received reflected signal. In one embodiment, a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) can generate ADC data by performing analog-to-digital conversion on the reflected signal.

[0036] The data receiving module (120) can be connected to a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N). The data receiving module (120) can store ADC data generated by the plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) and perform beamforming processing on the stored ADC data.

[0037] According to various embodiments, the data receiving module (120) may include a Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) receiver. In one embodiment, the data receiving module (120) may store ADC data provided from a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) using an LVDS receiver.

[0038] According to various embodiments, the data receiving module (120) can perform pattern synthesis using ADC data provided from a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N). In one embodiment, the data receiving module (120) can perform digital beamforming on the ADC data. For example, the data receiving module (120) can collect ADC data and perform digital beamforming. In this way, a radar system with excellent azimuth resolution can be easily designed by collecting ADC data and performing digital beamforming.

[0039] According to various embodiments, the data receiving module (120) can form a beam pattern that is completely identical to MIMO with the same weighting, such that the grating lobe position of the transmitting (Tx) completely overlaps with the null position of the receiving (Rx) by having a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) simultaneously transmit radar signals and simultaneously receive reflected signals.

[0040] Hereinafter, an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the concept of a MIMO antenna, FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the concept of a MIMO antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a plurality of antenna modules according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a MIMO antenna and shows an antenna array shape selected by considering the antenna spacing that prevents grating lobes from occurring in the azimuth operating range. Referring to FIG. 2, eight receiving antennas are arranged at intervals of 2.15 mm (=d) in the azimuth direction, and six transmitting antennas are arranged at intervals of 17.2 mm (=8×d), so that 48 virtual array antennas arranged at equal intervals can be formed during the operation of the MIMO antenna.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a MIMO antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an antenna array shape selected by considering an antenna spacing in which grating lobes do not occur in an azimuth operating range (±50 degrees). Referring to FIG. 3, the receiving antennas are arranged at intervals of 2.15 mm (=d), and two array shapes arranged in the azimuth direction are arranged at intervals of 51.6 mm (=24*d), and the transmitting antennas are arranged at intervals of 8.6 mm (=4×d), so that when the MIMO antenna is in operation, 48 virtual array antennas arranged at equal intervals, identical to the array shape shown in FIG. 2, can be formed.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the antenna module (110_i (1≤i≤N)) may include a receiving antenna (410_1, 410_2), a transmitting antenna (420), and an MMIC chip (430).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving antennas (410_1, 410_2) may be arranged at intervals of 2.15 mm (=d), and four antennas arranged in the azimuth direction may be arranged at intervals of 51.6 mm (=24×d). The antennas at each end of the receiving antenna (410_1) and the receiving antenna (410_2) may be dummy antennas (i.e., dummy channels). The dummy antennas are not connected to the MMIC chip (430) as shown in FIG. 4.

[0045] Six transmitting antennas (420) can be arranged at intervals of 8.6 mm (= 4 × d). In one embodiment, the transmitting antennas (420) can be arranged with dimensions of 51.52 mm in width × 26.27 mm in height.

[0046] The MMIC chip (430) can be connected to the receiving antenna (410) and the transmitting antenna (420). The MMIC chip (430) can perform signal processing on the reflected signal provided from the receiving antennas (410_1, 410_2) and generate a radar signal to be provided to the transmitting antenna (420). In one embodiment, a commercial MMIC chip may be used for the MMIC chip (430).

[0047] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (110_i (1 ≤ i ≤ N)) may include a microstrip antenna designed and fabricated using an MMIC chip (430). In one embodiment, the antenna module (110_i (1 ≤ i ≤ N)) may be fabricated using two MMIC chips (430).

[0048] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (110_i (1≤i≤N)) may be manufactured as a board including a receiving antenna (410_1, 410_2), a transmitting antenna (420), and an MMIC chip (430). In one embodiment, the board may be manufactured as a board with dimensions of 103 mm in width × 89 mm in height. Generally, in the characteristics of a MIMO antenna, it is important to offset the grating lobes within an azimuth operating range (±50 degrees). The board of the antenna module (110_i (1≤i≤N)) has an area of ​​approximately 95 mm for the transmitting antenna (420), and the CPWG (Coplanar-Waveguide with Ground) feed lines connected to 8 receiving antennas (410_1, 410_2) are designed to be uniformly 20.5 mm to minimize phase and loss differences, and the CPWG feed lines connected to 6 transmitting antennas (420) are designed to be uniformly 28.27 mm. The CPWG (waveguide transition structure) lines of the transmitting antenna (420) and receiving antennas (410_1, 410_2) are designed symmetrically in groups of four to minimize phase and loss differences between channels, and dummy antennas are placed at both ends in the azimuth direction to reduce the difference in beam patterns between the receiving antennas (410). Accordingly, the modularized board of the antenna module (110_i(1≤i≤N)) can have a size of 103 mm in width × 89 mm in height.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a plurality of antenna modules according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) represent an extension of N antenna modules (110_i (1≤i≤N)) and may include antennas having a MIMO concept. Each antenna of the plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) may include an antenna having 6 transmission channels and 8 reception channels, and may include an antenna having 48 channels of beam characteristics. Accordingly, the plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) may have 48 channels × N (N is the number of antenna modules) of beam characteristics.

[0050] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) has a width of 103 mm and a height of 89 mm, and the MIMO concept can be introduced through a separation structure for transmission and reception.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the channels of a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_N) may have a structure in which the channels of a single antenna module (110_i (1≤i≤N)) are expanded by the number of antenna modules. Specifically, in the conventional general MIMO concept, a virtual array of 48 channels corresponding to 6 transmission channels and 8 reception channels is generated for a single antenna module, and when two antenna modules are used in the MIMO concept, a virtual array of 192 channels corresponding to 12 transmission channels and 16 reception channels is generated. However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a virtual array of 48 channels is generated for a single antenna module, and a virtual array of 96 channels (48 channels + 48 channels) can be generated for two antenna modules. That is, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a structure in which 48 channels are expanded each time an antenna module is expanded one by one can be provided. Therefore, if the antenna module is expanded to four, a beamwidth and side lobe level similar to a 192-channel virtual array can be obtained, and there is an effect of increasing the transmission output by 3dB.

[0052] In this way, by expanding the antenna module to multiple units, not only can the antenna gain be increased, but a high-resolution radar in the azimuth direction can also be designed by reducing the azimuth beamwidth. Consequently, as the antenna transmit / receive gain increases, the detection range can be increased.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, simply extending the modularized MIMO antenna module horizontally increases the gain within the azimuth operating range (±50 degrees), improves the side lobe level, and narrows the beam width, thereby enabling the production of a long-range and high-resolution radar.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the characteristics when one antenna module is arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the transmit / receive pattern for the antenna module (110_1) has a gain of 24.23. In addition, when the antenna module (110_1) transmits / receives a radar signal, it has a gain of 48.57 and a side lobe level characteristic of -13.20, and has a 2-way beam width of 2.62 degrees.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the beam characteristics when four antenna modules are arranged in the horizontal direction according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the transmission gain for the plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_4) is 30.34 dBi, and the reception gain is 30.23 dBi. When the plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_4) transmit and receive radar signals, they have a gain of 60.57 and a side lobe level of -23.70, and can have a beam width of 0.49 degrees in 2-way. Compared to a configuration with one antenna module, the size in the horizontal length direction has increased by four times, the gain has increased by 12 dB, and the beam width has narrowed by more than five times, thereby enabling good azimuth resolution.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the beam characteristics when eight antenna modules are arranged in the horizontal direction according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the transmission gain for a plurality of antenna modules (110_1 to 110_8) is 33.34 dBi, and the reception gain is 33.23 dBi. In addition, when transmitting and receiving radar signals, it has a gain of 66.57 and a side lobe level of -26.06, and the beam width is 0.24 degrees in 2-way. Compared to a configuration with four antenna modules arranged, the size in the horizontal length direction is doubled, the gain is increased by 6 dB, and the beam width is narrowed by more than double, thereby enabling good azimuth resolution.

[0057] In this way, as the antenna module is expanded to an even number, the gain increases by 6 dB, the radar detection range can theoretically increase by 30% under the same conditions, and the beam width can be narrowed by more than double, thereby providing conditions for obtaining a high-resolution azimuth.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the utility of radar design suitable for various platform purposes can be increased by using a simply expandable antenna module, and it has the advantage of being able to design a radar with high gain and high azimuth resolution through simple expansion alone.

[0059] Although the technical concept of the present invention has been described by some embodiments and examples illustrated in the attached drawings, it should be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and changes may be made without departing from the technical concept and scope of the present invention as understood by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, such substitutions, modifications, and changes should be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0060] 100: MIMO radar system, 110_1 to 110_N: Antenna modules, 120: Data receiving module, 410_1, 410_2: 420: Transmitting antenna, 430: MMIC chip

Claims

Claim 1 A MIMO radar system comprises: a plurality of antenna modules that simultaneously radiate radar signals and simultaneously receive reflected signals reflected from an object to generate Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC) data; and a data receiving module connected to the plurality of antenna modules, storing the ADC data and performing beamforming processing on the ADC data, wherein each of the plurality of antenna modules includes a modularized MIMO antenna module, and the modularized MIMO antenna module has an expandable structure arranged in a horizontal direction, wherein each antenna of the plurality of antenna modules includes an antenna having six transmitting channels and eight receiving channels, and each of the plurality of antenna modules includes a receiving antenna that receives the reflected signal; and a transmitting antenna that radiates the radar signal. A MIMO radar system comprising a board including an MMIC chip connected to the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna, wherein the board has dimensions of 103 mm in width × 89 mm in height, wherein the receiving antenna has a configuration in which four antennas are arranged in the azimuth direction at a first preset interval and two antennas are arranged at a second preset interval, wherein the first preset interval is configured to be 2.15 mm and the second preset interval is configured to be 51.6 mm, and the transmitting antenna has six antennas arranged at a third preset interval, wherein the third preset interval is configured to be 8.6 mm. Claim 2 A MIMO radar system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving antenna is located at both ends of the board and includes a dummy antenna not connected to the MMIC chip. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the plurality of antenna modules is an even number of MIMO radar modules. Claim 4 A MIMO radar system according to claim 3, wherein CPWG feed lines are connected to the eight receiving antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the receiving antennas are designed to be identically 20.5 mm. Claim 5 A MIMO radar system according to claim 4, wherein CPWG feed lines are connected to the six transmitting antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the transmitting antennas are designed to be identically 28.27 mm. Claim 6 An antenna module comprising: a transmitting antenna that radiates a radar signal; a receiving antenna that receives a reflected signal reflected by an object; and an MMIC chip connected to the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna, wherein the antenna module comprises a modularized MIMO antenna module, wherein the modularized MIMO antenna module has an expandable structure arranged in a horizontal direction, wherein the antenna module is manufactured as a board having dimensions of 103 mm in width × 89 mm in height, wherein the receiving antenna has a shape in which four antennas are arranged in the azimuth direction at a first preset interval and two antennas are arranged at a second preset interval, wherein the first preset interval is configured to be 2.15 mm and the second preset interval is configured to be 51.6 mm, and the transmitting antenna has six antennas arranged at a third preset interval, wherein the third preset interval is configured to be 8.6 mm. Claim 7 In claim 6, the receiving antenna is located at both ends of the board and includes an antenna module comprising a dummy antenna not connected to the MMIC chip. Claim 8 An antenna module according to claim 7, wherein CPWG feed lines are connected to the eight receiving antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the receiving antennas are designed to be identically 20.5mm. Claim 9 An antenna module according to claim 8, wherein CPWG feed lines are connected to the six transmitting antennas, and the CPWG feed lines connected to the transmitting antennas are designed to be identically 28.27 mm.

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