Waveguide antenna device for a radar system, transceiver device, radar system, driver assistance system, vehicle and method of operating a waveguide antenna device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a waveguide antenna device (28) for a radar system (14), in particular for a radar system (14) for a vehicle (10), a transceiver device (18), a radar system (14), a driver assistance system (12), a vehicle and a method of operating a waveguide antenna device (28). The waveguide antenna device (28) comprises a structure (30), which contains at least one waveguide (32) with at least one waveguide opening (48). The at least one waveguide (32) leads to at least one radiator (34) located on a topside (42) of the structure (30). The structure (30) comprises at least one parasitic interruption (36) on at least one surface of the structure (30). At least one parasitic interruption (36) interrupts at least one top edge (44) of the structure (30), wherein the at least one top edge (44) extends between the topside (42) and an adjacent lateral side (40) of the structure (30).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Waveguide antenna device for a radar system, transceiver device, radar system, driver assistance system, vehicle and method of operating a waveguide antenna device

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to a waveguide antenna device for a radar system, in particular for a radar system for a vehicle, comprising a structure, which contains at least one waveguide with at least one waveguide opening, whereby the at least one waveguide leads to at least one radiator located on a topside of the structure, and whereby the structure comprises at least one parasitic interruption on at least one surface of the structure.

[0005] Further, the invention relates to a transceiver device for a radar system, in particular a radar system for a vehicle, comprising at least one mounting body, at least one waveguide antenna device, which is mounted on the mounting body, and at least one port interface.

[0006] Furthermore, the invention relates to a radar system, in particular a radar system for a vehicle, comprising at least one mounting body, at least one waveguide antenna device, which is mounted on the mounting body, and at least one transceiver device, and at least one control device.

[0007] In addition, the invention relates to a driver assistance system comprising at least one radar system and at least one control unit.

[0008] Moreover, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one radar system.

[0009] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of operating a waveguide antenna device for a radar system, in particular for a radar system for a vehicle, wherein electromagnetic radar radiation is transferred by means of at least one waveguide and at least one radiator, which are contained in a structure of the waveguide antenna device, wherein the radar radiation is affected by means of at least one parasitic interruption on at least one surface of the structure. State of Technology

[0010] From the US 2022 / 0244346 A1 techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a waveguide with lobe suppression are known. A waveguide is described that includes a pipe for containing a dielectric, the pipe defining an open end to a longitudinal direction through the pipe. An array of radiating slots is formed through a surface of the pipe and in communication with the dielectric. To suppress grating lobes in an antenna pattern, the waveguide includes at least one parasitic groove that is separate from the pipe and with at least a portion of a length that is parallel to the array of radiating slots. In this way, the waveguide provides an antenna pattern where grating lobes are suppressed or substantially reduced.

[0011] It is an objective of the invention to provide a waveguide antenna device, a transceiver device, a radar system, a driver assistance system, a vehicle and a method of the kind mentioned at the beginning, in which unwanted radiation, in particular unwanted radar radiation, from at least one surface of the structure and / or disturbances in the radar antenna pattern can be reduced.

[0012] Disclosure of Invention

[0013] The objective of the invention is achieved with the waveguide antenna device by that at least one parasitic interruption interrupts at least one top edge of the structure, wherein the at least one top edge extends between the topside and an adjacent lateral side of the structure.

[0014] With the waveguide antenna device according to invention, unwanted radiation, in particular unwanted radar radiation, from the at least one surface of the structure are reduced. Additionally, disturbances in the antenna pattern can be reduced. The unwanted radiation and the disturbances of the antenna pattern can be caused for example by currents, which are induced by the radar radiation of interest in the area of the at least one top edge of the structure.

[0015] According to the invention, the course of at least one top edge is interrupted by at least one parasitic interruption. So, straight runs of the at least one top edge can be reduced. In this way, surface currents in the area of the at least one top edge can be disturbed. Thus, diffraction effects impacting smoothness of the radar radiation pattern can be minimized.

[0016] The radar radiation of interest is the electromagnetic radiation, which is transceived by the at least one radiator. The radar radiation of interest may be electromagnetic radiation, which is transmitted by at least one radiator, in particular a transmit radiator, and / or electromagnetic radiation, which is to be received by at least one radiator, in particular a receive radiator.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one parasitic interruption can be a depression, a recess or a groove or the like in the respective side of the structure. In this way, the parasitic interruption can easily be realized.

[0018] Advantageously, at least one parasitic interruption can be separate from the at least one waveguide. In this way, the waveguide is not disturbed. Advantageously, at least one parasitic interruption can be separate from the at least one radiator. In this way, the transition of radar radiation between the at least one radiator in the environment is not disturbed.

[0019] The term “top” in “topside” and “top edge” and the term “bottom” in “bottom side” and “bottom edge” only serve for distinguishability and do not necessary indicating orientation of the structure in space. The topside of the top edges are usually facing the monitoring area. The topside can be the transceiver side of the waveguide antenna device. The bottom side of the structure is opposite to the topside.

[0020] Advantageously, the bottom side of the structure can be provided as connection side for connecting the waveguide antenna device to an appropriate mounting body, in particular to a mounting plate such as a printed circuit board.

[0021] Advantageously, the waveguide opening of at least one waveguide, in particular the waveguide openings of all waveguides, can be located on the bottom side of the structure. In this way, the waveguide openings can be brought together with appropriate port interfaces. The port interfaces can be located on an appropriate mounting body, in particular a mounting plate such as a printed circuit board. “Radar radiation” and “radiation” in the sense of the invention refers to electromagnetic radar waves or radar signals transmitted or received by the radar system.

[0022] “Radiator” in the sense of the invention means, that said radiator is in principle suitable for transmitting and for receiving radar radiation. Dependent on the design of the radar system, each radiator can be provided for either transmitting or receiving radar radiation. The same applies to “port interfaces”.

[0023] The invention may be used for radar systems of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. Advantageously, the invention can be used on land vehicles, in particular a passenger cars, lorries, buses, motorcycles or the like, aircraft and / or watercraft and / or drones. The invention may also be used for radar systems of vehicles which can be operated autonomously or partially autonomously. However, the invention is not limited to vehicles. It can also be used with the radar systems in stationary operation, robotics and / or machines, in particular construction or transport machines, such as cranes, excavators or the like.

[0024] The radar system may advantageously be connected to or be part of at least one electronic control device of a vehicle or a machine, in particular a driver assistance system. In this way autonomous or partially autonomous operation of the vehicle or the machine can be enabled.

[0025] The radar system can be used to detect stationary or moving objects, in particular vehicles, persons, animals, obstacles, road unevenness, in particular potholes or stones, road limitations, open spaces, in particular parking spaces, precipitations or the like.

[0026] According to a favorable embodiment, at least one parasitic interruption can extend from the at least one top edge into the topside of the structure and / or at least one parasitic interruption can extend from the at least one top edge into the respective lateral side of the structure. In this way, the effect of the interruption can be further improved. According to another favorable embodiment, at least one parasitic interruption can interrupt at least one top edge which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of the at least one radiator and / or at least one parasitic interruption can interrupt at least one top edge which extends parallel to a latitudinal direction of the at least one radiator and / or at least one parasitic interruption can interrupt at least one top edge which extends slanted to a direction, in particular a longitudinal direction and / or a latitudinal direction, of at the least one radiator. In this way, the reduction of unwanted radiation from the at least one top edge can be further improved.

[0027] According to another favorable embodiment, at least one parasitic interruption can have a V-shaped profile and / or a U-shaped profile and / or the profile of at least one parasitic interruption can have a constant shape. In this way, the profile of the at least one parasitic interruption can be easily produced by cutting, carving or molding or the like, for example. The profile may also have a constant shape, and a dimension of the profile may be constant along its length or the dimension may vary along the length of the parasitic interruption.

[0028] According to another favorable embodiment, along its length, at least one parasitic interruption can have an increasing dimension towards the at least one top edge. In this way, a reduction of the unwanted radiation can be further improved.

[0029] According to another favorable embodiment, at least one parasitic interruption can extend only into the topside and a part of the respective lateral side of the structure and / or at least one parasitic interruption can also extend in the respective lateral side of the structure between the at least one top edge and at least one bottom edge, in particular the bottom edge adjacent to the respective lateral side, of the structure, wherein the at least one bottom edge is located between a lateral side, in particular the respective lateral side, and a bottom side of the structure, wherein the bottom side is opposite the topside of the structure. In this way, the at least one parasitic interruption can be customized to the design of the structure and the arrangement of the at least one radiator.

[0030] According to another favorable embodiment, at least two parasitic interruptions with identical shapes and / or identical dimensions can interrupt the same top edge or different top edges and / or at least two parasitic interruptions with different shapes and / or different dimensions can interrupt the same top edge or different top edges. Parasitic interruptions with identical shapes and / or dimensions can be produced more easily. Parasitic interruptions with different shapes and / or dimensions can be adapted more individually to the radiation characteristics.

[0031] According to another favorable embodiment, the structure can contain at least one waveguide, which is provided as a transmit waveguide, which leads to at least one radiator, which is provided as a transmit radiator, and / or the structure can contain at least one waveguide, which is provided as a receive waveguide, which leads to at least one radiator, which is provided as a receive radiator.

[0032] Advantageously, the at least one radiator can be used for transmitting electromagnetic radiation or receiving electromagnetic radiation or both.

[0033] Advantageously, at least one radiator can be provided as a transmit radiator. In this way, it can be used for transmitting radar radiation. Alternatively or additionally, at least one radiator can advantageously be provided as a receive radiator. In this way, it can be used for receiving radar radiation.

[0034] Advantageously, the transceiving waveguide can be used for guiding electromagnetic radiation from at least one radiator, in particular from at least one receive radiator, or to at least one radiator, into at least one transmit radiator. Advantageously, the structure can comprise at least one transmit radiator and at least one receive radiator. Accordingly, the structure can comprise at least one transmit waveguide and at least one receive waveguide. In this way, the waveguide antenna device can be used for both transmitting electromagnetic beams and receiving electromagnetic beams. The transmit radiators in the receive radiators can each be specifically arranged to optimize transmit and receive characteristics of the waveguide antenna device.

[0035] According to another favorable embodiment at least one radiator can have a rectangular diameter when viewed towards the topside of the structure and / or at least one side of at least one radiator with rectangular shape can be parallel to the at least one top edge with the parasitic interruption. In this way, the radiation pattern of the radar system can be further improved.

[0036] According to another favorable embodiment, the at least one top edge of the structure with the at least one parasitic interruption can be straight outside the at least one parasitic interruption and / or the structure can be a rectangular or cubic block and / or at least one radiator can be a horn radiator. A straight top edge can be easily produced. A structure in form of a rectangular cubic block can be set up in a space-saving manner. Horn radiators have a comparatively high concentration directional characteristic.

[0037] According to another favorable embodiment, the structure of the waveguide antenna device can be a plastic part and / or the structure of the waveguide antenna device can be a molded part and / or the structure of the waveguide antenna device can be coated with an electrically conductive medium and / or the structure of the waveguide antenna device can be a metallized plastic part. Advantageously, the structure of the waveguide antenna device can be a plastic part. In this way, different shapes of the surfaces and / or the edges can be realized.

[0038] Advantageously, the structure of this waveguide antenna device can be a molded part. In this way, the structure can be produced flexibly in terms of shape.

[0039] Advantageously, the structure of the waveguide antenna device can be coated with an electrically conductive medium. In this way, electromagnetic radiation can be guided with parts of the at least one structure. The electrically conductive medium can be metallic.

[0040] Advantageously, the structure of the waveguide antenna device can be a metallized plastic part. In this way, electromagnetic radiation can be guided even with the coated parts of the at least one structure, in particular plastic parts of the at least one structure, which are not necessarily electrical conductive.

[0041] Further, the object of the invention is achieved with the transceiver device by that the transceiver device comprises at least one waveguide antenna device according to the invention.

[0042] According to the invention, the at least one waveguide antenna device can comprise a structure, which contains at least one waveguide with at least one waveguide opening. The at least one waveguide can lead to at least one radiator, which is located in a topside of the structure. The structure can comprise at least one parasitic interruption, which interrupt at least one top edge of the structure. The at least one top edge can extend between the topside and an adjacent lateral side of the structure.

[0043] The at least one waveguide antenna device is mounted on at least one mounting body.

[0044] Advantageously, the at least one mounting body can be a mounting plate, in particular a printed circuit board. In this way, the mounting body can be realized flat for saving space. Electrical connections can be realized with a printed circuit board. Additionally or alternatively, at least one port interface can comprise or be realized with a means, for example at least one patch antenna, for converting electromagnetic signals into electrical signals and / or vice versa.

[0045] Advantageously, at least one port interface can comprise or be realized as a patch antenna. Patch antennas can be easily mounted on a surface of the mounting plate, in particular a printed circuit board. The at least one port interface can be located at an waveguide opening of at least one waveguide of the waveguide antenna device. The at least one port interface can be connected to at least one radiator by use of at least one waveguide. In this way, electromagnetic radiation, which is generated by the respective at least one port interface, can be guided to the respective at least one radiator. Advantageously, at least one radiator can be an opening of the at least one waveguide.

[0046] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved with the radar system by that the radar system comprises at least one waveguide antenna device according to the invention.

[0047] In addition, the object of the invention is achieved with the driver assistance system by that the driver assistance system comprises at least one waveguide antenna device according to the invention.

[0048] According to the invention, the driver assistance system comprises at least one radar system, in particular at least one radar system with at least one waveguide antenna device according to the invention. Advantageously, at least one radar system of the driver assistance system, in particular of the driver assistance system according to the invention, can comprise at least a part of at least one waveguide antenna device according to the invention. Since the at least one radar system is part of the driver assistance system, the means of the at least one radar system are thus also part of the driver assistance system. This applies analogously with respect to means of the vehicle, which comprises at least one driver assistance system and / or at least one radar system.

[0049] Moreover, the objective of the invention is achieved by the vehicle by that the vehicle comprises at least one waveguide antenna device according to the invention. The vehicle comprises at least one radar system. With the at least one radar system, an environment of the vehicle can be monitored.

[0050] Advantageously, the vehicle can comprise at least one driver assistance system. With the at least one driver assistance system the vehicle can be operated autonomously or semi-autonomously.

[0051] Advantageously, at least one radar system can be part of or connected to at least one driver assistance system. In this way information acquired with the at least one radar system can be transmitted to a control device of the at least one driver assistance system. With the at least one driver assistance system information obtained from the at least one radar system can be used for operating the vehicle autonomously or semi-autonomously.

[0052] Furthermore the objective of the invention is achieved by the method by that the method being used to operate a waveguide antenna device according to invention.

[0053] According to invention, unwanted radiation, in particular unwanted radar radiation, from the at least one surface of the structure are reduced. Additionally, disturbances in the antenna pattern can be reduced. The unwanted radiation and the disturbances of the antenna pattern can be caused for example by currents, which are induced by the radar radiation of interest in the area of the at least one top edge of the structure.

[0054] Otherwise, the features and advantages shown in connection with the waveguide antenna device according to the invention, the transceiver device, the inventive radar system according to the invention, the driver assistance system according to the invention, the vehicle according to the invention and the method according to the invention and their respective advantageous configurations shall apply mutatis mutandis to each other and vice versa. The individual features and advantages can, of course, be combined with each other, whereby further advantageous effects can occur which go beyond the sum of the individual effects.

[0055] Brief Description of Drawings The present invention together with the above-mentioned and other objects and advantages may best be understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, but not restricted to the embodiments, wherein is shown schematically figure 1 a front view of a vehicle with a driver assistance system, which comprises a radar system and a control unit; figure 2 a sectional view of the radar system of figure 1 according to a first embodiment; figure 3 a top view of a waveguide antenna device of the radar system of figure 2; figure 4 a three-dimensional view of the waveguide antenna device of figure 3; figure 5 a top view of a waveguide antenna device for a radar system according to a second embodiment; figure 6 a top view of a waveguide antenna device for a radar system according to a third embodiment.

[0056] In the drawings, equal or similar elements are referred to by equal reference numerals. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Moreover, the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0057] Embodiment(s) of Invention

[0058] In figure 1 , a vehicle 10 in the form of a passenger car is shown in a front view.

[0059] The vehicle 10 comprises a driver assistance system 12 with a radar system 14 and a control unit 16. The radar system 14 is functionally connected to the control device 16, so that information obtained by the radar system 14 over a monitoring area in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle 10 can be transmitted to the control unit 16 of the driver assistance system 12. The driver assistance system 12 can be used to perform functions of the vehicle 10, for example driving functions, autonomously or semi-autonomously.

[0060] By way of example, the radar system 14 is integrated in a headlight of the vehicle 10 and is directed into the monitoring area. The radar system 14 can also be located elsewhere on the vehicle 10, including in a different orientation. The radar system 14 can be used to detect objects in the monitoring area. The vehicle 10 may also have multiple radar systems 14 at different locations and / or oriented differently.

[0061] With the radar system 14 information about objects, for example ranges, directions and / or velocities of objects, in the monitoring area can be determined.

[0062] The objects can be stationary or moving objects, for example vehicles, people, animals, plants, obstacles, roadway irregularities, for example potholes or stones, roadway boundaries, traffic signs, open spaces, for example parking spaces, precipitation or the like.

[0063] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the radar system 14 according to a first embodiment. The radar system 14 comprises a transceiver device 18. The transceiver device 18 is located in a housing 20 of the radar system 14. The housing 28 is integrated in parts of the headlight, for example.

[0064] The transceiver device 18 comprises a mounting plate 22, an electronic control device 24, several port interfaces 26 and a waveguide antenna device 28. The waveguide antenna device 28 according to the first embodiment is shown in detail in figures 3 and 4. The sectional view of the radar system 14 of figure 2 corresponds to a cross-section of the waveguide antenna device 28 along the sectional line ll-ll of figure 3.

[0065] The mounting plate 22 is designed as a printed circuit board. The control device 24 is located on one side of the mounting plate 22. The port interfaces 26 are located on the other side of the mounting plate 22 facing away from the control device 24. The port interfaces 26 are designed as antenna patches each, for example. Each port interface 26 is electrically connected to the control device 24, for example, via conductive paths.

[0066] Depending on the application, each port interface 26 can be used to convert electrical signals from the control device 24 into electromagnetic radar signals or to convert electromagnetic radar signals incident on the port interface 26 into electrical signals for the control device 24.

[0067] The transceiver device 18 according to the first embodiment is designed as a transmitting and receiving device. The transceiver device 18 comprises several port interfaces 26, which are used for transmitting radar signals, and several port interfaces 26, which are used for receiving radar signals. In figure 2, a group of four port interfaces 26 for transmitting radar signals is depicted. The transceiver device 18 comprises another four port interfaces 26, which are not shown in figure 2, for receiving radar signals.

[0068] The waveguide antenna device 28 comprises a structure 30, which contains several waveguides 32, several radiators 34 and several parasitic interruptions 36.

[0069] The structure 30 is, for example, a metallized plastic part. The structure 30 is manufactured, for example, by injection molding. The plastic part is coated with an electrically conductive metal. The basic shape of the structure 30 is cuboid. The structure 30 has a bottom side 38, four lateral sides 40 and a topside 42. The bottom side 38 is opposite to the topside 42. The lateral sides 40 extend between the topside 42 and the bottom side 38.

[0070] A respective top edge 44 extends between the topside 42 and each of the lateral sides 40. A respective bottom edge 46 extends between the bottom side 38 and each of the lateral sides 40.

[0071] When assembled, the bottom side 38 of the structure 30 faces the side of the mounting plate 22 with the port interfaces 26. In the operating position of the radar system 14, the topside 42 faces the monitoring area.

[0072] Each waveguide 32 runs inside the structure 30. Each waveguide 32 has one waveguide opening 48. The waveguide openings 48 are located at the bottom side 38. When assembled, the waveguide openings 48 of the waveguides 32 each correspond to one of the port interfaces 26 on the mounting plate 22.

[0073] Each waveguide 32 leads to one of the radiators 34. The radiators 34 are located on the topside 42 of the structure 30.

[0074] Depending on the use of the respective port interface 26 as a transmit port interface or receive port interface, the respective associated waveguide 32 and the radiator 34 may be used to transmit radar signals or to receive radar signals. In figures 3 and 4, a group of four radiators 34 for transmitting radar signals and a group of four radiators 34 for receiving radar signals are shown.

[0075] The radiators 34 are identical in shape and dimension. Each radiator 32 is a horn radiator. Each radiator 32 has a rectangular diameter when viewed towards the topside 42 of the structure 30. The directions of the radiators 32 are parallel to the respective top edges 44. The radiators 34 of each group are arranged parallel to each other. The longitudinal directions of the radiators 34 of each group are parallel and their latitudinal directions are axial.

[0076] The arrangement and the number of port interfaces 26, waveguides 32 and radiators 34 are only exemplary and may be different. The arrangement and the number of the components for transmitting radar signals and the arrangement and the number of the components for receiving radar signals may also be different.

[0077] The parasitic interruptions 36 are depressions in the structure 30. Each parasitic interruption 36 extends between the topside 42 and one of the adjacent lateral sides 40. Each parasitic interruption 36 interrupts the respective top edge 44 between the topside 42 and the respective lateral side 40. The top edges 44 with the parasitic interruptions 36 are straight outside the interruptions. Each parasitic interruption 36 extends from the respective top edge 44 into the topside 42. Further, each parasitic interruption 36 extends from the respective top edge 44 into the respective lateral side 40.

[0078] On the topside 42, the parasitic interruptions 36 each have an increasing dimension along their length towards the respective top edge 44.

[0079] The parasitic interruptions 36 of the first embodiment shown in figures 2 to 4 have different shapes and different dimensions. The parasitic interruptions 36 each have a constant shape along its length towards the respective top edge 44. Some of the parasitic interruptions 36 have a V-shaped profile. One parasitic interruption 36, in figures 3 and 4 on the right side, has an U-shaped profile. One parasitic interruption 36, in figures 3 and 4 on the right side, extends in the respective lateral side 40 between the respective top edge 44 and the respective bottom edge 46. The other parasitic interruptions 36 extends only into the topside 42 and a part of the respective lateral side 40 of the structure 30. One parasitic interruption 36, in figure 3 below, interrupts a top edge 44 to the lateral side 40 which is parallel to the latitudinal sides of the radiators 34. The other parasitic interruptions 36 interrupt each one of the top edges 44 to the respective lateral side 40 which are parallel to the longitudinal sides of the radiators 34.

[0080] The arrangement, the number, the shapes and the dimensions of the parasitic interruptions 36 are only exemplary and may be different.

[0081] During operating of the radar system 14, the control device 24 is used to control the port interfaces 26 of the transmitting group to transmit radar signals into the respective waveguides 32. The radar signals are guided with the waveguides 32 to the respective radiators 34. By means of the radiators 34, the respective radar signals are transmitted into the environment. Thereby, the parasitic interruptions 36 disturb surface currents caused by the radar signals in the structure 30. In this way, effects, for example diffraction effects, that effect the uniformity of the radiation patterns of the radar signals are reduced.

[0082] If the radar signals hit an object in the monitoring area, they are reflected. The echo signals of the radar signals which are reflected in the direction of the waveguide antenna device 28 are received by means of the radiators 34 of the receiving group. Thereby, the parasitic interruptions 36 disturb surface currents caused by the echo signals in the structure 30. In this way, effects, for example diffraction effects, that effect uniformity of the radiation patterns of the echo signals are reduced.

[0083] The echo signals are guided with the waveguides 32 to the respective port interfaces 26 of the receiving group. The port interfaces 36 convert the electromagnetic echo signals into electrical signals. The electrical signals are transmitted to the control device 24.

[0084] The data obtained with the radar system 14 is transmitted to the control unit 16 of the driver assistance system 12.

[0085] In figure 5 a second embodiment of waveguide antenna device 28 is shown. Those elements which are similar to those of the first embodiment of figures 2 to 4 are provided with the same reference signs. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the parasitic interruptions 36, which interrupt one of the longitudinal top edges 44, in figure 5 on the left side, have identical shapes and dimensions. These parasitic interruptions 36 each are V-shaped. Further, the parasitic interruptions 36, which interrupt the other longitudinal top edge 44, in figure 5 on the right side, have identical shapes and dimensions. These parasitic interruptions 36 each are U-shaped.

[0086] In an embodiment not shown, all parasitic interruptions 36 of the structure 30 have identical shapes and dimensions.

[0087] In a further embodiment not shown, only one of the top edges 44 is interrupted by corresponding parasitic interruptions 36.

[0088] In figure 6 a third embodiment of waveguide antenna device 28 is shown. Those elements which are similar to those of the second embodiment of figure 5 are provided with the same reference signs. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the top edges 44 extend slanted to the longitudinal direction and the latitudinal direction of the radiators 34.

[0089] In an embodiment of a transceiver device 18 not shown, the patch antennas of the port interfaces 26 and the transceiver device 18 may also be arranged on opposite sides of the mounting plate 22. The port interfaces 26 may have through openings in the mounting plate 22 that connect the patch antennas to the respective opposing waveguide openings 48.

Claims

Claims1. Waveguide antenna device (28) for a radar system (14), in particular for a radar system (14) for a vehicle (10), comprising a structure (30), which contains at least one waveguide (32) with at least one waveguide opening (48), whereby the at least one waveguide (32) leads to at least one radiator (34) located on a topside (42) of the structure (30), and whereby the structure (30) comprises at least one parasitic interruption (36) on at least one surface of the structure (30), characterized in that at least one parasitic interruption (36) interrupts at least one top edge (44) of the structure (30), wherein the at least one top edge (44) extends between the topside (42) and an adjacent lateral side (40) of the structure (30).

2. Waveguide antenna device according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one parasitic interruption (36) extends from the at least one top edge (44) into the topside (42) of the structure (30) and / or at least one parasitic interruption (36) extends from the at least one top edge (44) into the respective lateral side (40) of the structure (30).

3. Waveguide antenna device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one parasitic interruption (36) interrupts at least one top edge (44) which extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of the at least one radiator (34) and / or at least one parasitic interruption (36) interrupts at least one top edge (44) which extends parallel to a latitudinal direction of the at least one radiator (34) and / or at least one parasitic interruption (36) interrupts at least one top edge (44) which extends slanted to a direction, in particular a longitudinal direction and / or a latitudinal direction, of at the least one radiator (34).

4. Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in thatat least one parasitic interruption (36) has a V-shaped profile and / or a U-shaped profile and / or the profile of at least one parasitic interruption (36) has a constant shape.

5. Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that along its length, at least one parasitic interruption (36) has an increasing dimension towards the at least one top edge (44).

6. Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one parasitic interruption (36) extends only into the topside (42) and a part of the respective lateral side (40) of the structure (30) and / or at least one parasitic interruption (36) also extends in the respective lateral side (40) of the structure (30) between the at least one top edge (44) and at least one bottom edge (46), in particular the bottom edge (46) adjacent to the respective lateral side (40), of the structure (30), wherein the at least one bottom edge (46) is located between a lateral side (40), in particular the respective lateral side (40), and a bottom side (38) of the structure (30), wherein the bottom side (38) is opposite the topside (42) of the structure (30).

7. Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least two parasitic interruptions (36) with identical shapes and / or identical dimensions interrupt the same top edge (44) or different top edges (44) and / or at least two parasitic interruptions (36) with different shapes and / or different dimensions interrupt the same top edge (44) or different top edges (44).

8. Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the structure (30) contains at least one waveguide (32), which is provided as a transmit waveguide, which leads to at least one radiator (34), which is provided as a transmit radiator, and / orthe structure (30) contains at least one waveguide (32), which is provided as a receive waveguide, which leads to at least one radiator (34), which is provided as a receive radiator.

9. Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one radiator (34) has a rectangular diameter when viewed towards the topside (42) of the structure (30) and / or at least one side of at least one radiator (34) with rectangular shape is parallel to the at least one top edge (44) with the parasitic interruption (36).

10. Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the at least one top edge (44) of the structure (30) with the at least one parasitic interruption (36) is straight outside the at least one parasitic interruption (36) and / or the structure (30) is a rectangular or cubic block and / or at least one radiator (34) is a horn radiator.1 1 . Waveguide antenna device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the structure (30) of the waveguide antenna device (28) is a plastic part and / or the structure (30) of the waveguide antenna device (28) is a molded part and / or the structure (30) of the waveguide antenna device (28) is coated with an electrically conductive medium and / or the structure (30) of the waveguide antenna device (28) is a metallized plastic part.

12. Transceiver device (18) for a radar system (14), in particular a radar system (14) for a vehicle (10), comprising at least one mounting body (22), at least one waveguideantenna device (28), which is mounted on the mounting body (22), and at least one port interface (26), characterized in that the transceiver device (18) comprises at least one waveguide antenna device (28) according to one of the claims 1 to 1 1 .

13. Radar system (14), in particular a radar system (14) for a vehicle (10), comprising at least one mounting body (22), at least one waveguide antenna device (28), which is mounted on the mounting body (22), and at least one transceiver device (18), and at least one control device, characterized in that the radar system (14) comprises at least one waveguide antenna device (28) according to one of the claims 1 to 1 1 .

14. Driver assistance system (12) comprising at least one radar system (14) and at least one control unit, characterized in that the driver assistance system (12) comprises at least one waveguide antenna device (28) according to one of the claims 1 to 1 1 .

15. Vehicle (10) comprising at least one radar system (14), characterized in that the vehicle (10) comprises at least one waveguide antenna device (28) according to one of the claims 1 to 1 1 .

16. Method of operating a waveguide antenna device (28) for a radar system (14), in particular for a radar system (14) for a vehicle (10), wherein electromagnetic radar radiation is transferred by means of at least one waveguide (32) and at least one radiator (34), which are contained in a structure (30) of the waveguide antenna device (28), wherein the radar radiation is affected by means of at least one parasitic interruption (36) on at least one surface of the structure (30), characterized in that the method being used to operate a waveguide antenna device (28) according to one of the claims 1 to 1 1 .

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