3D Multi-Facet Vehicular Radar for 360-Degree Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensing systems equipped with multiple radar sensors face challenges in achieving 360-degree sensor coverage efficiently, as they require multiple sensors to cover different ranges and fields of view, leading to increased cost and integration complexity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed vehicular radar sensing system employs a multifaceted radar sensor with multiple facets, each with independent transmitters and receivers, arranged at obtuse angles to provide simultaneous multi-mode sensing capabilities, including short-range, mid-range, and long-range detection, using a single hardware platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radar sensors are used to achieve 360-degree sensor coverage, then sensing coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple radar sensing functions into a single multifaceted radar sensor unit. This sensor unit includes multiple facets (at least three), where each facet has transmitters and receivers that can be independently controlled. By merging multiple sensing capabilities into one integrated unit, the system achieves 360-degree coverage without requiring multiple separate radar sensors, thereby reducing integration complexity while maintaining comprehensive sensing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The multifaceted radar sensor unit is designed to perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously. Each facet can be oriented to cover different angular ranges, and the sensor unit can operate in different sensing modes (short-range, mid-range, long-range) using the same hardware platform. This multi-functional design allows a single sensor unit to replace multiple specialized sensors, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radar sensors are used to cover different ranges and fields of view, then sensing capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal sensing platform where a single multifaceted radar sensor unit can operate in multiple sensing modes. By configuring different facets to different angular orientations and controlling them in different sensing modes, the system achieves short-range, mid-range, and long-range detection capabilities without requiring separate radar sensors for each range, thereby reducing cost while maintaining comprehensive sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the sensing modes of different facets based on operational requirements. The control unit can adjust which facets operate in which sensing modes, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different detection needs (short-range, mid-range, long-range) without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional sensors, thus optimizing cost efficiency.
3Device complexity
If a single radar sensor is used to reduce integration complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but sensing coverage and multi-mode capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor unit is segmented into multiple facets (at least three), with each facet having its own transmitters and receivers. Each facet can be independently oriented and controlled to cover different angular ranges and sensing modes. This segmentation allows a single sensor unit to achieve the functional equivalence of multiple sensors, reducing integration complexity while maintaining comprehensive 360-degree coverage and multi-mode capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional two-dimensional planar antenna array to a three-dimensional multifaceted structure. By arranging facets in three-dimensional space with different orientations, the sensor unit achieves omnidirectional coverage and multi-mode sensing capabilities that would require multiple separate sensors in a conventional two-dimensional configuration, thereby reducing integration complexity while expanding adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the system to achieve comprehensive 360-degree sensor coverage while reducing integration complexity and cost, by utilizing a single radar sensor with multiple facets to operate different sensing modes simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
The radar sensor includes (i) a plurality of transmitters that transmit radio signals and (ii) a plurality of receivers that receive radio signals
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular radar sensing system includes a radar sensor disposed at a vehicle. The radar sensor includes a plurality of facets, each having an inboard surface facing toward the vehicle and an outboard surface facing away from the vehicle. A respective transmitter and a respective receiver of each facet operate to have a respective field of sensing with a respective principal sensing axis that is perpendicular to the respective facet. The vehicular sensing system, via processing of captured sensor data, (i) determines presence of a first object within a first respective field of sensing and (ii) determines presence of a second object within a second respective field of sensing. The vehicular sensing system, responsive to determining presence of the first object and the second object, controls a system of the vehicle based on the determined presence of the first object and the second object.