Adaptive Phase Shift for Vehicle Radar Doppler Bin Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle radar systems using FMCW signals and DDMA technique face challenges in distinguishing between targets with different relative velocities that coincide at the same Doppler bin, leading to errors and confusion in target detection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle radar system that adapts the phase shift increment of FMCW radar waveforms based on ego velocity and relative velocity of target objects, using a programmable phase shifter to modulate artificial Doppler frequencies and avoid collisions of peaks in the Doppler domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If DDMA technique is used to transmit FMCW signals with artificial Doppler modulation, then multiple targets can be distinguished in the Doppler domain, but targets with different relative velocities may still coincide at the same Doppler bin causing detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phase shift increment adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the phase shift increment based on real-time detection of target velocities and ego vehicle velocity, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and prevent peak collisions in the Doppler domain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using detected target velocities and ego vehicle velocity information to adjust the phase shift increment. The control unit continuously monitors the Doppler spectrum and modifies the transmission parameters based on observed conditions, creating a closed-loop system that prevents detection errors
2Ease of operation
If a fixed phase shift increment is used for FMCW waveforms, then the system is simple to implement, but detections from different targets coincide at the same Doppler bin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static fixed phase shift increment to a dynamic adaptive one. The control unit calculates and adjusts the phase shift increment based on detected target velocities and ego vehicle velocity, enabling the system to maintain simplicity while achieving precise Doppler bin separation through intelligent adaptation
3Productivity
If multiple transmitter antenna arrangements transmit simultaneously, then the radar system covers larger area and detects more targets, but peak overlap in Doppler domain increases detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phase shift increment adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the phase shift increment based on real-time detection of target velocities and ego vehicle velocity, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and prevent peak collisions in the Doppler domain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different phase shift increments to different transmitter antenna arrangements based on their specific detection requirements. Each transmitter can have customized phase modulation tailored to the local detection environment and target characteristics, enabling precise separation of peaks in the Doppler domain while maintaining high detection capacity
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
The system effectively reduces the probability of detection errors by minimizing the overlap of target peaks in the Doppler domain, allowing for accurate distinction and detection of multiple target objects.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter unit is adapted to feed each one of at least two transmitter antenna arrangements with a corresponding FMCW radar waveform having a certain phase shift increment from one ramp to the next ramp such that an artificial Doppler modulation is inflicted to the FMCW radar waveforms
Implementation Method 2
A radar system comprises means for generating radar signals that are transmitted, reflected and received by means of appropriate antennas comprised in the radar system... each target appears as N_Tx targets in the Doppler domain
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle radar system (101) having an ego velocity (v0) and comprising a control unit (130) and a transceiver unit (110) with a plurality of transmitter antenna arrangements (210a, 210b) and a transmitter unit (208) arranged to generate FMCW radar waveforms (204a, 204b) that are fed into the antenna arrangements (210a, 210b) and having a certain phase shift increment (Δω1, Δω1'; Δω2, Δω2') from one ramp (r) to the next ramp (r). The vehicle radar system (101) is adapted to acquire detections (401, 402, 403, 404) associated with at least two target objects (140, 141) and determine a relative velocity (vr1, vr2) for said target objects (140, 141) . The control unit (130) is adapted to determine the ego velocity (v0) and to control the transmitter unit (208) to change the phase shift increments (Δω1, Δω1'; Δω2, Δω2'4) in dependence of at least one of the ego velocity (v0) and the determined relative velocity (vr1, vr2).