ADAS Radar Clutter Detection Using Autocorrelation Lag Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) face challenges with road clutter reflections that waste computational resources, storage space, and transfer bandwidth, and can lead to the loss of valid target objects.
Innovation Solution
An ADAS radar system employs a transmit and receive hardware chain, coupled with a processor that executes auto-correlation algorithms to normalize the ratio of zeroth lag and first lag, comparing it to a threshold to identify and filter out road clutter objects, thereby prioritizing valid targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If road clutter reflections are filtered using traditional notch filters or clutter mapping, then ground clutter can be reduced, but valid target objects may be lost and computational resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from simple signal presence to the ratio of zeroth lag to first lag autocorrelation values. This parameter change allows differentiation between clutter (high ratio) and valid targets (low ratio), resolving the contradiction by providing a new discrimination criterion that preserves target detection while filtering clutter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step - autocorrelation analysis of the radar return signals - between signal reception and target identification. This intermediary allows the system to characterize signals before making detection decisions, enabling clutter rejection while preserving valid targets through the lag ratio comparison.
2Reliability
If all reflected radar signals are processed to ensure no valid targets are missed, then detection reliability improves, but computational resources, storage space, and transfer bandwidth are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential characteristic needed for clutter identification - the autocorrelation lag ratio - from the full radar signal data. By taking out just this key parameter for comparison against thresholds, the system achieves reliable clutter rejection without processing all signal details, thus improving computational efficiency while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing autocorrelation analysis only to the extent necessary for clutter identification through lag ratio computation. Rather than exhaustive signal processing, the system uses this targeted partial analysis to filter clutter, conserving computational resources while maintaining sufficient detection reliability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional clutter filtering methods are used, then some ground clutter can be removed, but the complexity of the filtering system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based clutter filtering systems with a computational approach using autocorrelation algorithms. This substitution achieves effective clutter reduction through software-based signal processing, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining or improving filtering performance through the lag ratio method.
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 approach effectively reduces computational waste, conserves bandwidth and storage, and ensures accurate detection of relevant targets by distinguishing road clutter from valid objects.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmit antenna coupled with a vehicle, the at least one transmit antenna configured to transmit radar signals from the vehicle towards a scene of interest
Implementation Method 2
at least one receive antenna coupled with the vehicle, the at least one receive antenna configured to receive reflected radar signals
Data Source
AI summary
An advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) radar includes at least one transmit antenna coupled with a vehicle, the at least one transmit antenna configured to transmit radar signals from the vehicle towards a scene of interest, at least one receive antenna coupled with the vehicle, the at least one receive antenna configured to receive reflected radar signals, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to obtain multiple time-samples of the reflected radar signals from the at least one receive antenna at specified periodic intervals, execute an auto-correlation algorithm on the obtained multiple time-samples, normalize a ratio of zeroth lag and first lag according to an output of the auto-correlation algorithm, and compare the normalized ratio of the zeroth lag and the first lag to a specified threshold, to determine whether the reflected radar signals include an identified road clutter object.