Phased Antenna Array Beamforming for Vehicle Environment Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle sensor systems, such as lidar and radar, face limitations in range and directional scanning ability, and are ineffective in adverse weather conditions, while passive radar systems are impractical due to complexity and cost, necessitating a more efficient method for characterizing the environment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a spatially distributed antenna array that generates and transmits signals, applies phase or gain manipulations to form reciprocal beams, and correlates incoming signals to infer the presence and range of objects, enabling simultaneous transmission and reception with improved directional scanning and weather resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lidar is used for detection and ranging, then directionality and ranging precision are improved, but range is limited to under 100m and mechanical rotation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system of lidar with an electronic phase-array radar system. Instead of physically rotating laser beams to scan the environment, the invention uses electronic phase control of multiple antenna elements to achieve directional scanning without moving parts, thereby eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from optical laser beams to radio frequency electromagnetic waves. This parameter change enables extended ranging capability beyond 100m while using electronic phase control instead of mechanical rotation, resolving both the range limitation and mechanical complexity issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radar is used for environmental sensing, then directional scanning ability is improved, but most systems are fixed direction and lack wide scanning range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the radar system into multiple spatially distributed antenna elements that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to electronically steer beams in different directions without requiring a complex mechanically scanning structure, achieving wide scanning capability through coordinated operation of simpler individual elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the antenna array system to perform multiple functions: it can electronically scan in multiple directions, transmit and receive signals, and form beams dynamically without requiring separate systems for each function. This multi-functionality achieves wide scanning capability while avoiding the complexity of dedicated systems for each operation.
3Reliability
If multiple sensor systems are used for redundancy and cross-checking, then reliability is improved, but complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a unified phase-array radar system that can perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously - detection, ranging, and directional scanning - using the same hardware infrastructure. This multi-functional approach maintains reliability through redundant measurement capabilities while avoiding the complexity of integrating separate lidar, radar, and camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of transmission and reception into a single antenna array system. By merging these functions and using the same spatially distributed elements for both transmitting probe signals and receiving reflections, the system achieves reliability through redundant operational modes while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate transmit and receive systems.
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 allows for efficient characterization of the environment with enhanced directional scanning and operational resilience in adverse weather, reducing complexity and cost by utilizing a single antenna array for both transmission and reception, and enabling multiple-access configurations.
Implementation Method 1
generating a signal; transmitting said signal through spatially distributed antenna elements of an antenna array
Implementation Method 2
applying to incoming signals received through the sequentially activated antenna elements, in substantial synchronisation with said predetermined sequence, phase or gain manipulations incorporating round-trip path corrections
Implementation Method 3
phase or gain manipulations...selected for forming a reciprocal beam of said antenna array in a predetermined direction
Implementation Method 4
inferring the presence of an object in said predetermined direction based on the detection in said reciprocal beam of a return of the transmitted signal
Implementation Method 5
determining or estimating direction or range to one or more objects in the environment
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are presented for characterising the environment of a user platform. In certain embodiments RF signals are transmitted and received through an antenna array having a plurality of elements activated in a predetermined sequence, and received signals are manipulated with round-trip path corrections to enhance the gain of the array in one or more directions. Objects in those directions are detected from the receipt of returns of transmitted signals, and the manipulated received signals processed to estimate range to those objects. In other embodiments RF signals transmitted by one or more external transmitters are received and manipulated to enhance the gain of a local antenna array or antenna arrays associated with the one or more transmitters to enhance the gain of the arrays in one or more directions. Objects in those directions are detected from the receipt of reflected signals from the transmitters, and the manipulated received signals processed to estimate range to those objects.