Antenna Element Asymmetric Radiating Elements Automotive Radar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar antennas in the automotive sector face challenges in achieving directional characteristics that deviate from the perpendicular direction, which is necessary for optimal performance in rear and corner areas, while also requiring complex and costly phased array technology.

Innovation Solution

The use of radiating elements with different spatial dimension distributions, such as Dolph-Chebyshev and binomial distributions, allows for constructive and destructive interference to achieve a desired directional effect without the need for phase splitters, resulting in a compact and cost-effective antenna design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If phased array antennas are used to achieve directional characteristics that deviate from the perpendicular direction, then the directional control capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional control capabilityVSAvoidphase adjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex phase adjustment mechanisms (phase splitters, phase shifters) from the antenna system. Instead of using active phase control components, the patent achieves directional control through the passive geometric arrangement of radiating elements with different spatial dimension distributions, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the radiating elements (spatial dimensions and distances) to achieve directional control. By varying the spatial dimension distributions of individual radiating elements according to specific patterns (Dolph-Chebyshev or binomial distributions), the system achieves beam steering without requiring complex phase adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If phased array technology is implemented to achieve desired directional characteristics, then the transmission energy focusing capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission energy focusing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive phased array components (phase splitters, phase shifters, control electronics) with simple, inexpensive radiating elements having different geometric distributions. These passive elements achieve the same energy focusing effect through their spatial arrangement, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining power transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves cost-effective energy focusing by changing the geometric parameters (spatial dimensions and distances) of radiating elements rather than using expensive active phase control components. The different spatial dimension distributions create constructive interference in desired directions, achieving transmission energy focusing at a fraction of the cost of phased array technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional phase control mechanisms are added to achieve directional characteristics, then the beam steering capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam steering capabilityVSAvoidphase splitter requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the need for phase splitters and other phase control mechanisms from the antenna system. By using radiating elements with different spatial dimension distributions, the system achieves beam steering through passive geometric interference patterns, eliminating complex phase control hardware and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric distributions of spatial dimensions among radiating elements (Dolph-Chebyshev or binomial distributions) to create directional radiation patterns. This asymmetric geometric arrangement produces constructive interference in specific directions, achieving beam steering capability without symmetric phase control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 enables a highly sensitive antenna with a main lobe that deviates from the perpendicular direction, providing high radiation power over a wide angular range and maintaining stability across various frequencies, suitable for automotive applications.

Implementation Method 1

The constructive and destructive interference of the emitted radar waves is responsible for this.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3741007B1Antenna element and antenna array
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3741007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3741007B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an antenna element (1a; 1b; 1c), having: a feed line (2) for feeding electric power; and a first multiplicity (3; 5; 8) of radiating elements, arranged on a first side of the feed line (2), and a second multiplicity (4; 6; 9) of radiating elements, arranged on a second side of the feed line (2), wherein the radiating elements are coupled to the feed line (2) in series, are fed with electric power by the feed line (2) and are designed to transmit electromagnetic radiation; wherein the first multiplicity (3; 5; 8) of radiating elements differs from the second multiplicity (4; 6; 9) of radiating elements in a distribution of spatial dimensions of the radiating elements and/or in a distribution of distances (x) between adjacent radiating elements.