Antenna Pattern Selection for Object Direction Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver assistance systems using multiple antennas face challenges in accurately determining the direction of objects due to limitations in antenna pattern selection and signal processing, which affects the resolution and speed of object detection.

Innovation Solution

A processor-implemented method and apparatus that determine an optimal antenna pattern by calculating metric values for candidate patterns, selecting the pattern with the maximum power relative to noise power, and using compressed sensing to reconstruct signals for beamforming, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of object direction determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple candidate antenna patterns are evaluated using metric values, then the accuracy of object direction determination is improved, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject direction determination accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates metric values for multiple candidate antenna patterns before actual object detection. By evaluating and ranking candidate patterns in advance based on expected performance metrics, the system prepares optimal selection criteria that can be quickly applied during real-time operation, reducing on-the-fly computational burden while maintaining high accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter being optimized from direct direction calculation to metric value comparison. By transforming the complex direction determination problem into a simpler metric evaluation and selection process, the system achieves accurate results through parameter transformation rather than direct computation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If compressed sensing is used to reconstruct signals, then the speed of object detection is improved, but the algorithm complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection speedVSAvoidsignal processing algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional signal processing methods with compressed sensing algorithms. By substituting conventional approaches that require extensive data collection and processing with compressed sensing techniques, the system achieves faster detection speeds through mathematical reconstruction from fewer measurements, trading algorithmic complexity for processing time reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If beamforming is applied to reconstructed signals, then the resolution of object direction determination is improved, but the computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirection determination resolutionVSAvoidcomputational power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs beamforming on already reconstructed signals rather than raw data. By first using compressed sensing to reconstruct signals and then applying beamforming to these reconstructed signals, the system achieves high resolution with reduced computational load compared to applying beamforming to original multi-antenna signals, as the reconstruction step has already consolidated the information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10983204B2Method and apparatus for determining object direction
Publication Date: 2021.04.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US10983204B2 patent drawing
  • US10983204B2 patent drawing
  • US10983204B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and apparatus for determining a direction of an object using a plurality of antennas is disclosed. The method includes determining an optimal antenna pattern to determine the direction of the object from among a plurality of candidate antenna patterns using a portion of the antennas, and determining the direction of the object using the optimal antenna pattern.