Bent-Substrate mmWave Radar Layout for 180° Vehicle Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar sensor systems struggle to achieve a 180° field of view (FoV) in an affordable manner while maintaining good performance, often requiring multiple PCBs and ultrasonic sensors that are externally visible, costly, and lack the ability to detect low-height objects and provide integrated kick & gesture sensor functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A single mmWave radar sensor module with a symmetrical arrangement of radiation elements on a bent substrate, using either printed antennas or open waveguides, to achieve a 180° FoV, reducing the need for multiple sensors and enabling integrated kick & gesture detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple PCBs with planar antennas are arranged to achieve 180° FoV, then the field of view is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple radiation elements (at least four receiving elements and at least two transmitting elements) arranged on a single bent PCB according to a specific geometric pattern (main curve, secondary curve, tertial curve), allowing each element to contribute to different angular sectors of the 180° field of view
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB substrate is bent from a flat two-dimensional plane into a three-dimensional curved surface, with radiation elements positioned at different heights and angular positions. This dimensional transformation enables a single PCB to achieve 180° FoV coverage that would traditionally require multiple flat PCBs arranged in space
2Area of stationary object
If traditional planar antenna arrangements are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the field of view is limited to about 120°
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB substrate is bent into a curved surface, and radiation elements are arranged along curved trajectories (main curve, secondary curve, tertial curve) rather than straight lines. This curvature enables the antenna array to scan a wider angular range (180°) while maintaining manufacturability through standardized bending and positioning techniques
3Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are used to cover wider area, then detection coverage is improved, but external visibility and aesthetic appearance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radiation elements (at least four receiving elements and at least two transmitting elements) are merged into a single integrated antenna array on one bent PCB, replacing the need for multiple separate sensors. This consolidation achieves wide-area detection coverage while presenting a single, more aesthetically pleasing external appearance
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 proposed apparatus achieves a 180° FoV with reduced cost, improved detection of low-height objects, and integrated kick & gesture sensing, while being less externally visible and requiring fewer components compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least four radiation elements receiving mmWave signals and at least two radiation elements transmitting mmWave signals
Implementation Method 2
all the radiation elements being connected by mmWave electromagnetic transmission guides to the integrated mmWave integrated radar circuit entity
Data Source
AI summary
A mmWave radar sensor module is proposed, to have a specific structure enabling a 180° field of View (FoV) with an affordable system cost. The proposed mmWave radar sensor module is put to use in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), as well as motorcycles and bikes, enabling a variety of application features: smart parking assistance, replacing PDC sensors, determining the distance, speed and angle of targets, including their tracking, detection of people, tracking of people, tailgate and door protection by restricting opening, gesture and kick sensing, and other applications. In the case of two-wheelers and three-wheelers, the same apparatus may cover also blind sport detection application in the affordable system manner.