Configurable Multichip Automotive Radar System Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive radar systems face increased costs and complexity due to the need for multiple specialized ICs for different applications, with limited angular resolution when combining analogue and digital components on a single IC, and high processing power requirements for high-resolution measurements.
Innovation Solution
A multichip radar system utilizing configurable ICs that can operate as either master or slave, sharing a common Local Oscillator, clock, and timing signals for coherent down-conversion and sampling, allowing for distributed data processing and simplified design, enabling a single IC design to cover multiple application domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized ICs are used for different radar applications, then measurement precision and application coverage are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal radar IC design that can operate in multiple modes (master and slave) to serve different radar applications. The configurable IC architecture allows a single device type to be used across various measurement ranges and application domains, eliminating the need for multiple specialized IC designs while maintaining adaptability to different radar system requirements
2Measurement precision
If multiple specialized ICs are used for different radar applications, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal radar IC design that can operate in multiple modes (master and slave) to serve different radar applications. The configurable IC architecture allows a single device type to be used across various measurement ranges and application domains, eliminating the need for multiple specialized IC designs while maintaining adaptability to different radar system requirements
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution measurements are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the radar system into multiple ICs, each handling a specific measurement range. The digital signal processor segments the measurement range into multiple portions, with each IC processing data for its allocated range. This segmentation distributes the processing load, enabling high-resolution measurements without requiring excessive processing power in a single device
4Device complexity
If a single IC is used for all measurement ranges, then device complexity is reduced, but processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the radar system into multiple ICs, each handling a specific measurement range. The digital signal processor segments the measurement range into multiple portions, with each IC processing data for its allocated range. This segmentation distributes the processing load, enabling high-resolution measurements without requiring excessive processing power in a single device
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 reduces design and assembly costs, enhances angular resolution, and relaxes processing and memory requirements by enabling the use of a single IC design across various applications, while maintaining high measurement accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a down-converter adapted to down-convert a respective reflected radar signal
Implementation Method 2
an ADC adapted to convert the respective down-converted signal to a respective digital signal
Data Source
AI summary
A multichip radar system is disclosed, comprising a plurality of configurable ICs, and a digital interface therebetween, each configurable IC being configurable to operate as a master IC and as a slave IC. The configurable ICs may be similar or identical, and have an allocated measurement range. Each configurable IC comprises: a down-converter; an ADC; a digital signal processor; and a transmitter to transmit a radar signal. One is configured as a master IC and to transmit a radar signal and each of the other configurable ICs to operate as a slave IC. Each configurable IC is adapted to use a common Local Oscillator signal, a common clock signal, and a common timing signal for determining at least the start of the common sampling window. A method of operating such a multichip radar system is also disclosed, as is a configurable IC or radar IC suitable for such a system.