Conformal Radar Antenna Elevation Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar sensor devices with planar antennas often fail to detect objects close to the ground due to their limited vertical field of vision, resulting in 'blind spots' and inadequate detection of low-height objects near vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The radar sensor device incorporates antenna elements situated at different heights and distances from a plane perpendicular to the vehicle's moving direction, arranged in a conformal configuration, including both an arc and a straight line, to enhance vertical range without affecting azimuthal vision, ensuring reliable detection of low-height objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If antenna elements are arranged in a planar configuration with boresight at 0° elevation, then the radar sensor device achieves great range, but objects located close to the ground in direct proximity of the vehicle fall outside the field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar antenna arrangement to a three-dimensional conformal arrangement where antenna elements are positioned at different heights and distances from the reference plane. This spatial dimensionality change enables the radar beam to cover both distant targets and low-height objects close to the vehicle, resolving the contradiction between range and detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different antenna elements are positioned at different heights and lateral distances to create localized beam steering capabilities. The conformal arrangement allows specific antenna elements to be optimized for different spatial regions, with lower elements covering near-ground areas and higher elements covering distant targets, thus achieving both great range and reliable detection of low-height objects.
2Reliability
If antenna elements are positioned at different heights and distances from the reference plane, then the visual range in elevation is expanded and blind spots are eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a conformal antenna arrangement where elements are positioned along a curved or angled geometry relative to the reference plane. This curved configuration naturally provides elevation coverage without requiring complex active beam steering mechanisms, thus achieving reliable detection while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Reliability
If additional transceiver channels and antenna elements are added to detect low-height objects, then detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conformal antenna arrangement makes the existing antenna elements multi-functional by positioning them to simultaneously serve both distant target detection and low-height object detection. The same antenna elements that provide great range also cover blind spots near the ground, eliminating the need for additional dedicated transceiver channels and antenna elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A radar sensor device in a motor vehicle, in particular in a car, is provided, the radar sensor device including a plurality of antenna elements which are situated at least partially at different heights, in which the antenna elements are situated at least partially at different distances from a plane which runs perpendicularly to the moving direction of the motor vehicle.