Conformal Radar Antenna Segmentation for Angle Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conformal radar antennas with curved surfaces often result in mismatched transmission and reception channels, leading to false signals and degraded angle resolution, which limits their ability to provide high angle resolution over a large field of vision.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing multiple antenna elements arranged along an arc or intersecting planes, divided into independent multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems with orthogonal transmission signals, allowing for a large virtual antenna aperture and constant high angle resolution over a wide range while minimizing physical channels and spatial volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conformal antennas with curved surfaces are used to enhance the field of vision, then the field of vision is enlarged, but transmission and reception channels become mismatched resulting in false signals and degraded angle resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conformal antenna array into multiple independent planar sub-arrays, each maintaining proper TX-RX channel matching. By segmenting the curved surface into flat sections, each sub-array can operate as a conventional planar MIMO radar system, avoiding the channel mismatch problems while collectively covering a wider field of vision through their combined operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna system are assigned different geometric configurations - planar sub-arrays in regions where channel matching is critical, and the overall system arranged in a conformal configuration to maximize field of vision. This local differentiation allows each sub-array to maintain high angle resolution while the global configuration provides extended coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple radar sensors are installed to cover a larger field of vision, then the field of vision is enlarged, but the number of sensors and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements arranged along an arc or on intersecting planes into a single integrated radar sensor device. The antenna elements are divided into multiple antenna systems that operate cooperatively, achieving wide field of vision coverage equivalent to multiple separate sensors while maintaining a unified system architecture and signal processing framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor device is designed with antenna elements that can serve multiple functions - each antenna element contributes to both angle resolution and field of vision coverage. The system can operate different antenna systems independently or in combination, providing versatile operation modes that replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated sensors.
3Measurement precision
If the antenna aperture is physically enlarged to improve angle resolution, then angle resolution is improved, but the spatial volume occupied by the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges antenna elements along an arc or on intersecting planes, creating a curved or three-dimensional aperture configuration. This curved arrangement effectively increases the antenna aperture for angle resolution purposes while occupying less planar space compared to a traditional linear or planar array of the same resolution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar antenna array to a three-dimensional configuration with antenna elements positioned along arcs and on intersecting planes. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve larger effective aperture for angle resolution while compacting the physical footprint, as the antenna elements utilize the third dimension (height/depth) for spatial arrangement.
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 solution achieves a high and constant angle resolution over a large range with a compact, cost-effective radar sensor device, capable of covering a wide area with improved signal accuracy and reduced channel requirements.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting antenna elements, whose transmission ranges overlap, have transmit signals orthogonal to one another
Implementation Method 2
receiving reflections of the emitted transmit signals using the receiving antenna elements
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a radar sensor device, for example of a motor vehicle, including a plurality of transmitting antenna elements and a plurality of receiving antenna elements, where at least a part of the antenna elements are situated along an arc and/or intersecting planes and where the antenna elements are divided into a plurality of antenna systems that each includes at least two of the transmitting antenna elements and at least two of the receiving antenna elements, includes: operating each of the antenna systems as an independent multiple-input-multiple-output radar system, the operating including: transmitting transmit signals using the transmitting antenna elements that are of first and second ones of the antenna systems, whose transmission ranges overlap and whose transmit signals are orthogonal to one another; and receiving reflections of the transmitted transmit using the receiving antenna elements.