Dual-Band Radar Antenna Array for Higher Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar devices for automotive applications have limited angular resolution due to a restricted number of propagation channels, which affects the accuracy in determining the angular position of target objects.
Innovation Solution
The radar device employs a configuration with two separate frequency bands, utilizing a first set of antennas for transceiving radar signals in one frequency band and a second set for another, allowing the formation of a common virtual antenna array to increase the number of propagation channels, thereby enhancing angular resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of transmit antennas and receive antennas is increased to improve angular resolution, then the measurement precision of target angular position is improved, but the device complexity and physical size of the antenna device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the antenna array from a two-dimensional planar configuration to a three-dimensional volumetric configuration by utilizing multiple frequency bands. Different frequency bands are assigned to antennas at different spatial locations and orientations, creating a 3D virtual antenna array that improves angular resolution without proportionally increasing the physical footprint of the antenna device.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar circuit is designed to operate across multiple frequency bands simultaneously, with each frequency band serving both transmission and reception functions through dedicated antenna sets. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve enhanced angular resolution through combined processing of signals from multiple frequency bands, reducing the need for separate dedicated antenna systems for each function.
2Measurement precision
If the number of propagation channels is increased to improve angular resolution, then the measurement precision of target angular position is improved, but the quantity of antennas and associated hardware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of antenna elements through signal processing techniques that synthesize additional propagation channels from the existing physical antenna array. By processing radar signals across multiple frequency bands and combining them through coherent integration, the system generates virtual antenna elements that increase the effective number of propagation channels without physically adding corresponding antenna hardware for each channel.
3Measurement precision
If the angular resolution is improved by increasing propagation channels, then the accuracy in determining target angular position is improved, but the processing complexity in the signal processing device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing is divided into separate processing chains for different frequency bands, with each chain handling signals from specific antenna sets operating in designated frequency ranges. This segmentation allows for optimized, specialized processing for each frequency band while maintaining the ability to coherently integrate results across all bands, reducing overall processing complexity compared to handling all signals in a single monolithic processing chain.
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 configuration significantly improves the angular resolution by adding propagation channels, enabling more precise determination of target object positions in both azimuthal and elevation directions, which is inversely proportional to the number of channels used.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna device for transducing the radar signals
Implementation Method 2
a signal generator to generate a radar signal, an antenna device for illuminating the target objects with the radar signal
Implementation Method 3
the angular position of the target object is deduced from phase shifts acquired by the radar signals propagating along the individual propagation channels
Data Source
AI summary
A radar device comprises a radar circuit configured to transceive first radar signals that occupy a first frequency band and second radar signals that occupy a second frequency band. An antenna device of the radar device comprises a first set and a second set of antennas and is configured to selectively transduce the first radar signals via the first set and not via the second set and to selectively transduce the second radar signals via the second set and not via the first set. A processing device of the radar device detects from the first radar signals target reflections via first propagation channels and from the second radar signals target reflections via second propagation channels. The signal processing device jointly evaluates the target reflections via the first and second propagation channels to form a common virtual antenna array for determining an angular position of a target object.