Dual Vehicle Radar Sensor Arrangement for Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle radar systems face challenges in achieving a balance between wide Field of View (FoV) in short-range mode and long-range mode while maintaining a slim package size, requiring complex antenna configurations with multiple MMICs to achieve adequate angular resolution and range.
Innovation Solution
A dual sensor radar system with separated radar sensor arrangements at the front of a vehicle, each generating and transmitting FMCW chirp signals, with overlapping receiver antenna radiation beams to enhance angular resolution and reduce multi-path effects, using a main control unit to synchronize and process the signals for coherent data fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single radar sensor arrangement is used, then the package size is reduced, but the angular resolution and long-range detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is divided into two separate radar sensor arrangements (first and second arrangements) positioned at different locations on the vehicle front. Each arrangement has its own transmitter and receiver antenna arrangements, allowing them to function as independent sensing units that collectively provide enhanced angular resolution through their spatial separation
2Measurement precision
If multiple MMICs are used to achieve adequate angular resolution, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the number of MMICs within a single sensor arrangement, the solution moves to another dimension by using two spatially separated radar sensor arrangements. The angular resolution enhancement is achieved through the baseline distance between the two arrangements rather than through complex multi-MMIC configurations within one arrangement
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single radar sensor arrangement operates in both short-range and long-range modes, then the versatility is maintained, but the performance in both modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The two radar sensor arrangements can be configured to specialize in different operational modes. One arrangement can optimize for short-range detection with wider beam patterns while the other optimizes for long-range detection with narrower beam patterns, allowing both modes to perform at high levels simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the capabilities of two radar sensor arrangements to achieve both short-range and long-range detection performance. By combining the detection data from both arrangements, the system maintains versatility across different ranges while improving overall detection reliability
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 provides improved angular resolution, reduces multi-path effects, and extends the range while maintaining a compact design, enabling effective detection of obstacles and enhancing safety features like Autonomous Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle radar system comprising a main control unit, a first radar sensor arrangement and a second radar sensor arrangement that are arranged to be mounted at the front of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
Each radar sensor arrangement comprises a corresponding transmitter antenna arrangement and corresponding receiver antenna arrangement where each receiver antenna arrangement has a corresponding receiver antenna radiation beam
Implementation Method 3
each receiver antenna arrangement has a corresponding receiver antenna radiation beam with a corresponding beam pointing azimuth angle relative the forward direction in a corresponding maximum gain extension, where the beam extensions converge for beam pointing azimuth angles exceeding 0°
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle radar system (3) comprising a main control unit (38), a first radar sensor arrangement (4a) and a second radar sensor arrangement (4b), separated by a certain distance (d) and comprise a corresponding transmitter and receiver antenna arrangement (10a, 10b; 13a, 13b). Each receiver antenna arrangement (13a, 13b) has a corresponding receiver antenna radiation beam (47a, 47b) with a corresponding beam pointing azimuth angle (ϕ1, ϕ2) relative a forward direction (F) in a corresponding maximum gain extension (46a, 46b). The maximum gain extension (46a, 46b) converge for beam pointing azimuth angles exceeding 0°. Each radar sensor arrangement (4a, 4b) is arranged for generating, transmitting and receiving radar signals (6a, 6b) in radar cycles. The radar signals (6a, 6b) are transmitted during a common time period for a major part of each radar cycle, where information regarding the time for transmission of each plurality of radar signals (6a, 6b) is obtained for each radar sensor arrangement (4a, 4b).