Vehicle Radar Grouped Tx Channels for Doppler Clutter Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle radar systems using multiple transmitter channels face issues with Doppler domain cluttering and power limitations, leading to hidden real objects and non-compliance with transmission power regulations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle radar system with a control unit that switches between groups of transmitter antenna ports in a random manner, using a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for efficient signal processing and applying Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) with zero insertion, along with Doppler and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modulation to manage transmitter channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple transmitter channels are used simultaneously, then the detection capability and productivity are improved, but the Doppler domain becomes cluttered and real objects may be hidden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidDoppler domain clutter
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter antenna ports are divided into multiple groups, and only one group is active at a time. This segmentation approach allows multiple transmitter channels to be available while preventing simultaneous transmission that causes Doppler domain cluttering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit switches between groups of transmitter antenna ports in a periodic or random manner, ensuring that only one group transmits at any given time. This periodic activation pattern maintains detection capability while avoiding the harmful effects of simultaneous multi-channel transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If multiple transmitter channels operate simultaneously, then the detection efficiency is improved, but the total transmission power exceeds regulatory limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidtotal transmission power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter antenna ports are segmented into multiple groups with only one group active at a time. This segmentation ensures that the total transmission power remains within regulatory limits while maintaining detection efficiency through rapid switching between groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically switches between different groups of transmitter antenna ports based on operational requirements. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt transmission patterns while keeping instantaneous power within legal limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If random switching between transmitter groups is implemented, then the mean output power is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemean output powerVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit autonomously manages the switching between transmitter groups using predetermined switching patterns or random selection algorithms. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining power reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 Doppler domain clutter, maintains efficiency, and lowers mean output power while effectively detecting multiple targets with varying speeds, adhering to transmission power regulations.

Implementation Method 1

the transmitter unit is arranged to generate Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar waveforms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW):

Implementation Method 2

The control unit is adapted to switch between the groups of transmitter antenna ports in a random manner such that only one group of transmitter antenna ports at a time is transmitting a corresponding radar waveform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRandom switching modulation:

Implementation Method 3

the DSP arrangement is adapted to perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for each group of transmitter antenna ports

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFast Fourier Transform (FFT):

Implementation Method 4

The Tx channels within a group are separated by means of different artificially generated Doppler positions for the transmitter antenna ports that are transmitting at the moment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArtificially generated Doppler positions: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4641248A1A vehicle radar system with a plurality of grouped tx channels
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 MAGNA ELECTRONICS SWEDEN AB
  • EP4641248A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4641248A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4641248A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle radar system (101) comprising a control unit (130) and a transceiver unit (110) that in turn comprises at least two groups (220, 221; 420, 421) of transmitter antenna ports (210a, 210b; 210c, 210d) in corresponding transmitter (Tx) channels (230a, 230b, 230c, 230d), and a transmitter unit (208) arranged to generate radar waveforms (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d; 604, 604a, 604b). The transmitter unit (208) is adapted to feed each transmitter antenna port (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) with a corresponding radar waveform (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d; 604, 604a, 604b), and each group (220, 221; 420, 421) comprises at least one transmitter antenna port (210a, 210b; 210c, 210d). The control unit (130) is adapted to switch between the groups (220, 221; 420, 421) of transmitter antenna ports (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) in a random manner such that only one group (220, 221; 420, 421) of transmitter antenna ports at a time is transmitting a corresponding radar waveform (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d; 604, 604a, 604b) .