Incoherent Radar Processing With Range-Doppler Map Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar systems with large antenna arrays face challenges in signal processing due to geometrical antenna placement, leading to parallax effects and ambiguous range measurements, especially in dynamic applications like automobiles, where accurate and efficient detection of objects is required.
Innovation Solution
A method involving incoherent signal processing of data from distributed antenna arrays, where each transmitting antenna transmits a radar signal sequentially, and the received signals are sorted and processed to generate range-Doppler-maps, which are then averaged to determine target information, reducing the need for numerous antennas and improving detection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radar systems use large antenna arrays to improve detection accuracy and angular resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and the number of antennas required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing task by separating coherent processing (performed on subsets of receiving antennas) from incoherent integration (performed across multiple transmitting antenna data). This allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple coherent integrations while avoiding the need for a single large complex antenna array, thus reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new processing dimension by performing incoherent integration across multiple transmitting antennas after separate coherent processing. This dimensional approach allows the system to accumulate detection precision from multiple independent processing chains without requiring all antennas to be processed coherently simultaneously, reducing the required antenna array complexity
2Measurement precision
If coherent signal processing is used to improve target detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but signal processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiving antennas into multiple subsets, with each subset performing independent coherent integration. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple data structures simultaneously, reducing overall signal processing time while maintaining the detection accuracy benefits of coherent processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial coherent integration by processing only specific subsets of receiving antennas coherently for each transmitting antenna, rather than performing full coherent integration across all antennas. This partial action reduces computational complexity and processing time while still achieving sufficient target detection accuracy through subsequent incoherent integration
3Device complexity
If distributed antenna arrays are used to reduce the number of antennas, then device complexity is reduced, but signal processing becomes more challenging due to geometrical placement issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by performing incoherent integration across transmitting antennas rather than coherent integration across all receiving antennas. This inversion simplifies the signal processing for distributed antenna configurations by avoiding the complex phase relationship calculations required for non-uniform antenna geometries, while still achieving accurate target detection
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 enhances signal processing time and accuracy, allowing for improved detection of objects with high angular resolution and reduced side lobe ambiguity, suitable for automotive applications like lane guidance and obstacle detection, while minimizing the number of antennas needed.
Implementation Method 1
a first radar signal, with a first frequency, is transmitted by the first antenna element and a first receive signal, related to the first radar signal, is received by the second antenna element
Implementation Method 2
an individual range-Doppler-map is generated based on the individual received signals of each data structure
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method for determining a target information of a radar target based on an incoherent signal processing chain, radar system and motor vehicle The present invention relates to a method for determining one target information (43) of one radar target (15) of a radar system (3), wherein radar system (3) comprising transmitting antennas (9) and receiving antennas (10), wherein - each transmitting antenna transmits a radar signal (13) into an environment (14) in successive transmission operation, - after each transmitting operation, receiving antennas (10) receive received signals (16) based on the transmitted radar signal (13), - the received signals (16) are sorted, - for each antenna (9) a data structure (26) is generated based on the sorted signals (16), - for each data structure (26) an individual range-Doppler-map is generated based on the signals (16), - the range-Doppler-maps of the date structures (26) are averaged, and - the target information (43) is determined based of the averaged range-Doppler-map. Furthermore the present invention relates to a radar system (3) and a motor vehicle (21).