Non-Uniform Virtual Antenna Radar for Resolution and Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution and wide coverage with a fixed number of antennas, as they often rely on uniform antenna arrangements that limit the effective utilization of virtual antennas.
Innovation Solution
The radar apparatus employs non-uniform and linear deployment of transmitting and receiving antennas, allowing for a greater number of virtual antennas and wider coverage by processing signals considering the non-uniform linear arrangement of receiving antennas, and calculating target positions based on this arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transmitting antennas and receiving antennas are uniformly deployed to increase spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but the number of virtual antennas is limited and coverage is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the two-dimensional uniform antenna arrangement into a one-dimensional non-uniform linear arrangement. By deploying antennas along a straight line at non-uniform intervals, the system creates virtual antennas that provide both high spatial resolution and extended coverage in the direction of the linear array, effectively utilizing the dimensional arrangement to resolve the coverage limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial distribution parameter of the antennas from uniform to non-uniform intervals along the linear arrangement. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the virtual antenna positions, creating a denser sampling in certain regions while maintaining overall coverage, thereby improving spatial resolution without sacrificing coverage area.
2Device complexity
If a fixed antenna arrangement is used to simplify the radar structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect multiple targets with different characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the sequential driving of transmitting antennas and the signal processing that considers the non-uniform linear arrangement of receiving antennas. This dynamic processing approach allows a single fixed physical antenna arrangement to function as multiple virtual antennas with different characteristics, enabling the radar to adapt to different target detection requirements without changing the physical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the fixed antenna arrangement universal by demonstrating that the same physical array can be configured to detect multiple types of targets with different characteristics. Through the non-uniform linear arrangement and sequential driving protocol, the system creates multiple virtual antenna configurations from a single physical structure, allowing one radar to perform multiple detection functions.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of physical antennas is kept fixed to reduce system cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but spatial resolution and coverage cannot be simultaneously optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple physical antennas into a smaller number of antennas arranged non-uniformly along a linear structure. By strategically positioning a reduced number of antennas at optimized intervals, the system creates multiple virtual antennas through signal processing, achieving both high spatial resolution and wide coverage with fewer physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the antenna system through signal processing. The non-uniform linear arrangement of receiving antennas, when processed sequentially with the transmitting antennas, generates multiple virtual antenna positions and characteristics. This virtual copying allows the system to achieve the performance of a larger antenna array using fewer physical antennas.
Data Source
AI summary
A radar apparatus and a radar signal processing method are provided. The radar apparatus includes a plurality of transmitting antennas, a plurality of non-uniformly and linearly deployed receiving antennas, a sensor signal processor configured to calculate target range-Doppler data from signals input from a receiving antenna arrangement according to virtual antennas while sequentially driving the plurality of transmitting antennas, and a target position calculator configured to calculate position data of a target from arrangement mapped data obtained by rearranging the virtual antenna-specific range-Doppler data output from the sensor signal processor with reference to antenna configuration related information.