License Plate Radar Antenna Layout for High Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar sensors in automotive applications face challenges in achieving high angular resolution due to integration issues with vehicle bumpers or fascia, which affect aerodynamic and aesthetic properties, and material properties of radomes/bumpers/fascia can distort radar signals, reducing detection performance and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A radar system with a support structure integrated into the vehicle's fascia or as a separate component, supporting a license plate and housing radar antennas, arranged in a configuration that provides high angular resolution, using plastic material and injection molding to minimize signal interference and accommodate various license plate sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar sensors are installed in front bumper or front fascia, then radar detection performance is improved, but aerodynamic properties and aesthetic properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radar sensor from the traditional front bumper/fascia mounting locations and relocates it to the license plate holder area. This separation allows the radar to maintain its detection performance while being positioned in a location that does not compromise aerodynamic or aesthetic properties of the vehicle's front end.
Solution Approach 2:
The license plate holder is given a dual function: it continues to support the license plate while also serving as a mounting structure for the radar sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated radar mounting structures that would compromise vehicle design.
2Measurement precision
If radar sensors with larger physical apertures are used, then angular resolution is improved, but integration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the available space on the license plate holder in a two-dimensional arrangement, positioning multiple radar antennas along the horizontal and vertical edges. This edge-based dimensional utilization allows larger effective aperture without requiring complex three-dimensional integration structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple radar antennas are combined and integrated into a single license plate holder structure. This merging of multiple radar elements into one mounting location simplifies integration while achieving the desired large aperture for high angular resolution.
3Ease of manufacture
If radar sensors are covered by radomes/bumpers/fascia, then integration into vehicle shell is improved, but signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor is extracted from locations that require coverage by radomes, bumpers, or fascia and relocated to the license plate holder. This position allows the radar antennas to operate with minimal obstruction, eliminating signal attenuation and phase distortion caused by covering materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The license plate holder serves as an intermediary mounting structure that positions the radar antennas in a location free from the harmful effects of radome/bumper/fascia materials, while still maintaining integration with the vehicle's front end structure.
4Measurement precision
If radar antennas are arranged horizontally and vertically on support structure, then angular resolution is improved, but license plate obstruction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar antennas are positioned asymmetrically along the horizontal and vertical edges of the license plate holder, utilizing the perimeter space. This asymmetric edge-based arrangement maximizes the aperture for angular resolution while keeping the antenna elements positioned where they will not be obstructed by the license plate mounted in the center area.
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
The system achieves improved radar detection performance and angular resolution by securing radar antennas on the support structure, ensuring they are not obstructed by the license plate, with reduced manufacturing costs and compatibility with different license plate sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The multitude of radar antennas may be coupled to a respective control unit and may be configured for performing radar measurements
Implementation Method 2
The varying material properties of the elements covering the radar sensors can massively influence the radar signal quality... The radar signal may be attenuated by several dB... The support structure may be made of a plastic material
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a radar system for automotive application. The radar system comprises a support structure for supporting a license plate. The radar system further comprises a multitude of radar antennas arranged on the support structure. The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle comprising a radar system.