Microwave Radar Multi-lane Vehicle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle detecting apparatuses, such as loop-typed detectors and Doppler radar, face challenges in multi-lane vehicle detection due to high setup and maintenance costs, limited parameter measurement capabilities, and reduced accuracy when detecting vehicles across multiple lanes.
Innovation Solution
A microwave radar vehicle detecting apparatus with a radio-frequency transceiving unit, closely arranged leakage-wave mode antennas, and an intermediate-frequency and digital signal processing unit, integrated into a system-on-chip, capable of generating traffic parameters like vehicle speed, classification, occupancy, and density across multiple lanes with stable signal-to-noise ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Doppler radar is used for vehicle detection, then vehicle speed detection accuracy is improved, but multi-lane detection capability deteriorates due to unidirectional wave transmission requiring dedicated detectors per lane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single microwave detection apparatus using FMCW signals. Instead of deploying separate Doppler radar units for each lane, one apparatus with leakage-wave antennas can detect vehicles across multiple lanes simultaneously, reducing the total number of detectors while maintaining speed detection accuracy through frequency-modulated continuous wave technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both speed detection and classification detection across multiple lanes using a single device. The FMCW signal technology enables the system to extract multiple parameters (speed, distance, classification) from reflected microwave signals, making the apparatus universally applicable for various detection needs without requiring lane-specific deployment.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated detecting apparatus is arranged for each traffic lane, then detection accuracy is improved, but setup and maintenance costs increase extremely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple lane detection capabilities into a single apparatus. By using FMCW signals with leakage-wave antennas, one detection unit can monitor multiple lanes simultaneously, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated detectors for each lane while maintaining detection accuracy through advanced signal processing of reflected microwave signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection apparatus is designed as a universal device that can detect vehicles across multiple lanes and provide multiple detection parameters (speed, classification, occupancy). This multi-functional design reduces the overall system cost by replacing multiple specialized detectors with one versatile apparatus that serves all detection needs.
3Loss of information
If loop-typed detector is used, then traffic flow and vehicle occupancy information is obtained, but lane closure is required during maintenance causing transportation inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical loop-typed detector embedded in the road with a non-contact microwave detection apparatus. The FMCW-based system uses electromagnetic waves to detect vehicles without requiring physical contact or road infrastructure installation, allowing maintenance to be performed without lane closures and eliminating the need for metallic loops embedded in the pavement.
4Ease of manufacture
If FMCW radar with fixed sector-shaped beam is used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but detection accuracy varies with distance from detecting apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs leakage-wave antennas that dynamically adjust the microwave beam characteristics. Unlike fixed sector-shaped beams, the leakage-wave mode creates an invisible ellipse trace above the road surface that maintains consistent signal-to-noise ratios across different distances. The intermediate-frequency and digital signal processing unit further dynamically compensates for distance variations, maintaining detection accuracy while keeping the system cost-effective.
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 apparatus achieves accurate multi-lane vehicle detection with reduced costs and enhanced accuracy by maintaining consistent echo power and signal-to-noise ratios, enabling comprehensive traffic parameter measurement without the need for dedicated detectors per lane.
Implementation Method 1
the remote traffic microwave detector adopting the frequency-modulation continuous-wave (FMCW) scheme transmits FMCW signals with a fixed sector-shaped beam at a low power level, and the microwave beam may form an invisible ellipse trace above the road surface
Implementation Method 2
the signal reflecting from any object will be transmitted to the detecting apparatus for the target detection and distance determination
Implementation Method 3
a radio-frequency transceiving unit 13 having a signal input and a signal output and generating a difference-frequency signal
Implementation Method 4
the use of Doppler radar for vehicle detection results in relatively accurate information for the vehicle speed
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle detection apparatus adopting microwave sensing schemes for performing the multi-lane vehicle detection is provided in the present invention. According to the present invention, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the detected reflecting wave is varied within an inconsiderable range so that the provided apparatus may exhibit a unique property which is adoptable for the multi-lane vehicle detection and the precision is unachievable by the existing detectors.