MIMO Radar Antenna Layout for Dual-Range Angle Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar apparatuses face challenges in simultaneously achieving high resolution and angular resolving power for both mid/long-range and short-range detection, leading to increased size and complexity, while also requiring additional sensors, which complicates and costs more.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus with a MIMO antenna system where two transmission antennas are spaced apart vertically and four receiving antennas are spaced horizontally, allowing for simultaneous transmission and reception of signals to acquire horizontal and vertical information in both detection modes, with distinct signal waveforms and frequency bands to enhance measurement resolution and avoid interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple receiving antennas are arranged to obtain high angular resolving power, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transmission and reception functions into integrated antenna elements. The antenna apparatus includes antenna elements that can both transmit radar signals and receive reflected signals, eliminating the need for separate transmission and reception antenna arrays. This merging reduces the total number of antenna elements required while maintaining high angular resolving power through the MIMO configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the antenna arrangement by positioning transmission and reception antenna elements at different heights. This three-dimensional configuration creates virtual antenna elements through signal processing, effectively expanding the aperture without physically increasing the horizontal footprint. The vertical separation between transmission and reception elements at different heights generates additional spatial information for angle measurement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mid/long-range radar and short-range radar are combined with different transmission antennas, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal antenna system where the same MIMO antenna configuration serves both mid/long-range detection and short-range detection functions. By using multiple transmission antennas at different heights with code division multiplexing, the system can adaptively detect targets at various ranges without requiring separate dedicated antenna systems for each range category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (transmission codes, signal processing methods) rather than physical configuration to adapt to different detection ranges. The same physical antenna arrangement can detect both distant and near targets by modifying the transmitted codes and processing the received signals differently, eliminating the need for multiple sets of transmission antennas.
3Measurement precision
If two transmission antennas are arranged vertically for MIMO radar, then aperture expansion effect is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging transmission antennas at different heights above the ground. This vertical separation creates an expanded aperture in the elevation direction, improving resolution for angle measurement. The vertical arrangement generates virtual antenna elements through the interaction of direct and ground-reflected signals, enhancing measurement precision without requiring a large horizontal aperture.
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 configuration enables the radar apparatus to maximize performance for both mid/long-range and short-range detection while maintaining high resolution and angular resolving power, reducing size and complexity, and preventing interference with other radar devices.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver configured to transmit a transmission signal by using at least one of the transmission antenna in a first detection mode or a second detection mode and to receive a reflection signal by using all of the receiving antennas
Implementation Method 2
receive a reflection signal by using all of the receiving antennas; process the reflection signal received from the receiving antenna and to acquire at least one of a horizontal information or a vertical information of an object
Data Source
AI summary
The present provides a radar apparatus and an antenna apparatus for the radar apparatus. Two transmission antennas disposed on both sides of the transmission antenna set may be arranged apart from each other by a predetermined vertical distance in a first direction perpendicular to the ground, and the four receiving antennas may be disposed apart from each other by a predetermined horizontal distance, so that the vertical information and the horizontal information of the object can be easily obtained in the long range detection mode and the short range detection mode.