MIMO Radar Antenna Array Decoupled Angle Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MIMO radar systems face increased computational effort in calculating azimuth and elevation angles simultaneously, and they often require a large number of antennas, making it desirable to decouple these calculations and minimize the number of antennas used.
Innovation Solution
A MIMO radar device with a specific antenna arrangement where transmitting and receiving antennas are spaced apart in two coordinate directions, allowing for the creation of virtual phase centers that enable decoupled determination of azimuth and elevation angles, using a method that involves transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, detecting virtual phase centers, and evaluating phase offsets to calculate these angles with improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If azimuth angle and elevation angle are calculated simultaneously in a general two-dimensional antenna array, then both angles can be determined, but the computational effort increases greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the angle determination process into two independent parts: azimuth angle calculation using phase offsets along the first coordinate direction, and elevation angle calculation using phase offsets along the second coordinate direction. This segmentation allows each angle to be calculated separately using dedicated virtual phase centers, significantly reducing the overall computational effort while maintaining determination accuracy for both angles
2Measurement precision
If a large number of antennas are used in the MIMO radar system, then angle determination accuracy can be improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges transmitting and receiving antennas in a two-dimensional configuration with specific spacing in both first and second coordinate directions. This two-dimensional arrangement creates multiple virtual phase centers that provide sufficient information for decoupled angle calculations, achieving accurate angle determination with a reduced number of physical antennas compared to traditional one-dimensional arrays
3Device complexity
If the number of antennas is reduced, then device complexity decreases, but angle determination accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing two-dimensional antenna spacing with specific offsets in both coordinate directions, the patent generates multiple virtual phase centers from a reduced number of physical antennas. The second coordinate direction spacing provides additional geometric diversity that enables accurate elevation angle calculation while the first coordinate direction spacing supports azimuth angle calculation, maintaining precision with fewer antennas
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 allows for accurate estimation of azimuth and elevation angles with a reduced number of antennas, enabling precise angle determination and efficient operation in both far-field and near-field modes, while maintaining a compact antenna array.
Implementation Method 1
Transmitting antennas are designed in particular to emit an electromagnetic signal. Receiving antennas are designed in particular to receive an electromagnetic signal.
Implementation Method 2
The azimuth angle or the elevation angle of an object can be detected, for example, by evaluating the electromagnetic phase offsets and/or amplitudes of electromagnetic signals received at the receiving antennas of a radar device and reflected by the object.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention provides a MIMO radar apparatus for the decoupled determination of an elevation angle and an azimuth angle of an object and a method for operating a MIMO radar apparatus according to the invention. The MIMO radar apparatus comprises: an antenna array (10; 10'; 10'') having a plurality of transmitting antennas (TXi), the phase centres (TZi) of which are arranged at a distance from one another along a first coordinate direction (x); and a plurality of receiving antennas (RXj), the phase centres (RZj) of which are arranged at a distance from one another along the first coordinate direction (x); wherein the particular phase centre (TZ2; TZ2'; TZ2'') of at least one of the transmitting antennas (TX2; TX2'; TX2'') is at a distance from the respective phase centres (TZI, TZ3; TZI'', TZ3'') of the remaining transmitting antennas (TXI, TX3; TXI'', TX3'') by an offset value (dZ12) along a second coordinate direction (y); wherein the particular phase centre (RZ2; RZ2, RZ3') of at least one of the receiving antennas (RX2; RX2, RX3') is at a distance from the respective phase centres (RZ1, RZ3, RZ4; RZ1, RZ4) of the remaining transmitting antennas (RX1, RX3, RX4; RX1, RX4) by the offset value (dZ12) along the second coordinate direction (y); an evaluation device (12) which can be used to evaluate received electromagnetic signals (22) for the decoupled determination of the elevation angle and the azimuth angle (II) of the object (14).