MIMO Radar Sensor Units for Vehicular Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic vehicle sensing systems face limitations in range, response time, short-range detection, limited field of view, and accuracy in detecting objects, particularly due to environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and require multiple sensors for triangulation to improve positioning.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sensing system utilizing RF sensors with a System on Chip (SoC) unit, featuring multiple transmitting and receiving antennae, adjustable based on environmental complexity, enabling 360-degree coverage and high positional accuracy through long baseline interferometry and interlaced fields of view, allowing for simultaneous transmission and reception of RF signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple ultrasonic sensors are positioned along the vehicle bumper for triangulation, then object positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transmitting antennae and multiple receiving antennae into a single integrated RF sensor unit. This merging approach achieves the triangulation functionality of multiple separate sensors while consolidating them into one device, thereby improving object positioning accuracy without increasing the number of discrete sensor components installed on the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ultrasonic sensing to RF sensing, utilizing electromagnetic waves instead of acoustic waves. This dimensional change in the sensing medium enables the system to achieve superior positioning accuracy through interferometry and signal phase analysis, while the integrated antenna array provides comprehensive coverage without requiring multiple separate sensor units.
2Length of stationary object
If ultrasonic transmission range is extended for longer detection distance, then detection range is improved, but system update time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/acoustic ultrasonic transmission system with an RF electromagnetic wave transmission system. RF waves propagate at the speed of light, which is significantly faster than the speed of sound, enabling both extended detection range and rapid system update times. This substitution eliminates the fundamental limitation of ultrasonic systems where longer range inherently requires longer update cycles.
3Reliability
If the ultrasonic transducer vibration is damped before receiving signals, then low energy signal detection is improved, but short-range detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasonic transducer system with an RF antenna system. RF antennas do not require mechanical vibration damping and can simultaneously transmit and receive signals without the dead time required by ultrasonic transducers. This enables continuous operation with no blind zones, providing both reliable low-energy signal detection and excellent short-range detection capability.
4Measurement precision
If the ultrasonic sensor field of view is narrowed for parking slot measurement accuracy, then measurement accuracy is improved, but field of view coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple RF sensor units, each with a focused beam for high measurement accuracy. By segmenting the overall sensing task across multiple units positioned around the vehicle, the system achieves both narrow-beam precision for parking slot measurement and comprehensive 360-degree coverage through the collective field of all units.
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 RF sensing system provides enhanced detection capabilities, including improved range, response time, and accuracy for objects close to the vehicle, supporting advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, while being aesthetically integrated into vehicle design.
Implementation Method 1
each transmitting antenna transmitting RF signals and each receiving antenna receiving RF signals transmitted by each transmitting antenna
Implementation Method 2
high positional accuracy through long baseline interferometry and interlaced fields of view
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular sensing system includes a plurality of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radar sensor units disposed at a vehicle so as to have respective fields of sensing exterior of the vehicle. Each MIMO radar sensor unit includes a plurality of transmitting antennas and a plurality of receiving antennas, with each transmitting antenna transmitting radar signals and each receiving antenna receiving radar signals. Outputs of the individual MIMO radar sensor units of the plurality of MIMO radar sensor units are provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) using a communication protocol of the vehicle and, responsive to the outputs of the MIMO radar sensor units, the ECU detects objects present exterior the vehicle. The vehicular sensing system adjusts the total number of transmitting and receiving antennas utilized by the plurality of MIMO radar sensor units in accordance with complexity of a surrounding environment of the vehicle.