Modular Radar Wireless Synchronization for Flexible Antenna Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive radar boards are custom-designed and inflexible, making it difficult and costly to modify or upgrade antenna layouts, which can lead to inadequate performance in autonomous vehicles (AVs) requiring precise navigation and object detection.
Innovation Solution
A modular radar system where electronic modules communicate via wireless reference signal antennas, allowing synchronization of timing between modules using phase-locked loops (PLLs) and frequency multipliers, enabling flexible design and improved accuracy in radar signal synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If radar apparatus is built within a single assembly or circuit board, then design consistency and integration are improved, but adaptability and ease of modification are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The radar apparatus is divided into multiple independent antenna elements that can be separately designed, tested, and modified. Each antenna element operates as an independent module that can be individually updated without affecting other elements, enabling flexible adaptation while maintaining overall system consistency through standardized interfaces and synchronization mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a whole new design of radar apparatus is created to meet user needs, then performance adequacy is improved, but development time and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system employs a dynamic architecture where antenna elements can be selectively activated, deactivated, or updated based on specific performance requirements. This allows the system to adapt to changing user needs without requiring complete redesign, as individual elements can be modified or added to achieve the desired performance level.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar apparatus uses universal antenna elements that can serve multiple functions and be configured for different operational requirements. These standardized elements can be reused across different design iterations and applications, reducing development time and cost while maintaining performance adequacy through flexible configuration rather than complete redesign.
3Ease of manufacture
If radar board configuration is locked after design, then manufacturing stability is improved, but ease of repair and upgrade are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The radar board is segmented into independent antenna element modules that can be individually replaced or upgraded. This modular approach maintains manufacturing stability through standardized production processes for each module while enabling easy repair and upgrade by allowing individual modules to be swapped without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific antenna elements can be extracted or removed from the radar apparatus independently. This allows defective or outdated elements to be replaced with upgraded versions while keeping the rest of the system intact, facilitating maintenance and upgrades without requiring complete system replacement.
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 modular approach allows for easier design updates and increased accuracy in radar signal synchronization, reducing timing errors and enhancing the safety and efficiency of AV navigation by enabling precise object detection and localization.
Implementation Method 1
the first reference signal antenna is configured to wirelessly transact synchronization signals with a second radar system element
Implementation Method 2
timing of one or more signals are synchronized based on operation of a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a modular radar apparatus and to methods for using a modular radar apparatus. Two or more modules (120, 130, 140) of the radar apparatus may each include a reference signal antenna (120-R, 130-R, 140-R) where a synchronization signal generated at a first module may be sent to a second module via a pair of respective reference signal antenna. When the synchronization signal is received by the second module, that signal may be provided to a phase locked loop (PLL) to synchronize timing of the second module with the first module. The PLL or a multiplier circuit could then generate signals with timing synchronized to the synchronization signal yet at frequencies higher than the synchronization signal. This synchronized timing may allow transmitted radar signals to be synchronized in time with received reflected radar signals more accurately because effects of transmitting synchronization signals via wired interconnects between modules is eliminated.