Multi-Faceted Vehicular Radar Antenna for Blind-Spot Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle sensing systems using radar sensors have significant blind-spots due to the limited field of sensing, which can lead to the inability to detect objects close to the vehicle, especially during maneuvers like lane changes or taking over from autonomous systems.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle sensing system employs a multi-faceted radar sensor design with each facet having its own transmitter and receiver, arranged at obtuse angles to increase the combined field of sensing beyond 150 degrees, effectively reducing blind-spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional radar sensors with single-facet antennas are used, then the device complexity is low, but the field of sensing is limited causing significant blind-spots
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple facets (at least two facets) with each facet having its own transmitter and receiver. Each facet is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to adjacent facets, creating multiple sensing zones that collectively eliminate blind-spots. This segmentation allows the radar sensor to achieve a combined field of sensing greater than 150 degrees while maintaining manageable complexity through modular facet design.
2Reliability
If multi-faceted radar sensor design is implemented to reduce blind-spots, then the field of sensing increases beyond 150 degrees, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple facets with their respective transmitters and receivers are merged into a single integrated radar sensor housing. The facets are arranged to provide overlapping fields of sensing, ensuring complete coverage without gaps. This merging approach improves reliability by eliminating blind-spots while consolidating multiple components into one unified sensor unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna facets are arranged in three-dimensional space with obtuse angles between adjacent facets, transitioning from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration. This dimensional change allows the radar sensor to achieve a combined field of sensing greater than 150 degrees and detect objects at closer distances (0.66 meters) while maintaining a compact form factor.
3Length of stationary object
If conventional radar sensors are used, then the device structure is simple, but the detection distance to close objects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor is segmented into multiple facets, each capable of independently detecting objects in its own sensing zone. This segmentation allows the system to detect objects at closer distances (0.66 meters) by utilizing the overlapping fields of sensing from multiple facets, while each individual facet maintains a relatively simple structure.
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 design significantly reduces blind-spots, allowing the radar system to detect objects as close as 0.66 meters from the vehicle, thereby enhancing the safety and effectiveness of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Implementation Method 1
A vehicular sensing system includes a radar sensor disposed at a vehicle... The radar sensor is operable to capture radar data. The radar sensor includes (i) a plurality of transmitters that transmit radio signals and (ii) a plurality of receivers that receive radio signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular sensing system includes a radar sensor including a radar module having a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers. The radar module includes a plurality of facets, with each facet arranged at an obtuse angle relative to an adjacent facet and having a respective transmitter and a respective receiver disposed thereat. The respective transmitter and the respective receiver of each facet have a respective field of sensing and a respective principal sensing axis that is perpendicular to the respective facet. The vehicular sensing system, responsive to processing by the data processor of sensor data captured by the radar sensor, determines presence of a target object within a field of sensing of the radar sensor. Responsive to determining presence of the object, the vehicular sensing system controls a system of the vehicle based on the determined presence of the object.