Orthogonal Radar Subarrays for High-Resolution Angle Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems with two-dimensional planar arrays require a large number of antenna elements to achieve high angular resolution, leading to increased cost and complexity, while existing orthogonal linear array systems struggle with computational complexity and accuracy in associating azimuth and elevation angles, especially in automotive applications where multiple objects can be present in the same range-Doppler bin.
Innovation Solution
A radar system utilizing orthogonal one-dimensional subarrays and a two-dimensional subarray, where the second 1D subarray is positioned orthogonal to the first, allowing for reduced antenna elements and maintaining angular resolution through a processor that determines and associates azimuth and elevation angles using electromagnetic energy received by these subarrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-dimensional planar array with many antenna elements is used, then angular resolution is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into three separate subarrays: a first one-dimensional subarray for azimuth angle detection, a second one-dimensional subarray for elevation angle detection, and a two-dimensional subarray for associating angles with objects. This segmentation allows each subarray to have fewer elements while maintaining overall angular resolution performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional single two-dimensional planar array to a multi-dimensional configuration involving three separate subarrays with different geometries. The first and second subarrays are one-dimensional linear arrays oriented along different axes, while the third subarray provides two-dimensional sampling, creating a composite spatial structure that achieves high resolution with fewer total elements.
2Device complexity
If orthogonal linear arrays are used to reduce antenna elements, then cost is reduced, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computational task is segmented into three separate processing streams corresponding to the three subarrays. The processor independently determines azimuth angles from the first subarray, elevation angles from the second subarray, and then uses the third subarray to associate these angles with detected objects. This segmentation simplifies the overall computational complexity compared to processing a single large two-dimensional array.
3Device complexity
If orthogonal linear arrays are used to reduce antenna elements, then cost is reduced, but angle association accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The two-dimensional subarray acts as an intermediary that bridges the azimuth and elevation angle measurements from the separate one-dimensional subarrays. By using the spatial sampling capability of the third subarray, the system can accurately associate paired angles with specific detected objects, even when multiple objects are present in the same range-Doppler bin.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
This document describes techniques and systems of a radar system (102) with modified orthogonal linear antenna subarrays and an angle-finding module (130). The described radar system (102) includes a first one-dimensional (ID) (e.g., linear) subarray (204); a second 1D subarray (206) positioned orthogonal to the first 1D subarray; and a two-dimensional (2D) subarray (208). Using electromagnetic energy (302, 308) received by the first 1D subarray (204) and the second 1D subarray (206), azimuth angles and elevation angles associated with one or more objects can be determined. The radar system (102) associates, using electromagnetic energy (314) received by the 2D subarray (208), pairs of an azimuth angle and an elevation angle to the respective objects. In this way, the described systems and techniques can reduce the number of antenna elements (210) while maintaining the angular resolution of a rectangular 2D array with similar aperture sizing.