PCB Integrated Waveguide Termination for 77 GHz Radar Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar systems operating at 77 GHz face challenges in efficiently managing non-radiated electromagnetic energy, which can cause undesired effects and reduce system accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dual open-ended waveguide antenna with a beamforming network and attenuation components on a circuit board to absorb and dissipate non-radiated electromagnetic energy, ensuring that reflected energy is properly attenuated and dissipated, thereby improving system efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional antenna designs are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but non-radiated electromagnetic energy causes unwanted reflections and reduces system accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradar system accuracyVSAvoidantenna structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into multiple waveguide segments, each with specific functions (radiating, beamforming, attenuation). This segmentation allows the system to manage electromagnetic energy more effectively by dedicating specific segments to handle reflections and dissipate energy, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a complete redesign of the entire antenna structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Attenuation components are introduced as intermediary elements between the beamforming network and the environment. These components act as mediators that absorb unwanted reflected electromagnetic energy, preventing it from interfering with the radar system's measurements. The intermediaries enable improved accuracy by isolating the measurement process from harmful reflections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If attenuation components are added to manage non-radiated energy, then system accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradar system accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components (waveguides, beamforming networks, attenuation components) are merged into a single integrated antenna assembly. This merging approach allows the system to achieve improved measurement precision through comprehensive energy management while simplifying manufacturing by treating the entire structure as one integrated unit rather than separate components requiring complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If non-radiated electromagnetic energy is not managed, then device complexity is reduced, but energy is lost to unwanted reflections and heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic energy lossVSAvoidenergy management structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attenuation components are designed to convert harmful non-radiated electromagnetic energy (which would otherwise cause reflections and heat loss) into a controlled form that can be dissipated safely. By introducing these components, the system transforms the harmful effect of non-radiated energy into a manageable process, reducing energy loss while adding only the necessary minimal complexity to achieve this conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution effectively reduces the impact of non-radiated energy, enhancing the accuracy and performance of radar systems by minimizing unwanted reflections and improving energy management.

Implementation Method 1

at least one attenuation component, where the at least one attenuation component is located on a circuit board... dissipating the portion of the reflected electromagnetic energy coupled to the attenuation component by the attenuation component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10033082B1PCB integrated waveguide terminations and load

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 WAYMO LLC

AI summary

The present application discloses embodiments that relate to a radar system. The embodiments may include a plurality of radiating waveguides each having a waveguide input. The embodiments also include an attenuation component, which can be located on a circuit board. The embodiments further include a beamforming network. The beamforming network includes a beamforming network input. The beamforming network also includes a plurality of beamforming network outputs, where each beamforming network output is coupled to one of the waveguide inputs. Additionally, the beamforming network includes an attenuation port, wherein the attenuation port is configured to couple the beamforming network to the attenuation component. The attenuation component dissipates received electromagnetic energy.