Pulse Doppler Radar Adaptive Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pulse Doppler radar devices require separate installations for different operation modes, such as collision detection and parking support, due to varying range resolution, measuring range, and data renewal cycles, leading to increased space and cost requirements.

Innovation Solution

A pulse Doppler radar device that automatically judges operation modes and adjusts operating conditions by varying pulse bandwidth and band limiting width based on vehicle gear state, velocity, or radar cross-section, allowing for adaptive range resolution and measuring cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate radar devices are installed for different operation modes (collision detection and parking support), then the range resolution and measuring range requirements for each mode can be met, but the installation space and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange resolutionVSAvoidnumber of radar devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar device is designed to perform multiple operation modes (collision detection and parking support) using a single integrated system. The same radar hardware can switch between different operational configurations to meet different measurement requirements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The radar device dynamically adjusts its operating parameters including pulse width, bandwidth, and measuring range based on the current operation mode. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single device to adapt its characteristics to match the specific requirements of different modes, such as using narrower bandwidth for collision detection and wider bandwidth for parking support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If narrow bandwidth pulse is used for collision detection radar, then the measuring range can be extended, but the range resolution becomes rough

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring rangeVSAvoidrange resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The radar dynamically changes pulse width and bandwidth based on the operation mode. For collision detection, it uses narrower bandwidth with longer pulse width to extend measuring range. For parking support, it switches to wider bandwidth with shorter pulse width to improve range resolution. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the trade-off between measuring range and range resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key parameters including pulse width, bandwidth, and sampling frequency according to different operation modes. By adjusting these parameters, the radar can optimize its performance for either long-range detection with lower resolution or short-range detection with high resolution, eliminating the need for fixed-parameter designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If wide bandwidth pulse is used for parking support radar, then the range resolution is improved, but the measuring range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange resolutionVSAvoidmeasuring range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The radar system dynamically adjusts its bandwidth and pulse width based on operational requirements. When operating in parking support mode, it uses wide bandwidth with short pulse width to achieve fine range resolution. When switching to collision detection mode, it extends the measuring range by using narrower bandwidth and longer pulse width, thus adapting to different spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If short measuring cycle is used for collision detection radar, then the detection speed is improved, but the range resolution becomes coarse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidrange resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The radar dynamically adjusts the measuring cycle and data processing intensity based on the operation mode. For collision detection, it uses shorter measuring cycles to achieve fast detection response. For parking support, it extends the measuring cycle to accumulate more data for high-resolution processing. This dynamic timing adjustment resolves the contradiction between detection speed and resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient detection of objects with high range resolution in narrow ranges and quick detection in wide ranges, reducing the need for multiple radar devices and optimizing installation space and cost.

Implementation Method 1

a pulse Doppler radar device emitting a pulse and then receiving a reflected wave, which is reflected by an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

receiving a reflected pulse reflected by an object and returned therefrom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

outputting quadrature phase I and Q signals by performing a quadrature phase detection for the reflected pulse using a carrier wave of the transmitting pulse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectQuadrature phase detection: Homodyne Detection

Implementation Method 4

limiting the quadrature phase I and Q signals within a band limiting width set based on the result of the judgment of the operation mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBandwidth limiting: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentEP2120062B1Pulse doppler radar device
Publication Date: 2012.09.26 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP2120062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2120062B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2120062B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pulse Doppler radar device, that automatically judges a change of an operation mode and switches an operating condition therefore. SOLUTION: A judging and controlling part 110 comprises an operation mode judging unit 111, a pulse width selecting unit 112, and a band limiting width selecting unit 113, wherein the operation mode judging unit 111 receives a signal of a gear state from a predetermined controlling device in a vehicle, and then judges the operation mode thereof. Based on a result of the judgment at the operation mode judging unit 111, the pulse width selecting unit 112 and the band limiting width selecting unit 113 control a wide band impulse generating part 120 and a band width limiting part 150, respectively.