Radar Actuator Check Without Inclination Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar devices rely on inclination sensors to check the actuator's operation for adjusting the beam axis, making it difficult to verify normal operation without these sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a measuring unit to transmit and receive radar beams, measuring received power at different inclination angles to determine if the actuator operates within a predetermined range, using a reflector to maximize power and assess the actuator's state without an inclination sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an inclination sensor is used to check actuator operation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A reflector is introduced as an intermediary object to enable indirect measurement of the beam axis orientation. The reflector is positioned to maximize received power when the beam axis is perpendicular to it, serving as a reference that allows the system to determine actuator operation range without directly measuring inclination angles
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical inclination sensor system is replaced with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system. Instead of using physical sensors to measure the beam output surface inclination, the system uses radar beam transmission and reflection to indirectly determine the actuator's operational state through received power measurements
2Measurement precision
If a reflector is positioned to maximize received power, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is pre-positioned at a location that maximizes received power when the beam axis is perpendicular to the reflector surface. This preliminary positioning establishes a reference state that simplifies subsequent measurements and eliminates the need for complex real-time positioning systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a reference measurement state by positioning the reflector to maximize received power. This reference state serves as a template against which subsequent actuator positions can be compared, allowing determination of whether the actuator operates within the desired range without requiring precise knowledge of absolute angles
3Measurement precision
If received power is measured at multiple inclination angles, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of measuring received power at every possible inclination angle, the system performs measurements at selected critical positions: the reference position (maximum power) and positions corresponding to the limits of the actuator's adjustment range. This partial measurement approach is sufficient to determine whether the actuator operates within the desired range, significantly reducing checking time while maintaining verification precision
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 the checking of actuator operation within the adjustment range without an inclination sensor, ensuring the actuator adjusts the beam axis correctly, and efficiently performs the check in a short time.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit configured to transmit a radar beam via the beam transceiver surface of the antenna substrate, and receive a reflected beam based on the transmitted radar beam to measure received power
Implementation Method 2
a reflector configured to reflect the transmitted radar beam and located to maximize the received power measured by the measuring unit based on a reflected radar beam
Data Source
AI summary
A first step sets a second inclination angle of a housing to an angle different from a reference housing angle by a limit angle; drives an actuator to set a first inclination angle to an angle different from a substrate inclination angle by the limit angle such that a beam axis is kept to be oriented to a specified direction; and measures, based on transmission and reception of a radar beam, first received power. A second step drives the actuator to set the first inclination angle to an angle located outside the adjustment range by a predetermined additional angle while the first inclination angle is maintained; and measures, based on transmission and reception of the radar beam, second received power. A third step determines whether a difference between the first received power and the second received power is greater than a predetermined determination threshold, and checks an operating state of the actuator based on a result of the determination.