Vehicle Radar Power Amplifier Calibration With Dissipated Power Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar system calibration techniques fail to efficiently adjust output power levels below the maximum desired power, leading to increased power consumption and reduced efficiency due to constant dissipated power within the transmitter circuitry.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a peak-to-peak detector and controller to adjust control signals for power-consuming components, employing a low dropout voltage regulator and current digital-to-analog converter to optimize supply voltage and biasing current, allowing for precise power level control and compensation for dissipated power, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the radar transmitter operates at lower output power levels, then power consumption is reduced, but the efficiency decreases due to constant dissipated power in transmitter components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the biasing currents dynamic and adjustable based on the desired output power level. Instead of using constant biasing currents, the system dynamically controls the magnitude of biasing currents to match the operational requirements, allowing the transmitter to maintain optimal efficiency across different power levels including lower power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of biasing current magnitude from fixed to variable. By adjusting the biasing current magnitude according to the desired output power level, the system optimizes the operating point of power amplifier devices, thereby improving efficiency at lower power levels while maintaining the ability to operate at maximum power when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the biasing current is reduced to lower power consumption, then overall power consumption decreases, but the output power calibration accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoutput power calibration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a detector to measure the actual output power level and comparing it with the desired power level. The controller uses this feedback information to adjust the biasing current magnitude and supply voltage, thereby maintaining accurate output power calibration while optimizing power consumption. The feedback loop ensures that the system can adapt to different operating conditions and maintain precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically adjusting its own operating parameters (biasing currents and supply voltage) based on detected output power levels. This self-service capability allows the transmitter to maintain calibration accuracy without external intervention, optimizing power consumption while preserving measurement precision through automated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach enables more accurate and efficient calibration of radar transmitter output power at lower levels, improving the efficiency and reducing power dissipation, thus enhancing the operation of vehicle radar systems.

Implementation Method 1

A peak-to-peak detector may be disposed to sample an output signal at an output terminal of the power amplifier and produce a detector signal corresponding to a power level of the output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeak-to-peak detection:

Implementation Method 2

employing a low dropout voltage regulator and current digital-to-analog converter to optimize supply voltage and biasing current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Implementation Method 3

a power amplifier configured to generate an output signal at an output terminal of the power amplifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal amplification:

Data Source

PatentUS20240356493A1Radar power calibration with compensation for dissipated power

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 NXP BV

AI summary

A first input signal that corresponds to an output transmitted signal of a power amplifier of a vehicle radar system is received and the output power level of the transmitted signal is calibrated to a desired magnitude of the transmitted signal; the proposed calibration method and apparatus allows to improve both the output power calibration accuracy and the power amplifier power consumption across the dynamic range of output power levels, by reducing dissipated power of the power amplifier in correlation with reduced output power levels. The calibration method includes controlling voltage generators that drive cascode amplifiers in the signal chain: a low dropout regulator is controlled to generate supply and cascode voltages that produce the desired power output level; and, a current digital-to-analog converter is controlled to generate an optimal biasing current under the supply and cascode voltage conditions.