Single Scatterer Radar Detection Using Amplitude Spectral Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining whether a target object is a single scatterer in the automotive environment are not robust enough due to the complexity of the environment and are computationally complex, making them inefficient for precise self-localization and mapping in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-based method using a radar system with multiple receiver channels processes 2-D amplitude spectral information from the range-Doppler domain to determine if a target object is a single scatterer by analyzing the position and variation of the peak amplitude across multiple channels, eliminating the need for phase calculation and symmetry considerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cross-correlation with Point Spread Function is used to determine single scatterer, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but computational complexity increases and robustness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle scatterer detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the amplitude spectral information from the range-Doppler domain, eliminating the need to process phase information. This extraction of essential features (amplitude peaks and their positions) reduces computational complexity while maintaining detection accuracy, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex cross-correlation with the Point Spread Function as in prior art, the patent inverts the approach by directly analyzing the amplitude spectral information and peak positions from multiple receive channels. This inverted methodology achieves single scatterer detection with significantly reduced computational burden while improving robustness in complex automotive environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If single-scan observations from fixed view-angle are used for landmark determination, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and robustness decrease in complex automotive environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobservation system complexityVSAvoidlandmark determination robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from multiple radar receive channels to form the amplitude spectrum in the range-Doppler domain. By combining information from multiple channels rather than relying on single-scan observations, the system achieves improved reliability and robustness for landmark determination while maintaining manageable device complexity through efficient spectral analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If phase calculation and symmetry considerations are performed for scatterer analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescatterer characterization accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the amplitude spectral information from the range-Doppler domain, eliminating the need to calculate phase information or consider symmetry. This selective extraction maintains the ability to distinguish single from non-single scatterers through amplitude peak analysis while significantly reducing processing time and computational resources required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method is sensitive, robust, and computationally efficient, effectively distinguishing between single and non-single scatterers, improving the accuracy of landmark determination for precise vehicle localization and mapping.

Implementation Method 1

a radar system including a radar transmit element, adapted to send a radar signal towards said target object, and an antenna receive array comprising a plurality of N radar receive channels, and adapted to receive radar signals reflected from said target object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3454081B1Single scatterer test using amplitude and a plurality of receive elements
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3454081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3454081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3454081B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A vehicle-based method of determining the extent to which a target object is a single scatterer, said vehicle including a radar system including a radar transmit element, adapted to send a radar signal towards said target object, and an antenna receive array comprising a plurality M of a receive elements, providing a corresponding plurality of N radar receive channels, and adapted to receive radar signals reflected from said target object, said method comprising: a) transmitting a radar signal from said radar transmit element to said target object; b) receiving the reflected signal of the signal transmitted in step a) from the target object at said plurality of receiver elements; c) for each antenna element or channel, processing the received signal to provide amplitude or power data in the frequency domain; d) with respect to the data in step c), for each receive element/channel, determining the frequency with the maximum amplitude or power; e) determining the degree of variability of the results of step d) with respect to each receive element/channel; f) determining the extent to which the target object is a single scatterer based on the result of step e).