Amplitude Tapering in Beam Steering Radar for Object Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous driving technologies face challenges in accurately detecting and classifying objects in dynamic environments over long ranges and varying weather conditions, with existing sensors like cameras and lidars being limited by resolution, cost, and susceptibility to weather factors.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering radar system that uses amplitude tapering to reduce side lobes, enabling the generation of narrow, directed beams for long-range object detection, combined with advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques for accurate object identification, and integration with camera and lidar sensors for multi-sensor fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If amplitude tapering is applied to reduce side lobes, then object detection accuracy is improved, but antenna directivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different amplitude weights to different antenna elements, with center elements having higher weights and edge elements having lower weights. This local differentiation reduces side lobe amplitudes while maintaining main lobe detection capability, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and antenna directivity.
2Length of stationary object
If beam steering is used for long-range detection, then detection range is improved, but side lobe interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts amplitude weighting parameters based on detection range requirements. For long-range detection, it applies stronger amplitude tapering to suppress side lobes, while for short-range detection, it uses lighter tapering to maintain overall signal strength, thus resolving the contradiction between detection range and side lobe interference.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to a beam steering vehicle radar for object identification. The beam steering radar includes a beam steering receive antenna having a plurality of antenna elements to receive radar return signals, a LNA circuit having a plurality of LNAs, each LNA coupled to each element in the beam steering receive antenna to apply a gain to the return signals to generate amplified return signals, wherein gains of LNAs coupled to center antenna elements are higher than gains of LNAs coupled to edge antenna elements, and a phase shifter circuit to apply a plurality of phase shifts to the amplified return signals.