Vehicle Radar Antenna Gain Distribution for Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle radar systems require complex arrangements to achieve adequate coverage in both field of view and range, leading to increased complexity and potential issues with data transfer and latency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle radar system comprising two radar sensor arrangements with transmitter and receiver antenna devices, where each receiver antenna has a boresight extension perpendicular to the antenna plane and antenna radiation patterns with lower gain in the boresight extension, allowing for overlap of radiation patterns to enhance angular resolution and reduce multipath effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple radar transceivers with wide FoV are used to cover the required angular coverage, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using two different antenna radiation patterns within the same radar sensor arrangement: a first radiation pattern with maximum gain at 0° for mid-range detection, and a second radiation pattern with maximum gain at ±45° for short-range detection. This allows each antenna to have specialized characteristics for different spatial zones, achieving comprehensive angular coverage without adding multiple complete radar systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor arrangement achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single arrangement to perform both mid-range detection (using the first radiation pattern) and short-range detection (using the second radiation pattern). This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors for different ranges, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adequate coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple radar transceivers are used to achieve adequate coverage, then the field of view coverage is improved, but data transfer and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mid-range and short-range detection functions into a single radar sensor arrangement by combining two transmitter antenna devices and two receiver antenna devices. This unified structure processes both radiation patterns through the same signal processing pipeline, reducing the data transfer and processing complexity that would arise from fusing data from multiple separate radar systems.
3Power
If conventional antenna radiation patterns with maximum gain at boresight are used, then the mid-range detection capability is improved, but the angular resolution and multipath effect handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specialized radiation patterns for different angular zones: the first radiation pattern (maximum gain at 0°) optimizes power for mid-range detection along the boresight, while the second radiation pattern (maximum gain at ±45°) optimizes angular resolution for short-range objects. This localized optimization for different spatial regions resolves the contradiction between detection range and angular resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an angular dimension to the radiation pattern design by steering maximum gain to ±45° for the second pattern. This dimensional change in the radiation pattern geometry enables the system to achieve both long-range detection (via the 0° pattern) and high angular resolution (via the ±45° pattern), effectively adding angular diversity to resolve the contradiction.
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 configuration simplifies the system while maintaining adequate coverage, reduces multipath effects, and improves angular resolution, allowing for efficient data processing and detection of objects with reduced latency.
Implementation Method 1
Each receiver antenna device has a corresponding antenna radiation pattern, where each antenna radiation pattern has a lower gain in its boresight extension than at a certain corresponding first maximum gain azimuth angle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle radar system (3) and method including a first and second radar sensor arrangement (4a, 4b). Each radar sensor arrangement (4a, 4b) includes at least two transmitter antenna devices (10a1, 10a2) and at least two receiver antenna devices (13a1, 13a2, 13a3, 13a4), where each receiver antenna device (13a1, 13a2, 13a3, 13a4) has a corresponding boresight extension (46a, 46b) that is perpendicular to an antenna plane (57). Each receiver antenna device (13a1, 13a2, 13a3, 13a4) has a corresponding antenna radiation pattern (47a, 47b) that has a lower gain (48a, 48b) in its boresight extension (46a, 46b) than at a certain corresponding first maximum gain azimuth angle (φ1a, φ1b) where there is a first maximum gain (49a, 49b). Each radar sensor arrangement (4a, 4b) is mounted such that each first maximum gain (49a, 49b) is directed along a corresponding first maximum gain extension (51a, 51b), such that an overlap part (56) of the antenna radiation patterns (47a, 47b) is formed.