Automotive Radar Antenna Layer With PCB Waveguide Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna devices for automotive radar applications face manufacturing limitations and performance issues due to the use of printed circuit board (PCB) antennas, which are lossy at millimeter-wave frequencies and require complex power splitting/combination networks, and air-filled waveguides, which are costly and complex to produce.
Innovation Solution
A design combining a printed circuit board with a single antenna layer and an antenna layer that functions as a radome, using planar or three-dimensional transition lines to feed electromagnetic signals into waveguide channels, and incorporating features like artificial magnetic conductors (AMCs) to reduce reflections and minimize thickness, allowing for cost-effective production of high-performance millimeter-wave frequency waveguides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If printed circuit board antennas are used for millimeter-wave frequencies, then the antenna device can be manufactured with standard PCB processes, but the signal losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna device is segmented into distinct functional layers: a PCB layer for electronic components and a separate antenna layer for waveguide channels. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the PCB for ease of manufacture and the antenna layer for low signal loss at millimeter-wave frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna device uses a composite structure combining PCB material (for mechanical support and electronic integration) with antenna layer material (for efficient millimeter-wave propagation). This composite approach leverages the strengths of each material while mitigating their individual weaknesses.
2Loss of energy
If air-filled waveguides are used to reduce signal losses, then the signal efficiency improves, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of air-filled waveguides (low signal loss) with the manufacturing simplicity of PCB-based structures. The antenna layer is integrated with the PCB through standardized processes, combining the low-loss transmission of air-filled channels with the ease of PCB fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna layer acts as an intermediary between the PCB electronic components and the external environment. It provides the low-loss waveguide channels for millimeter-wave signals while being manufacturable through standard PCB processes, bridging the gap between performance requirements and manufacturing capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex power splitting/combination networks are implemented on PCB, then multiple antenna elements can be fed, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar PCB-based power splitting networks to three-dimensional waveguide channels in the antenna layer. This dimensional change enables more compact and efficient power distribution to multiple antenna elements, reducing the complexity and space requirements of the feeding network.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional radomes are added to protect the antenna, then the environmental protection improves, but the overall thickness and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the waveguide channels for low-loss signal transmission, acts as the radiating structure for millimeter-wave signals, and functions as the radome for environmental protection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate radome components, reducing overall thickness and device complexity.
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
The design achieves reduced thickness, lower costs, and improved efficiency by minimizing losses and reflections, making it suitable for small automotive radar sensors without the need for additional radomes or complex networks.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide channels (10) are interconnected to the electronic component (5) and are configured to guide an electromagnetic signal from the electronic component to the waveguide aperture (9)
Implementation Method 2
incorporating features like artificial magnetic conductors (AMCs) to reduce reflections
Implementation Method 3
configured to transmit and/or receive a signal with millimeter-wave frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device for automotive radar applications includes a printed circuit board having a front face and a back face and an electronic component which is interconnected to the printed circuit board and an antenna layer having a front face and a back face, which back face is interconnected to the front face of the printed circuit board. At least one waveguide aperture is interconnected to the front face of the antenna layer and is communicatively connected to the electronic component by at least one waveguide channel, wherein the at least one waveguide channel comprises a conductive surface for guiding an electromagnetic field between the electronic component and is formed by a recess arranged between the back face of the antenna layer and the front face of the printed circuit board.