Radar System Spatial Resolution via Multi-Module Aperture Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The commercialized integrated circuit with radar function has a limited number of antennas, restricting the increase in aperture length of the antenna array and thus the spatial resolution, making it difficult to expand the applications of the radar device.

Innovation Solution

The radar system includes multiple radar modules with integrated circuits and antennas, where a processor synchronizes the transmission and reception of radar signals across these modules, allowing for the adjustment and increase of the antenna array's aperture length, enhancing spatial resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of antennas is increased to increase aperture length of antenna array, then spatial resolution is improved, but installation space becomes larger and installation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna array is divided into multiple antenna modules, each containing a subset of antennas. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a large effective aperture length by combining multiple smaller modules, thereby improving spatial resolution without requiring a single large installation space for all antennas at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic configuration of antenna modules, where modules can be selectively activated and positioned based on operational requirements. This dynamic approach enables the aperture length to be adjusted and increased as needed, improving spatial resolution while maintaining manageable installation space requirements through selective deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple antenna modules are provided to increase aperture length, then spatial resolution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidnumber of antenna modules
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each antenna module is designed with universal functionality, containing both transmission and reception capabilities along with integrated control interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the same module design to be replicated and combined in various configurations, improving spatial resolution through increased aperture length while avoiding the complexity of designing and managing fundamentally different module types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4528315A1Radar system, method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP4528315A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4528315A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4528315A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one arrangement, a radar system includes first radar modules (26211, 26212, 26411, 26412), second radar modules (26221, 26222, 26421, 26422), and a processor (90). The processor (90) causes one (26211) of the first radar modules to transmit one first radar signal and at least one second radar module (26221 or 26422) of the second radar modules to transmit at least one second radar signal. A distance (rcT) between the one (26211) of the first radar modules and the at least one second radar module (26221 or 26422) is twice or more as long as a distance (XI2 + ZI2)1/2 between the one (26211) of the first radar modules and a furthest point from the one (26211) of the first radar modules in a sensing area (A1) of the one (26211) of the first radar modules.