Vehicle Radar Beam Steering via Camera Curvature Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle radars face challenges in accurately detecting distance and phase information due to their beam direction being compromised when the vehicle navigates uphill roads, speed bumps, or experiences internal inclinations, leading to misalignment of the radar beam with the intended target.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle radar system incorporating a nonlinear patch array antenna, a transmitter, and a processor that adjusts the beam pattern's direction, angle, or intensity based on camera image data, specifically detecting lane regions and calculating curvature information to align the beam correctly, even on curved roads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the radar beam direction is fixed, then the radar structure is simple, but the beam misalignment occurs when the vehicle navigates uphill roads or experiences internal inclinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam pattern adjustment by controlling a nonlinear patch array antenna based on vehicle inclination data from inertial sensors. The beam direction is continuously adapted to compensate for vehicle pitch and roll, maintaining alignment with the road surface despite changes in vehicle orientation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the radar system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from inertial measurement units (IMUs) that continuously monitor vehicle inclination angles. This feedback is processed to calculate the necessary beam direction corrections, which are then applied to the nonlinear patch array antenna. The closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the beam remains aligned with the road surface, preventing detection errors caused by vehicle inclination.
2Measurement precision
If the radar beam direction is adjusted to compensate for vehicle inclination, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nonlinear patch array antenna serves multiple functions: it acts as both the radiating element and the beam steering mechanism. By controlling the excitation phases and amplitudes of individual patches, the system achieves both signal transmission and dynamic beam direction adjustment, eliminating the need for separate mechanical steering components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering mechanisms with an electronic phase control system. Instead of physically moving the antenna or beam direction using motors and actuators, the system uses electronic phase shifters and amplitude controllers to dynamically adjust the beam pattern. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control reduces moving parts and simplifies the overall device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a nonlinear patch array is used for beam control, then the beam pattern adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves beam pattern adaptability by changing electrical parameters (phase and amplitude) of the excitation signals fed to each patch element, rather than changing the physical geometry of the patches themselves. The nonlinear patch array geometry is optimized for broadside radiation, while beam steering is accomplished through parameter modulation, separating the manufacturing requirements from the operational flexibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is divided into multiple independent patch elements that can be manufactured using standard PCB fabrication techniques. Each patch is a simple, reproducible geometric shape that can be easily manufactured with conventional methods. The segmentation into discrete elements allows for modular assembly and simplifies the manufacturing process while enabling electronic beam control through independent excitation of each element.
Data Source
AI summary
A radar for a vehicle includes: an antenna including a nonlinear patch array; a transmitter to externally transmit a transmission signal through the antenna; a receiver to signal-process a reception signal received from the antenna; and a processor to control to operate a portion of the nonlinear patch array and control to change at least one of a direction, an angle, or an intensity of a beam pattern output from the antenna based on image related information from a camera during vehicle driving, wherein when the vehicle enters a curved road, the processor detects lane region based on an image from the camera, calculates curvature information of the curved road using a pixel value of the lane region, and controls to change a direction of a beam pattern output from the antenna based on the curvature information. The radar beam pattern is configured to vary based on the camera image.