Vehicle Radar Sensor Cavity Treatment for Ghost Targets

The patent applies radar absorptive materials and radar reflective materials to convert the harmful effect of multipath reflections (ghost targets) into beneficial outcomes. The absorptive materials absorb radar energy to prevent it from reflecting back as ghost targets, while the reflective materials redirect the energy away from the sensor. This transforms the harmful ghost target generation into a benefit by eliminating the false reflections while maintaining the radar's ability to detect real objects.

The patent introduces intermediary materials (radar absorptive material and radar reflective material) between the radar sensor and the cavities that cause multipath reflections. These materials act as mediators that interact with the radar energy before it can reflect off the cavity surfaces and return to the sensor as ghost targets. The absorptive material absorbs the energy, and the reflective material redirects it, both preventing the harmful effect while allowing the radar to maintain its detection function.

The patent applies different materials (absorptive or reflective) to different cavities based on their specific characteristics and locations. Rather than treating all cavities uniformly, the solution tailors the material selection to each cavity's geometry, size, and position relative to the radar sensor. This localized approach effectively reduces ghost targets from each cavity while avoiding unnecessary complexity in areas where treatment is not needed.

The patent modifies the electromagnetic parameters of the cavity environments by introducing materials with different radar wave interaction properties. The absorptive materials change the boundary conditions from reflective to absorptive, while reflective materials alter the phase and direction of reflected waves. These parameter changes effectively eliminate ghost target generation without requiring fundamental redesign of the vehicle structure.