Radar Antenna Array with Cylindrical Lens for Elevation Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar sensors in motor vehicles lack the capability to directly measure object heights or elevation angles, relying on mechanical pivoting or indirect backscatter evaluation due to cost constraints, and require significant hardware and computing effort for synchronous measurement of horizontal and vertical object angles.
Innovation Solution
An antenna device with multiple rows of patch elements and associated phase centers, shifted relative to each other, combined with a beam-shaping cylindrical lens, allows for simultaneous estimation of elevation and azimuth angles by creating differential directional characteristics and phase differences, enabling cost-effective angle measurement without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mechanical pivoting or indirect backscatter evaluation is used to measure elevation angles, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision and direct measurement capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from mechanical pivoting (one-dimensional rotation) to a planar antenna array with cylindrical lens (two-dimensional spatial arrangement), enabling direct elevation angle measurement through the additional spatial dimension provided by the lens-focusing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pivoting system with an optical system consisting of a cylindrical lens and planar antenna array, substituting mechanical motion with optical focusing to achieve elevation angle measurement
2Measurement precision
If synchronous measurement of horizontal and vertical object angles is achieved using two-dimensional antenna arrays, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and computing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical lens acts as an intermediary optical element that performs beam shaping and focusing, mediating between the simple planar antenna array and the desired three-dimensional angle measurement capability, thereby reducing the complexity of the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical lens serves multiple functions simultaneously: it shapes the antenna beams, focuses radiation at different vertical angles, and enables both elevation and azimuth angle measurement, reducing the need for separate hardware components
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
Enables simultaneous, reaction-free measurement of horizontal and vertical angles using conventional planar antennas, reducing hardware requirements and improving angle estimation accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the beam-shaping cylindrical lens is arranged and designed in such a way that the antenna radiation emanating from the at least two rows of antenna elements is focused at different vertical or horizontal angles
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (15.1) has a set of antenna element rows (15a, 15b) arranged in a plane in a vertical or a horizontal direction, where the rows have antenna elements (24), patch elements and phase centers (23a, 23b) and pushed opposite to each other in the direction. A cylindrical lens (25) is arranged such that antenna radiations (26a, 26b) starting from the rows are focused at different vertical or horizontal angles. The rows exhibit directional characteristics and phase differences deviating from each other in the vertical or horizontal direction. An independent claim is also included for a device comprising a controller connected with a radar sensor device.