Radar DoA Estimation With Iterative Speed Phase Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar systems face errors in estimating the angle of an object due to phase differences caused by the movement of objects, which affect the accuracy of distance and speed calculations.

Innovation Solution

A method for estimating direction of arrival (DoA) in radar systems that compensates for phase errors by calculating relative speed iteratively until stabilization, using a compensation phase value to correct horizontal and vertical phase differences based on a stable relative speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If phase differences of signals are used to calculate angle, then distance and speed can be estimated, but movement of objects causes phase errors that reduce angle estimation accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle estimation accuracyVSAvoidphase error caused by object movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by iteratively calculating relative speed before final angle estimation. The system continuously updates the relative speed estimate using distance measurements from multiple time slots, stabilizing the speed value before using it to compensate phase differences. This preliminary speed estimation allows the system to prepare compensation parameters in advance, reducing the impact of movement-induced phase errors on final angle accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through iterative relative speed calculation. The system uses distance measurements from current and previous time slots to compute relative speed, then uses this speed to adjust phase compensation. The feedback loop continues until the relative speed stabilizes, allowing the system to continuously refine its phase error compensation based on actual object motion characteristics, thereby improving angle estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If iterative relative speed calculation is performed, then phase error compensation improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase error compensation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time for speed calculation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The iterative relative speed calculation uses feedback from distance measurements to converge on a stable speed value. By continuously comparing current and previous time slot distances, the system automatically adjusts speed estimates until stabilization occurs. This feedback mechanism ensures that processing time is optimized - the iteration continues only as long as necessary for convergence, avoiding unnecessary computational delays while achieving accurate phase compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex real-time phase error correction mechanisms with a simpler iterative speed estimation approach. Instead of attempting to correct phase errors during signal processing, the system substitutes a computational method that calculates relative speed from distance measurements and uses this to derive compensation factors. This substitution trades direct phase correction complexity for a more manageable iterative calculation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach enhances the accuracy of angle estimation by minimizing the impact of object movement on phase differences, allowing for precise calculation of direction of arrival.

Implementation Method 1

one of the transmitting antennas emitting a transmitted signal which is to be reflected by the object to form a reflected signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the processing unit obtaining an estimated distance based on a duration between a time point at which the transmitting antenna emitted the transmitted signal and a time of reception at which the receiving antenna received the reflected signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS20250362378A1Method of estimating direction of arrival (DOA) for radar system

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ALPHA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A method of estimating a direction of arrival (DoA) for a radar system includes: for each time slot, one transmitting antenna emitting a transmitted signal, one receiving antenna receiving a reflected signal, a processing unit obtaining an estimated distance based on a duration between signal emission and signal reception, and obtaining a relative speed based on the estimated distance and another estimated distance which was obtained for an immediately prior time slot; in response to performing the above steps at least twice, the processing unit determining whether a stop condition is met; when the stop condition is met, the processing unit setting the relative speed that was most recently obtained as an iterative relative speed and obtaining a compensation phase value based on the iterative relative speed; and the processing unit obtaining the DoA based on the compensation phase value and a distance between two adjacent virtual antennas.