Vehicle Radar Failure Detection Using Temperature-Dependent Signal Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle radar systems face challenges in detecting irreversible failures, particularly due to temperature-related changes in semiconductor devices, which can lead to compromised performance and safety issues, as current compensation methods do not account for individual variations in performance across different components.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining irreversible failure in vehicle radar systems by using a transmission/reception tester to acquire signal characteristics, calculate representative values, and set normal ranges for each temperature condition, allowing for failure determination based on whether measured values fall within predetermined normal ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature compensation is applied to radar signals, then radar performance is maintained under varying temperatures, but irreversible failures caused by physical property changes and aging cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes normal ranges for signal characteristics in advance by measuring and storing reference values at multiple temperature points during the design phase. This preliminary action enables later failure detection by comparing current measurements against these pre-established ranges, resolving the contradiction between maintaining performance and detecting failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where current signal characteristics are continuously measured and compared against the pre-stored normal ranges. When deviations exceed thresholds, the system identifies potential failures. This feedback loop enables both performance maintenance through compensation and failure detection through comparison.
2Device complexity
If a unified failure determination standard is used across all radar components, then simplicity is maintained, but individual component variations and temperature effects cannot be accurately accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by establishing separate normal ranges for different radar components (transmitter, receiver, signal processing unit) and for different temperature conditions. Each component and temperature point has its own reference values, allowing accurate failure detection that accounts for individual variations while maintaining a systematic approach.
3Manufacturing precision
If signal characteristics are measured at multiple temperature points, then accurate normal ranges are established, but measurement time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all temperature-dependent measurements and normal range establishments during the design and development phase. By completing this preliminary action beforehand, the system avoids time-consuming measurements during actual operation, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and time.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for determining failure of a vehicle radar apparatus. In the vehicle radar apparatus, it is possible to set the normal range of the failure determination signal characteristic for each temperature by measuring the signal characteristic value at 2 or more temperature values for each transmission channel or each reception channel the normal operation state, and to determine the failure of the radar apparatus based on whether the representative value of the measured signal characteristic measured at the time of determination is within the normal range of the failure determination signal characteristic.