Radar Height Estimation via Null Point Pattern Collation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional millimeter wave radar systems struggle to accurately distinguish between obstacles that pose a collision risk and unnecessary reflecting objects due to their inability to effectively measure the height of target objects, leading to reduced detection distances and increased computing load for height estimation.
Innovation Solution
A target object information estimating device that uses a radar wave to detect and track objects, sets null distances based on minimal received power, and compares actual null point patterns with modeled patterns to estimate object heights at a low computing load, distinguishing between collision risks and non-collision objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the beam width of the radar wave in the vertical direction is narrowed to reduce detection of unnecessary reflecting objects, then the detection of unnecessary reflecting objects is reduced, but the detecting distance is reduced and obstacles farther away cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of beam width dynamically based on road gradient conditions. When the road gradient is small, the beam width is narrowed to reduce detection of unnecessary reflecting objects. When the road gradient is large, the beam width is widened to maintain detecting distance. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between precision and detection range.
2Measurement precision
If the beam width in the vertical direction is excessively narrowed to improve height detection precision, then height detection precision is improved, but the detecting distance is significantly reduced especially on curves with small radius
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of beam width based on real-time road gradient detection. The beam width is not fixed but adapts to changing road conditions. When the vehicle is on a curve with small radius or large gradient, the beam width is automatically widened to maintain reliable detection, resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability.
3Device complexity
If conventional radar methods are used to detect target objects without height information, then the detection process is simple, but it is impossible to distinguish between unnecessary reflecting objects and obstacles with collision probability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the vertical dimension (height) to the traditional radar detection by analyzing multipath interference patterns. By examining the interference between direct waves and ground-reflected waves, the system extracts height information without adding complex mechanical or optical height-measuring components, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and information completeness.
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
The device efficiently estimates object heights and determines collision probabilities with reduced computational requirements, enabling precise collision avoidance and improved vehicle control.
Implementation Method 1
receives a signal of the radar wave, which is reflected on a target object
Implementation Method 2
the reflected waves transmitted through the respective paths interfere with each other in the radar apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A target object information estimating device embodied by an electronically agile radar sensor is mounted in a moving vehicle. The device has a unit outputting a radar wave every measuring period, receiving radar waves reflected from a target object through different transmission paths and calculating a distance to the object in each measuring period to detect the object, a unit tracking the object in a tracking term of measuring periods, a unit setting the distance changed with time as a null distance each time electric power of the received waves is reduced to a minimal value, and a unit producing an actual pattern of null points corresponding to the null distances, collating the actual pattern with modeled patterns corresponding to various heights and estimates the height of the object from the collation result as information about the object.