Radar Apparatus High-Frequency Chip Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar devices for measuring ground speed in vehicles have large designs and are not cost-effective for large-scale production, with bifocal, folded antenna devices requiring multiple components and high-frequency substrates that lead to power loss and manufacturing inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A radar device with a high-frequency chip integrated as a compact unit connected to horn antennas via antenna lines on a printed circuit board, where the high-frequency chip is arranged between the board and a carrier that forms part of the horn antennas, reducing component count and enabling efficient heat dissipation, and using a polyimide film as a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bifocal, folded antenna device is used to emit and receive signal waves in multiple directions, then the radar device can measure speed and direction accurately, but the device design becomes large and complex with multiple separate components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements and their associated high-frequency components into a single integrated antenna device. The folded antenna structure integrates multiple radiation elements and signal paths within one compact unit, eliminating the need for separate bifocal antenna devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multi-directional measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated antenna device performs multiple functions simultaneously - it emits signal waves in multiple directions, receives reflected waves from different directions, and provides both speed and direction measurement capabilities through a single unified structure, rather than requiring separate specialized components for each function.
2Reliability
If separate components are used for generating, emitting and receiving signal waves with connections via hollow waveguides, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall device design becomes large and not suitable for cost-effective large-scale production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the high-frequency chip, antenna elements, and connecting structures into a single molded component. The injection molding process allows all these elements to be manufactured as one integrated piece, eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly procedures, thereby enabling cost-effective large-scale production while maintaining signal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical connections via hollow waveguides with an integrated molded structure where electrical connections are formed directly within the plastic substrate during injection molding. This substitution of mechanical assembly with a integrated manufacturing process significantly simplifies production and reduces assembly steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bifocal, folded antenna devices are used with large high-frequency substrate areas, then the antenna can cover multiple directions, but power loss increases and the structure is not suitable for series production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and electrical parameters of the high-frequency substrate by using a molded plastic material with specific dielectric properties instead of traditional large-area PCB substrates. The injection molding process allows precise control of substrate thickness, dielectric constant, and loss tangent, optimizing the balance between multi-directional coverage and power loss while enabling efficient mass production.
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 design allows for a compact, cost-effective radar device with improved heat dissipation and reduced manufacturing complexity, enabling precise speed and direction measurements while minimizing power loss and enhancing scalability for series production.
Implementation Method 1
a high-frequency circuit and an antenna, the high-frequency circuit being designed as a high-frequency chip which has a number of antenna outputs which are connected to horn antennas via antenna lines
Implementation Method 2
The carrier should form parts of the horn antenna... enabling efficient heat dissipation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a radar apparatus (1), in particular for measurement of a speed above ground, having a radio-frequency circuit and having an antenna. The invention provides for the radio-frequency circuit to be in the form of a radio-frequency chip (7) which has a plurality of antenna outputs (42), which are connected via antenna lines (13) to horn antennas (28).