Vehicle Radar Signal Processing Using Non-Adjacent Antenna Sequences
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle-mounted radar systems, particularly those using Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology, face challenges in achieving high angular resolution and precision due to reduced velocity measurement range and Doppler phase shift issues, leading to unreliable velocity measurements in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing method that alters the switching order of transmit antennas to reduce the correlation between space and Doppler phase shifts, allowing for improved recovery of target parameters by using a non-adjacent transmission sequence and performing Doppler phase compensation to enhance measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TDM MIMO is used to increase antenna aperture and improve angular resolution, then angular resolution is improved, but velocity measurement range is reduced by M times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the velocity measurement range recovery into multiple segments by performing Doppler phase compensation for different transmit antennas separately. Each antenna's Doppler phase is compensated independently using its specific time number, allowing the system to recover the full velocity measurement range while maintaining the angular resolution benefits of MIMO.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of transmission sequence by using a non-adjacent sequence instead of spatial order. This parameter change, combined with Doppler phase compensation based on time numbers, resolves the velocity aliasing issue while preserving angular resolution capability.
2Ease of operation
If transmit antennas are switched in spatial order, then reception processing is simple, but Doppler phase shift correlates with space causing unreliable velocity recovery
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of switching antennas in spatial order ( conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a non-adjacent transmission sequence and compensating Doppler phase based on time numbers rather than spatial positions. This inversion breaks the harmful correlation between Doppler phase shift and space while maintaining processing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback through Doppler phase compensation using time numbers associated with each transmit antenna. This feedback mechanism corrects the Doppler phase shifts that would otherwise correlate with spatial positions, enabling reliable velocity recovery while keeping reception processing relatively simple.
3Quantity of substance
If Doppler phase compensation is performed with spatial ordering, then velocity range is recovered, but same target appears at multiple velocities and angles reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces time numbers as an intermediary parameter to mediate between the transmit antenna switching sequence and Doppler phase compensation. This intermediary allows the system to recover velocity range while avoiding the ambiguity problem, as the time number provides a unique reference for each antenna's contribution without relying on spatial ordering that causes target duplication.
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 effectively increases the reliability of velocity measurements by reducing aliasing and Doppler phase shift correlations, enabling more accurate detection of target velocities and angles in dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle-mounted radar, especially a vehicle-mounted millimeter-wave radar, is an indispensable component for a sensing function of an autonomous vehicle
Implementation Method 2
A Doppler phase shift exists between virtual receive antennas corresponding to transmit antennas
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a signal processing method, a radar system, and a vehicle. The method is applied to a radar system including an array antenna. The method includes: sequentially transmitting signals according to a first transmission sequence through M transmit antennas, where the first transmission sequence is different from a sequence that is formed by arranging the M transmit antennas based on spatial locations; receiving, through N receive antennas, echo signals that are formed after a target reflects the transmitted signals, where M and N are positive integers, and M is greater than 2; and measuring a parameter of the target based on the echo signals. According to the embodiments of this application, correlation between space and a Doppler phase shift is reduced by changing a switching order of transmit antennas.