Radar Null Position Control via Phase Shifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar devices face challenges in efficiently detecting objects using antennas with simple structures while maintaining high gain, which is essential for applications like autonomous driving, as increasing antenna numbers increase technical requirements and costs.

Innovation Solution

A radar apparatus and control method utilizing a phased array antenna system with a first transmitting antenna and a second transmitting antenna, where the phase of the source signal is inverted and shifted, respectively, to create null positions in the radiation pattern, allowing for efficient object detection by controlling the nulls to appear in specific areas, excluding those detected by other sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of antennas is increased to increase gain and improve detection accuracy, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the phase parameters of transmission signals to create null positions in the radiation pattern. By adjusting phase shift values of the second transmission signal relative to the first transmission signal, the system creates directional nulls that improve detection accuracy without adding more antennas. This parameter-based approach resolves the contradiction by achieving improved measurement precision through signal processing rather than hardware expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the number of antennas is increased to increase gain, then gain is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna gainVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves improved antenna gain by changing the phase parameters of existing transmission signals rather than adding more antenna elements. By creating controlled null positions through phase shifting, the system concentrates energy in desired directions, effectively increasing gain without the cost of additional antennas. This resolves the contradiction by achieving power improvement through parameter optimization rather than hardware expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If beam width is adjusted to improve detection accuracy, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidbeam width adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves beam width adjustment and detection accuracy improvement by changing phase parameters of transmission signals. By adjusting the phase shift values between first and second transmission signals, the system creates null positions at specific angles, effectively controlling beam characteristics without complex mechanical or electronic beamwidth adjustment mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by achieving precise detection through simple phase parameter changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables efficient object detection using a simple antenna structure by leveraging the null positions in the radiation pattern, reducing costs and improving detection accuracy without the need for complex beam width adjustments, while also ensuring non-overlap with areas detected by other sensors.

Implementation Method 1

a first modulator for generating a first transmission signal having an inverted phase of a source signal and transmitting the first transmission signal through the first transmitting antenna, and a second modulator for generating a second transmission signal having a shifted phase of the source signal and transmitting the second transmission signal through the second transmitting antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase interference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

receiving a reflection signal in which the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal are reflected from the object through the receiving antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11733371B2Radar apparatus, method for controlling radar apparatus and detection system using radar apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.08.22 HL KLEMOVE CORP
  • US11733371B2 patent drawing
  • US11733371B2 patent drawing
  • US11733371B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a radar apparatus including: an antenna including a first transmitting antenna, a second transmitting antenna, and a receiving antenna; a transmitter including a first modulator for generating a first transmission signal having an inverted phase of a source signal and transmitting the first transmission signal through the first transmitting antenna, and a second modulator for generating a second transmission signal having a shifted phase of the source signal and transmitting the second transmission signal through the second transmitting antenna; a receiver for receiving a reflection signal of the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal reflected from the object through the receiving antenna; and a controller for obtaining information for the object based on the reflection signal. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently detect the object using the antenna having a simple structure.