Ground Vehicle Radar Obstruction Detection via Ground Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground vehicle radar systems face challenges in reliably detecting blockages and vertical misalignment, leading to impaired operation and increased costs due to limitations in existing blockage detection techniques, which often result in high rates of missed or false detections and excessive latency, especially when the vehicle is stationary.
Innovation Solution
A ground vehicle radar system that uses a second radar beam directed toward the ground to analyze radar reflection signals, providing a reliable target for detecting obstructions and misalignment, with a controller processing signals from both horizontal and angled directions to determine blockages and vertical alignment, allowing for accurate detection and alerting the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct detection of blockage layer is used, then blockage detection capability is provided, but reliable detection of total signal loss is not achieved due to inability to distinguish from low frequency leakage signals
Solution Approach 1:
The radar signal detection is segmented into two distinct components: a first signal component for detecting objects in the first direction and a second signal component for detecting the ground surface in the second direction. This segmentation allows the system to separately analyze each signal component and determine blockage based on the relationship between them, rather than attempting to detect blockage directly from a single mixed signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground surface detection serves as an intermediary reference that enables indirect detection of blockage. By detecting the ground surface in the second direction and comparing it with object detection in the first direction, the system can infer blockage conditions without directly detecting the blockage layer itself, thereby avoiding confusion with leakage signals.
2Measurement precision
If fixed frequency waveform is used for blockage detection, then signal spectrum enhancement is achieved, but blockage detection is not available when the host vehicle is stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from relying solely on frequency-domain analysis (which requires vehicle motion to generate Doppler shifts) to incorporating spatial dimension analysis by detecting the ground surface in a second direction. This dimensional change allows blockage detection to function independently of vehicle motion status.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground surface detection in the second direction acts as an intermediary that provides a reference signal available regardless of vehicle motion. This intermediary enables the system to detect blockage in both moving and stationary conditions by comparing the ground surface signal with object detection signals.
3Measurement precision
If vertical beam scanning is used to detect vertical misalignment, then misalignment detection capability is provided, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar antenna performs multiple functions using the same hardware: it detects objects in the first direction, detects the ground surface in the second direction, and uses the relationship between these detections to determine both blockage and vertical misalignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate vertical beam scanning hardware while achieving misalignment detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing antenna and signal processing capabilities to detect vertical misalignment, rather than requiring external or additional specialized equipment. The ground surface detection, already performed for blockage detection purposes, also provides information about vertical alignment through range analysis.
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 detects blockages and vertical misalignment with reduced latency and cost, ensuring reliable operation of the radar system when the vehicle is stationary and providing accurate alerts to the operator, improving detection accuracy and reducing false positives.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna configured to be installed at an antenna location on the ground vehicle for detecting objects about the ground vehicle, and configured to detect objects in a first direction characterized as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane about the ground vehicle
Implementation Method 2
detect objects in a second direction characterized as being toward a location on a roadway surface proximate to the ground vehicle
Implementation Method 3
The controller is configured to be coupled to the antenna in a manner effective to receive a first antenna signal indicative of a first radar reflection from an object located in the first direction, and a second antenna signal indicative of a second radar reflection from an object located in the second direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system (10), controller (34), antenna (22), and method (400) for detecting obstruction and misalignment of a ground vehicle (12) radar having an antenna (22) configured to detect objects in a first direction (36) characterized as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane about the ground vehicle (12), and detect objects in a second direction (38) characterized as being toward a roadway surface proximate to the ground vehicle (12). The second direction (38) radar return from the roadway is expected to have certain characteristics. If the characteristics are outside of a predetermined window, then obstruction and/or misalignment of the first direction (36) and the second direction (38) is likely, and so the radar may not reliably detect an object in the first direction (36), such as a vehicle (12) in an adjacent lane.