Vehicle Radar Overhead Object Detection and Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted radar systems incorrectly identify stationary overhead objects, such as tunnel illumination, as preceding vehicles, leading to inappropriate vehicle control, especially in low-ceiling environments where the height of installed objects can be misjudged.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus and signal processing method that pair peak signals from up and down frequency periods to judge whether a target is an overhead object based on the number of paired data within a predetermined range, using thresholds and relaxed conditions to differentiate between necessary and unnecessary targets, thereby preventing wrong vehicle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radar apparatus removes target information of stationary objects installed at positions sufficiently higher than vehicular height, then wrong vehicle control is prevented, but target information of overhead objects in low-ceiling environments may be incorrectly removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the judgment parameters from simple height threshold to a comprehensive evaluation including number of paired data, distance intervals, and angular position. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system distinguishes between overhead objects in low-ceiling environments and actual preceding vehicles, preventing both false removal and false identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the judgment unit evaluates multiple parameters (number of paired data, distance intervals, angular positions) and adjusts the removal decision based on the overall pattern. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from the distribution of stationary objects and make more accurate judgments about whether to remove target information
2Measurement precision
If the radar apparatus identifies all stationary objects for removal, then overhead objects are correctly filtered, but preceding vehicles may be mistakenly identified as overhead objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different judgment criteria to different spatial locations and patterns. Instead of using a uniform height threshold, it evaluates the local distribution pattern of target information, considering the number of paired data within specific distance intervals and angular positions. This localized quality assessment allows accurate differentiation between overhead objects and preceding vehicles in their respective contexts
3Ease of operation
If the radar apparatus uses simple height threshold for target removal, then processing is simple and fast, but misjudgment occurs in low-ceiling environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the target removal decision into multiple evaluation stages: first evaluating the number of paired data, then checking distance intervals, and finally assessing angular positions. This segmented approach breaks down the complex judgment into manageable steps, maintaining operational simplicity while improving accuracy through systematic multi-criteria evaluation
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
Effectively identifies and removes unnecessary target information, preventing incorrect vehicle control by accurately distinguishing overhead objects from preceding vehicles, especially in low-ceiling environments.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle-mounted radar apparatus derives a position of a target with respect to a vehicle (radar apparatus) by transmitting a transmission wave from a transmitter antenna and receiving a reflection wave from the target by a receiver antenna
Implementation Method 2
A signal processing unit of the radar apparatus generates a beat signal by mixing a transmitting signal corresponding to the transmission wave of which a frequency is changed in a given period, and a receiving signal corresponding to the reflection wave. That is, the signal processing unit generates the beat signal based on a frequency difference (beat frequency) between the transmitting signal and the receiving signal
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a radar apparatus capable of extracting a peak signal obtained from a difference frequency between a transmitting signal and a receiving signal during first and second periods and deriving target information based on the extracted peak signals. A pairing unit pairs the peak signals extracted in the first and second periods. A judging unit judges whether or not the derived target is an overhead object based on the number of paired data of a stationary object existing within a predetermined range from the radar apparatus, among the paired data obtained by pairing the peak signals in the pairing unit.