Vehicle Radar Surface Structure Using Out-of-Phase Reflection Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems used in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving Systems (ADS) face challenges with increased Radar Cross Section (RCS) due to reflections from nearby vehicle parts, leading to noise interference and reduced accuracy, which existing solutions like Meta surfaces and Perfect Absorber Materials fail to adequately address due to frequency sensitivity and manufacturing tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
A radar system incorporating a spatially modulated surface structure that generates out-of-phase reflected waves, reducing reflections and noise by destructive superposition, thereby lowering the Radar Cross Section (RCS) and improving accuracy with reduced sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of antennas is increased to achieve special radar radiation patterns, then the radar scan width, depth or resolution is improved, but the Radar Cross Section (RCS) increases leading to more reflections and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies meta-surface structures that convert harmful reflections into beneficial effects by creating destructive interference patterns. The meta-surface modifies the phase and amplitude of reflected waves to cancel out unwanted reflections, thereby reducing RCS while maintaining the radar radiation patterns needed for high-resolution scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters of the radar system by introducing meta-surface structures with specific phase shift properties. These structures alter the phase distribution of reflected waves across different frequencies and angles, enabling RCS reduction while preserving the necessary radiation patterns for accurate object detection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If Meta surfaces or Perfect Absorber Materials are used to reduce reflections, then the RCS is reduced, but the solution becomes highly sensitive to manufacturing tolerances and frequency shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite meta-surface structures that combine multiple material layers with different electromagnetic properties. This composite approach creates a more robust system that maintains its RCS reduction performance across a broader frequency range and is less sensitive to manufacturing variations compared to single-material Perfect Absorber Materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The meta-surface is designed with spatially varying properties where different regions have optimized characteristics for their specific function. This local optimization allows the system to maintain effective RCS reduction performance even when local manufacturing tolerances vary, as each region is designed to be relatively insensitive to its specific variations.
3Reliability
If the radar is mounted behind the facia, bumper or chassis, then the radar is protected and integrated into the vehicle, but reflections from these nearby parts cause noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces meta-surface structures as intermediary elements between the radar antenna and the vehicle body parts (facia, bumper, chassis). These meta-surfaces act as mediators that control and manipulate the electromagnetic waves, creating destructive interference patterns that cancel out reflections from the vehicle body, thereby reducing noise while maintaining the radar's integrated mounting position.
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
The spatially modulated surface structure effectively reduces monostatic and bistatic reflections, resulting in a lower Radar Cross Section (RCS) and enhanced accuracy for radar systems, while being less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances compared to traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the spatially modulated surface structure is configured to generate, from incident radar waves, a first portion of reflected waves and a second portion of reflected waves, wherein the first portion of reflected waves is out of phase in relation to the second portion of reflected waves
Data Source
Figure 1~2D
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a radar system featuring a reduced radio cross-section (RCS). This is achieved by providing a radar system comprising one or more antenna structures 11 and a spatially modulated surface structure 12, wherein the spatially modulated surface structure 12 is configured to generate, from incident radar waves 2a, a first portion of reflected waves 2b1, 2c1, 2d1 and a second portion of reflected waves 2b2, 2c2, 2d2, wherein the first portion of reflected waves 2b1, 2c1, 2d1 is out of phase in relation to the second portion of reflected waves 2b2, 2c2, 2d2.