Automotive Radar Phase-Center Routing for Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current angle resolving radar devices for automotive applications face limitations in angular resolution due to the limited number of individually addressable antennas, which increases constructive complexity and production costs when trying to enhance the number of propagation channels.
Innovation Solution
The method involves routing multiple antenna signals through a common signal port to create virtual antenna arrays with distinct phase centers, allowing for increased angular resolution without the need for additional hardware or significant cost increases, by constructing a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna array using the positions of these phase centers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of individually addressable antennas is increased to improve angular resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of antenna signals by routing the same physical antenna signal through multiple virtual antenna positions. The signal processing device generates multiple virtual antenna signals from a limited number of physical antennas, effectively copying the signal to appear as if it came from multiple locations. This increases the number of available propagation channels without adding corresponding physical antennas, thereby improving angular resolution while avoiding the proportional increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each physical antenna is made multi-functional by connecting it to multiple signal ports and enabling it to serve multiple virtual antenna positions simultaneously. The same physical antenna structure performs the function of multiple antennas by transmitting and receiving signals that are processed to create multiple propagation channels. This universal usage of physical components increases measurement precision without linearly increasing the number of physical components required.
2Measurement precision
If the number of propagation channels is increased to improve angular resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates multiple virtual propagation channels by copying and processing signals from a limited set of physical antennas. Instead of manufacturing additional physical antennas and their associated mounting structures, the system creates virtual copies of the signal paths through signal processing. This approach increases the number of available propagation channels for angle determination without the proportional manufacturing cost of additional physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal parameters (phase, amplitude, frequency) of the antenna signals through signal processing to create the effect of multiple propagation channels. By manipulating these parameters in the digital domain, the system simulates additional physical channels without the hardware cost. The signal processing device applies different phase shifts and amplitude adjustments to generate virtual channels from physical antennas, thereby improving angular resolution while controlling manufacturing costs.
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 enhances angular resolution in both azimuthal and elevation directions with minimal additional hardware and costs, allowing for improved target object positioning accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
transducing, with the antenna device, between the first antenna signal and a first radiation field, the first radiation field having a first phase center
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an angle resolving radar device for automotive applications comprises: routing at least a first and second antenna signal between a radar circuit and an antenna device, wherein the first and second antenna signals are routed via a common signal port of the radar circuit; transducing between the first antenna signal and a first radiation field, the first radiation field having a first phase center, and between the second antenna signal and a second radiation field, the second radiation field having a second phase center, wherein a location of the second phase center is shifted with respect to a location of the first phase center; constructing at least one angle resolving virtual antenna array using the location of the first phase center as a first antenna position and the location of the second phase center of the second radiation field as a second antenna position.