Radar Device Phase Correction Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar devices with multiple antennas face complications in circuit configuration and reduced measurement time due to the need for phase shift quantity correction, leading to decreased accuracy in target angle estimation and shorter measurable distances.
Innovation Solution
A radar device that intermittently transmits high-frequency signals and uses a directional coupler to distribute the signal, adjusting its level, and calculates phase shift quantities between reception antennas to correct phase components, thereby improving target angle estimation accuracy without compromising measurement time or distance range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a plurality of antennas are used for receiving reflected signals, then target detection accuracy is improved, but circuit configuration becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the receiver components (RF generator and signal processor) into a single shared unit that serves all receiving antennas. Instead of having separate receivers for each antenna, one receiver is time-shared across multiple antennas through sequential connection, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining the ability to process signals from all antennas independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching between antennas using a switch component that sequentially connects different receiving antennas to the shared receiver. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to maintain multiple antenna capabilities while using a single receiver at any given time, resolving the contradiction between multiple antennas and simplified circuitry
2Measurement precision
If phase shift quantity correction is performed for each antenna, then target angle estimation accuracy is improved, but measurement time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs phase shift quantity correction in advance during a calibration phase before actual target detection. By pre-calculating and storing the phase shift characteristics for each antenna during manufacturing or initial setup, the system avoids time-consuming real-time corrections during measurement, thus maintaining high accuracy while preserving measurement time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic calibration cycles where phase shift quantities are updated at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic correction approach maintains accurate phase compensation while minimizing the time spent on calibration activities, allowing the majority of measurement time to be used for actual target detection
3Measurement precision
If calibration ports are added for phase correction, then phase accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing switch component serve dual purposes: it functions as the antenna selection switch during normal operation and as the calibration signal routing mechanism during calibration phases. By making the switch multi-functional, the system achieves phase calibration capability without adding dedicated calibration ports or separate calibration routing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the receiver system to perform its own calibration using internally generated test signals and the existing antenna structure. The system uses its own components (switch, receiver, processor) to measure and correct phase shifts without requiring external calibration equipment or additional dedicated calibration hardware, thereby achieving phase accuracy improvement without increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technique includes transmitting a signal intermittently according to a transmission cycle having a predetermined transmission period and a non-transmission period; receiving the signal reflected from a target with reception antennas; and detecting the target from the reflected signal. A high-frequency transmission signal attenuated during the transmission period and a receipt signal received during the non-transmission period are combined together. A correlation value between a reference transmission signal and the receipt signal in the combined signal is calculated, and the amount of phase shift in an arbitrarily selected reception antenna is calculated from the correlation value of a reference reception antenna, and the correlation values of the other reception antennas. The phase component of the correlation value of the arbitrarily selected reception antenna is corrected on the basis of the amount of phase shift.