In-Vehicle Radar Phase Correction via Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle radar devices face challenges in maintaining detection precision due to phase errors caused by manufacturing tolerances, temperature changes, and secular changes in the antenna and receiving system, which are not effectively corrected without a target present and require a reference element antenna and standard reflector.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle radar device with phase storing, detecting, extracting, and correcting means that prestores and compares phase data to calculate and correct phase errors in element antennas, allowing for precise phase correction regardless of target presence, using a signal processing unit with oscillators, mixers, and phase correction mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase correction is performed using conventional methods with reference element antenna and standard reflector, then phase errors can be corrected, but the device complexity increases and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase correction function from the antenna hardware structure and relocates it to the signal processing unit. By removing the need for reference element antennas and standard reflectors, the solution eliminates complex hardware components while maintaining phase correction capability through software-based processing of received signal phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware-based phase correction system (reference antennas, standard reflectors, physical calibration structures) with a software-based signal processing system. The phase correction is achieved through digital signal processing algorithms that calculate correction values from received signal phases, substituting physical calibration mechanisms with computational methods.
2Reliability
If phase correction is performed only when target signal level meets threshold, then processing resources are saved, but phase errors remain uncorrected when no target is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary phase correction processing independently of target detection results. By calculating and applying phase correction values regardless of whether a target is detected or signal levels meet thresholds, the system ensures phase accuracy is maintained in all operating conditions, including when no target is present. This preliminary action separates phase correction from target detection workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous phase correction operation rather than interrupting it based on target presence or signal thresholds. The phase correction process operates continuously alongside target detection, ensuring that phase errors are consistently corrected without interruption, thereby maintaining reliable phase accuracy throughout all operational states.
3Power
If multiple amplifiers are used to amplify received signals, then signal strength is improved, but phase errors occur due to temperature changes and secular changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback-based phase correction by continuously monitoring the phases of signals from multiple amplifiers and calculating correction values based on detected phase deviations. The system uses the actual phase measurements from amplified signals to generate correction values that are applied back to compensate for temperature-induced and secular phase errors, creating a closed-loop correction system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts phase parameters through correction values that compensate for temperature changes and secular variations. By monitoring phase shifts caused by environmental factors and applying corrective phase adjustments, the system maintains phase accuracy despite changes in amplifier operating conditions, effectively adapting to parameter variations over time and temperature.
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 solution enables simple correction of phase errors due to manufacturing tolerances and environmental changes, preventing a drop in radar detection precision and allowing for accurate target positioning without the need for a reference element antenna or standard reflector.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillator 11 that outputs a high-frequency signal, and a radio wave transmitting antenna 7 that transmits, as a radio wave, the high-frequency signal that the oscillator 11 has outputted
Implementation Method 2
mixers 3 that down-convert the received waves received by the plural element antennas 1 and retrieve beat signals
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle radar device includes: phase storing means 12 that prestores the phase of a received wave incoming secondarily from outside a target; received wave importing means 13 that imports the received wave on the basis of a radio wave reception timing determined by a transmission timing of the radio wave; phase detecting means 14 that determines the phase of the received wave imported by the received wave importing means; phase correction amount extracting means 15 that compares the phase prestored by the phase storing means 12 with the phase detected by the phase detecting means 14 and extracts and stores a phase correction amount of each of element antennas; and phase correcting means 16 that corrects the phase of a received signal of each of the element antennas on the basis of the phase correction amount obtained by the phase correction amount extracting means.