Radar Signal Phase Distortion Correction via Feedline Error Compensation

Solution Overview

Problem

Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) face challenges in accurately processing radar signals due to phase distortion, particularly caused by feedline errors and element beam pattern errors in array antennas.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for processing radar signals by generating radar data based on frequency modulation, correcting feedline errors using a correction vector, and estimating the direction of arrival using a direction matrix that reflects phase shifts according to frequency modulation characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radar data is processed using conventional methods without correction, then processing speed is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to phase distortion from feedline errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection of arrival estimation accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary correction by pre-calculating correction vectors that compensate for feedline errors before direction of arrival estimation. The correction vectors are computed in advance based on known array antenna characteristics, and then applied to the received radar signals during processing, thereby eliminating phase distortion prior to measurement without adding complex real-time computation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the phase-distorted radar signals into corrected signals by applying complex exponential correction factors that modify the phase parameters. The correction vectors contain phase compensation values that are applied to each antenna element's signal, changing the phase parameters to eliminate feedline error-induced distortion and enable accurate direction estimation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If correction vectors are applied to all channels uniformly, then feedline errors are corrected, but element beam pattern errors persist and affect measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection of arrival estimation accuracyVSAvoidelement beam pattern error influence

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality correction by using direction matrices that are specifically designed to account for element beam pattern characteristics. The direction matrices contain steering vectors that incorporate the actual radiation patterns of individual antenna elements, allowing the system to compensate for directional variations and beam pattern errors in a location-specific manner for each antenna element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces direction matrices as an intermediary component between the corrected radar signals and the direction of arrival estimation process. These matrices serve as a mediator that transforms the corrected signals into accurate angular information by incorporating knowledge of the antenna array's beam patterns, thereby eliminating the harmful influence of element pattern errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If frequency modulation is used for radar transmission, then target detection capability is improved, but phase distortion occurs due to feedline delay differences between channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget detection stabilityVSAvoidphase information distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary correction by pre-calculating correction vectors that compensate for feedline errors before direction of arrival estimation. The correction vectors are computed in advance based on known array antenna characteristics, and then applied to the received radar signals during processing, thereby eliminating phase distortion prior to measurement without adding complex real-time computation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the phase-distorted radar signals into corrected signals by applying complex exponential correction factors that modify the phase parameters. The correction vectors contain phase compensation values that are applied to each antenna element's signal, changing the phase parameters to eliminate feedline error-induced distortion and enable accurate direction estimation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12270892B2Method and apparatus for processing radar signal by correcting phase distortion

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for processing a radar signal by correcting a phase distortion. The method includes generating radar data based on a radar transmission signal transmitted through an array antenna of a radar sensor based on a frequency modulation model and a radar reception signal received through the array antenna as the radar transmission signal is reflected by a target, correcting the radar data using a correction vector for correcting a feedline error occurring due to a feedline delay difference between channels of the array antenna, and estimating a direction of arrival corresponding to the corrected radar data using a direction matrix reflecting a phase shift of the corrected radar data according to frequency modulation characteristics of the frequency modulation model.