Radar Device Phase Offset Compensation via Virtual Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MIMO radar devices face challenges in accurately determining the azimuth and elevation angles of objects due to phase and amplitude differences caused by varying effective line lengths and temperature differences in conductors, which affect the precision of angular position calculation.
Innovation Solution
The radar device employs a unique array arrangement where virtual elements assigned to different transmission devices share the same horizontal position but differ in vertical position, allowing the control device to determine and compensate for phase offsets between transmission devices, thereby isolating phase differences from azimuth angle dependencies and enabling precise determination of elevation angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MIMO radar devices use multiple transmitting and receiving antennas, then the virtual aperture and number of measurements are increased, but phase and amplitude differences caused by varying effective line lengths and temperature differences affect the precision of angular position calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical calibration mechanisms with a signal processing-based virtual calibration approach. By creating virtual antenna elements through signal combination and applying phase correction algorithms, the system achieves phase synchronization without mechanical adjustment mechanisms or additional physical calibration hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameters of radar signals through computational processing. By calculating phase offsets between different transmission devices and applying correction factors, the system dynamically adjusts phase parameters to achieve synchronization, rather than relying on fixed physical configurations.
2Measurement precision
If phase offsets between transmission devices are not compensated, then the system operation is simple, but the azimuth and elevation angle determination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by using its own transmitted signals to measure and compensate for phase offsets. The control device calculates phase differences using signals from multiple transmission devices and automatically applies corrections, making the system self-adjusting without external calibration equipment or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously monitors phase offsets between transmission devices and dynamically adjusts phase compensation parameters. This closed-loop approach ensures that phase synchronization is maintained despite environmental changes or drift over time.
3Measurement precision
If additional hardware is added to compensate for phase offsets, then phase synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical calibration mechanisms with a signal processing-based virtual calibration approach. By creating virtual antenna elements through signal combination and applying phase correction algorithms, the system achieves phase synchronization without mechanical adjustment mechanisms or additional physical calibration hardware.
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 allows for accurate determination of the angular position of objects by isolating phase offsets between transmission devices, allowing for precise phase synchronization and improved angular position calculation without requiring additional hardware, solely through signal processing, and enhances the determination of azimuth and elevation angles.
Implementation Method 1
a radar device (1) with a large number of transmission devices (TX1 to TXn), which are designed to emit radar waves, and a large number of receiver devices (RX1 to RXm), which are designed to receive the reflected radar waves
Implementation Method 2
The control device (4) is designed to determine a phase offset for any first transmission device with respect to the corresponding second transmission device using a first radar signal, which corresponds to a first radar wave transmitted by the first transmission device and received by the assigned first receiver device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a radar apparatus (1) comprising: a multiplicity of transmitter devices (TXi), which are embodied to transmit radar waves; a multiplicity of receiver devices (RXi), which are embodied to receive the reflected radar waves and output a respective radar signal, wherein the transmitter devices (TXi) and receiver devices (RXi) are arranged in an array (7) with horizontal lines and vertical columns in such a way that, in a corresponding virtual array (8), a partial array (10, 20, 30), which is assigned to any first transmitter device (TXi), has at least one first virtual element, which has the same horizontal position and a different vertical position to at least one assigned second virtual element of a further partial array (10, 20, 30), which is assigned to a second transmitter device (TXi), wherein a first receiver device (RXi) is assigned to the first virtual element and wherein a second receiver device (RXi) is assigned to the second virtual element; and a control device (4), which is embodied to determine a phase offset to the corresponding second transmitter device (TXi) for any first transmitter device (TXi) using a first radar signal, which corresponds to a first radar wave transmitted by the first transmitter device (TXi) and received by the assigned first receiver device (RXi), and a second radar signal, which corresponds to a second radar wave transmitted by the second transmitter device (TXi) and received by the assigned second receiver device (RXi).