Vehicle Radar Power Calibration With Dissipated Power Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar system calibration techniques fail to efficiently calibrate output power to target levels below the maximum desired power, leading to increased power consumption and reduced efficiency due to constant dissipated power within the transmitter circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a peak-to-peak detector and controller to adjust control signals for power-consuming components, employing a low dropout voltage regulator and current digital-to-analog converter to optimize supply voltage and biasing current, allowing for precise power level control and compensation for dissipated power, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional calibration techniques are used to set output power to target levels below maximum, then the radar system can operate at lower power levels, but the transmitter efficiency deteriorates due to constant dissipated power in the circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the transmitter components by dynamically adjusting biasing currents and supply voltages based on the target output power level. The controller modifies the biasing current of the power amplifier and buffer amplifier, and adjusts the supply voltage to the power amplifier, thereby changing the dissipated power characteristics to match the desired output power level and improve efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the transmitter components where the biasing currents and supply voltages are not fixed but are dynamically adjusted based on the target output power level. The controller continuously monitors and adjusts these parameters to optimize the ratio of output power to dissipated power, transforming the static transmitter into a dynamically adaptable system.
2Loss of energy
If the output power is calibrated to lower levels, then power consumption is reduced, but the calibration accuracy deteriorates without compensation for dissipated power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller monitors the actual output power level and compares it to the target power level, then adjusts the biasing currents and supply voltages accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the calibration accuracy is maintained even at lower power levels by compensating for the dissipated power in real-time based on measured performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or fixed electrical calibration methods with an electronic control system that uses digital processing and electronic component adjustment. The controller electronically modifies the biasing currents and supply voltages to achieve precise power calibration, substituting manual or mechanical calibration procedures with automated electronic control for higher precision.
3Measurement precision
If the biasing current is increased to improve calibration accuracy, then the power level control becomes more precise, but the overall power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biasing current parameter dynamically rather than using a fixed high current setting. The controller adjusts the biasing current to the minimum necessary level to achieve the desired calibration accuracy for each specific operating condition, thereby maintaining precision while minimizing power consumption. This involves changing the current parameter adaptively based on the target power level and measured performance.
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 enables more accurate and efficient calibration of radar system output power at lower levels, improving the efficiency and reducing power dissipation, thus enhancing the operation of vehicle radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method that utilize a peak-to-peak detector and controller to adjust control signals for power-consuming components
Implementation Method 2
employing a low dropout voltage regulator and current digital-to-analog converter to optimize supply voltage and biasing current
Implementation Method 3
the system and method may be configured to adjust the output power of the power amplifier and/or the buffer chain
Data Source
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AI summary
A first input signal that corresponds to an output transmitted signal of a power amplifier of a vehicle radar system is received and the output power level of the transmitted signal is calibrated to a desired magnitude of the transmitted signal; the proposed calibration method and apparatus allows to improve both the output power calibration accuracy and the power amplifier power consumption across the dynamic range of output power levels, by reducing dissipated power of the power amplifier in correlation with reduced output power levels. The calibration method includes controlling voltage generators that drive cascode amplifiers in the signal chain: a low dropout regulator is controlled to generate supply and cascode voltages that produce the desired power output level; and, a current digital-to-analog converter is controlled to generate an optimal biasing current under the supply and cascode voltage conditions.