Vehicle Radar Ghost Detection via Power Integral Environment Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar apparatuses struggle to accurately determine whether a vehicle is in an open or closed space, particularly in dark environments, leading to degraded target recognition accuracy due to incorrect detection thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus that calculates a power integral value of the beat signal's frequency components to differentiate between open and closed spaces by adjusting reference distances based on the estimated environment, thereby preventing ghost detections and maintaining recognition accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the detection threshold is changed when the vehicle runs in a tunnel (using illuminance sensor), then ghost detections are reduced, but false detection occurs in dark open spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new intermediary parameter (power integral value of beat signal) to mediate between the radar signal processing and environment determination. This power integral value serves as a more reliable indicator of closed spaces than illuminance, allowing accurate environment classification without false positives in dark open spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical-based illuminance sensing mechanism with a radar-based power integral calculation mechanism. This substitution leverages the radar system's existing electromagnetic wave detection capability to determine environment type, eliminating reliance on external light conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the illuminance sensor is used to determine tunnel environment, then closed space detection is enabled, but accuracy deteriorates in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system performs self-service by using its own beat signal power integral value to determine the environment type, rather than relying on separate illuminance sensing. This self-diagnostic capability allows the system to adapt to different environments based on its intrinsic operational characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for environment determination from illuminance level to power integral value of the beat signal. This parameter change fundamentally alters how the system perceives environmental conditions, making it independent of external lighting while maintaining adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the detection threshold is lowered to prevent ghost in closed spaces, then false targets increase in open spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment based on the determined environment type. The detection threshold is lowered only when closed space is confirmed, and maintained higher in open spaces. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize detection parameters for each environment, reducing ghosts without creating false targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary environment determination using the power integral value before applying the detection threshold. This preliminary classification allows the appropriate threshold to be selected in advance, preventing both ghost detections and false targets from the outset.
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
Enables accurate determination of the vehicle's environment, preventing accuracy deterioration and correctly identifying road edges and moving objects even in dark conditions.
Implementation Method 1
generate a beat signal by mixing the transmission signal with the reception signal
Implementation Method 2
frequency-modulated so as to linearly vary in frequency with time
Data Source
AI summary
The radar apparatus includes a target candidate detecting means for detecting a peak frequency at which the intensity of the power spectrum of a beat signal peaks as a target candidate, a road shape recognizing means to sequentially connect, along a predetermined direction, the target candidates detected to be stationary and present within a reference distance from one of the target candidates set as a reference target candidate for one or more measurement cycles and recognize an area formed by the sequentially connected target candidates as an edge of the road, a cruise environment estimating means to determine whether the cruise environment is a closed space or an open space based on the power spectrum, and a reference distance correcting means to shorten the reference distance when the cruise environment is determined to be a closed space.