Automotive Radar Range Dwell Interrogation for Small Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar systems face challenges in minimizing the impact of reflections from large objects, which can overwhelm signals from smaller objects, and beam steering may not effectively mitigate these issues, especially when target objects are near large reflecting objects.
Innovation Solution
The radar system operates in a range dwell mode, identifying a range of interest and processing only signals corresponding to this range, thereby reducing or removing reflections from undesirable objects by determining a target range and using Frequency-Modulated Continuous-wave (FMCW) mode to interrogate the region of interest while steering the radar beam away from undesirable targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the radar system uses conventional beam steering to mitigate reflections from large objects, then the system can redirect the beam away from certain directions, but reflections from large objects still overwhelm signals from smaller objects when targets are near large reflecting objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radar signal processing into range-specific channels. A first channel processes signals from a first range while a second channel processes signals from a second range, allowing selective filtering of reflections from large objects in specific range zones while preserving signals from smaller objects in other range zones. This segmentation enables the system to mitigate harmful reflections without losing detection capability for small objects.
2Productivity
If the radar system processes all received signals across the entire field of view, then the system captures all potential targets, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple range channels, each processing signals from specific distance zones independently. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different range regions, reducing overall processing time while maintaining comprehensive target detection. Each channel can be optimized for its specific range, improving computational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively processing only certain range channels based on operational needs. When a large object is detected in a specific range zone, the system can focus processing resources on channels where small objects are more likely to be found, rather than uniformly processing all received signals. This reduces unnecessary computational overhead while maintaining detection effectiveness.
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 enhances the accuracy of object detection by reducing unwanted signals, allowing for higher quality signal processing within the target range of interest, improving the radar system's ability to locate and identify desired objects while minimizing interference from large reflecting objects.
Implementation Method 1
The radar system determines a target range. The target range may be determined based on the radar system transmitting a first electromagnetic radiation signal and receiving a first reflected electromagnetic signal radiation signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radar system in an autonomous vehicle may be operated in various modes and with various configurations. In one example, the radar system determines a target range for further interrogation. The target range may be determined based on the radar system transmitting a first electromagnetic radiation signal and receiving a first reflected electromagnetic signal radiation signal. After the radar system determines a target range, it transmits a second electromagnetic radiation signal. Additionally, the radar system receives a reflected electromagnetic signal radiation based on the transmission. After receiving the reflected signal, the radar system can process the reflected signal to only have components associated with the target range. The processing of the reflected signal may create a processed signal. Finally, the radar system may determine at least one parameter of a target object based on the processed signal.