Radar RFBIST Using Multiple Oscillators to Eliminate Settling Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems face challenges in minimizing settling time between chirp transmissions, which reduces the efficiency of RF transmission and increases the risk of faults going undetected, especially in autonomous vehicle applications where real-time data is critical.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple oscillators or transmitters that allow for simultaneous operation, where one oscillator or transmitter can settle while another is in use, effectively eliminating or minimizing the settling time between chirp transmissions, and incorporating a built-in self-test (RFBIST) mechanism to verify signal integrity and detect faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single oscillator or transmitter is used in the radar system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the settling time between chirp transmissions increases, reducing transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oscillator system into multiple independent oscillators (first oscillator and second oscillator) that operate independently. This segmentation allows one oscillator to be in use while another settles, eliminating the settling time bottleneck that would exist in a single-oscillator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the standby oscillator begin settling before the active oscillator completes its transmission cycle. This overlapping timing ensures that when the active oscillator finishes, the standby oscillator is already ready to take over immediately, eliminating idle settling time.
2Productivity
If multiple oscillators or transmitters are implemented to eliminate settling time, then the transmission efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple oscillators into a unified system where they share common control logic and alternating operation. This combining approach allows the system to achieve the benefits of multiple oscillators (continuous operation without settling time) while managing complexity through coordinated rather than completely independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the alternating operation of oscillators. The first oscillator operates during one period while the second oscillator prepares, then they switch roles in subsequent periods. This periodic alternation ensures continuous transmission efficiency while organizing the complexity of multiple oscillators into a regular, manageable pattern.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the settling time is minimized through multiple oscillators, then the RF transmission continuity is improved, but the system requires more components increasing the risk of faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the RFBIST mechanism that continuously monitors the operation of each oscillator and transmitter. This feedback system detects faults in real-time and can switch to backup components, thereby maintaining reliability despite the increased number of components required for continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating redundant oscillators and transmitters that are prepared in advance as backups. If a fault is detected in the active component, the system can immediately switch to the pre-prepared standby component, cushioning against the reliability risks introduced by having multiple active components.
4Reliability
If built-in self-test mechanism is incorporated to detect faults, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the RFBIST mechanism that enables the radar system to automatically test and diagnose its own components without external intervention. This self-testing capability improves reliability by detecting faults early while minimizing the added complexity compared to external test systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the RFBIST mechanism to test multiple components (oscillators, transmitters, receivers) through a unified test architecture. This multi-functional approach improves reliability across all components while avoiding the complexity of having separate dedicated test mechanisms for each component.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel and useful safety functionality assurance mechanism incorporating an RF built in self-test (RFBIST) system in a radar system having a plurality of transmitter devices and receiver devices. The RFBIST functions to verify, inter alia, that the transmitted signal is operating correctly and that all channels transmit a proper, valid or ‘legal’ signal and that the receiver devices are also operating correctly. A higher level of safety assurance is achieved by comparing safety data between the receiver devices. In one embodiment, the signal received from the various transmitter devices is compared. The RFBIST circuit block eliminates the physical transmit antenna position properties to compare the transmitted signal properties after signal path elimination. Thus, the present invention is capable of (1) validating multiple transmitter devices with a single receiver device and (2) validating multiple receiver devices with a single transmitter device. When receiver devices detect a fault and that particular device is the master device, then a mechanism is provided to shut down the master device and making a slave device the new master device.