Radar Sensor Antenna Array Orthogonal Polarization Null Point Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar sensor antenna arrays have pronounced null points at small angles around the 0° direction, limiting their field of view and requiring combination with short-range sensors or tapering of antenna columns, which is difficult to reproduce accurately due to manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second antenna with a smaller aperture and orthogonal polarization to the first antenna, allowing for gapless monitoring of the traffic environment by filling in null points and minimizing interference, while maintaining a large range and reproducible production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a group antenna with large aperture is used as transmit antenna, then long-range detection capability is improved, but null points appear at small angles around 0° direction limiting field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a first transmit antenna (group antenna with large aperture) and a second transmit antenna (single antenna column with smaller aperture) into a single antenna array system. The first antenna provides long-range detection capability while the second antenna fills in the null points at small angles, achieving both extended detection range and continuous angular coverage through merging of multiple antenna functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the aperture parameter between the two transmit antennas - the first antenna has a large aperture (multiple antenna columns) for long-range detection, while the second antenna has a smaller aperture (single antenna column) for broader angular coverage. This parameter variation allows each antenna to optimize for different performance aspects, resolving the contradiction between range and field of view.
2Reliability
If antenna columns are tapered to enlarge null-point-free region, then field of view is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes difficult to reproduce
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of tapering individual antenna columns (which requires precise manufacturing), the patent segments the antenna system into two distinct transmit antennas with standard, easily manufacturable geometries. The first antenna uses a group of antenna columns with uniform dimensions, while the second antenna uses a single antenna column with standard dimensions. This segmentation avoids the need for complex tapered geometries while achieving the desired field of view expansion through the combination of different aperture sizes.
3Reliability
If a second antenna with smaller aperture is added, then angular coverage is expanded, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the antenna array so that both the first transmit antenna and the second transmit antenna can also function as receive antennas. This multi-functionality means that the same physical structures serve dual purposes (transmit and receive), reducing the need for separate antenna elements and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite adding a second transmit antenna for expanded angular coverage.
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 expanded angular coverage without null points, maintaining sensitivity and reducing manufacturing variability, allowing reliable object detection over a larger range with minimal signal loss near null angles.
Implementation Method 1
the first and the second antenna are designed for the transmission of radar waves having polarization orthogonal to one another
Implementation Method 2
the present invention relates to an antenna array for a radar sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna array for a radar sensor, having an antenna designed as a group antenna and operable as a transmit antenna and having an antenna configuration operable as a receive antenna, wherein the array has, in addition to the first antenna designed as a group antenna, a second antenna operable as a transmit antenna that has a smaller aperture than the first antenna, and the first and second antenna are designed for the transmission of radar waves having polarization orthogonal to one another, and the antenna configuration operable as a receive antenna is sensitive to both directions of polarization.