Radar Sensor Azimuth Determination via Two-Step Grid Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar sensors face limitations in accurately determining the azimuth angle of objects due to limited separation capability and ambiguities, especially when objects are close, as they rely on phase differences between horizontally offset receiving antennas with limited horizontal focus.
Innovation Solution
A two-step method using multiple first receiving antennas at the same vertical height and a second receiving antenna at a different height, with a coarse grid approximation followed by a fine grid refinement, improves angular accuracy and reduces processing power, allowing for accurate azimuth angle determination with reduced computing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple receiving antennas are placed far apart horizontally to improve azimuth angle accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single horizontal dimension antenna arrangement to a two-dimensional arrangement by introducing receiving antennas at different vertical heights. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve improved azimuth angle accuracy through both horizontal offset and vertical height differences, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the receiving antennas into two distinct groups: first receiving antennas positioned at a first vertical height and second receiving antennas positioned at a second vertical height. This segmentation allows each group to contribute differently to azimuth angle determination, improving overall measurement precision without requiring a single complex antenna configuration
2Measurement precision
If a fine grid search is performed to improve azimuth angle accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but processing time and computing power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the azimuth angle determination process into two distinct steps: a first step using first receiving antennas to obtain an initial azimuth angle, and a second step using second receiving antennas to refine this angle. This segmentation allows the computationally intensive fine grid search to be performed only on a narrowed search range, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs a preliminary coarse search for the azimuth angle using the first receiving antennas before conducting the fine grid search. This preliminary action narrows down the search range, allowing the subsequent fine grid search to focus only on a small angular range, thereby reducing the computational burden and processing time required for high-precision measurement
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 and speed of azimuth angle determination while minimizing ambiguities and processing requirements, facilitating precise object positioning with improved radar sensor performance.
Implementation Method 1
A relative position of an object with respect to a radar sensor may be determined in that a radar signal is transmitted by the radar sensor and its reflection at the object is received again
Implementation Method 2
Phase differences between the signals of the receiving antennas indicate the azimuth angle
Data Source
AI summary
A radar sensor includes one transmitting antenna, multiple first receiving antennas with the same vertical heights, and a second receiving antenna with a vertical height different from the others. A method for determining the azimuth angle of an object with respect to the radar sensor includes steps of determining an approximation for the azimuth angle in a coarse grid based on the signals of all receiving antennas, and determining the azimuth angle in a fine grid based on the signals of the first receiving antennas in a range around the approximation.