Radar Sensor Vertical Positioning via Phase Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar sensors, particularly in automotive and aeronautical applications, face challenges in accurately determining the vertical position of objects due to limitations in two-dimensional measurements and the need for mechanical calibration to compensate for structural distortions caused by radome and other coverings, which complicates the use of digital beamforming techniques.
Innovation Solution
A radar system employing two transmitting antennas with vertically offset phase centers and a receiving array, utilizing digital beamforming and phase difference measurements to determine the vertical position of objects, avoiding mechanical beam sweep and calibration, and enabling three-dimensional object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital beamforming is used with planar antennas for two-dimensional detection, then the construction remains compact and inexpensive, but the vertical position determination of objects is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar antenna detection to three-dimensional detection by adding a vertical dimension through multiple transmitting antennas with different phase center heights. This enables vertical position determination while maintaining the planar receiving antenna structure, thus achieving 3D object detection without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the transmitting function into multiple independent antennas with different vertical positions (phase centers), while keeping the receiving antennas as a unified planar array. This segmentation allows independent optimization of transmitting and receiving functions, enabling vertical position measurement through phase comparison without complicating the receiving structure.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical beam sweep is used for vertical position determination, then vertical detection capability is achieved, but the device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical beam sweep system with an electronic phase comparison method. Instead of mechanically moving antennas or reflectors to achieve vertical detection, the system uses multiple fixed transmitting antennas with different phase centers and compares the phases of received signals to determine vertical position, thereby eliminating mechanical complexity and calibration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to automatically determine vertical position through electronic phase comparison without requiring external calibration procedures. The multiple transmitting antennas with known phase center differences provide self-referencing capability, allowing the system to autonomously calculate vertical positions without mechanical adjustment or external calibration equipment.
3Measurement precision
If amplitude comparison of tilted antenna diagrams is used, then vertical position can be determined, but calibration is required to compensate for structural distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces amplitude comparison methods that require calibration for structural distortion compensation with phase comparison methods. Phase measurements are inherently more robust against amplitude distortions caused by radomes and coverings, eliminating the need for calibration procedures while maintaining vertical position determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from amplitude comparison to phase comparison. Phase differences between signals from multiple transmitting antennas with different phase centers provide direct information about vertical position and are less sensitive to amplitude distortions introduced by structural elements, thereby reducing or eliminating calibration requirements.
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 allows for accurate and reliable vertical position determination of objects, enhancing the radar sensors' ability to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant obstacles, and improving their performance in both automotive and aeronautical environments by providing clear and unambiguous phase measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Millimeter wave radar sensors, e.g. for automotive and aeronautical applications
Implementation Method 2
vertical position determination of objects by comparing the phases of two receiving signals which are generated by two transmitters
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, a device and a method are provided for determining the position of an object, in particular a moving object, in the three-dimensional space. The device comprises at least two switchable transmitting antennas having a different vertical position of the phase center as well as a plurality of receiving antennas which are arranged in series. The transmitting antennas are arranged in the horizontal direction and at a distance that corresponds to the distance of the receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas are vertically offset with respect to each other by a value that is less than or equal to half the free-space wavelength of the transmitted signal. The transmitting antennas can otherwise be arranged at any position around the receiving antenna. Horizontal beam sweep across a wide angular range is carried out according to the method of “digital beamforming”. The measurement of the vertical object position is carried out by phase measurement between the antenna beams when the transmitting antennas are sequentially switched.