Side Lobe Reduction in Beam Steering Vehicle Radar Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous driving technologies face challenges in accurately detecting and classifying objects in dynamic environments due to the trade-off between antenna gain and side lobe reduction, which affects the radar's ability to distinguish between main and side lobe reflections, impacting object detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a beam steering radar system with a side lobe reduction mechanism, utilizing a meta-structure antenna and phase shifters to steer RF beams across a 360° field of view, combined with advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques, enables precise object detection and identification by reducing side lobes and maintaining high antenna gain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If antenna gain is increased to improve detection range, then detection range is improved, but side lobe levels increase reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna element is divided into multiple sub-elements along the radiation direction, with each sub-element independently controlled. This segmentation allows different portions of the antenna to perform different functions: main lobe generation and side lobe suppression, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection range and detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna element are assigned different functional qualities. The main radiating portions maintain high gain for detection range, while specific sub-elements are configured with parameters optimized for side lobe reduction, achieving local optimization of both detection range and accuracy
2Measurement precision
If side lobes are reduced to improve object detection accuracy, then detection accuracy is improved, but antenna gain decreases reducing detection range
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the antenna element into multiple controlled sub-elements, the patent enables independent optimization of side lobe regions without affecting the main lobe gain. This allows side lobe reduction for improved accuracy while maintaining the detection range through preserved main beam characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase shifters and amplitude control circuits as intermediary devices between the signal source and antenna elements. These intermediaries enable precise control of radiation patterns, allowing side lobe suppression while maintaining main beam strength for both accuracy and range
3Length of stationary object
If main lobe strength is increased to improve detection range, then detection range is improved, but side lobe interference increases reducing classification accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful side lobe radiation into a beneficial control mechanism by using specific sub-elements to generate controlled side lobe patterns that can be used for angular resolution and object classification, transforming interference into useful information
Solution Approach 2:
Different sub-elements are assigned different quality parameters: some optimized for main lobe strength to extend detection range, others optimized for side lobe characteristics to reduce interference. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between range and interference
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 solution enhances object detection accuracy and range, allowing for human-like interpretation of the environment, even in adverse weather conditions, by effectively reducing side lobes and improving directivity, thereby supporting full autonomy in driving functions.
Implementation Method 1
radiating RF signals
Implementation Method 2
received reflected signals
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to a beam steering vehicle radar for object identification. The radar includes a radar module having at least one beam steering transmit antenna to radiate one or more radio frequency (“RF”) beams in a plurality of directions, at least one beam steering receive antenna to receive one or more RF return signals, and a transceiver to generate radar data capturing a surrounding environment from the one or more received RF return signals. The radar also includes a perception module configured to detect and identify an object in the surrounding environment from the radar data. At least one of the beam steering transmit antenna has a side lobe reduction mechanism formed within a substrate to reduce side lobes in the radiated one or more RF beams.