Radar Target Simulator Front End Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar device test setups are cumbersome and unsuitable for production environments due to their large size and hardware requirements, necessitating a more efficient and space-saving method for simulating radar targets.
Innovation Solution
A radar target simulator front end comprising selectively activated and deactivated antenna units, arranged along specific angles to simulate radar targets without physical movement, allowing for high signal separation and angular resolution, and capable of simulating complex tests and near-field conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional test setups use actual target objects that are actively moved to simulate movement, then accurate radar detection results are achieved, but the system becomes large and cumbersome, making it unsuitable for production test environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses antenna units to generate simulated radar targets instead of physical target objects. The antenna units create artificial radar signals that mimic real target reflections, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical target systems while maintaining measurement accuracy for radar detection testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement system (physically moving target objects) with an electronic signal generation system (antenna units that selectively activate to simulate target positions). This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while preserving the ability to test radar detection accuracy under various target movement conditions
2Measurement precision
If multiple antenna units are arranged along the angle under investigation to simulate targets at different positions, then angular resolution is improved, but the physical space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna units into a compact array configuration where they share common support structures and signal processing infrastructure. This merging allows high angular resolution to be achieved through close-spaced antenna elements without requiring proportionally large physical space, as the system efficiently utilizes shared hardware resources
3Measurement precision
If transmission and reception antennas are arranged at an angular distance smaller than the radar device's angular resolution, then signal separation is improved, but the antenna unit size along the investigation angle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the dimension conflict by arranging transmission and reception antennas at close angular distances in one dimension (perpendicular to the investigation angle), while using the other dimension (along the investigation angle) to achieve signal separation. This orthogonal arrangement allows both high signal separation quality and compact antenna unit dimensions to coexist
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 efficient and flexible testing of radar devices with minimal hardware and space, providing high angular resolution and the ability to simulate smooth movement of radar targets, suitable for both MIMO and MISO devices, while maintaining the quality of radar signals.
Implementation Method 1
each antenna unit of the at least two antenna units generates a simulated radar target along the first angle under investigation, when activated
Implementation Method 2
Road vehicle radar devices serve the purpose of detecting objects surrounding the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A radar target simulator front end, configured to simulate at least one radar target for testing a radar device under test is provided. The radar target simulator front end comprises at least two antenna units, arranged along a first angle under investigation. The at least two antenna units are configured to be selectively activated and deactivated. Whereby each antenna unit of the at least two antenna units generates a simulated radar target along the first angle under investigation, when activated.