Radar Antenna Spacing Layout for 2D Angle Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems face challenges in improving angular measurement accuracy and resolution, particularly in two-dimensional angle measurement, due to the generation of grating lobes when increasing antenna spacing, which can lead to erroneous target detection and deteriorated radar detection performance.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus and method that arranges transmission and reception antennas in a specific configuration to suppress grating lobes while increasing element spacing, enhancing angular measurement accuracy and resolution using a smaller number of antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antenna spacing is increased to improve angular measurement accuracy, then resolution is improved, but grating lobes are generated causing erroneous target detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform antenna spacing where specific antenna elements have different spacing relationships. The first and second antenna groups are arranged with different spacing patterns in the third direction, creating localized spacing variations that suppress grating lobes while maintaining angular resolution in critical measurement regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by arranging the first and second antenna groups with different spacing configurations. The absolute difference between spacing values (d1 and d2) is set to specific relationships with wavelength, creating an asymmetric antenna layout that eliminates the symmetry conditions that produce grating lobes in conventional uniform arrays.
2Device complexity
If antenna spacing is increased to reduce the number of antennas needed, then device complexity is reduced, but grating lobes deteriorate radar detection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spacing parameters between antenna elements from uniform to non-uniform arrangements. By setting the absolute difference between spacing values to specific relationships with wavelength (either equal to or integer multiples no less than twice the defined value), the system achieves grating lobe suppression with fewer antennas while maintaining detection performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform antenna arrangement is used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but angular resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into distinct first and second antenna groups with different spacing characteristics. This segmentation allows each group to be manufactured using standard uniform spacing techniques, while the relative arrangement between groups provides the non-uniform spacing needed for high angular resolution and grating lobe suppression.
Data Source
AI summary
In a radar apparatus, an r1th antenna and an r2th antenna of the first antenna group are arranged adjacent to each other in a third direction different from both a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a t1th antenna and a t2th antenna of the second antenna group are arranged adjacent to each other in the third direction, an r3th antenna of the first antenna group is arranged at a position shifted beyond a defined value in each of the first direction and the second direction from the third direction, the defined value being based on a wavelength of the transmission signal, and an absolute value of a difference between a spacing between the r1th antenna and the r2th antenna and a spacing between the t1th antenna and the t2th antenna is the defined value, or, the absolute value of the difference between the spacing between the r1th antenna and the r2th antenna and the spacing between the t1th antenna and the t2th antenna is an integer multiple of the defined value that is no less than twice the defined value, and either one of the spacing between the r1th antenna and the r2th antenna and the spacing between the t1th antenna and the t2th antenna is the defined value.