Radar Sensor Ghost Target Suppression via Distinct Switching Frequencies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar sensors in motor vehicles experience interference signals due to switching frequency, leading to incorrect environmental assessments as these signals are interpreted as reflections of non-existent objects, known as ghost targets.
Innovation Solution
Operating multiple radar sub-sensors with distinct switching frequencies, allowing for the identification and suppression of interference signals by distinguishing them from actual environmental reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple radar sub-sensors are operated with the same switching frequency, then the system operation is simple, but interference signals occur that are interpreted as ghost targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by assigning different switching frequencies to multiple radar sub-sensors. Specifically, the first radar sub-sensor operates at a first switching frequency while the second radar sub-sensor operates at a second switching frequency that differs from the first. This frequency differentiation causes interference signals to occur at distinct frequencies, making them easily identifiable and distinguishable from actual environmental reflections, thereby eliminating ghost targets while maintaining system simplicity.
2Productivity
If switching controllers operate at high frequency, then power supply efficiency is improved, but interference signals increase leading to ghost targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the frequency parameter of the switching controllers. Multiple radar sub-sensors are supplied with voltage by switching controllers operating at different switching frequencies. This causes interference signals to occur at different frequencies, making them easily distinguishable from valid radar returns. The system can then filter out these frequency-specific interference signals while maintaining high switching frequencies for efficient power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful interference signals into a beneficial identification feature. By operating switching controllers at different frequencies, the interference signals that would normally be harmful are transformed into easily distinguishable artifacts with unique frequency signatures. This allows the system to identify and eliminate ghost targets caused by these interference signals, turning what was originally a harmful effect into a useful diagnostic feature.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a first radar sub-sensor and a second radar sub-sensor, in particular in a motor vehicle, the first radar sub-sensor being supplied with voltage by a first switching controller, and the second radar sub-sensor being supplied with voltage by a second switching controller, and the method includes the following steps: Operating the first switching controller at a first switching frequency; and operating the second switching controller at a second switching frequency, the first switching frequency differing from the second switching frequency.