Radar Temperature Estimation from Antenna Phase and Amplitude Error
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar devices face sensitivity degradation in temperature detection due to the use of thermistors, which exhibit decreased sensitivity at low and high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A radar device with a unique arrangement of transmission and reception antennas, along with error acquisition and estimation units, estimates temperature information by analyzing phase and amplitude differences in reception signals, compensating for wiring length changes caused by thermal expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermistors are used for temperature detection in radar devices, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but sensitivity degradation occurs at low and high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermistor-based temperature detection system with a radar-based detection system. Instead of using a separate temperature sensor (thermistor), the invention uses the radar device's own reception signals to detect temperature changes by analyzing phase and amplitude variations caused by thermal expansion of the housing and wiring length changes. This substitution eliminates the sensitivity degradation issue of thermistors at extreme temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar device uses itself to perform temperature detection. The same transmission and reception antennas, along with the signal processing unit, are utilized to detect temperature changes in the housing. The system monitors its own environmental conditions by analyzing how temperature affects the physical dimensions of its components, turning the radar device into both a detection tool and a temperature sensor.
2Reliability
If temperature correction data is stored and used for phase correction, then temperature compensation is achieved, but the system requires additional storage and correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing unit performs multiple functions: it processes reception signals for target detection and simultaneously analyzes phase and amplitude variations for temperature detection. The same hardware components (transmission antennas, reception antennas, signal processing unit) are used for both radar operation and temperature monitoring, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors phase and amplitude differences in reception signals and uses this feedback to detect temperature changes. The control unit analyzes these variations in real-time and can trigger temperature compensation procedures when temperature changes are detected, creating a closed-loop feedback system that automatically responds to environmental conditions.
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
The solution enables accurate temperature detection with suppressed sensitivity degradation across varying temperatures, enhancing the reliability of radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
error information relating to at least one of the phase difference and amplitude difference of the reception signals corresponding to a wiring length difference between the virtual antennas
Data Source
AI summary
A radar device includes a plurality of transmission antennas, a plurality of reception antennas, a number Ns of transmission circuits connected to the transmission antennas and configured to output a transmission signal, a number Nr of reception circuits connected to the reception antennas and configured to acquire reception signals, a control unit configured to process the reception signals, and a housing unit configured to house the transmission antennas, the reception antennas, the transmission circuits, the reception circuits, and the control unit. The control unit is configured to acquire error information relating to at least one of the phase difference and amplitude difference of the reception signals corresponding to a wiring length difference between the virtual antennas, and estimate temperature information related to internal temperature of the housing unit according to the error information.