Automotive Radar Angular Resolution via Temporal Aperture Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive radar technology lacks the necessary resolution to accurately sense and distinguish between multiple objects, especially those closely spaced, and detect characteristics of objects in the environment, due to limited azimuth and elevation resolution, as well as constraints imposed by vehicle size, making it unsuitable for long-range detection systems.
Innovation Solution
A high-resolution radar system using a sparse antenna array with a controller to suppress aliasing side lobes, enhancing the main lobe and achieving improved angular resolution by attenuating or enhancing the sensitivity pattern, allowing for accurate detection and tracking of targets and their characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are used to improve angular resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temporal dimension by having the vehicle move between different positions to collect radar data at multiple time points. This transforms a spatial problem (requiring multiple antennas) into a temporal solution (collecting data over time as the vehicle moves), thereby achieving high angular resolution without increasing the number of physical antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-collects radar data at multiple positions before performing the final target detection and localization. By gathering data in advance from different vehicle positions and then processing it together, the system achieves improved angular resolution without requiring all antennas to be active simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of antennas spaced apart are used to achieve improved angular resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but the total physical size becomes impractical for terrestrial vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the radar system from a static spatial configuration to a dynamic temporal configuration. Instead of spreading antennas across a large physical area, the system uses a single or few antennas that are sequentially positioned at different locations as the vehicle moves, effectively using the vehicle's travel path as an extended aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static antenna array to a dynamic configuration where the antenna positions change over time as the vehicle moves. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve the equivalent of a large aperture without requiring a large physical structure on the vehicle.
3Device complexity
If adjacent antennas are separated by more than one-half wavelength to reduce physical size, then device complexity is reduced, but aliasing side lobes appear in directional response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges that using larger antenna spacing creates aliasing side lobes, but instead of avoiding this, it uses the vehicle's motion and multiple position measurements to distinguish true targets from side lobe artifacts. The temporal information from multiple positions allows the system to filter out the harmful side lobe effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses data from multiple vehicle positions to feedback and refine the target detection. By comparing measurements taken at different positions and times, the system can identify and eliminate false detections caused by aliasing side lobes, thereby maintaining accuracy despite larger antenna spacing.
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 system provides enhanced angular resolution and accurate detection of multiple targets, enabling precise measurement and tracking of vehicle position and target characteristics, even in challenging environments, with improved sensitivity and reduced side lobe interference.
Implementation Method 1
RAdio Detection And Ranging (radar) can be used in many applications including object detection, range-finding, direction-finding and mapping
Implementation Method 2
measure a velocity of the target
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a spatial disposition or a characteristic of a target external to a terrestrial vehicle is provided. The system may comprise a radar antenna array configured to transmit and receive radar signals, and a controller operatively coupled to the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use spatial information of the terrestrial vehicle and a spatial configuration of the radar antenna array to generate an enhanced main lobe by attenuating one or more side lobes in an effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array or enhancing a main lobe in the effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use the enhanced main lobe to determine (i) the spatial disposition of the target relative to the terrestrial vehicle or (ii) the characteristic of the target.