Radar Virtual Aperture Synthesis Using Relative Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing a virtual aperture in radar systems for environmental detection, such as in motor vehicles, face inaccuracies due to reliance on odometric methods which are prone to slipping and other errors, and require costly inertial measurement units, leading to suboptimal position information and image distortion.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine relative speed from radar data to synthesize a virtual aperture, eliminating the need for additional sensors like odometry or inertial measurement units by using the same time base for position data assignment, ensuring precise position information and accurate image creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If odometric methods are used to determine position information for synthesizing virtual aperture, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to wheel slip and other influencing factors
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor determines its own position information by analyzing changes in its detection environment. The sensor compares detection results from different time points to identify environmental changes, thereby calculating its movement and position without requiring external odometric sensors or additional measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical odometric measurement systems (wheel tick sensors) with a radar-based environmental analysis system. Instead of mechanically measuring wheel rotation and integrating speed over time, the system uses radar detection of environmental features to directly determine position, eliminating the mechanical measurement chain and its associated errors.
2Measurement precision
If inertial measurement units are used to determine position information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor performs its own positioning function by analyzing environmental changes detected through its measurements. The sensor processes its detection data to identify environmental features, track their changes over time, and calculate its position and movement based on these changes, making the system self-sufficient without additional positioning hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor serves multiple functions: it detects environmental objects for safety monitoring and simultaneously determines its own position information for virtual aperture synthesis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning systems while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If synchronization between radar sensor and position sensor is improved, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional synchronization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positioning function with the radar detection function into a single integrated process. The position information is derived directly from the radar detection data itself, eliminating the need for separate position sensors and their associated synchronization mechanisms. The timing and position determination are merged into one unified measurement process.
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
This approach provides improved position information for synthesizing virtual apertures, reducing errors and costs by directly assigning measurement positions to radar data, resulting in a locally consistent and accurate environmental image without the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
an environment is detected by means of at least one moving radar sensor
Implementation Method 2
a relative speed of the at least one radar sensor is determined on the basis of the detected radar data
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting an environment, wherein an environment is detected by means of at least one moving radar sensor (2), wherein a virtual aperture of the at least one radar sensor (2) is synthesized for providing an image of the environment (20) on the basis of detected radar data (5) and position information (11), wherein a relative speed (6) of the at least one radar sensor (2) is determined on the basis of the detected radar data (5) of the at least one radar sensor (2), wherein the synthesizing of the virtual aperture of the at least one radar sensor (2) is carried out on the basis of position information (11) determined from the determined relative speed (6) and using the detected radar data corresponding in each case to the determined position information (11). The invention further relates to a device (1) for detecting an environment and to a motor vehicle (50) comprising at least one such device (1).