Automotive Radar Signal Processing with Virtual Aperture Synthesis

The patent transitions from a static two-dimensional antenna array to a dynamic three-dimensional virtual aperture by incorporating temporal dimension through vehicle motion. Multiple radar measurements taken at different positions during vehicle movement are synthesized to create a virtual aperture that exceeds the physical antenna array dimensions, achieving superior angular resolution without increasing the physical footprint of the receiving antenna array.

The patent creates a virtual copy of the antenna array at multiple positions along the vehicle's trajectory. By synthesizing radar measurements from these virtual array positions, the system constructs a virtual aperture that is much larger than the physical array, effectively copying the sensing capability across space and time to achieve high angular resolution.

Rather than physically expanding the antenna array, the patent creates virtual copies of the array at multiple positions along the vehicle's path. This computational approach synthesizes the effect of a large physical array using measurements from a compact array taken over time, significantly reducing hardware complexity and cost while achieving the same angular resolution performance.

The patent transforms the static antenna array into a dynamic sensing system that leverages vehicle motion. The receiving antenna array remains physically compact, but its effective aperture dynamically expands as the vehicle moves, with measurements from different positions being synthesized to achieve high angular resolution without increasing physical dimensions or system complexity.