Vehicle Radar Virtual Array Elevation Angle Detection

The patent transforms a one-dimensional antenna array into a two-dimensional virtual array by incorporating temporal dimension through vehicle motion. Signals received at different time instants are processed to create virtual antenna elements in the direction of motion, effectively adding a spatial dimension without physical antenna elements. This resolves the contradiction by achieving high resolution through dimensional transformation rather than increasing the number of physical elements.

The patent creates virtual copies of antenna elements through signal processing. By recording signals at multiple time instants and calculating virtual positions based on velocity hypotheses, the system generates virtual antenna elements that replicate the functionality of physical elements. This copying approach achieves the desired measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

The patent introduces dynamic elements into the system by utilizing vehicle motion to create temporal variations in signal reception. The vehicle's movement through space creates changing geometric relationships between the antenna elements and targets over time, enabling the system to resolve ambiguities that would be present in a static configuration. This dynamic approach allows fewer physical elements to achieve the precision equivalent of many static elements.

The patent uses velocity hypotheses as an intermediary to bridge the gap between limited physical antenna elements and the required measurement precision. By introducing velocity hypotheses and iteratively optimizing them through velocity scoring, the system creates an intermediate computational layer that resolves ambiguity in angle detection without requiring additional physical antenna elements.

The patent employs periodic sampling of signals at multiple time instants to create a virtual array. By systematically recording signals at discrete time intervals and processing them through beamforming operations, the system generates periodic patterns in the virtual array response that enable unambiguous angle detection. This periodic temporal sampling compensates for the wide spatial spacing of physical elements.

The patent maintains continuous useful action by processing signals from multiple time instants through iterative velocity hypothesis optimization. The continuous refinement of velocity hypotheses through scoring and re-optimization ensures that the system continuously improves angle detection accuracy, compensating for the limited number of physically spaced antenna elements.