Radar Device Virtual Array Antenna Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
MIMO radar devices face limitations in achieving high resolution and angular estimation capabilities in both horizontal and vertical directions due to restricted antenna element counts, leading to lower resolution and increased probability of erroneous detection.
Innovation Solution
The radar device configures a virtual receiving array by laying out transmitting and receiving antennas with specific phase center spacings along different axes, allowing for three-dimensional measurement while suppressing sidelobes and maintaining high resolution in the horizontal direction, and enhancing angular estimation capabilities in the vertical direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of antenna elements is increased to improve resolution and angular estimation capabilities, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual antenna elements by combining signals from physical transmitting and receiving antennas. The virtual receiving array has more elements than the physical receiving array alone, effectively copying the antenna function through signal processing. This allows high-resolution angular estimation without increasing the physical number of receiving antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional receiving array to a two-dimensional virtual array by incorporating transmitting antenna positions. The virtual receiving array coordinates combine receiving antenna positions with transmitting antenna positions, creating additional spatial dimensions for measurement without adding physical receiving elements.
2Measurement precision
If antenna elements are laid out with larger spacing to improve angular estimation in vertical direction, then angular separation capability improves, but sidelobe levels increase causing erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spacing strategies to different parts of the antenna array. The receiving array uses uniform spacing optimized for vertical angular estimation, while the transmitting array uses non-uniform spacing to control sidelobe levels. This local optimization allows each subsystem to perform its specific function effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric spacing between transmitting and receiving antennas. The receiving antennas are uniformly spaced while transmitting antennas have non-uniform spacing, creating an asymmetric configuration that simultaneously achieves good angular estimation and sidelobe control through the virtual array formation.
Data Source
AI summary
A radar device includes a radar transmitting circuit that transmits radar signals from a transmission array antenna, and a radar receiving circuit that receives returning wave signals, where the radar signals have been reflected at a target, from a receiving array antenna. One of the transmitting array antenna and the receiving array antenna includes multiple first antennas of which phase centers are laid out along a first axis direction. The other of the transmitting array antenna and the receiving array antenna includes multiple second antennas of which phase centers are laid out at a second spacing along a second axis direction that is different from the first axis direction. The multiple first antennas include multiple antennas of which the phase centers are laid out at a first spacing, and multiple antennas of which the phase centers are laid out at a third spacing that is different from the first spacing.