Radar Sensor Waveguide Coupling for Low-Loss MMIC Antenna Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar sensor technologies face challenges in minimizing signal loss and interference when coupling antenna connections from monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) to waveguides, particularly at high frequencies like the 77 GHz band, due to the use of open microstrip lines which are susceptible to interference and result in excessive losses.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using through-openings in the circuit board to directly connect antenna connections to radiation elements that protrude into waveguides, eliminating the need for open microstrip lines and providing a short, interference-immune path for signal transmission, with the radiation element acting as a direct continuation of the antenna connection and being encapsulated within the waveguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If open microstrip lines are used to connect antenna connections to waveguides, then the circuit board material can be utilized without additional components, but signal loss increases and interference immunity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation element is nested within the waveguide structure, with the radiation element protruding into the waveguide through a through-opening in the circuit board. This nesting eliminates the need for separate connection structures while maintaining signal integrity and reducing losses by enclosing the transition path within the waveguide's protective structure.
2Device complexity
If open microstrip lines are used to connect antenna connections to waveguides, then the structure remains simple, but susceptibility to interference from external signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation element is nested within the waveguide structure, with the radiation element protruding into the waveguide through a through-opening in the circuit board. This nesting eliminates the need for separate connection structures while maintaining signal integrity and reducing losses by enclosing the transition path within the waveguide's protective structure.
3Loss of energy
If through-openings with radiation elements are used to connect antenna connections to waveguides, then signal loss is reduced and interference immunity is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation element is integrated directly into the waveguide structure, forming a unified component that eliminates the need for separate connection elements. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts and assembly steps while maintaining the signal integrity and interference immunity benefits of the enclosed transition path.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If through-openings with radiation elements are used to connect antenna connections to waveguides, then interference immunity is enhanced, but the number of manufacturing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation element is integrated directly into the waveguide structure, forming a unified component that eliminates the need for separate connection elements. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts and assembly steps while maintaining the signal integrity and interference immunity benefits of the enclosed transition path.
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 significantly reduces signal loss and enhances interference immunity by eliminating open structures susceptible to interference, allowing for efficient transmission and reception of radar signals with improved mechanical stability and manufacturing simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation element (17) projecting into the waveguide (9), arranged on the side of the circuit board (3) opposite the microwave circuit (4), through which the antenna connection (7) is connected to the radiation element (17)
Data Source
AI summary
Radar sensor, having an antenna assembly and a monolithic microwave integrated circuit that is arranged on a circuit board of the radar sensor and comprises at least one antenna connection that is to be connected to the antenna assembly, in particular is implemented in a ball grid, provides radar signals to be emitted, which can be generated by the microwave circuit, or accepts received radar signals from the antenna assembly, the connection of the antenna connection to the antenna assembly being formed at least in part by a waveguide, wherein, for connecting the at least one antenna connection to the waveguide designed as a wave duct, the circuit board comprises, at the position of the antenna connection, a through-opening leading to the side of the circuit board opposite the microwave circuit, through which the antenna connection is connected to a radiation element projecting into the waveguide arranged on the opposite side of the circuit board at the position of the antenna connection.