3D Reactive Beamforming Network for Automotive Radar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive radar systems face challenges in achieving efficiency while being inexpensive and easy to manufacture, particularly at 77 GHz frequencies, as they often lose energy due to heating in substrate materials and are difficult to manufacture with small geometries compatible with 77 GHz operation.
Innovation Solution
A radar system utilizing a dual open-ended waveguide antenna design with a three-dimensional or two-dimensional dividing network of waveguides that splits and adjusts electromagnetic energy among feed waveguides, using reactive elements without absorption loads, allowing for efficient energy distribution and phase adjustment to radiating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If series-fed patch array antennas are used for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to heating losses in the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radiating elements from the lossy substrate by using open-ended waveguides that radiate directly into free space. The waveguide structure eliminates the need for a continuous substrate, removing the source of dielectric heating losses while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized waveguide components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the open-ended waveguide) between the feed network and the radiating elements. This waveguide acts as a mediator that couples electromagnetic energy from the substrate-based feed network to free-space radiation, reducing direct interaction between the substrate and radiating elements to minimize heating losses.
2Loss of energy
If all-metal antennas are used to reduce energy loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to small geometry requirements for 77 GHz operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both substrate-based and all-metal antenna approaches by combining a substrate-based feed network with open-ended waveguide radiating elements. The feed network benefits from substrate integration for ease of manufacture, while the waveguide radiators provide low loss performance similar to all-metal designs, achieving a balance between manufacturing ease and energy efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If compact antenna designs are used to reduce size, then device compactness is improved, but beamforming precision deteriorates due to reduced element spacing control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar antenna array to a three-dimensional structure by positioning open-ended waveguides at different heights above the substrate. This vertical dimension allows for compact horizontal footprint while maintaining precise control over element spacing and phase relationships, enabling accurate beamforming in both horizontal and vertical planes.
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
The solution enables a more compact and efficient radar system with improved beamforming capabilities, reducing energy loss and manufacturing complexity, while maintaining high accuracy and efficiency at 77 GHz frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
A radar system includes a plurality of feed waveguides configured to guide electromagnetic energy to at least one of the plurality of radiating elements
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of radiating elements configured to radiate electromagnetic energy
Data Source
AI summary
A radar system includes a plurality of radiating elements configured to radiate electromagnetic energy and a plurality of feed waveguides defining a common plane and configured to guide electromagnetic energy to the plurality of radiating elements. The radar system also includes a plurality of waveguides arranged as a dividing network configured to split the electromagnetic energy from the source among the plurality of feed waveguides, such that each feed waveguide receives a respective portion of the electromagnetic energy. Additionally, the dividing network is configured to adjust a phase of the electromagnetic energy received by each waveguide. The splitting and adjusting of the dividing network may be based on differences in height and/or width between the waveguides of the dividing network and the feed waveguides. At least a portion of the dividing network is located in a plane other than the common plane of the feed waveguides.