Recessed Radome Radar Sensor Layout for In-Cabin Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive radar sensors face challenges in compact size and performance due to limited space and interference issues within vehicle cabins, leading to undesired interferences and degraded performance.
Innovation Solution
A compact radar sensor design featuring a recessed radome and specific antenna arrangement on a printed circuit board, with transmit and receive antennas oriented to minimize interference and maximize RF performance, allowing for efficient detection and classification within congested vehicle interiors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sensor size is reduced to fit limited vehicle space, then the sensor can be mounted in congested interior areas, but the closely packed components cause undesired interferences and degraded performance
Solution Approach 1:
The radome is segmented into multiple regions: a first region with a first thickness and a second region with a second thickness greater than the first thickness. This segmentation allows different parts of the radome to serve different functions - the thinner first region reduces overall size while the thicker second region maintains RF performance and reduces interference in critical areas where antennas are located
Solution Approach 2:
The radome exhibits non-uniform thickness distribution with locally optimized properties. The thicker second region is positioned specifically over the antenna areas to provide local shielding and performance optimization, while other areas maintain thinner profiles to reduce overall sensor volume
2Volume of moving object
If components are closely packed to minimize sensor size, then the sensor fits in limited space, but interference between transmit and receive antennas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radome acts as an intermediary structure between the transmit and receive antennas. By positioning the thicker second region of the radome over the antenna areas, it provides a mediating layer that reduces direct interference between closely packed transmit and receive antennas while maintaining the compact overall sensor design
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 design achieves optimal RF performance and antenna patterns, reducing interference and enabling effective detection and classification in small, compact sensor packages suitable for in-cabin monitoring, while accommodating other components and varying mounting scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of transmit antennas are on a surface of the processing board, the transmit antennas being adjacent to and separated by a first gap from the first area. The transmit antennas are configured to transmit RF signals through the first area.
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of receive antennas are on the surface of the processing board. The receive antennas are adjacent to, and separated by a second gap from, the second area. The receive antennas are configured to receive RF signals returning through the second area.
Data Source
AI summary
A radar sensor includes a housing, cover, and a plurality of transmit and receive antennas. The housing includes a cavity retaining a processing board. The cover defines a radome having a recess into the cavity with two separate and connected areas. The transmit and receive antennas are positioned on the processing board, adjacent to, and separated by a gap from, the recess. The transmit antennas are configured to transmit RF signals through the first area of the recess. The receive antennas are configured to receive RF signals returning through the second area of the recess.