Retro-Reflective Antenna Array for Vehicle Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar positioning systems face detection errors due to multi-path electromagnetic waves, which occur when multiple objects reflect the emitted waves, leading to unreliable target object positioning, especially in environments with frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar systems.
Innovation Solution
A mobile navigation system utilizing a radar antenna and two retro-directive antennas positioned at specific distances, emitting and receiving sensing beams to determine the vehicle's moving direction by calculating distances and angles of retro waves, allowing for precise guidance towards a target zone by adjusting the vehicle's direction based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If radar positioning is implemented with FMCW in an environment with multiple reflecting objects, then the positioning system can operate continuously, but detection errors occur due to multi-path electromagnetic waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning system into multiple distributed retro-directive antennas instead of using a single radar emitter. By dividing the positioning function across multiple fixed antennas that return signals to the moving vehicle, the system eliminates multi-path interference while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional radar architecture by placing retro-directive antennas at fixed positions along the route rather than having a single moving radar emit and receive signals. The retro-directive antennas return signals to the vehicle, reversing the conventional emission-reception pattern and eliminating multi-path detection errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple objects reflect electromagnetic waves, then the positioning system can detect multiple targets, but detection errors occur due to multi-path electromagnetic waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional radar architecture by placing retro-directive antennas at fixed positions along the route rather than having a single moving radar emit and receive signals. The retro-directive antennas return signals to the vehicle, reversing the conventional emission-reception pattern and eliminating multi-path detection errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces retro-directive antennas as intermediary elements between the moving vehicle and the environment. These antennas act as mediators that receive electromagnetic waves and return them directly to the source, preventing multi-path reflections from other objects from causing detection errors.
3Reliability
If retro-directive antennas are used to eliminate multi-path interference, then positioning reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs retro-directive antennas that automatically return received electromagnetic waves to their source without requiring active control or processing. This self-service characteristic simplifies the system architecture by eliminating the need for complex signal processing and control mechanisms at the antenna level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple identical retro-directive antennas distributed along the route, each performing the same function of returning signals to the vehicle. This homogeneity simplifies the system design and maintenance compared to using different types of antennas or complex signal processing systems.
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 system effectively mitigates multi-path interference by accurately determining the vehicle's direction and distance to a target zone, enhancing navigation precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The first retro-directive antenna and the second retro-directive antenna respectively return a first retro wave and a second retro wave corresponding to a direction of the first sensing beam
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A mobile navigation system includes: a radar antenna (100) carried by the vehicle (105), and emitting first and second sensing beams at first and second time points, respectively; first and second retro-directive antenna (120)s or beam-reflecting objects disposed at first and second positions, respectively, and being a specific distance from each other; and a processing device (130) electrically coupled to the radar antenna (100). The first and second retro-directive antenna (120)s or beam-reflecting objects respectively return first and second retro waves corresponding to a direction of the first sensing beam, and respectively return third and fourth retro waves corresponding to a direction of the second sensing beam. The processing device (130) receives the first, second, third and fourth retro waves, and determines a moving direction of the vehicle (105) according to the first, second, third and fourth retro waves and the specific distance.