RF Antenna Strings Sharing Processing Modules for 3D Scanning

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle radar systems face challenges in enhancing sensing directions and range without increasing the limited available space, leading to false alarms from reflections above the horizontal plane due to hardware constraints.

Innovation Solution

A radio-frequency (RF) system with a substrate featuring antenna strings on one plane and wires on another, connected by units to share RF processing modules, allowing for dual-directional scanning without expanding the layout, utilizing shared antenna strings for both horizontal and vertical polarization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If another set of array antennas is deployed to obtain sensing capability on different directions, then sensing range and direction are improved, but device area and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoiddisposal area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple antenna sets by having different RF processing modules share the same physical antenna strings. Specifically, a first RF processing module and a second RF processing module both utilize the same antenna strings but process signals for different spatial directions, thereby achieving multi-directional sensing without deploying additional antenna sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna strings are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same antenna strings are used by both the first RF processing module for one spatial direction and the second RF processing module for another spatial direction, making the antenna system universal and multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If another set of array antennas is deployed to obtain sensing capability on different directions, then sensing range and direction are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple antenna sets by having different RF processing modules share the same physical antenna strings. Specifically, a first RF processing module and a second RF processing module both utilize the same antenna strings but process signals for different spatial directions, thereby achieving multi-directional sensing without deploying additional antenna sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna strings are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same antenna strings are used by both the first RF processing module for one spatial direction and the second RF processing module for another spatial direction, making the antenna system universal and multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If antenna strings are arranged to sense over horizontal direction only, then device simplicity is maintained, but false alarm rate increases due to inability to distinguish vertical reflections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidfalse alarm rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the sensing capability from a single horizontal plane to multiple spatial dimensions by introducing a second RF processing module that processes signals from the same antenna strings but targets different spatial directions. This dimensional extension allows the system to distinguish between horizontal and vertical reflections, reducing false alarms while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables three-dimensional scanning, reducing false alarms and enhancing system reliability by distinguishing reflections from different directions without enlarging the antenna array's footprint, suitable for space-limited applications like vehicle radar systems.

Implementation Method 1

a first electric field generated by the antenna strings of the first group extends toward a first direction, and a second electric field generated by the antenna strings of the second group extends toward a second direction different from the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field generation: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS9903949B2Radio-frequency system

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 WISTRON NEWEB CORP

AI summary

A radio-frequency (RF) system includes a substrate; a plurality of antenna strings, formed on a first plane of the substrate, each comprising a plurality of radiating units connected in a sequence, wherein the plurality of antenna strings are classified into a first group and a second group; a plurality of wires, formed on a second plane of the substrate, for transmitting RF signals; a plurality of connecting units, disposed in the substrate, for coupling the plurality of wires and antenna strings of the second group; a first RF processing module, for transmitting or receiving RF signals via antenna strings of the first group, and a second RF processing module, for coupling to the antenna strings of the second group through the plurality of wires and the plurality of connecting units, so as to transmit or receive RF signals via the antenna strings of the second group.