Vehicular Radar Antenna Array with Shaped V and X Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle sensing systems using radar antennas suffer from unwanted side lobes due to their rectangular grid patterns, which reduce the efficiency of signal transmission and object detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The use of a rhombus-shaped two-dimensional array of radar antennas, arranged as V-shaped or X-shaped configurations, reduces unwanted side lobes and enhances sensing by optimizing the antenna characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular grid pattern of radar antennas is used, then the antenna array structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but unwanted side lobes are generated that reduce signal transmission efficiency and object detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a conventional symmetric rectangular grid antenna array to an asymmetric shaped antenna array. The shaped array configuration optimizes the spatial distribution of antenna elements to reduce unwanted side lobes while maintaining adequate manufacturing feasibility, thereby improving object detection capability without completely sacrificing ease of manufacture
2Device complexity
If a rectangular grid pattern of radar antennas is used, then the antenna array structure is simple, but angular accuracy and discrimination are reduced due to unwanted side lobes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by redesigning the antenna array from a simple rectangular grid to a shaped configuration. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the radiation pattern to minimize side lobes, thereby improving angular accuracy and discrimination capability while accepting increased structural complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular grid pattern of radar antennas is used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but energy wastage increases due to unwanted side lobes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the antenna array in a shaped pattern rather than a rectangular grid. This asymmetric arrangement directs energy more efficiently in the desired detection directions and reduces energy radiated as unwanted side lobes, improving signal transmission efficiency while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining presence of an object via a vehicular radar sensing system includes providing a radar sensor having a plurality of antennas, which includes a plurality of transmitting antennas and a plurality of receiving antennas. The plurality of antennas includes a plurality of sets of antennas, each set having a V shape or an X shape, and with each of the shaped sets of antennas having an apex. A signal feed is provided to the apex of each of the shaped sets of antennas. A radar beam is transmitted via the plurality of transmitting antennas and side lobes of the transmitted radar beam are reduced via the plurality of shaped sets of antennas. An output of the receiving antennas is communicated to a processor, and the processor determines presence of one or more objects exterior the vehicle and within the field of sensing of the radar sensor.