Sparse Radar Target Simulators With Time-Division Antenna Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar emulators for automotive radar systems are costly and lack equal performance compared to more expensive systems, leading to inaccurate sensing and interpretation of echo signals, which can result in false warnings or missed reactions, potentially causing accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a sparse array of radar target simulators (RTS) and a switching matrix to emulate echo signals by selectively connecting antennae to RTSs in a time division manner, reducing the number of RTSs required and enhancing angular resolution through point cloud emulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dense array of radar target simulators is used to accurately emulate complex driving environments, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the emulation task by dividing the sparse array of RTSs into different functional groups that can be selectively activated. Each RTS is assigned to specific angular sectors, and the system segments the temporal dimension by using time-division multiplexing to activate different RTS subsets for different measurement cycles, achieving complete angular coverage with fewer physical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the temporal dimension to resolve the spatial limitation. By activating RTSs in different time slots and combining the measurements through signal processing, the system achieves angular resolution equivalent to a dense array while using far fewer RTSs. The time dimension compensates for the reduced spatial density.
2Reliability
If more radar target simulators are deployed to cover complex driving environments, then reliability of sensing is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each RTS in the sparse array is designed to be multi-functional, serving multiple angular sectors through beamforming and time-division multiplexing. A single RTS can emulate targets in different angular positions at different time slots, and the system uses the same RTS to provide both angular and radial velocity measurement capabilities, reducing the total number of RTSs needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of RTS functionality through signal processing. By using beamforming techniques and phase manipulation, the system generates virtual RTS positions that don't physically exist, effectively copying the measurement capability of additional RTSs without the associated hardware cost and complexity.
3Device complexity
If a sparse array of RTSs is used to reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and angular resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic activation of RTSs in a time-division manner. Different subsets of RTSs are activated in different time periods, and the measurements are combined through coherent integration. This periodic action allows the sparse array to accumulate measurement information over time, compensating for the reduced spatial density and achieving angular resolution comparable to dense arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the radar signals to adaptively adjust beamforming weights and phase shifts. By analyzing the received signals and adjusting the RTS activation patterns and signal processing parameters in real-time, the system optimizes the angular resolution achieved by the sparse array, compensating for the reduced number of RTSs through intelligent signal processing.
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 provides a cost-effective emulation of complex driving environments with improved accuracy, reducing the risk of false warnings and missed reactions by accurately simulating radar targets using fewer RTSs and achieving better angular resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a radar device under test (DUT) adapted to transmit a radar signal and receive an emulated echo signal reflected from an emulated target in response to the radar signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for receiving a radar signal transmitted by a radar device under test (DUT) includes: a plurality of antennae disposed in an array of rows and columns; a plurality of radar target simulators (RTS's), one or more of the plurality of RTS's being selectively connected to each of rows or columns of the plurality of antennae. The plurality of antennae are adapted to receive signals selectively from the one or more RTS's connected to the column or row, and to transmit to the signals to the DUT. The system also includes a switching matrix adapted to selectively switch between selected antennae in each of the columns or each of the rows of the plurality of antennae to connect selected respective RTS's of the plurality of RTS's to selected active antennae of the plurality of antennae in a time division manner.