Stacked Multi-Spectral Vehicular Radar System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-spectral vehicular radar systems employing both 24- and 77-GHz frequency bands occupy a large volume and frontal surface area, making them less suitable for vehicular applications and potentially interfering with airflow and exterior design.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular radar system with a stacked circuitry layer configuration, utilizing end-fire antennas for each frequency band and sharing components between the subsystems, significantly reduces occupied volume and frontal surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-band radar system uses both 24-GHz and 77-GHz frequency bands, then sensing capabilities for both short-range and long-range applications are improved, but the occupied volume and frontal surface area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two radar subsystems operating at different frequency bands (24 GHz and 77 GHz) into a single integrated antenna assembly. The end-fire antenna structure merges the transmit and receive elements for both frequency bands into one compact unit, allowing dual-band sensing capabilities while reducing the overall volume compared to separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar side-by-side configuration to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with circuitry layers arranged vertically. This dimensional change allows the radar subsystems to be stacked one above another, reducing the frontal surface area while maintaining both sensing capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-band radar system uses both 24-GHz and 77-GHz frequency bands, then sensing capabilities for both short-range and long-range applications are improved, but the frontal surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar side-by-side configuration to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with circuitry layers arranged vertically. This dimensional change allows the radar subsystems to be stacked one above another, reducing the frontal surface area while maintaining both sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the 77-GHz radar subsystem within the same antenna assembly structure as the 24-GHz subsystem. The end-fire antenna elements are arranged concentrically with inner and outer elements, allowing one subsystem to be nested within the other, thereby minimizing the frontal surface area
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multi-spectral radar systems are implemented, then both frequency bands can be utilized, but interference with airflow and exterior design occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar side-by-side configuration to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with circuitry layers arranged vertically. This dimensional change allows the radar subsystems to be stacked one above another, reducing the frontal surface area while maintaining both sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin, streamlined housing that encloses the stacked radar subsystems. The housing is designed with aerodynamic contours that minimize disruption to airflow, allowing the compact dual-band radar to be integrated into vehicle exteriors without significant airflow interference
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a vehicular radar system are presented herein. One embodiment comprises a first circuitry layer including a first radar subsystem for a first frequency band, the first radar subsystem including a first end-fire antenna. The vehicular radar system also includes a second circuitry layer stacked on or under the first circuitry layer, the second circuitry layer including a second radar subsystem for a second frequency band, the second radar subsystem including a second end-fire antenna. In this embodiment, one or more components of the vehicular radar system are shared between the first and second radar subsystems.