Vehicle Antenna Module Segmentation for Radar Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waveguide array antennas for vehicle radars face issues with high manufacturing costs, limited design freedom, and interference between transmission/reception channels, along with unnecessary resource waste and lateral wave generation due to their rigid structure and large size.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle antenna apparatus with a printed circuit board and subprocessor, featuring antenna modules with varying thicknesses and waveguides formed over the outer area, allowing for flexible design and reduced interference, and suppressing lateral waves by optimizing the module body's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal plates are stacked in multiple layers to form waveguide array antenna, then transmission/reception channels can be formed, but manufacturing cost increases and resource waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the waveguide array antenna into separate transmission and reception modules, each formed on its own printed circuit board. This segmentation eliminates the need to stack metal plates across the entire board area, reducing material usage and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable transmission and reception channel formation in each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional stacked metal plate structure to a planar printed circuit board structure with waveguides formed on the surface. This dimensional change allows transmission and reception channels to be formed without vertical stacking, reducing material consumption and simplifying manufacturing processes.
2Reliability
If waveguide and power feeding network are formed on entire printed circuit board, then transmission/reception channels are formed, but design freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the waveguide array antenna into independent transmission and reception modules on separate printed circuit boards, the invention enables flexible arrangement and configuration of each module. This segmentation allows designers to optimize the structure, shape, and layout of transmission and reception channels independently, significantly enhancing design freedom while ensuring reliable channel formation.
3Reliability
If metal plates are manufactured in same size as printed circuit board, then waveguide array antenna is formed, but lateral waves are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the waveguide formation from the entire printed circuit board area and concentrates it only in the necessary regions where transmission and reception channels are required. By forming waveguides only in specific areas rather than across the whole board, the invention eliminates the generation of lateral waves from unnecessary metal plate regions while maintaining reliable antenna formation.
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
This configuration significantly reduces manufacturing costs, enhances design freedom, and effectively minimizes interference and lateral wave generation, improving space utilization and radar performance.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide formed in the module body and having a plurality of slots formed along a longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
An vehicle antenna apparatus is disclosed. An vehicle antenna apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention may be a vehicle antenna apparatus for transmitting and receiving radio waves, comprising: a printed circuit board provided in a vehicle; a subprocessor mounted on the printed circuit board; and an antenna module electrically connected to the subprocessor, covering a portion of the printed circuit board and mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board.