Vehicle Radar Antenna Array for Wide-Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar antennas for vehicle use have limited directionality, allowing for angle measurement only in a narrow range (approximately ±30 degrees), making it difficult to achieve wide-angle measurement coverage.
Innovation Solution
The design involves a first bottom board with a planar shape and a second bottom board orthogonal to it, with an antenna element arranged vertically and connected via a transmission line, forming an array structure that enhances directionality by setting specific distances and configurations to achieve wide-angle measurement capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dipole antenna or monopole antenna is used, then the antenna achieves nondirectional characteristics, but it cannot specify a direction for angle measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple antenna elements (first antenna element and second antenna element) arranged in specific spatial configurations. Each element contributes to the overall directional pattern, allowing the system to achieve directional specification capability while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single antenna element to a three-dimensional array configuration with elements positioned at different heights and horizontal locations. By adding vertical dimension (different heights from the ground plane) and horizontal spacing, the antenna achieves directional specification capability that cannot be obtained with conventional single-element antennas.
2Measurement precision
If conventional array antennas are used, then the antenna achieves directionality, but the angle measurement is limited to a narrow range (approximately ±30 degrees)
Solution Approach 1:
Different antenna elements are positioned at different locations (different heights and horizontal positions) to create specific local radiation patterns. The first antenna element is positioned at a first height and the second at a second height, with each element contributing differently to the overall beam pattern, enabling wide-angle measurement coverage while maintaining directional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the ground plane, with different heights and spacing configurations. This asymmetric arrangement creates directional radiation patterns that maintain measurement precision across a wide angle range, overcoming the limitation of symmetric conventional arrays that are restricted to narrow measurement ranges.
3Measurement precision
If the antenna elements are arranged to widen directionality, then the angle measurement range increases, but signal interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A ground plane is introduced as an intermediary structure between the antenna elements and the environment. The ground plane serves as a reference plane that helps control the radiation patterns and reduces mutual interference between elements. By positioning elements at specific heights above the ground plane, the system achieves wide-angle measurement capability while the ground plane acts as a mediator to minimize harmful signal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are pre-positioned at specific heights and spacing configurations before operation to optimize the radiation patterns. The first antenna element is positioned at a first height and the second at a second height with specific spacing, which preliminarily establishes the beam patterns to achieve wide measurement coverage while preemptively minimizing signal interference through proper geometric arrangement.
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 allows for wide-angle measurement coverage up to ±90 degrees while preventing signal interference, effectively expanding the range of angle measurement for radar devices.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna element 102 having a linear shape arranged in a direction parallel to the first bottom board 101 with spacing a predetermined distance of d1 therefrom, and arranged at a predetermined position to be approximately vertical to the second bottom board 103, wherein it is formed with a length between the second bottom board and a tip of the antenna element to be approximately a λ/4
Implementation Method 2
two of the antennas individually comprised of the one unite are arrayed on a similar plane or a similar curved surface of the first bottom board, and a D/λ
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an antenna for a radar device which is available for angle measuring in a wide angle for both of the right and the left directions from a travelling direction of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An antenna for radar device 100 comprises an antenna unit 110 as a combination of one of antenna elements 102 and one of second bottom boards 103, wherein a plurality thereof are arrayed on a first bottom board 101. The antenna element 102 is bent as L-shaped, one end thereof is opened, another end thereof penetrates the first bottom board 101 as noncontact therewith, and is connected to a transmission line 104 with further penetrating a line substrate 105.