Vehicle Radar Antenna Array Azimuth Elevation Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle radar systems face challenges in estimating azimuth and elevation without increasing the size of the radar apparatus and reducing computation time effectively.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle radar apparatus incorporates a control unit with non-offset and offset receiving array antennas to estimate azimuth and elevation using phase differences, with an ADC for signal conversion and a signal generation unit for frequency signal generation, allowing for equation-based elevation estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional radar signal processing methods are used to estimate azimuth and elevation, then measurement precision is achieved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the elevation estimation function from the traditional complex radar signal processing system and implements it separately using a specialized antenna array structure. By separating the azimuth estimation (using non-offset antennas) and elevation estimation (using offset antennas with phase difference processing), the system achieves accurate 3D angle estimation without requiring a large complex array structure, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional spatial dimension by using offset antennas positioned at different locations. Instead of relying solely on signal processing complexity, the system uses the physical spatial arrangement of antennas in multiple dimensions to extract phase difference information for elevation estimation, thereby achieving accurate measurement without increasing overall device complexity
2Measurement precision
If conventional antenna array structures are used for 3D detection, then measurement precision is maintained, but computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D angle estimation process into two independent parts: azimuth estimation using non-offset antennas and elevation estimation using offset antennas. This segmentation allows each subsystem to process signals independently with simpler algorithms, reducing the overall computation time while maintaining the precision of 3D angle estimation that would otherwise require complex integrated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary phase difference extraction using the offset antenna structure before full signal processing. By pre-processing the elevation information through the specialized antenna arrangement and extracting phase differences early in the signal chain, the system reduces the computational burden on subsequent processing stages, thereby reducing total computation time while preserving measurement precision
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 approach enables accurate estimation of azimuth and elevation without increasing the radar's size, enhancing the degree of freedom in the antenna array structure and reducing computation time.
Implementation Method 1
A radar refers to an apparatus that emits electromagnetic waves to an object, receives electromagnetic waves reflected from the object
Implementation Method 2
estimate an elevation of the target by using a phase difference between an offset receiving array antenna and the non-offset receiving array antenna
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle radar apparatus may include a transmitting array antenna configured to radiate radar signals for forward detection, N receiving array antennas configured to receive the radar signals reflected from a target after being radiated from the transmitting array antenna, and a control unit configured to estimate an azimuth of the target by using non-offset receiving array antennas among the N receiving array antennas and estimate an elevation of the target by using a phase difference between an offset receiving array antenna and the non-offset receiving array antenna among the N receiving array antennas and the azimuth of the target.