Vehicle Component Radar Array for Azimuth and Elevation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar antenna arrangements for vehicles face challenges in achieving high accuracy and 360-degree environmental capture due to limitations in angular resolution, sensor size, and synchronization requirements, especially in adverse visibility conditions.
Innovation Solution
A radar antenna arrangement comprising multiple radar devices arranged in an antenna row and column on a vehicle component, such as a window pane, with optical guides connecting them to a control unit for centralized data processing and synchronization, allowing for high angular resolution and 360-degree coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LIDAR sensors are used for high angular resolution environmental capture, then angular resolution is improved, but the number of sensors required increases and installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LIDAR sensors into a single integrated sensor unit that achieves high angular resolution through internal beam combining techniques. Instead of using multiple separate sensors, the invention merges their functional capabilities into one device, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while reducing the number of individual sensors required for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial arrangement of multiple sensors to a different dimensional approach by using beam combining in the optical domain. Instead of placing multiple sensors at different positions, the invention combines radar beams optically within a single sensor unit, effectively moving the solution from spatial dimension to optical dimension.
2Measurement precision
If LIDAR sensors are used for environmental capture, then angular resolution is improved, but accuracy deteriorates in adverse visibility conditions such as fog, snow, or darkness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional sensor system that can operate effectively in both good and adverse visibility conditions. By integrating LIDAR's high angular resolution capability with radar's all-weather operation, the single sensor unit achieves universal performance across different environmental conditions, maintaining reliability whether visibility is good or poor.
3Reliability
If radar sensors are used for environmental capture, then reliability in adverse visibility conditions is improved, but angular resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LIDAR and radar functionalities into a single integrated sensor unit. This combination allows the system to achieve the high angular resolution of LIDAR while maintaining the all-weather operational reliability of radar, effectively merging the strengths of both sensor types into one multi-functional device.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual LIDAR sensors are used for 360-degree environmental capture, then coverage is improved, but data processing complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor functions into a single integrated unit that performs environmental capture. By combining what would otherwise require multiple separate LIDAR sensors into one device, the system achieves comprehensive environmental coverage while eliminating the complex synchronization and data fusion requirements of multiple independent sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a radar antenna arrangement (1) for a vehicle (2), comprising at least one vehicle component (3), wherein the radar antenna arrangement (1) comprises a plurality of radar devices (4) which are configured to transmit and/or receive a radar beam (12). The radar devices (4) are arranged on a component surface (5) of the vehicle component (3). The invention provides for the radar antenna arrangement (1) to comprise at least one antenna row (6) for determining an azimuthal angle (10) of the radar beam (12), said antenna row comprising a plurality of the radar devices (4). Directly adjacent radar devices (4) have respective horizontal distances (8) from one another. The radar antenna arrangement (1) comprises at least one antenna column (7) for determining an elevation angle (11) of the radar beam (12), said antenna column comprising a plurality of the radar devices (4). Directly adjacent radar devices (4) have respective vertical distances (9) from one another. The at least one antenna row (6) and the at least one antenna column (7) include an angle α of between 5 degrees and 180 degrees.