Vehicular Radar Beam Pattern Testing with 2D Receiver Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring the radiation pattern of vehicular radar require complex setups and highly skilled personnel, making them impractical for use in garage environments.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising 2D radar test arrays with radar receivers that receive and process radar radiation, emitting visible light to display the beam pattern, allowing for intuitive operation by low-skilled personnel without the need for moving test antennas or sensitive devices, and including features like LED light emitters and digitizers for easy interpretation and storage of results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex setups with moveable test antennas and complicated measuring hardware are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam pattern measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasuring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical moveable test antenna system with a fixed array of radar receivers that directly detect and visualize the beam pattern through LED indicators. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical positioning while maintaining measurement capability through the array geometry itself providing spatial information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy of the electromagnetic beam pattern by using LED indicators that directly represent the presence and intensity of radar signals at different spatial positions. This visual copying allows operators to interpret beam patterns intuitively without requiring complex data processing or specialized knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If complex setups with moveable test antennas are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring highly skilled personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam pattern measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperator skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color-changing LED indicators to represent different signal intensities and beam pattern characteristics. This visual encoding allows operators to quickly interpret measurement results without requiring specialized knowledge of radar signal processing, thereby reducing the skill level needed while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The visual copy of the beam pattern created by the LED array provides an intuitive representation that can be directly interpreted by operators. This eliminates the need for trained personnel to analyze complex raw data or operate sophisticated equipment, as the measurement results are immediately visible and interpretable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If fixed radar receiver arrays are used instead of moveable antennas, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator skill requirementVSAvoidbeam pattern measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a two-dimensional array of receivers to capture spatial information, transforming the measurement from a single-point temporal measurement (moveable antenna) to a distributed spatial measurement. This dimensional change allows the fixed array to achieve equivalent measurement capability without requiring mechanical movement, maintaining precision while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables simple and effective testing of vehicular radar beam patterns in garage settings with minimal operator skill requirements, reducing hardware complexity and allowing for robust, low-cost implementation.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the radio receivers is configured to receive radar radiation from the vehicular radar and emit visible light based upon the received radar radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar radiation reception and visible light emission:

Implementation Method 2

an amplifier configured to amplify the received radar signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal amplification:

Implementation Method 3

the light emitter comprises at least one LED, preferably and RGB-LED

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from LED: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3926359B1System and method for testing a beam pattern of a vehicular radar
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3926359B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926359B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3926359B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A measuring system (1) comprises a radar test panel (10), which is arranged in an expected radiation direction of the vehicular radar (3). The radar test panel (10) comprises a 2D radar test array of radar receivers, and is configured to display a measured beam pattern (12) of the vehicular radar (3), using the radar receivers. Each of the radio receivers is configured to receive radar radiation from the vehicular radar (3) and emit visible light based upon the received radar radiation. Alternatively, the at least one radar test panel is configured to output a digitized measured beam pattern of the vehicular radar.