Virtual Chirp Radar Sampling for Long-Range Speed Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems for detecting surroundings, particularly for vehicles and stationary applications, face complexity in achieving precise range and speed measurements, especially at large distances and high speeds, due to the need for numerous correction steps and complex technical implementations.
Innovation Solution
A radar system that transmits and receives a sequence of physical angle-modulated signals, forming virtual signals with distributed sampling points, allowing for the determination of object parameters like distance and radial velocity using both physical and virtual signal sampling points, with a simplified calculation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radar methods use chirp sequences to improve range and speed measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to numerous correction steps and complex technical implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process by separating range determination (using fast-time frequency from physical chirps) from velocity determination (using slow-time frequency from virtual chirps). This segmentation allows each parameter to be extracted independently with simpler processing, avoiding the complex correction steps required in conventional integrated approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension by creating virtual chirps from sampling points distributed across multiple physical chirps. This additional temporal dimension (slow-time) enables velocity measurement through frequency analysis, while the original fast-time dimension handles range measurement, thereby decoupling the complexity of simultaneous range-velocity processing.
2Measurement precision
If conventional radar systems use complex correction steps to achieve precise measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to increased calculation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts velocity information directly from the slow-time frequency component of the received signal, separate from the fast-time frequency used for range measurement. This extraction eliminates the need for complex correction calculations that would otherwise be required to derive velocity from range measurements taken at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary formation of virtual chirps from distributed sampling points before final parameter extraction. By organizing the data into virtual chirp sequences in advance, the system prepares the signal structure needed for direct frequency-based velocity estimation, avoiding computationally intensive post-processing corrections.
3Measurement precision
If radar systems transmit multiple physical chirp signals to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to sequential transmission requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by overlapping virtual chirps in time, where sampling points from multiple physical chirps are combined to form virtual chirps that can overlap. This allows the system to effectively process multiple chirps simultaneously through the virtual signal formation, reducing the total measurement time compared to strictly sequential processing.
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 precise and unambiguous radar measurements with reduced calculation steps, supporting applications in autonomous vehicles and stationary systems by effectively handling large distances and high speeds with improved efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmitting-receiving unit for transmitting and receiving radar signals
Implementation Method 2
transmit a number (in particular a plurality) N of (in particular successive, possibly temporally spaced) physical angle-modulated (in particular phase- and/or frequency-modulated) signals
Implementation Method 3
determines at least one object parameter (in particular a distance or a variable dependent thereon and/or based thereon and/or a velocity, in particular radial velocity, or a variable dependent thereon and/or based thereon)
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to a radar system for the detection of surroundings, in particular for a vehicle and/or a transport device, and/or for stationary application, comprising: at least one transmitting-receiving unit for transmitting and receiving radar signals, which is configured to transmit a plurality M of physical angle-modulated signals, in particular chirps, from which a plurality N of virtual angle-modulated signals, in particular chirps, can be formed, wherein each virtual signal comprises several, in particular M, sampling points which are distributed over the physical chirps.