US20160061936A1 - Dynamic allocation of radar beams in automotive environments with phased array radar - Google Patents
Dynamic allocation of radar beams in automotive environments with phased array radar Download PDFInfo
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- US20160061936A1 US20160061936A1 US13/783,586 US201313783586A US2016061936A1 US 20160061936 A1 US20160061936 A1 US 20160061936A1 US 201313783586 A US201313783586 A US 201313783586A US 2016061936 A1 US2016061936 A1 US 2016061936A1
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- fov
- radar apparatus
- radar
- beam density
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
- G01S7/28—Details of pulse systems
- G01S7/282—Transmitters
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
- G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
- G01S13/42—Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
- G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
- G01S2013/0236—Special technical features
- G01S2013/0245—Radar with phased array antenna
- G01S2013/0254—Active array antenna
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/91—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control
- G01S2013/916—Airport surface monitoring [ASDE]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
- G08G1/167—Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
Definitions
- radar systems on motor vehicles, for example, for collision avoidance and other applications, is known.
- Such radar systems typically transmit radar beams directly in front of a traveling motor vehicle and/or directly to the side of the vehicle in order to provide information on blind spots.
- heretofore radar systems do not accommodate when the motor vehicle is traveling along a curved road. Therefore, a radar apparatus that can focus a subset of radar beams within a field of view (FOV) and at an angle from a projected longitudinal center line of the motor vehicle would be desirable.
- FOV field of view
- a radar apparatus that focuses a subset of transmit beams within a field of view (FOV) is provided.
- the radar apparatus has a phased array transmitter that is operable to generate a transmit beam within the FOV, and a phased array receiver that is operable to receive a receive beam reflected from within the FOV.
- the apparatus also has a radar controller with an electronic circuit and electronic memory, the electronic memory having a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves.
- the radar controller is operable to execute each of the plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves and steer at least one transmit beam generated from a particular executed beam density curve towards a sub-area of the FOV.
- the phased array transmitter transmits a plurality of transmit beams within the FOV as a function of the executed beam density curve
- the radar controller steers a subset of the plurality of transmit beams towards the sub-area within the FOV.
- the subset of steered transmit beams are generated from the executed beam density curve and provide an increased beam density at the sub-area.
- the sub-area within the FOV can be an area of a curved road in front of a motor vehicle traveling on the road, an entrance into an enclosed area, an exit from an enclosed area, a particular area on an airport runway, and the like.
- the radar apparatus has a beam density optimizer algorithm that is operable to calculate a beam density distribution for the sub-area within the FOV.
- the beam density optimizer algorithm is contained within the radar controller.
- the FOV can be divided into a plurality of zones by the radar controller and the beam density optimizer algorithm has a weighting function that provides a weight or a weighted value to a first subset of the plurality of zones that is higher than a weight applied or assigned to a second subset of the plurality of zones.
- the executed beam density curve can be a function of the weighted value of first subset of FOV zones.
- the first subset of field zones can have a target identified by the radar apparatus.
- the radar controller executes a beam density curve and the phased array transmitter transmits a first subset of transmit beams evenly across the FOV and a second subset of transmit beams directed only to the first subset of FOV zones.
- the phased array transmitter transmits a first subset of transmit beams directed to the first subset of FOV zones and a second subset of transmit beams evenly across the FOV.
- the first subset of FOV zones cover a curved portion of a road that the motor vehicle is traveling on, the curved portion located in front of the motor vehicle at an angle, not equal to zero, from a projected longitudinal center line of the motor vehicle.
- the radar controller executes the particular beam density curve as a function of a yaw rate of the motor vehicle.
- the pre-calculated beam density curves can correspond to different radii curved roads that the motor vehicle can or is traveling on.
- a process for operating a motor vehicle radar apparatus in order to focus radar beams on a forward area of a curved road that the motor vehicle is traveling on includes determining a yaw rate of the motor vehicle traveling along the curved road and executing a beam density curve as a function of the determined yaw rate. Thereafter, a plurality of transmit beams corresponding to the executed beam density curve is transmitted with a first subset of the transmitted beams directed evenly across a FOV of the radar apparatus and a second subset of the transmitted beams directed to a selected sub-area of the FOV that is not directly in front of the motor vehicle.
- the process can also include the radar apparatus detecting a target within one or more sub-areas of the radar FOV and executing a beam density curve as a function of the one or more sub-areas where the target is located. Thereafter, a first subset of transmit beams is directed evenly across the radar FOV and a second subset of transmitted beams is directed to the one or more sub-areas.
- FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a prior art radar apparatus
- FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the prior art radar apparatus shown in FIG. 1A when a motor vehicle is traveling along a curved road;
- FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of: (A) a radar resolution map for a field of view (FOV) of a radar apparatus; and (B) a beam distribution as a function of angle within the FOV;
- FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of: (A) a radar resolution map with increased resolution along a straight road; and (B) a beam distribution versus angle that provides the increased resolution shown in (A);
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a graphical illustration of: (A) a resolution map for a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in which increased resolution is shown for a portion of a curved road; and (B) beam distribution as a function of angle that provides for the increased resolution shown in (A);
- FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of: (A) a target map; and (B) a weight map for a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle with a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and traveling on a curved road;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an enclosed area with an entry and/or exit that is monitored by a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an airfield being monitored by a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- a radar apparatus for focusing and/or steering radar beams towards a sub-area of a field of view (FOV) of the radar apparatus is provided.
- the apparatus has utility as a safety component for a motor vehicle, security system, and the like.
- the radar apparatus has a phased array transmitter and a phased array receiver.
- the phased array transmitter is operable to generate and/or propagate a transmit beam within the FOV and the phased array receiver is operable to receive a receive beam reflected from within the FOV.
- a radar controller is also included and has an electronic circuit and an electronic memory.
- the electronic memory has a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves.
- the radar controller is operable to execute each of the plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves and steer at least one transmit beam generated from a particular executed beam density curve towards a sub-area of the FOV. It is appreciated that with the stored pre-calculated beam density curves, computation time is reduced and computational efficiency is increased for the radar apparatus.
- a beam density optimizer may or may not be included as part of the radar apparatus, the beam density optimizer operable to calculate a beam density distribution for the FOV in which a desired sub-area has a relatively high transmit beam density with respect to the remaining FOV.
- the beam density optimizer may or may not have a weighting function that is operable to assign a weight or weight value to a first subset of sub-areas or zones of the FOV that is higher or greater than a weight or weight value that the weighting functions assigns to a second subset of sub-areas or zones of the FOV.
- a particular beam density curve is executed by the radar controller as a function of the weighting of the first and/or second subset of FOV zones.
- the radar apparatus can be part of and/or attach to a motor vehicle and provide for greatly improved resolution for particular areas in proximity of the motor vehicle that are not currently available with prior art radar systems. For example and for illustrative purposes only, the radar apparatus steers a plurality of transmit beams to cover a portion of a curved road that is in front of a motor vehicle and located at an angle from a projected longitudinal center line of the vehicle. In this manner, low radar resolution for curved portions of roads, highways, etc. that are in front of a traveling vehicle is replaced by a high resolution “viewing”.
- FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 10 traveling along a straight portion of a road 106 .
- the vehicle 10 has a prior art radar apparatus 100 that provides a wide angle, low resolution FOV 102 in combination with a low angle, high resolution FOV 104 in front of the vehicle 10 as it travels along the road 106 .
- FIG. 1B when the motor vehicle 10 travels along a curved portion of the road 106 , a sub-area 108 in front of the vehicle 10 is not subjected or covered by the low angle, high resolution FOV 104 .
- the radar apparatus 100 is not capable of providing high radar resolution within the sub-area 108 located at an angle in front of the vehicle 10 as it travels along the road 106 .
- FIG. 2A a resolution map with a FOV superimposed onto a straight portion of the road 106 . Also shown within the resolution map is a high resolution area 110 . Such a resolution map is provided by a beam distribution as shown in FIG. 2B in which the location of transmit beams as a function of angle in front of the radar apparatus is shown at 120 . It is appreciated that, the density of beams as a function of angle is linear as represented by the beam distribution curve 120 . Also shown in FIG. 2B is a beam distribution curve 122 for a single beam at 0 degrees and an overall beam distribution profile 124 over the entire FOV.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a resolution map and beam density profile 124 for a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the radar apparatus can steer one or more transmit beams and provide a relatively high density of transmit beams directed to a desired sub-area of the FOV.
- the high resolution area 110 is projected along the straight portion of road 106 to a greater length when compared to FIG. 2A , which is accomplished by steering an increased number of transmit beams within +/ ⁇ 10 degrees from 0.
- the region 120 a has a greater slope compared to the remainder of the curve 120 and thus graphically illustrates the higher density of transmit beams within the +/ ⁇ 10 degree region.
- the corresponding overall beam distribution profile 124 reflects the increased transmit beam density within this region.
- the apparatus 15 has a transmit phased array 50 with one or more phase shifters 52 in electrical communication with one or more antenna elements 53 .
- the apparatus 15 has a receive phased array 54 with one or more phase shifters 55 in electrical communication with one or more antenna receiving elements 56 .
- one or more amplifier elements can be located between each phase shifter 52 , 55 and an associated transmit antenna element 53 or receiving antenna element 56 .
- a local oscillator 60 that provides a local oscillator signal which is fed to a mixer 58 can also be included.
- the exact electrical connection pattern is not shown in the figure; however, the local oscillator distribution network is typically configured such that the local oscillation signal arriving at each mixer 58 has the same phase and amplitude.
- a software adjustment in digital processing for phase offsets between the local oscillation signals can be provided.
- An electronic control circuit 62 can generate a plurality of beam density curves that are subsequently transmitted with the transmit phased array 50 .
- the electronic control circuit 62 can have memory 64 which has a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves. The electronic control circuit 62 can select one or more of the pre-calculated beam density curves and afford for a beam distribution to be transmitted through the one or more transmit antenna elements 52 .
- the electronic control circuit 62 may or may not have a beam density optimizer 66 , e.g. in the form of an algorithm, that can calculate the beam density distribution for a particular sub-area within the FOV.
- the beam density optimizer 66 may or may not be stored in the memory 64 .
- the beam density optimizer 66 can have a weighting function that is operable to weight, assign a weight and/or assign a weighted value to a first subset and/or second subset of sub-areas or zones within the FOV.
- the electronic control circuit 62 can also divide the FOV into the grid of sub-areas or zones 114 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3A .
- FIG. 5A provides a graphical representation of a resolution map for a curved portion of road 106 , e.g. a portion of the road 106 that has a radius of curvature less than 10,000 feet. Also shown in FIG. 5A is high resolution area 110 that has been steered along or onto the curved portion of the road 106 . Stated differently, the high resolution area 110 is located at an angle from an imaginary line extending perpendicular from the y-axis at the 0 degree point, which corresponds to the projected longitudinal center line 12 shown in FIG. 1B .
- FIG. 5B illustrates the beam distribution and beam density for the resolution map shown in 5 A.
- a relatively high beam density is provided in the region 120 a which is approximately 5 to 30 degrees off center.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a target map and weight map, respectively, in which beam density optimizer 66 provides weighting to sub-areas or zones that cover the curved portion of road 106 and affords for in the electronic control circuit 62 providing a relatively high density of steered transmit beams within the high resolution area 110 .
- FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate a target map and weight map, respectively, in which beam density optimizer 66 provides weighting to sub-areas or zones that cover the curved portion of road 106 and affords for in the electronic control circuit 62 providing a relatively high density of steered transmit beams within the high resolution area 110 .
- FIG. 6B illustrates higher weighted zones 116 and lower weighted zones 118 , the higher weighted zones 116 being targeted in FIG. 6A .
- the higher weighted zones 116 have a relatively high transmit beam density steered thereto as illustrated by beam distribution curve portion 120 a shown in FIG. 5A .
- FIG. 7 illustrates the motor vehicle 10 traveling along the road 106 , the road 106 being a curved road.
- the motor vehicle 10 can have a yaw rate sensor 14 that provides a yaw rate to the radar apparatus 15 .
- the radar apparatus 15 then generates a beam density curve as a function of the yaw rate with a plurality of transmit beams transmitted from antennas 53 such that a high density of beams are provided within sub-area(s) 108 .
- high resolution is provided for a portion of a curved road that the motor vehicle 10 is traveling upon, the curved road portion being at an angle not equal to zero from the vehicle projected center line 12 .
- the electronic control circuit 62 with memory 64 has a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves, one or more of which are selected as a function of the yaw rate and used to generate and transmit the plurality of transmit beams that afford for the high resolution area 108 .
- the radar apparatus 15 of the instant invention can also be used to monitor an area as shown generally at reference numeral 20 .
- the area 20 may or may not be partially or totally enclosed by a boarder 250 , wall, fence and the like.
- the area 20 has a radar apparatus 200 as discussed above, the apparatus 200 having a FOV defined by dotted lines 210 .
- the area 20 also has an entry or exit 252 and the radar apparatus 200 provides an increased beam density 204 directed to the exit or entry area 252 in comparison with the remainder of the FOV. It is appreciated that the increased beam density 204 can be continuously directed towards the sub-area 252 or, in the alternative, directed to the area 252 upon detection of a target, e.g. an individual, entering or leaving the area 20 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates an airfield having a pair of runways 306 .
- a radar apparatus 300 can have a FOV defined within the lines 310 in which portions 302 of the runways 306 are covered/monitored.
- the radar apparatus 300 can steer an increased beam density 304 to the target 305 for improved or higher resolution of the target. In this manner, it can be determined if the target 305 should be removed before the runway 306 is used by an aircraft.
- the radar apparatus 300 can provide uniform coverage of the FOV during nonuse time periods and then focus or steer a high density of beams along a particular runway prior to arrival of an aircraft 320 . In this manner, increased safety, maintenance, and the like can be provided.
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Abstract
Description
- The use of radar systems on motor vehicles, for example, for collision avoidance and other applications, is known. Such radar systems typically transmit radar beams directly in front of a traveling motor vehicle and/or directly to the side of the vehicle in order to provide information on blind spots. However, heretofore radar systems do not accommodate when the motor vehicle is traveling along a curved road. Therefore, a radar apparatus that can focus a subset of radar beams within a field of view (FOV) and at an angle from a projected longitudinal center line of the motor vehicle would be desirable.
- A radar apparatus that focuses a subset of transmit beams within a field of view (FOV) is provided. The radar apparatus has a phased array transmitter that is operable to generate a transmit beam within the FOV, and a phased array receiver that is operable to receive a receive beam reflected from within the FOV. The apparatus also has a radar controller with an electronic circuit and electronic memory, the electronic memory having a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves. The radar controller is operable to execute each of the plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves and steer at least one transmit beam generated from a particular executed beam density curve towards a sub-area of the FOV.
- In some instances, the phased array transmitter transmits a plurality of transmit beams within the FOV as a function of the executed beam density curve, and the radar controller steers a subset of the plurality of transmit beams towards the sub-area within the FOV. The subset of steered transmit beams are generated from the executed beam density curve and provide an increased beam density at the sub-area. The sub-area within the FOV can be an area of a curved road in front of a motor vehicle traveling on the road, an entrance into an enclosed area, an exit from an enclosed area, a particular area on an airport runway, and the like.
- In some instances, the radar apparatus has a beam density optimizer algorithm that is operable to calculate a beam density distribution for the sub-area within the FOV. Although not required, the beam density optimizer algorithm is contained within the radar controller.
- In other instances, the FOV can be divided into a plurality of zones by the radar controller and the beam density optimizer algorithm has a weighting function that provides a weight or a weighted value to a first subset of the plurality of zones that is higher than a weight applied or assigned to a second subset of the plurality of zones. In addition, the executed beam density curve can be a function of the weighted value of first subset of FOV zones. Finally, the first subset of field zones can have a target identified by the radar apparatus.
- The radar controller executes a beam density curve and the phased array transmitter transmits a first subset of transmit beams evenly across the FOV and a second subset of transmit beams directed only to the first subset of FOV zones. In the alternative, the phased array transmitter transmits a first subset of transmit beams directed to the first subset of FOV zones and a second subset of transmit beams evenly across the FOV. In some instances, the first subset of FOV zones cover a curved portion of a road that the motor vehicle is traveling on, the curved portion located in front of the motor vehicle at an angle, not equal to zero, from a projected longitudinal center line of the motor vehicle. In addition, the radar controller executes the particular beam density curve as a function of a yaw rate of the motor vehicle. Also, the pre-calculated beam density curves can correspond to different radii curved roads that the motor vehicle can or is traveling on.
- A process for operating a motor vehicle radar apparatus in order to focus radar beams on a forward area of a curved road that the motor vehicle is traveling on is also provided. The process includes determining a yaw rate of the motor vehicle traveling along the curved road and executing a beam density curve as a function of the determined yaw rate. Thereafter, a plurality of transmit beams corresponding to the executed beam density curve is transmitted with a first subset of the transmitted beams directed evenly across a FOV of the radar apparatus and a second subset of the transmitted beams directed to a selected sub-area of the FOV that is not directly in front of the motor vehicle.
- The process can also include the radar apparatus detecting a target within one or more sub-areas of the radar FOV and executing a beam density curve as a function of the one or more sub-areas where the target is located. Thereafter, a first subset of transmit beams is directed evenly across the radar FOV and a second subset of transmitted beams is directed to the one or more sub-areas.
-
FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a prior art radar apparatus; -
FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the prior art radar apparatus shown inFIG. 1A when a motor vehicle is traveling along a curved road; -
FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of: (A) a radar resolution map for a field of view (FOV) of a radar apparatus; and (B) a beam distribution as a function of angle within the FOV; -
FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of: (A) a radar resolution map with increased resolution along a straight road; and (B) a beam distribution versus angle that provides the increased resolution shown in (A); -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a graphical illustration of: (A) a resolution map for a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in which increased resolution is shown for a portion of a curved road; and (B) beam distribution as a function of angle that provides for the increased resolution shown in (A); -
FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of: (A) a target map; and (B) a weight map for a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle with a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and traveling on a curved road; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an enclosed area with an entry and/or exit that is monitored by a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an airfield being monitored by a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. - A radar apparatus for focusing and/or steering radar beams towards a sub-area of a field of view (FOV) of the radar apparatus is provided. As such, the apparatus has utility as a safety component for a motor vehicle, security system, and the like.
- The radar apparatus has a phased array transmitter and a phased array receiver. The phased array transmitter is operable to generate and/or propagate a transmit beam within the FOV and the phased array receiver is operable to receive a receive beam reflected from within the FOV.
- A radar controller is also included and has an electronic circuit and an electronic memory. In some instances, the electronic memory has a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves. Furthermore, the radar controller is operable to execute each of the plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves and steer at least one transmit beam generated from a particular executed beam density curve towards a sub-area of the FOV. It is appreciated that with the stored pre-calculated beam density curves, computation time is reduced and computational efficiency is increased for the radar apparatus.
- A beam density optimizer may or may not be included as part of the radar apparatus, the beam density optimizer operable to calculate a beam density distribution for the FOV in which a desired sub-area has a relatively high transmit beam density with respect to the remaining FOV. The beam density optimizer may or may not have a weighting function that is operable to assign a weight or weight value to a first subset of sub-areas or zones of the FOV that is higher or greater than a weight or weight value that the weighting functions assigns to a second subset of sub-areas or zones of the FOV. Furthermore, a particular beam density curve is executed by the radar controller as a function of the weighting of the first and/or second subset of FOV zones.
- The radar apparatus can be part of and/or attach to a motor vehicle and provide for greatly improved resolution for particular areas in proximity of the motor vehicle that are not currently available with prior art radar systems. For example and for illustrative purposes only, the radar apparatus steers a plurality of transmit beams to cover a portion of a curved road that is in front of a motor vehicle and located at an angle from a projected longitudinal center line of the vehicle. In this manner, low radar resolution for curved portions of roads, highways, etc. that are in front of a traveling vehicle is replaced by a high resolution “viewing”.
- Turning now to
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 1A schematically illustrates amotor vehicle 10 traveling along a straight portion of aroad 106. Thevehicle 10 has a priorart radar apparatus 100 that provides a wide angle,low resolution FOV 102 in combination with a low angle,high resolution FOV 104 in front of thevehicle 10 as it travels along theroad 106. As shown inFIG. 1B , when themotor vehicle 10 travels along a curved portion of theroad 106, asub-area 108 in front of thevehicle 10 is not subjected or covered by the low angle,high resolution FOV 104. As such, theradar apparatus 100 is not capable of providing high radar resolution within thesub-area 108 located at an angle in front of thevehicle 10 as it travels along theroad 106. - Turning now to
FIG. 2 ,FIG. 2A a resolution map with a FOV superimposed onto a straight portion of theroad 106. Also shown within the resolution map is ahigh resolution area 110. Such a resolution map is provided by a beam distribution as shown inFIG. 2B in which the location of transmit beams as a function of angle in front of the radar apparatus is shown at 120. It is appreciated that, the density of beams as a function of angle is linear as represented by thebeam distribution curve 120. Also shown inFIG. 2B is abeam distribution curve 122 for a single beam at 0 degrees and an overallbeam distribution profile 124 over the entire FOV. - In contrast to the resolution map and
beam density profile 124 shown inFIG. 2 ,FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a resolution map andbeam density profile 124 for a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As stated above, the radar apparatus can steer one or more transmit beams and provide a relatively high density of transmit beams directed to a desired sub-area of the FOV. In particular, thehigh resolution area 110 is projected along the straight portion ofroad 106 to a greater length when compared toFIG. 2A , which is accomplished by steering an increased number of transmit beams within +/−10 degrees from 0. With respect to thebeam distribution curve 120 shown onFIG. 3B , theregion 120 a has a greater slope compared to the remainder of thecurve 120 and thus graphically illustrates the higher density of transmit beams within the +/−10 degree region. In addition, the corresponding overallbeam distribution profile 124 reflects the increased transmit beam density within this region. - With reference to
FIG. 4 , a schematic illustration of a radar apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown generally atreference numeral 15. Theapparatus 15 has a transmit phasedarray 50 with one ormore phase shifters 52 in electrical communication with one ormore antenna elements 53. Similarly, theapparatus 15 has a receive phasedarray 54 with one ormore phase shifters 55 in electrical communication with one or moreantenna receiving elements 56. Although not shown, one or more amplifier elements can be located between eachphase shifter antenna element 53 or receivingantenna element 56. Alocal oscillator 60 that provides a local oscillator signal which is fed to amixer 58 can also be included. - The exact electrical connection pattern is not shown in the figure; however, the local oscillator distribution network is typically configured such that the local oscillation signal arriving at each
mixer 58 has the same phase and amplitude. In the alternative, a software adjustment in digital processing for phase offsets between the local oscillation signals can be provided. Anelectronic control circuit 62 can generate a plurality of beam density curves that are subsequently transmitted with the transmit phasedarray 50. In the alternative, theelectronic control circuit 62 can havememory 64 which has a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves. Theelectronic control circuit 62 can select one or more of the pre-calculated beam density curves and afford for a beam distribution to be transmitted through the one or more transmitantenna elements 52. - The
electronic control circuit 62 may or may not have abeam density optimizer 66, e.g. in the form of an algorithm, that can calculate the beam density distribution for a particular sub-area within the FOV. In addition, thebeam density optimizer 66 may or may not be stored in thememory 64. Thebeam density optimizer 66 can have a weighting function that is operable to weight, assign a weight and/or assign a weighted value to a first subset and/or second subset of sub-areas or zones within the FOV. Theelectronic control circuit 62 can also divide the FOV into the grid of sub-areas orzones 114 illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 3A . - Turning now to
FIGS. 5 and 6 ,FIG. 5A provides a graphical representation of a resolution map for a curved portion ofroad 106, e.g. a portion of theroad 106 that has a radius of curvature less than 10,000 feet. Also shown inFIG. 5A ishigh resolution area 110 that has been steered along or onto the curved portion of theroad 106. Stated differently, thehigh resolution area 110 is located at an angle from an imaginary line extending perpendicular from the y-axis at the 0 degree point, which corresponds to the projectedlongitudinal center line 12 shown inFIG. 1B . -
FIG. 5B illustrates the beam distribution and beam density for the resolution map shown in 5A. As shown by the graph, a relatively high beam density is provided in theregion 120 a which is approximately 5 to 30 degrees off center. In this manner, high resolution for one or more sub-areas within the radar FOV, but not located directly in front ofmotor vehicle 10 can be provided. In addition,FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a target map and weight map, respectively, in whichbeam density optimizer 66 provides weighting to sub-areas or zones that cover the curved portion ofroad 106 and affords for in theelectronic control circuit 62 providing a relatively high density of steered transmit beams within thehigh resolution area 110. For example,FIG. 6B illustrates higherweighted zones 116 and lowerweighted zones 118, the higherweighted zones 116 being targeted inFIG. 6A . In addition, the higherweighted zones 116 have a relatively high transmit beam density steered thereto as illustrated by beamdistribution curve portion 120 a shown inFIG. 5A . - In operation,
FIG. 7 illustrates themotor vehicle 10 traveling along theroad 106, theroad 106 being a curved road. Themotor vehicle 10 can have ayaw rate sensor 14 that provides a yaw rate to theradar apparatus 15. Theradar apparatus 15 then generates a beam density curve as a function of the yaw rate with a plurality of transmit beams transmitted fromantennas 53 such that a high density of beams are provided within sub-area(s) 108. As such, high resolution is provided for a portion of a curved road that themotor vehicle 10 is traveling upon, the curved road portion being at an angle not equal to zero from the vehicle projectedcenter line 12. In the alternative, theelectronic control circuit 62 withmemory 64 has a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves, one or more of which are selected as a function of the yaw rate and used to generate and transmit the plurality of transmit beams that afford for thehigh resolution area 108. - Turning now to
FIG. 8 , theradar apparatus 15 of the instant invention can also be used to monitor an area as shown generally atreference numeral 20. Thearea 20 may or may not be partially or totally enclosed by aboarder 250, wall, fence and the like. Thearea 20 has aradar apparatus 200 as discussed above, theapparatus 200 having a FOV defined bydotted lines 210. Thearea 20 also has an entry orexit 252 and theradar apparatus 200 provides an increasedbeam density 204 directed to the exit orentry area 252 in comparison with the remainder of the FOV. It is appreciated that the increasedbeam density 204 can be continuously directed towards the sub-area 252 or, in the alternative, directed to thearea 252 upon detection of a target, e.g. an individual, entering or leaving thearea 20. - Finally, another embodiment of the radar apparatus is shown in
FIG. 9 atreference numeral 30 which illustrates an airfield having a pair ofrunways 306. Aradar apparatus 300 can have a FOV defined within thelines 310 in whichportions 302 of therunways 306 are covered/monitored. Upon detection of atarget 305, e.g. debris, theradar apparatus 300 can steer an increasedbeam density 304 to thetarget 305 for improved or higher resolution of the target. In this manner, it can be determined if thetarget 305 should be removed before therunway 306 is used by an aircraft. In the alternative, theradar apparatus 300 can provide uniform coverage of the FOV during nonuse time periods and then focus or steer a high density of beams along a particular runway prior to arrival of anaircraft 320. In this manner, increased safety, maintenance, and the like can be provided. - It is understood that various modifications can be readily made to the embodiments of the present invention described herein without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. Accordingly, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments but by the scope of the appended claims.
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