Sensor for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals

• US 20050237250A1
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Microwave Sensors GmbH
• Original Assignee: Smart Microwave Sensors GmbH
• Inventors: Mende, Ralph
• Granted Patent: US 7,365,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/754
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor comprising a housing, inside of which a transmitting antenna array that transmits electromagnetic transmission signals in a radiation area and a receiving antenna array that receives received signals reflected by at least one object located within the radiation area are provided. The inventive sensor is designed in such a manner that the transmitting antenna array is provided for transmitting transmission signals in a main radiation area (3) and in a secondary radiation area (4) situated at an angle, thereto, and in that the receiving antenna array (TX) is provided for receiving received signals reflected in both radiation areas (3, 4). This makes it possible, for example when used in a monitor vehicle (5), to monitor the area behind and next to the motor vehicle (5) with a single transmitting antenna (1).

Claims

1. A sensor having a housing in which a transmitting antenna array for transmitting electromagnetic transmission signals in a radiation area, and a receiving antenna array for receiving reception signals which are reflected at least one object within the radiation area are arranged, characterized int hat the transmitting antenna array is designed to transmit transmission signals in a main radiation area and a secondary radiation area which is at an angle thereto, and in that the receiving antenna array (RX) is configured to receive reception signals which are reflected in both radiation areas.

2. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting antenna is actuated in such a way that the main radiation area is at an acute angle to a geometric orientation of the transmitting antenna.

3. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transmission range in the main radiation area is at an acute angle to a geometric orientation of the transmitting antenna.

4. The sensor as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the transmission range in the main radiation area is more than four times as large as in the secondary radiation area.

5. The sensor as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the range is between 30 and 50 m in the main radiation area, and is between 2 and 10 m in the secondary radiation area.

6. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the receiving antenna array (RX) has two receiving antennas one of which is aligned with the main radiation area, and the other of which is aligned with the secondary radiation area.

7. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the receiving antenna array (RX) has at least one receiving antenna which is configured to receive reception signals which are reflected from both radiation areas.

8. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting antenna is a planar antenna.

9. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one receiving antenna is embodied as a planar antenna.

10. The sensor as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that it is configured to transmit and receive radar signals.

11. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting antenna array has a transmitting antenna which transmits the transmission signals both in the main radiation area and in the secondary radiation area.