Electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for radar mounted on vehicle

• US 20060176214A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakagawa, Kado
• Granted Patent: US 7,221,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/174
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4026 Antenna boresight
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/403 in azimuth, i.e. in the horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4034 in elevation, i.e. in the vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4086 in a calibrating environment, e.g. anechoic chamber

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar capable of readily and precisely adjusting an electric wave axis only by making the scanning range and a detection range identical to each other and changing a scanning range, and of adjusting the electric wave axis of an on-vehicle radar without wasting time in order to detect a reflector. In the electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar of the present invention, an on-vehicle radar includes: a radar portion for generating the electric wave; a scanning unit for changing a transmission/reception direction of the electric wave to form within a scanning range, along with having an antenna for transmitting/receiving the electric wave; a signal processing unit for calculating a direction of the reflector based on amplitude of the reflected electric wave; and a scanning range changing unit for changing the angle of the scanning range to an axis side of the vehicle based on the direction of the reflector calculated by the signal processing means to align an electric wave axis of the on-vehicle radar with the axis.

Claims

1. An electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar, comprising:

a reflector disposed in a predetermined position relative to a vehicle; and

an on-vehicle radar for transmitting an electric wave toward the reflector and receiving an electric wave reflected by the reflector, to thereby detect the reflector,

the on-vehicle radar comprising;

a radar portion for generating the electric wave;

scanning means for changing a transmission/reception direction of the electric wave to form within a scanning range, along with having an antenna for transmitting/receiving the electric wave;

signal processing means for calculating a direction of the reflector based on amplitude of the reflected electric wave; and

scanning range changing means for changing the angle of the scanning range to an axis side of the vehicle based on the direction of the reflector calculated by the signal processing means to align an electric wave axis of the on-vehicle radar with the axis.

2. An electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar according to claim 1, wherein the scanning range changing means repeatedly changes the scanning range at intervals of 0.1 degrees to the axis side until the direction of the reflector calculated by the signal processing means falls within ±

0.1 degrees with respect to the axis.

3. An electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar according to claim 1, wherein the scanning range changing means changes the scanning range at a time by an inner angle between the direction of the reflector calculated by the signal processing means and the axis.

4. An electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar according to claim 1, further comprising scanning range change angle storing means for storing therein information on a change angle for the scanning range obtained by the scanning range changing means,

wherein during drive of the vehicle, the scanning range changing means changes the scanning range based on the information on the change angle from the scanning range change angle storing means.

5. An electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar according to claim 1, wherein the scanning range is symmetrical with respect to the electric wave axis as a central line, and the scanning range changing means changes an inner angle between the central line and the axis.

6. An electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar according to claim 1, wherein only when a position/direction of the reflector falls within a predetermined range, the scanning range changing means changes the scanning range by driving the scanning means.

7. An electric wave axis adjusting apparatus for an on-vehicle radar according to claim 1, wherein when the position/direction of the reflector is beyond the predetermined range, the scanning range changing means carries out a fail notification for adjustment for the electric wave axis.