AUTOMOTIVE RADAR SYSTEM WITH GUARD BEAM
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a target with a radar system, comprising:
- a. generating a first beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one first direction;
b. generating a second beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one second direction, wherein a second direction of said at least of second direction is substantially aligned with a first direction of said at least one first direction, said second beam of electromagnetic radiation in said second direction overlaps a main lobe of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in said first direction, said main lobe of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in said first direction is adapted to illuminate a valid target to be detected by said radar system, and a substantial portion of said second beam of electromagnetic radiation extends beyond said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one third direction so as to provide for illuminating a false target to be ignored by said radar system;
c. generating a first signal responsive to receiving first reflected electromagnetic radiation of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation, wherein said first reflected electromagnetic radiation is reflected by an environment of said radar system;
d. generating a second signal responsive to receiving second reflected electromagnetic radiation of said second beam of electromagnetic radiation, wherein said second reflected electromagnetic radiation is reflected by said environment of said radar system; and
e. processing said first and second signals so as to provide for discriminating said valid target from said false target.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A predictive collision radar system in a vehicle incorporates a first antenna and a guard antenna, the associated radiation patterns of which overlap with one another, but the radiation pattern of the guard antenna is broader than that of the first antenna. A comparison of signals from the first and guard antennas provides for rejecting targets that are not likely a threat to the vehicle. In one embodiment the first antenna is a multi-beam antenna with an electromagnetic lens, for example, either dielectric or planar, and a signal from a forward looking element thereof is compared with the signal from the guard antenna aligned therewith. In another embodiment, an electromagnetic lens is adapted to cooperate with the guard antenna so as to provide for forming the associated radiation pattern.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a target with a radar system, comprising:
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a. generating a first beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one first direction;
b. generating a second beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one second direction, wherein a second direction of said at least of second direction is substantially aligned with a first direction of said at least one first direction, said second beam of electromagnetic radiation in said second direction overlaps a main lobe of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in said first direction, said main lobe of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in said first direction is adapted to illuminate a valid target to be detected by said radar system, and a substantial portion of said second beam of electromagnetic radiation extends beyond said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one third direction so as to provide for illuminating a false target to be ignored by said radar system;
c. generating a first signal responsive to receiving first reflected electromagnetic radiation of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation, wherein said first reflected electromagnetic radiation is reflected by an environment of said radar system;
d. generating a second signal responsive to receiving second reflected electromagnetic radiation of said second beam of electromagnetic radiation, wherein said second reflected electromagnetic radiation is reflected by said environment of said radar system; and
e. processing said first and second signals so as to provide for discriminating said valid target from said false target.
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2. A radar antenna system, comprising:
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a. at least one first antenna feed element adapted to transmit and receive a corresponding at least one first beam of electromagnetic radiation;
b. at least one second antenna feed element adapted to transmit and receive a corresponding at least one second beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one second direction, wherein said second beam of electromagnetic radiation in said second direction overlaps a main lobe of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in said first direction, said main lobe of said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in said first direction is adapted to illuminate a valid target to be detected by said radar system, and a substantial portion of said second beam of electromagnetic radiation extends beyond said first beam of electromagnetic radiation in at least one third direction so as to provide for illuminating a false target to be ignored by said radar system; and
c. a processor, wherein said processor is adapted to receive a first signal received by a first feed element of said at least one first feed element, said processor is adapted to receive a second signal received by a second feed element of said at least one first second element, wherein a direction of a first beam of electromagnetic radiation of said at least one first beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by said first feed element is substantially similar to a direction of a second beam of electromagnetic radiation of said at least one second beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by said second feed element, said first signal is responsive to reflected energy from said first beam of electromagnetic radiation, and said second signal is responsive to reflected energy from said second beam of electromagnetic radiation, said processor provides for processing said first and second signals so as to distinguish a valid target from a false target, wherein said valid target would be illuminated by both said first and said second beams of electromagnetic radiation, when said invalid target is illuminated substantially only by said second beam of electromagnetic radiation. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification