FMCW RADAR SENSOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 20120169525A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Klar, Michael, Binzer, Thomas, Heilmann, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 8,922,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/70
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/345 using triangular modulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/426 Scanning radar, e.g. 3D radar G01S13/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9325 for inter-vehicle distance regulation, e.g. navigating in platoons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4004 of parts of a radar system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4039 of sensor or antenna obstruction, e.g. dirt- or ice-coating
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0037 linear waveguide fed arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/22 varying the orientation in accordance with variation of frequency of radiated wave

Abstract

FMCW radar sensor for motor vehicles, having at least one antenna element and a modulation device for feeding the antenna element using a frequency-modulated transmission signal, whose frequency periodically sweeps a frequency band, characterized in that the antenna element has multiple subelements, which are positioned in a vertical column and fed serially, and the modulation device is implemented for the purpose of variably setting the frequency position of the frequency band.

Claims

1-5. -5. (canceled)

6. An FMCW radar sensor for a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one antenna element; and

a modulation device for feeding the antenna element using a frequency-modulated transmission signal whose frequency periodically sweeps a frequency band;

wherein the antenna element has multiple subelements which are positioned in a vertical column and fed serially, and the modulation device is configured to variably set a frequency position of the frequency band.

7. The radar sensor as recited in claim 6, wherein the antenna element is a monostatic element.

8. The radar sensor as recited in claim 6, wherein the radar sensor includes multiple antenna elements which are staggered to one another in a horizontal direction.

9. The radar sensor as recited in claim 6, wherein the antenna element is positioned on a circuit board which is in turn positioned at a distance to a microwave lens.

10. A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an FWCM radar sensor including at least one antenna element, and a modulation device for feeding the antenna element using a frequency-modulated transmission signal whose frequency periodically sweeps a frequency band;

wherein the antenna element has multiple subelements which are positioned in a vertical column and fed serially, and the modulation device is configured to variably set a frequency position of the frequency band; and

a functional module which is configured to cause a change of the frequency position of the frequency band and to recognize blinding of the radar sensor when a received signal remains unaffected by the change of the frequency position.