Metamaterial-Based Object-Detection System
First Claim
1. An object-detection system comprising:
- a signal source configured to generate an input signal having a radio wave frequency;
a phase shifting element array including a plurality of metamaterial structures, each said metamaterial structure configured to resonate at said radio wave frequency in response to said input signal such that said plurality of metamaterial structures respectively generate electromagnetic radiation output signals having said radio wave frequency by way of retransmitting said input signal; and
a beam control circuit configured to generate a plurality of variable capacitances and to apply each said variable capacitance to an associated said metamaterial structure such that an effective capacitance of said associated metamaterial structure is altered by a corresponding change in each said applied variable capacitance, whereby said plurality of metamaterial structures respectively generate said electromagnetic radiation output signals at corresponding output phases determined by said plurality of variable capacitances, wherein said beam control circuit is further configured to vary said plurality of variable capacitances such that said output signals collectively generate a scan beam that sweeps across a field disposed in front of said phase shifting element array.
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Abstract
An object-detection system for, e.g., a vehicle collision avoidance system, utilizes a metamaterial-based phase shifting element array to generate a scan beam by varying the effective capacitance of each metamaterial structure forming the array in order to control the phases of their radio frequency output signals such that the combined electromagnetic wave generated by the output signals is reinforced in the desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions to produce the scan beam. The metamaterial structures are configured to resonate at the same radio wave frequency as an incident input signal (radiation), whereby each metamaterial structure emits an associated output signal by way of controlled scattering the input signal. A variable capacitance is applied on each metamaterial structure, e.g., using varicaps that are adjusted by way of phase control voltages, to produce the desired output phase patterns. The metamaterial structures are constructed using inexpensive metal film or PCB fabrication technology.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An object-detection system comprising:
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a signal source configured to generate an input signal having a radio wave frequency; a phase shifting element array including a plurality of metamaterial structures, each said metamaterial structure configured to resonate at said radio wave frequency in response to said input signal such that said plurality of metamaterial structures respectively generate electromagnetic radiation output signals having said radio wave frequency by way of retransmitting said input signal; and a beam control circuit configured to generate a plurality of variable capacitances and to apply each said variable capacitance to an associated said metamaterial structure such that an effective capacitance of said associated metamaterial structure is altered by a corresponding change in each said applied variable capacitance, whereby said plurality of metamaterial structures respectively generate said electromagnetic radiation output signals at corresponding output phases determined by said plurality of variable capacitances, wherein said beam control circuit is further configured to vary said plurality of variable capacitances such that said output signals collectively generate a scan beam that sweeps across a field disposed in front of said phase shifting element array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle collision avoidance system for avoiding collision of a host vehicle with one or more objects, the vehicle including an adaptive cruise control system capable of assuming automated control of the vehicle, the vehicle collision avoidance system comprising:
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a phase shifting element array including a plurality of metamaterial structures disposed to receive a single electromagnetic radiation input signal having a radio wave frequency, each said metamaterial structure configured to resonate at said radio wave frequency such that said each metamaterial structure generates an associated electromagnetic radiation output signal having said radio wave frequency, wherein said phase shifting element array is mounted on said vehicle such that said output signals generated by said plurality of metamaterial structures are directed into a field located adjacent to said vehicle; a beam control circuit configured to generate a plurality of variable capacitances and to apply each said variable capacitance to an associated said metamaterial structure such that an effective capacitance of said associated metamaterial structure is altered by a corresponding change in each said applied variable capacitance, whereby said plurality of metamaterial structures respectively generate said electromagnetic radiation output signals at corresponding output phases determined by said plurality of variable capacitances, wherein said beam control circuit is further configured to vary said plurality of variable capacitances such that a combined electromagnetic wave generated by said output signals is reinforced in an angular emission direction, whereby the said output signals collectively generate a scan beam directed in the angular emission direction, and wherein said beam control circuit is further configured to gradually change said plurality of variable capacitances such that the scan beam direction of the scan beam emitted from said phase shifting element array gradually changes, thereby causing the scan beam to sweep across said field; a receiver configured to detect beam portions of said scan beam that are reflected from one or more objects disposed in said field, and to generate beam detection data indicating detection of said one or more objects in accordance with said detected beam portions, and a signal processing circuit configured to detect the position of said one or more objects in said field in accordance with said beam detection data, and to transmit collision control avoidance data to said adaptive cruise control system such that said adaptive cruise control system assumes automated control of the vehicle to avoid collision with said one or more objects. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A vehicle comprising:
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an adaptive cruise control system capable of assuming automated control of the vehicle; and an object detection system including; a signal source configured to generate an electromagnetic radiation input signal having a radio wave frequency; a phase shifting element array including a plurality of metamaterial structures disposed in proximity to said signal source such that said plurality of metamaterial structures are subjected to said input signal, each said metamaterial structure configured to resonate at said radio wave frequency such that said plurality of metamaterial structures respectively generate electromagnetic radiation output signals having said radio wave frequency, wherein said phase shifting element array is mounted on said vehicle such that said output signals are directed into a field located adjacent to said vehicle; a beam control circuit configured to generate a plurality of variable capacitances and to apply each said variable capacitance to an associated said metamaterial structure such that an effective capacitance of said associated metamaterial structure is altered by a corresponding change in each said applied variable capacitance, whereby said plurality of metamaterial structures respectively generate output signals at corresponding output phases determined by said plurality of variable capacitances, wherein said beam control circuit is further configured to vary said plurality of variable capacitances such that a combined electromagnetic wave generated by said output signals is reinforced in an angular emission direction, whereby the said output signals collectively generate a scan beam directed in the angular emission direction, and wherein said beam control circuit is further configured to gradually change said plurality of variable capacitances such that the scan beam direction of the scan beam emitted from said phase shifting element array gradually changes, thereby causing the scan beam to sweep across said field; a receiver configured to detect beam portions of said scan beam that are reflected from one or more objects disposed in said field, and to generate beam detection data indicating detection of said one or more objects in accordance with said detected beam portions, and a signal processing circuit configured to detect the position of said one or more objects in said field in accordance with said beam detection data, and to transmit collision control avoidance data to said adaptive cruise control system such that said adaptive cruise control system assumes automated control of the vehicle to avoid collision with said one or more objects.
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Specification