Phased array based radar system for vehicular collision avoidance
First Claim
1. A vehicular collision avoidance system, comprising:
- a first scanning phased array radar system mounted on a vehicle;
a microprocessor configured to control operation of the phased array radar and determine when a radar target creates an unsafe driving condition by repeatedly tracking a target and calculating a minimum probable position of the target relative to the vehicle based on an extrapolation of a recorded path for the target; and
means for warning a driver of the vehicle when an unsafe driving condition occurs, wherein said vehicular collision avoidance system provides a warning to the vehicle driver when unsafe driving conditions result from an automobile approaching the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A phased array based radar and vehicular safety warning system for collision avoidance, including a phased array based radar, a controlling processor, and a warning system that also provides a warning to the driver of the equipped vehicle as well as drivers of other, non-equipped automobiles involved in an unsafe driving condition. The phased array radar includes a flexible antenna array that may be mounted conformally on existing automobiles without detracting from their design curvature. In one embodiment a pair of phased array radar antenna may be oriented towards opposing sides of an equipped automobile to provide warning surveillance of vehicles laterally approaching the equipped auto from the sides. In another embodiment a phased array radar antenna is oriented to the rear of the equipped automobile to provide warning surveillance of vehicles following the equipped auto too closely, and for warning of unsafe lane changes. In still another alternative embodiment a pair of phased array radar antenna having 180° fields of view may be installed in a pod mounted on the roof of the equipped automobile to provide 360° warning surveillance coverage.
108 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A vehicular collision avoidance system, comprising:
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a first scanning phased array radar system mounted on a vehicle; a microprocessor configured to control operation of the phased array radar and determine when a radar target creates an unsafe driving condition by repeatedly tracking a target and calculating a minimum probable position of the target relative to the vehicle based on an extrapolation of a recorded path for the target; and means for warning a driver of the vehicle when an unsafe driving condition occurs, wherein said vehicular collision avoidance system provides a warning to the vehicle driver when unsafe driving conditions result from an automobile approaching the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicular collision avoidance system, comprising:
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a first scanning phased array radar mounted on one side of a vehicle and having a 180°
field of view;a second scanning phased array radar oriented towards an opposing side of the vehicle and also having a generally 180°
field of view;a microprocessor configured to control operations of the phased array radar and determine when a radar target creates an unsafe driving condition by measuring successive positions of the target, calculating a current velocity of the target, and correlating with successive target positions to estimate a probable path of the target relative to the vehicle; and means for warning a driver of the vehicle of an unsafe driving condition, wherein said vehicular collision avoidance system provides a warning to the vehicle driver when an unsafe driving condition results from an obstacle or automobile in front of the vehicle, an automobile approaching from the side of a vehicle, and an automobile following too closely behind the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vehicular collision avoidance system, comprising:
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a first scanning phased array radar oriented towards a rear of an equipped vehicle; a microprocessor configured to control operation of the phased array radar and determine when a target automobile creates an unsafe driving condition by measuring successive positions of the target, calculating a velocity of the target, and correlating with successive target positions to estimate a probable path of the target relative to the vehicle; and means for warning a driver of the target automobile of an unsafe driving condition, wherein said vehicle collision avoidance system provides a warning to the target automobile driver when an unsafe driving condition results from following the vehicle too closely. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification