Multi-beam automobile radar system

• US 6,043,772 A
• Filed: 11/21/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Voigtlaender, Klaus, Wagner, Klaus-Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US08/975,621
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 342/70, 342/71, 342/72, 342/175
• US Class Current: 342/70
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/34 using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/48 using multiple beams at emission or reception
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/032 Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems
• 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 19/062 for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/007 using two or more primary active elements in the focal region of a focusing device for operation on different wavebands H01Q5/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40

Abstract

A multi-beam automobile radar system includes at least one antenna that forms a total of at least two antenna lobes. At least one of these antenna lobes serves to transmit and receive radar signals. At least one other antenna lobe serves only to receive radar signals. An advantage of the automobile radar system is that with one antenna lobe which serves only for receiving radar signals, it is possible to eliminate duplexers, for example, in the form of double rat race arrangements.

Claims

1. A multi-beam automobile radar system, comprising:

at least one antenna including at least one feeder line and a focusing device, the at least one antenna forming first and second antenna lobes, the first antenna lobe transmitting and receiving radar signals, the second antenna lobe only receiving radar signals.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna includes only one antenna, and the first and second antenna lobes lie in a plane.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feeder line includes at least one patch antenna element, and the focusing device includes a dielectric lens.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second antenna lobe lies on a main beam axis of the at least one antenna.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one antenna further forms a third antenna lobe, the first antenna lobe being on a first side of the second antenna lobe, the third antenna lobe being on a second side of the second antenna lobe opposite the first side, the third antenna lobe transmitting and receiving radar signals.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first and third antenna lobes at least partially overlap the second antenna lobe.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first and third antenna lobes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the main beam axis.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna lobe lies over a main beam axis of the at least one antenna.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one antenna further forms a third antenna lobe, the second and third antenna lobes being arranged symmetrically on two sides of the first antenna lobe, the third antenna lobe only receiving radar signals.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the second and third antenna lobes at least partially overlap the first antenna lobe.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feeder line produces the second antenna lobe and is connected to a double rat race.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feeder line produces the first antenna lobe and is connected directly to a receiving mixer.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feeder line includes a first feeder line forming the first antenna lobe and a second feeder line forming the second antenna lobe, and further comprising a duplexer device associated only with the first feeder line.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the duplexer device includes a double rat race device.