Radar apparatus including a wave guide array and a dielectric lens

• US 6,480,160 B1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yazaki North America Incorporated (Yazaki Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yazaki North America Incorporated (Yazaki Corporation)
• Inventors: Wilson, Terry B., Hamman, Gary M., Bjornholt, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALSOMIRI, ISAM A
• Application Number:
  US09/973,582
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 342/70-72, 342/158, 342/175, 343/770, 343/767, 343/757, 343/753, 343/754, 343/755
• US Class Current: 343/754
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/062 for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0037 linear waveguide fed arrays

Abstract

A radar apparatus has an inclined slot wave guide array to form a narrow azimuth beam and a dielectric lens in front of the array to form a narrow elevation beam. The radar apparatus is particularly useful for motor vehicular collision warning systems. The inclined slot wave guide forms an antenna which is driven to oscillate back and forth at a small angle. The dielectric lens is fixed in position relative to the slotted wave guide antenna. The combination of the slotted array for forming a narrow horizontal pattern in combination with the dielectric lens for forming a vertical pattern provides an arrangement that is readily scannable.

Claims

1. A sensing system including:

(a) an oscillating slotted wave guide antenna;

(b) a transceiver coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving radar signals as the antenna is oscillated;

(c) a curved dielectric lens positioned adjacent to the antenna; and

(d) said slotted wave guide antenna forming a narrow horizontal pattern and said dielectric lens forming a narrow vertical pattern.

2. The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the slots in the antenna are alternatively inclined in opposite directions.

3. The sensing system of claim 2 wherein the antenna is oscillated at a small angle.

4. The sensing system of claim 3 wherein the scanned signals from the antenna are directed to a processor and system for initiating warnings to the driver or adaptively controlling the vehicle.

5. The sensing system of claim 4 wherein the curved dielectric lens is fixed in position and wherein the lens is curved on only a single side that is adjacent to the antenna.

6. A radar sensing system with an inclined slotted wave guide array to form a narrow azimuth pattern and a dielectric lens adjacent to the array to form a narrow elevation pattern wherein the combination of the inclined slotted wave guide array and dielectric lens allows for the formation of concentrated horizontal and vertical patterns for scanning.