Enhanced RF detection system
First Claim
1. A radio frequency (RF) obstacle detection system of a vehicle, the system comprising:
- an RF radar module coupled to the vehicle and configured to transmit an initial RF signal having a first signal strength and to receive at least one reflected RF signal having a second signal strength based on the initial RF signal;
a radar reflector module coupled to the vehicle and disposed at a first distance remotely located from the RF radar module, the radar reflector module configured to receive the RF signal generated by the RF radar module and efficiently retroreflect the RF signal to generate a reflected signal having a second signal strength back to the RF radar module; and
a control module coupled to the vehicle and configured to determine a second distance between the radar reflector module and at least one obstacle remotely located from the vehicle based on the reflected signal provided by the radar reflector module and a received signal induced by the at least one obstacle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio frequency (RF) obstacle detection system of a vehicle includes an RF radar module that transmits an initial RF signal having a first signal strength and to receive at least one reflected RF signal having a second signal strength based on the initial RF signal. A radar reflector module is coupled to the vehicle and disposed at a first distance remotely located from the RF radar module. The radar reflector module receives the RF signal generated by the RF radar module and efficiently retroreflects the RF signal to generate a reflected signal having a second signal strength back to the RF radar module. A control module determines a second distance between the radar reflector module and at least one obstacle remotely located from the vehicle based on the reflected signal provided by the radar reflector module and a received signal induced by the at least one obstacle.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A radio frequency (RF) obstacle detection system of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an RF radar module coupled to the vehicle and configured to transmit an initial RF signal having a first signal strength and to receive at least one reflected RF signal having a second signal strength based on the initial RF signal; a radar reflector module coupled to the vehicle and disposed at a first distance remotely located from the RF radar module, the radar reflector module configured to receive the RF signal generated by the RF radar module and efficiently retroreflect the RF signal to generate a reflected signal having a second signal strength back to the RF radar module; and a control module coupled to the vehicle and configured to determine a second distance between the radar reflector module and at least one obstacle remotely located from the vehicle based on the reflected signal provided by the radar reflector module and a received signal induced by the at least one obstacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of detecting an obstacle with respect to a vehicle, the method comprising:
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transmitting via an RF radar module an initial RF signal having a first signal strength and receiving via the RF radar module at least one retroreflected RF signal having a second signal strength based on the initial RF signal; and determining a second distance between the radar reflector module and at least one obstacle remotely located from the vehicle based on the second reflected signal and a third signal induced by the at least one obstacle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification