Radar field-of-view enhancement method and apparatus for matching field-of-view to desired detection zone
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPaul Kirk Zoratti, Jeffrey Schaefer
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Abstract
A radar field-of-view enhancement method particularly adapted for vehicle radar detection systems having a specified detection zone. In accordance with the invention, a pair of discrete radar beams are employed having differing arc widths. Return signals from the discrete beams are compared and related to the area of a desired detection zone. This approach increases the reliability of detection in the detection zone while minimizing false alarms and missed detection areas. The beams are alternately switched on using discrete sources or by implementing a discrete phase shifting element interposed between the sources.
Claims20
A radar detection system for a vehicle having a desired detection zone spatially associated with said vehicle, comprising:
- a first radar source generating a first radar beam pattern having a first arc beam width with said first beam pattern superimposed upon said detection zone to substantially encompass said detection zone, said first radar source producing a first object detection signal indicating the presence of an object within said first beam pattern, said first beam pattern including a false alarm area outside said detection zone,
- a second radar source generating a second beam pattern having a second arc beam width having an angular measure less than said first arc beam width with said second radar pattern superimposed upon said detection zone to encompass less than the entirety of said detection zone and not encompassing at least a portion of said false alarm area, said second radar source producing a second object detection signal indicating the presence of an object within said second beam pattern, and
- a signal processor for comparing said first object detection signal with said second object detection signal and producing a composite detection signal not affected by objects in at least a portion of said false alarm area.
A method of detecting the presence of an object present in a desired detection zone spatially associated with a vehicle, comprising:
- generating a first radar beam pattern having a first arc beam width with said first beam pattern superimposed upon said detection zone to substantially encompass said detection zone,
- producing a first object detection signal from said first radar beam pattern indicating the presence of an object within said first beam pattern, said first beam pattern including a false alarm area outside said detection zone,
- generating a second beam pattern having a second arc beam width having an angular measure less than said first arc beam width with said second radar pattern superimposed upon said detection zone to encompass less than the entirety of said detection zone and not encompassing at least a portion of said false alarm area,
- producing a second object detection signal from said second beam pattern indicating the presence of an object within said second beam pattern, and
- comparing said first object detection signal with said second object detection signal and producing a composite detection signal not affected by objects in at least a portion of said false alarm area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.