Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for hybrid radar and camera edge sensors are disclosed. Examples disclosed herein relate to a hybrid sensor system having a plurality of edge sensors positioned on the perimeter of a vehicle. The hybrid sensor system processes signals received from the various sensors to identify a target located within the vicinity of the vehicle.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a meta-structure based reflectarray for beamforming wireless applications and a method of operation of passive reflectarrays in an indoor environment. The method includes receiving, by a plurality of passive reflectarrays, a Radio Frequency (RF) signal from a source. The method also includes reflecting, by the plurality of passive reflectarrays, the RF signal to generate a plurality of RF beams to a respective target coverage area, in which each of the plurality of RF beams increases a multipath gain along a signal path between a corresponding passive reflectarray to the respective target coverage area.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an antenna calibration method for a beam steering radar. A first set of input voltages is determined for a plurality of phase shifters coupled to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array in the beam steering radar, the voltages to control phases of signals for transmission by the antenna array. A first set of input voltages is applied to the antenna array. Radiating signals resulting from the first set of input voltages are measured. Voltage and phase values for the plurality of phase shifters are iteratively optimized to determine voltage and phase value pairs that result in a desired gain for the antenna array. The voltage and phase value pairs are stored in a look-up-table in the beam steering radar.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to reconfigurable circuits and systems for a radar system enabling both short-range and long-range operation. A reconfiguration module enables the various configuration changes for operation. The multi-range operation may be used to adjust transmission parameters of other modules including wireless communications.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to reflectarray antenna for enhanced wireless applications. The reflectarray antenna has a ground conductive plane, a dielectric substrate coupled to the ground conductive plane, and a patterned conductive plane coupled to the dielectric substrate and comprising an array of cells to generate an antenna gain. In some aspects, each cell in the array of cells includes a reflector element with a predetermined custom configuration and configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and to generate an RF return beam at a predetermined direction. Other examples disclosed herein relate to a portable reflectarray and a method of fabricating a reflectarray antenna.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a smart infrastructure sensing and communication system. The system includes a resonant structure formed of an array of resonant cells and attached to a glass of a smart infrastructure. The resonant structure generates a radio frequency (“RF”) signal that is shaped and steered by the array. A controller is in communication with the resonant structure to receive the RF signal.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a radiating structure having a plurality of slotted transmission lines, each transmission line including a plurality of boundary lines defining each transmission line, wherein slots are positioned in each transmission line and include a first set of slots interspersed with a second set of slots, the second set of slots having a size smaller than the first set of slots, and a plurality of irises positioned proximate each of the slots and along the length of each transmission line. The radiating structure also has an array of radiating elements proximate the slotted transmission lines so as to receive a transmission signal from the slotted transmission lines and generate a radiation pattern corresponding to the transmission signal.

Abstract: An integrated window structure having opposing substrates that sandwich an electrochromic coating, a dye layer and an ion-isolating mechanism. In some embodiments, this is a selective ion-conductive layer and other embodiments incorporate nanostructures and polymers to tether the dye ions; these methods prevent dye ions from transporting into the electrochromic layer during redox activity. Control and systems to integrate the electrochromic elements in windows is provided.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a radar system for three-dimensional beam scanning that includes an antenna module that radiates radio frequency (RF) beams with an analog beamforming antenna in a plurality of directions using phase control elements and generates radar data capturing a surrounding environment from received RF return signals. The antenna module includes a first transceiver operational at a first frequency and configured to scan a field of view with first RF beams along a first axis, and a second transceiver operational at a second frequency and configured to scan the field of view with second RF beams along a second axis. The radar system also includes a perception module that detects and identifies a target in the surrounding environment from the radar data.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to radar systems to coordinate detection of objects external to the vehicle and distractions within the vehicle. A method of environmental detection with a radar system includes detecting an object in an external environment of a vehicle with the radar system positioned on the vehicle. The method includes determining a distraction metric from measurements of user activity obtained within the vehicle with the radar system. The method includes adjusting one or more detection parameters of the radar system based at least on the detected object and the distraction metric. Other examples disclosed herein relate to a radar sensing unit for a vehicle that includes an internal distraction sensor, an external object detection sensor, a coordination sensor and a central controller for internal and external environmental detection.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a system of object detection, the system including a continuous modulation signal unit to generate a continuous modulation signal, a code generation unit to sample, quantize and encode the continuous modulation signal to generate an encoded signal, a transmit antenna to transmit the encoded signal, and a receive antenna to receive a reflection of the encoded signal and separate the reflection of the encoded signal from other signals.

Abstract: Radar systems are disclosed to detect objects in non-line-of-sight (“NLOS”) areas. A clutter signature is used to determine a location and motion of an object.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an antenna system in a radar system for object detection with a sounding signal. The antenna system includes a radiating array of elements configured to transmit a reference signal and an antenna controller coupled to the radiating array of elements. The antenna controller is configured to detect a set of reflections of the reference signal from an object. The antenna is configured to determine a location of the object and a mobility status from the set of reflections. The antenna controller is also configured to generate signaling indicating the location and mobility status of the object as output to identify a target object different from the object. Other examples disclosed herein relate to a radar system and a method of object detection with the radar system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a metamaterial-based object detection system. An intelligent antenna metamaterial interface (IAM) associates specific metamaterial unit cells into sub-arrays to adjust the beam width of a transmitted signal. The IAM is part of a sensor fusion system that coordinates a plurality of sensors, such as in a vehicle, to optimize performance. In one implementation, an MTM antenna structure is probe-fed to create a standing wave across the unit cells.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a multi-layer, multi-steering (“MLMS”) antenna array for millimeter wavelength applications. The MLMS antenna array includes a superelement antenna array layer comprising a plurality of superelement subarrays. In some aspects, each superelement subarray of the plurality of superelement subarrays includes a plurality of phase compensated slots for radiating a transmission signal. The MLMS antenna array also includes a power division layer configured to serve as a feed to the superelement antenna array layer. The MLMS antenna array also includes a top layer disposed on the superelement antenna array layer. The top layer may include a superstrate or a metamaterial antenna array. Other examples disclosed herein include a radar system for use in an autonomous driving vehicle.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a receive antenna array using main and side lobe portions to enhance object detection in a radar system. The receive antenna array includes an array of radiating elements and an antenna controller. The antenna controller determines portions of a radiation pattern of the array of radiating elements in response to detection of an object. The antenna controller also determines a directivity of a transmission from the array of radiating elements to increase gain of the transmission in a direction of the object based on the one or more portions of the radiation pattern. In some aspects, the portions includes a first portion of the radiation pattern that corresponds to a main lobe, a second portion that corresponds to at least one side lobe portion and a third portion that corresponds to an overlapping area of the main lobe and the at least one side lobe.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an analog beamforming antenna for millimeter wavelength applications. The analog beamforming antenna includes a superelement antenna array layer comprising an array of superelements, in which each superelement includes a coupling aperture oriented at a predetermined non-orthogonal angle relative to a plurality of radiating slots for radiating a transmission signal. The analog beamforming antenna also includes a power division layer configured to serve as a feed to the superelement antenna array layer, in which the power division layer comprising a plurality of phase control elements configured to apply different phase shifts to transmission signals propagating to the superelement antenna array layer. The analog beamforming antenna also includes a top layer disposed on the superelement antenna array layer. The top layer may include a superstrate or a metamaterial antenna array. Other examples disclosed herein include a radar system for use in an autonomous driving vehicle.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a multi-layer, multi-steering (“MLMS”) antenna array for millimeter wavelength applications. The MLMS antenna array includes a superelement antenna array layer comprising a plurality of superelement subarrays, in which each superelement subarray of the plurality of superelement subarrays includes a plurality of radiating slots for radiating a transmission signal. The MLMS antenna array also includes a power division layer configured to serve as a feed to the superelement antenna array layer, in which the power division layer includes a dielectric layer interposed between a plurality of conductive layers. The MLMS antenna array also includes a top layer disposed on the superelement antenna array layer. The top layer may include a superstrate or a metamaterial antenna array. Other examples disclosed herein include a radar system for use in an autonomous driving vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosures provide methods and apparatuses for a metamaterial antenna structure having a plurality of super elements of slotted transmission lines. The metamaterial antenna structure has an aperture structure with apertures positioned in a specific orientation relative to a centerline of the aperture structure and configured to propagate transmission signals from a distributed feed network through the apertures. The metamaterial antenna structure also has a transmission array structure comprising a plurality of transmission lines coupled to the aperture structure and configured to propagate the transmission signals from the aperture structure through one or more slots in the transmission array structure, in which the apertures of the aperture structure are interposed between the slots. The metamaterial antenna structure also has a radiating array structure coupled to the transmission array structure and configured to radiate the transmission signals from the transmission array structure.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a reflector device, having a first conductive layer of substrate, a dielectric layer of substrate, and a second conductive layer patterned with a first and a second set of frequency selective elements configured to reflect an incident electromagnetic radiation beam into a plurality of reflected beams at phase angles different from that of the incident electromagnetic radiation beams.