Abstract: A LiDAR system and method includes a pulse modulation circuit and an amplitude modulation circuit for applying pulse modulation and amplitude modulation to a continuous signal to generate a plurality of amplitude-modulated pulses of the continuous signal. An optical modulation circuit applies the amplitude-modulated pulses of the continuous signal to an optical signal to generate a pulse amplitude-modulated (PAM) optical signal. Optical transmission elements transmit the PAM optical signal into a region, and optical receiving elements receive reflected optical signals from the region. Receive signal processing circuitry uses quadrature detection to process the reflected optical signals.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electronic control unit comprises assembling a terminal carrier holding a plurality of terminal pins into a housing using translational motions, inserting at least one comb tool through one or more connector openings until a plurality of beams of the comb tool are placed between the terminal carrier, a comb support feature, and a shoulder on an end of each of a plurality of terminal pins, and assembling a printed circuit board substrate to the plurality of terminal pins by inserting the end of each of the plurality of terminal pins into the printed circuit board substrate using a press fit.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an antenna pattern of a sensor in an automotive detection system includes receiving reflected signals and generating receive signals indicative of the reflected signals. Processing the receive signals to generate detections of objects including one or more ground-stationary clutter objects, each of the detections being associated with a detected azimuth and detected relative velocity of each ground-stationary clutter object. For each of a plurality of angles with respect to a boresight of an antenna of the sensor, processing the detected azimuth and detected velocity of one of the ground-stationary clutter objects and a signal indicative of velocity of the sensor to generate an actual antenna pattern for the antenna of the sensor. A calibrated antenna pattern for the antenna of the sensor is generated using the actual antenna pattern to adjust an assumed antenna pattern.

Abstract: A mountable sensor assembly for mounting on the sheet metal of a vehicle assembly. The sheet metal may have an opening for mounting the mountable sensor assembly. The mountable sensor assembly may include a sensor circuit and a sensor housing assembly. The sensor housing assembly may include a first portion with a cavity that receives the sensor circuit and a second portion that slideably interacts with the first portion to lock the sensor housing into the opening in the sheet metal.

Abstract: RADAR assemblies and related structures for vehicles. In some embodiments, a RADAR assembly may be provided comprising a RADAR module, a bracket coupled with the RADAR module, and a conformal layer comprising a surface configured to conform with and be positioned adjacent to a surface of a portion of vehicle fascia. The conformal layer may be configured to decrease the reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation from the RADAR module relative to the vehicle fascia. The RADAR assembly may be configured to be coupled with the vehicle fascia such that the conformal layer is spaced apart from the vehicle fascia to define an air gap between the conformal layer and the vehicle fascia, and the air gap may be configured to further decrease the reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation from the RADAR module relative to the vehicle fascia.

Abstract: A radar detection system and method include a radar detector for transmitting radar signals over a plurality of sweeps, detecting reflected returning radar signals for the sweeps, and converting the reflected returning radar signals into digital data signals, which are processed to by a time-averaging approach by which data for each of a plurality of range-plus-velocity (RV) bins is analyzed over multiple sweeps to detect a first clutter object at particular RV value and an RV-averaging approach by which data for a plurality of RV values within each sweep are combined to form RV averages for each sweep and the RV averages for a plurality of sweeps are analyzed over multiple sweeps to detect a second clutter object. The processor indicates that the radar detector is not blocked if the time-averaging approach or the RV averaging approach results in at least one of the clutter objects being detected.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the length of a trailer attached to a vehicle includes a processor and a sensor mounted to the vehicle and in communication with the processor. The sensor is configured to sense at least one target on the trailer and provide information to the processor regarding the location of the at least one target. The processor is configured to determine an estimate of the wheel based length (laa1) of the trailer by utilizing a wheel angle (?) of the vehicle, a hitch point (zk) of the vehicle, the first hitch angle (?1), a wheel base (lza) of the vehicle, a distance (lzk) between the hitch point (zk) and a front axle of vehicle, and a lane radius (rza). The processor is configured to determine the length of a trailer attached to the vehicle by utilizing the wheel based length (laa1) of the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a circuit board, a sealant and a baseplate. The housing may have a shelf and a flange along an open side. The circuit board may be (i) disposed on the shelf of the housing and inside the flange of the housing and (ii) secured to the housing. The sealant may be dispensed (i) through the open side of the housing and (ii) along a gap between the flange and the circuit board. The baseplate may be compressed to the housing thereby causing the sealant to flow between (i) the baseplate and the circuit board and (ii) the baseplate and the flange.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor assembly and a housing assembly. The sensor assembly may have (i) a package surrounding a sensor and (ii) a plurality of terminals integrated with the package. The housing assembly may have (i) a first cavity configured to receive the sensor assembly, (ii) a second cavity configured to receive an electrical connector, (iii) a plurality of ports in communication between the first cavity and the second cavity and (iv) a location feature configured to orient the housing assembly while the housing assembly is mounted to a structure. At least one rib may apply at least one force on the sensor assembly to hold the sensor assembly in the first cavity. The sensor may be outside a plane of the force. The terminals may extend through the ports from the first cavity to the second cavity.

Abstract: A system and method characterizes the height of targets in an environment around a vehicle. Signals are transmitted into the environment and return signals are received to determine a track corresponding to a target. For each track, bins are generated, each bin corresponding to a segment of the range, the segments having a gradually increasing size between the minimum range and maximum range. Range and magnitude values of the received return signals are determined for a selected track. A plurality of filled bins are determined, filled bins indicating that a return signal within the selected track has a range value falling within the segment corresponding to said bin. When the number of filled bins exceeds a set threshold, the return signals having range values within the segments corresponding to the filled bins are analyzed to characterize a height of the target.

Abstract: An antenna includes a substrate, a first array of transmit antenna patches on the substrate, and a second array of receive antenna patches on the substrate. A spatial orientation of the first array with respect to the second array is selected based on a predetermined desired radiation coupling between the first array and the second array. The antenna can be part of an automotive radar sensor.

Abstract: Surface treatment methods for improving electromagnetic interaction characteristics and related assemblies. In some embodiments, a vehicle RADAR assembly may comprise a RADAR module, a housing, and a surface having a plurality of parallel grooves defining a plurality of pointed projections. The plurality of grooves may be configured to decrease the reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation from the RADAR module relative to the housing and/or to de-cohere reflected radiation. In some embodiments, the grooves may be specifically sized and/or shaped to improve upon the RADAR signal interaction characteristics of the housing or other element having the surface.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided with a housing, a sensor package, and terminals. The housing may include a connector opening configured to mate with a wire harness connector. The sensor package may include conductive pads exposed in a surface of the sensor package. The terminals may be inserted into the housing and extend into the connector opening. The terminals form an electrical and mechanical connection the conductive pads of sensor package.

Abstract: A system for configuring at least one sensor system of a vehicle includes a processor, at least one sensor, and a memory device. The processor is configured to execute the method that includes the steps of, during a learning mode, receiving signals from the at least one sensor regarding one or more objects attached to the vehicle, storing in a memory device at least one location of one or more objects attached to the vehicle in the memory and detected by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An automotive detection system includes a first sensor which transmits first transmitted signals into a region and receives first reflected signals and generates first receive signals. A second sensor transmits second transmitted signals into the region and receives second reflected signals and generates second receive signals. A processor: receives first portions of the first and second receive signals and processes the first portions to generate a relative misalignment angle related to misalignment of the first and second sensors relative to each other; receives a second portion of the first receive signals; uses the received second portion of the first receive signals to determining an absolute misalignment angle of the first sensor independent of an absolute misalignment angle of the second sensor; and uses the relative misalignment angle and the absolute misalignment angle of the first sensor to generate the absolute misalignment angle of the second sensor.

Abstract: A radar sensor includes a memory storing a model defining a relationship between a condition of the radar sensor and a plurality of features of radar detections, the model being generated by a machine learning approach and storing values of the plurality of features associated with the known states of the condition of the radar sensor. A radar detector transmits radar signals into a region, detects reflected returning radar signals from the region, and converts the reflected returning radar signals into digital data signals. A processor receives the digital data signals and processes the digital data signals to generate actual radar detections, each characterized by a plurality of the features of radar detections. The processor applies values of the features of the actual radar detections to the model to determine the state of the condition of the radar sensor.

Abstract: A system for monitoring dielectric constant of a substrate includes a resonator structure formed on a surface of the substrate. A distal end of a waveguide is coupled to the resonator structure and spaced apart from the resonator structure such that a gap is provided between the distal end of the waveguide and the resonator structure. An excitation energy is coupled to the resonator structure out of the waveguide, and a response energy from the resonator structure is coupled into the waveguide and is detected at a proximal end of the waveguide. A detector detects the response energy received at the proximal end of the waveguide and generates a signal indicative of the detected response energy. A processor is coupled to the detector for receiving the signal indicative of the detected response energy and processing the signal to determine dielectric constant of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first sensor, a second sensor and a control unit. The first sensor may be configured to perform a vision detection of an interior of a vehicle. The second sensor may be configured to perform a physical detection of the interior of the vehicle. The control unit may comprise an interface configured to receive the vision detection and the physical detection. The control unit may be configured to perform sensor fusion based on the vision detection and the physical detection, generate a mapping of the interior of the vehicle based on the sensor fusion, (c) compare the mapping with event information and (d) determine an arrangement of corrective measures in response to the comparison of the mapping and the event information. The mapping may classify objects, occupants and critical features within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a connector, a circuit board and a cap. The housing may have a first opening, a second opening and a third opening. The connector (i) may be configured to seal the first opening of the housing and (ii) may have one or more pins. The circuit board (i) may be disposed inside the housing and (ii) may have one or more vias configured to receive the pins. The second opening may be configured to transfer the circuit board into the housing. The third opening may be configured to receive a comb tool that presses the pins into the vias. The comb tool may be removed from the third opening after the pins are disposed in the vias. The cap may be configured to seal the third opening.

Abstract: System and methods are provided which involve a radar system that includes one or more signal generators configured for generating a composite radar waveform formed by combining different component waveforms; and a detector for detecting reflected signals from the composite waveform and determining velocity and distance measurements of a target relative to a host vehicle. Advantageously, the first and second component waveforms are selected such that the composite waveform is able to meet two different sets of resolution requirements with respect to at least one of: (i) the velocity measurement of the target vehicle relative to the host vehicle and (ii) the distance measurement of a target vehicle relative to the host vehicle. Notably, each of the different sets of resolution requirements is pre-selected based on a different type of detection scenario.