Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording operational events in an automotive radar system. The invention provides an Event Recording Apparatus (ERA) that records selectable vehicle performance, operational status, and/or environment information, including information useful for accident analysis and updated software for use by a system processor capable of reading data from the ERA. The preferred embodiment of the ERA comprises a non-volatile solid-state memory card, a memory card adapter located in a vehicle, and a microprocessor, either as part of the memory card or embedded in a system within the vehicle, for controlling the storage of data within the memory card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a driver's performance under actual real-time conditions and for using such evaluations to determine the driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle compares the information gathered by a radar system and other sensors with information previously stored in an event recording device. Conditions monitored are used to make a determination as to whether the driver is performing in conformity with normal driving standards and the driver's own past performance. The driver's performance is constantly monitored and compared to that driver's past performance to determine whether the driver's present performance is impaired, and if so, whether the impairment is detrimental to the driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle.

Abstract: A monopulse vehicular radar system for tracking a target about an automotive vehicle senses a transmitted signal reflected back from the target and received at two different locations, determines the sum and the difference of the reflected signals sensed at the two locations, and compares the sum and difference to determine the deviation of the target from a reference azimuth. A source frequency provided by a Gunn diode is applied to and transmitted by a two-lobe monopulse antenna. The antenna lobes detect the reflected signals from the target by sensing them at the two different lobes. A hybrid junction provides sum and difference signals to mixers which homodyne the signals to produce sum and difference Doppler frequency signals using the source frequency. The Doppler frequency signals are amplified and then compared to determine the deviation of the target from the reference azimuth.

Abstract: A radar system for sensing the presence of obstacles in a vehicle's "blind spots" and generating a signal to the vehicle operator indicative of the presence of such an obstacle. The system uses a common radar transceiver that transmits a radio frequency signal directed at a blind spot of the vehicle. The signal is reflected off any obstacles that are present in that blind spot region. A Doppler shift in the received reflected frequency generally indicates that an obstacle has moved into the blind spot. Doppler frequencies attributable to objects which are of no interest, such as stationary objects, are filtered out. Only obstacles that are traveling at approximately the same speed and direction as the vehicle are considered to be of interest, and will cause the blind spot sensor to generate an indication that an obstacle is present in the blind spot. The indication is preferably an unobtrusive illuminated indicator which is affixed to one of the vehicle's mirrors.

Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance radar system using digital signal processing techniques including a transmit section that generates a two channel transmit frequency. An antenna both transmits the transmit signal and receives a reflected receive signal. A Schottky diode mixer generates a difference signal having a frequency equal to the transmit frequency minus the receive frequency. A signal switch in a front end electronics section time demultiplexes and samples the channel 1 and channel 2 signals. The samples are coupled to a two-channel analog to digital (A/D) converter. A digital electronics section receives the digital information and performs a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on each channel of digital data to determine relative speed and range of a target based upon the frequency and the difference in phase of the two channels.

Abstract: An interference avoidance system used in conjunction with a vehicular target detection system. The microwave transceiver section of the vehicular target detection system, in which the present invention is incorporated, transmits and receives time-multiplexed microwave signals having at least two channels (frequencies) spaced about 250 kHz apart. The time-multiplexed transmit signal is transmitted and strikes objects (targets) in the environment, and a portion of the transmit signal is reflected back the antenna. A difference signal having a frequency equal to the difference between the frequency of the transmit and the received signal is generated, digitized, and a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is performed on the digitized difference signal. A microcontroller analyzes the energy spectrum to determine whether there is interference present. If such interference is present, the microcontroller causes the transmit frequency to change until a frequency is found which is relatively free of the interference.

Abstract: A cruise control system for a vehicle includes a vehicle borne radar for determining range and closing rate of the vehicle relative to a target, such as another moving vehicle, ahead of the vehicle. The range and closing rate are used to determine a new set speed for the cruise control system which may be less than but is not greater than the speed entered in the cruise control by the driver of the vehicle. The new set speed is selected to prevent the vehicle from overtaking the target, and ideally reduces the closing rate to zero at a predetermined minimum distance from the target. In determining the new set speed, the system also determines incremental movements for the vehicle throttle using a selected gain boost and designed to minimize throttle jerk. If the target moves out of the path of the vehicle or speeds up, the system adjusts accordingly and eventually allows the vehicle to resume the originally entered speed when possible.

Abstract: A monopulse vehicular radar system for tracking a target about an automotive vehicle senses a transmitted signal reflected back from the target and received at two different locations, determines the sum and the difference of the reflected signals sensed at the two locations, and compares the sum and difference to determine the deviation of the target from a reference azimuth. A source frequency provided by a Gunn diode is applied to and transmitted by a two-lobe monopulse antenna. The antenna lobes detect the reflected signals from the target by sensing them at the two different lobes. A hybrid junction provides sum and difference signals to mixers which homodyne the signals to produce sum and difference Doppler frequency signals using the source frequency. The Doppler frequency signals are amplified and then compared to determine the deviation of the target from the reference azimuth.