Abstract: A system for generating a map is disclosed herein. The system may comprise a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) unit mountable to a terrestrial vehicle. The system may further comprise one or more computer processors operatively coupled to the SAR unit. The one or more computer processors may be individually or collectively programmed to: (i) while the terrestrial vehicle is in motion, use the SAR unit to (1) transmit a first set of signals to an environment external to the vehicle and (2) collect a second set of signals from the environment; and (ii) use at least the second set of signals to generate the map of the environment in memory.

Abstract: A method for radar imaging is disclosed herein. The method may comprise using a plurality of radar antenna arrays provided on a terrestrial vehicle to obtain phase measurements associated with one or more radar signals transmitted and received by the plurality of radar antenna arrays as the terrestrial vehicle moves through an environment. The method may further comprise processing the phase measurements to compute (i) a set of object-specific properties for one or more objects external to the terrestrial vehicle and (ii) a set of vehicle-specific properties for the terrestrial vehicle. The method may further comprise using the set of object-specific properties and the set of vehicle-specific properties to generate one or more radar images of the environment as the terrestrial vehicle moves through the environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for processing radar data. The system may comprise a frequency generator configured to generate a reference frequency signal; a timing module configured to generate a shared clock signal or a plurality of timing signals; and a plurality of radar modules in communication with the frequency generator and timing module. The radar modules may be configured to: (i) receive the reference frequency signal and at least one of a shared clock signal and a timing signal, (ii) transmit a first set of radar signals based in part on the reference frequency signal and at least one of the shared clock signal and the timing signal, and (iii) receive a second set of radar signals reflected from a surrounding environment. The system may comprise a processor configured to process radar signals received by each radar module, by coherently combining radar signals using phase and timestamp information.

Abstract: A system for determining a spatial disposition or a characteristic of a target external to a terrestrial vehicle is provided. The system may comprise a radar antenna array configured to transmit and receive radar signals, and a controller operatively coupled to the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use spatial information of the terrestrial vehicle and a spatial configuration of the radar antenna array to generate an enhanced main lobe by attenuating one or more side lobes in an effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array or enhancing a main lobe in the effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use the enhanced main lobe to determine (i) the spatial disposition of the target relative to the terrestrial vehicle or (ii) the characteristic of the target.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for processing radar data. The system may comprise a frequency generator configured to generate a reference frequency signal; a timing module configured to generate one or more timing signals; and a plurality of radar modules in communication with the frequency generator and timing module. The radar modules may be configured to: (i) receive the reference frequency signal and the one or more timing signals, (ii) transmit a first set of radar signals based in part on the reference frequency signal and the one or more timing signals, and (iii) receive a second set of radar signals reflected from a surrounding environment. The system may comprise a processor configured to process radar signals received by the plurality of radar modules, by coherently combining radar signals using phase and timestamp information.

Abstract: A system for determining a spatial disposition or a characteristic of a target external to a terrestrial vehicle is provided. The system may comprise a radar antenna array configured to transmit and receive radar signals, and a controller operatively coupled to the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use spatial information of the terrestrial vehicle and a spatial configuration of the radar antenna array to generate an enhanced main lobe by attenuating one or more side lobes in an effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array or enhancing a main lobe in the effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use the enhanced main lobe to determine (i) the spatial disposition of the target relative to the terrestrial vehicle or (ii) the characteristic of the target.

Abstract: A system for determining a spatial disposition or a characteristic of a target external to a terrestrial vehicle is provided. The system may comprise a radar antenna array comprising a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, a vehicle position sensor configured to obtain a spatial disposition of the terrestrial vehicle, and a controller operatively coupled to the radar antenna array and the vehicle position sensor. The controller can be configured to synchronize successive radar pulses transmitted by the transmitting antenna and a plurality of signals received by the receiving antenna, with the spatial disposition of the terrestrial vehicle obtained by the vehicle position sensor substantially in real time as the terrestrial vehicle is in motion, to generate a set of synchronized measurements, and use the set of synchronized measurements to determine (i) the spatial disposition of the target relative to the terrestrial vehicle or (ii) the characteristic of the target.