Abstract: Antenna structures and assemblies for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a plurality of elongated radiating slots formed in a first array, which may extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to each another within the first array. The assembly may further comprise a plurality of elongated protrusions formed in a second array, which may extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to each another within the second array. In some embodiments, each radiating slot within the first array may similarly extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to each elongated protrusion within the second array.

Abstract: Waveguides and related assemblies for use, for example, in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the waveguide may comprise a conductive member having a first plurality of posts arranged in a first row thereon. A second plurality of posts may be arranged in a second row on the conductive member to define a waveguide between the first plurality of posts and the second plurality of posts. One or more platforms may be provided to project at least a subset of the first plurality of posts and the second plurality of posts beyond at least a portion of the conductive member adjacent to the one or more platforms. A second conductive member, such as a cover, may be coupled to the conductive member such that the first and second pluralities of posts extend between the conductive member and the cover.

Abstract: Antenna structures and assemblies for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a feed waveguide comprising one or more feeding slots and a parallel plate waveguide operably coupled with the feed waveguide such that each of the one or more feeding slots of the feed waveguide is configured to inject electromagnetic energy into the parallel plate waveguide. A plurality of radiating slots may be formed in a plurality of rows and/or columns extending away from the feed waveguide to deliver electromagnetic energy out of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: RADAR sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide comprising a waveguide groove defined by opposing waveguide groove structures. An antenna structure may be operably coupled with the waveguide. A printed circuit board may be operably coupled with the waveguide and may comprise an electrically conductive top layer, an electrically conductive bottom layer, and a substrate positioned in between the electrically conductive top layer and the electrically conductive bottom layer. The electrically conductive top layer may comprise an opening exposing the substrate, which opening may extend along the waveguide groove in between the opposing waveguide groove structures. This configuration may allow for various parameters of the printed circuit board to be modified to tune a performance of a sensor/antenna.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna assemblies for RADAR sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide block defining one or more waveguides, each waveguide defined by a waveguide groove. In some embodiments, at least a portion of at least one waveguide groove is non-straight, such as meandering/oscillating back and forth. An antenna structure may be operably coupled with the one or more waveguides, which structure may comprise an array of one or more slots. In some embodiments, a single, elongated slot of the one or more slots may extend along an axis of each waveguide groove for delivering electromagnetic radiation from a corresponding waveguide of the one or more waveguides therethrough.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, an antenna module for a vehicle sensor may comprise a receive (RX) array of elongated RX antenna slots and a transmit (TX) array of TX antenna slots. The TX array may comprise both one or more vertically-shifted TX antenna slots and one or more high-gain and/or squinted TX antenna arrays, each comprising a plurality of high-gain antenna slots.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, an antenna module may comprise a waveguide and an antenna structure, such as one or more slots/slits operably coupled with the waveguide groove. The antenna structure may be positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide therethrough. A plurality of tapering surfaces may be formed along the antenna structure. Each of the plurality of tapering surfaces may be formed so as to alternate between opposing sides of the antenna structure and be spaced apart from each adjacent tapering surface of the plurality of tapering surfaces.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide block comprising a first surface on a first side of the waveguide block and a second surface on a second side of the waveguide block opposite the first side. One or more waveguides may be formed in the waveguide block. One or more antenna slots may be operably coupled with one or more of the waveguides. One or more auxiliary grooves may be positioned adjacent to at least one of the antenna slots and may mimic, or at least substantially mimic, at least one of the one or more antenna slots, such as in length and/or width.

Abstract: Antenna and/or waveguide assemblies for vehicles, such as RADAR sensor antenna assemblies, along with associated signal confinement structures. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an antenna block defining one or more waveguides. A conductive layer may be coupled to the antenna block to form, at least in part, a wall of the waveguide. The assembly may comprise one or more periodic structures that may be operably coupled to the waveguide, each of which may comprise a first elongated opening and a first series of repeated slots extending at least substantially transverse to the first elongated opening, wherein each of the first series of repeated slots is spaced apart from an adjacent slot in the first series of repeated slots along the first elongated opening.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, an antenna module may comprise a waveguide and an antenna structure, such as one or more slots/slits operably coupled with the waveguide groove. The antenna structure may be positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide therethrough. A plurality of tapering surfaces may be formed along the antenna structure. Each of the plurality of tapering surfaces may be formed so as to alternate between opposing sides of the antenna structure and be spaced apart from each adjacent tapering surface of the plurality of tapering surfaces.

Abstract: Waveguides and related assemblies for use, for example, in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the waveguide may comprise a conductive member having a first plurality of posts arranged in a first row thereon. A second plurality of posts may be arranged in a second row on the conductive member to define a waveguide between the first plurality of posts and the second plurality of posts. One or more platforms may be provided to project at least a subset of the first plurality of posts and the second plurality of posts beyond at least a portion of the conductive member adjacent to the one or more platforms. A second conductive member, such as a cover, may be coupled to the conductive member such that the first and second pluralities of posts extend between the conductive member and the cover.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna assemblies for RADAR sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide block defining one or more waveguides, each waveguide defined by a waveguide groove. In some embodiments, at least a portion of at least one waveguide groove is non-straight, such as meandering/oscillating back and forth. An antenna structure may be operably coupled with the one or more waveguides, which structure may comprise an array of one or more slots. In some embodiments, a single, elongated slot of the one or more slots may extend along an axis of each waveguide groove for delivering electromagnetic radiation from a corresponding waveguide of the one or more waveguides therethrough.

Abstract: Antenna structures and assemblies for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a feed waveguide comprising one or more feeding slots and a parallel plate waveguide operably coupled with the feed waveguide such that each of the one or more feeding slots of the feed waveguide is configured to inject electromagnetic energy into the parallel plate waveguide. A plurality of radiating slots may be formed in a plurality of rows and/or columns extending away from the feed waveguide to deliver electromagnetic energy out of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide groove extending along an elongated axis on a first side of a block and an antenna structure operably coupled with the waveguide groove. The antenna structure may comprise an antenna slot extending along the elongated axis on a second side of the block opposite from the first side and the antenna slots may be positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide groove therethrough. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more grooves extending adjacent to the antenna slot, such as opposing grooves extending adjacent to the antenna slot.

Abstract: RADAR sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a plurality of waveguides, each waveguide of the plurality of waveguides being defined by a waveguide groove. A slot may be positioned to extend along an axis of each of the plurality of waveguide grooves. Each of the waveguides may be further defined, at least in part, by a periodic feature that extends back and forth in a periodic manner along at least a portion of its respective waveguide and a plurality of periodic signal confinement structures, a first periodic signal confinement structure of which may extend adjacent to a first side of each of the plurality of waveguides, and a second periodic signal confinement structure which may extend along a second side of each of the plurality of waveguides opposite the first side.

Abstract: Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide groove extending along an elongated axis. An antenna structure may be operably coupled with the waveguide groove and may comprise one or more slots extending within the waveguide groove along the elongated axis. The antenna structure may be positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide groove therethrough. The waveguide groove and/or the slot(s) of the antenna structure may intermittently oscillate on opposite sides of the elongated axis, in some embodiments in a periodic manner, along at least a portion of the elongated axis.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a vehicle sensor module, such as a RADAR sensor module. In some implementations, the method may comprise forming a sub-assembly comprising a plurality of stacked layers formed into a self-contained radome and adhering the sub-assembly to a first side of an antenna block, the first side comprising a plurality of waveguide grooves formed therein. The sub-assembly may be applied so as to provide a weatherproof seal to each of the plurality of waveguide grooves formed in the antenna block. A PCB layer may be applied to a second side of the antenna block opposite the first side and the antenna block may be seated within a cover such that the second side is protected by the cover and the first side is protected by the self-contained radome.

Abstract: Antenna assemblies for vehicles, such as RADAR sensor antenna assemblies. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an antenna block defining a waveguide groove and an adapter portion comprising a ridge. The ridge may taper or otherwise transition in height and/or width to facilitate a transition between two adjacent elements of the assembly, such as two adjacent waveguide structures comprising ridges having different cross-sectional dimensions.

Abstract: Antenna assemblies for vehicles, such as RADAR sensor antenna assemblies. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an antenna block defining an array of waveguide grooves on a first side of the antenna block. A slotted layer comprising a plurality of slots may be coupled with the antenna block with the slots at least partially aligned with the waveguide grooves of the antenna block. An adhesive layer may be positioned in between the antenna block and the slotted layer.

Abstract: Antenna assemblies, such as RADAR or other sensor antenna assemblies for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an antenna block defining a waveguide groove on a first side of the antenna block with opposing rows of posts positioned opposite from one another. A plurality of antenna slots may be positioned in the waveguide groove and may extend from the first side of the antenna block to a second side of the antenna block opposite the first side. A PCB or other means for generating electromagnetic energy may be coupled with the antenna block and be configured to feed the waveguide groove with an EM signal. The plurality of antenna slots formed in the antenna block may be configured to radiate electromagnetic energy from the antenna block.