Abstract: A novel system that allows for 3D radar detection that simultaneously captures the lateral and depth features of a target is disclosed. This system uses only a single transceiver, a set of delay-lines, and a passive antenna array, all without requiring mechanical rotation. By using the delay lines, a set of beat frequencies corresponding to the target presence can be generated in continuous wave radar systems. Likewise, in pulsed radar systems, the delays also allow the system to determine the 3D aspects of the target(s). Compared to existing solutions, the invention, in embodiments, allows for the implementation of simple, reliable, and power efficient 3D radars.

Abstract: Automotive radar systems may employ a reconfigurable connection of antennas to radar transmitters and/or receivers. An illustrative embodiment of an automotive radar system includes: a radar transmitter; a radar receiver; and a digital signal processor coupled to the radar receiver to detect reflections of a signal transmitted by the radar transmitter and to derive signal measurements therefrom. At least one of the radar transmitter and the radar receiver are switchable to provide the digital signal processor with signals from each of multiple combinations of transmit antenna and receive antenna.

Abstract: A radar antenna calibration method includes: forming a detection matrix from signals detected by an arrangement of receive antennas in response to chirps transmitted by an arrangement of transmit antennas, the detection matrix having multiple rows corresponding to the chirps, multiple columns corresponding to a signal sample, and multiple planes corresponding the receive antennas; deriving a range matrix by performing a frequency transform on a portion of each row of the detection matrix; extracting a slice of the range matrix, with different rows of the slice being associated with different chirps and with different receive antennas; deriving a velocity matrix from the extracted slice by performing a frequency transform on a portion of each column of the extracted slice; analyzing the velocity matrix to determine a current peak width; and adjusting, based on the current peak width, phase shifts associated with one or more of the receive antennas.

Abstract: A radar detection method with receive antenna calibration includes: forming a detection matrix from signals detected by an arrangement of receive antennas in response to chirps transmitted by an arrangement of transmit antennas, the detection matrix having multiple rows corresponding to the chirps, multiple columns corresponding to a sample of the signals, and multiple planes corresponding the receive antennas; deriving a range matrix by performing a frequency transform on a portion of each row of the detection matrix; deriving a velocity matrix by performing a frequency transform on a portion of each column of the range matrix; deriving a direction-of-arrival matrix by performing a frequency transform on a portion of one or more layers of the velocity matrix; analyzing the direction-of-arrival matrix to determine a current peak width; and adjusting, based on the current peak width, phase shifts associated with one or more antennas.

Abstract: One illustrative embodiment of a radar system includes: a signal generator, a variable phase shifter element, and a mixer. The signal generator supplies a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal to a transmit antenna protected by a housing, which causes a housing reflection having a frequency offset from the FMCW signal. The variable phase shifter element derives a reference signal from the FMCW signal by applying a time-dependent phase shift based on the frequency offset. The mixer obtains a receive signal including said housing reflection and multiplies the receive signal with the reference signal to produce a downconverted signal.

Abstract: An automotive radar system that is switchable between one or more high power modes and one or more increased channel modes. The radar system includes multiple transmit antennas, an integrated circuit including a transmit chain generating a positive transmit signal and a negative transmit signal that together form a differential transmit signal, and a coupling interface. The coupling interface configurably couples the differential transmit signal to two transmit antennas of the multiple transmit antennas to selectively drive the two transmit antennas in either a differential mode or in a power-combining mode that combines power from the positive transmit signal and negative transmit signal to drive a first transmit antenna of the multiple transmit antennas while isolating a second transmit antenna of the two transmit antennas.

Abstract: An improved circuit configuration is disclosed for calibrating and/or verifying the operation of phase shifters in a phased array radar system. In one illustrative embodiment, a method includes: (i) programming a set of phase shifters to convert a radio frequency signal into a set of channel signals; (ii) splitting off a monitor signal from each channel signal while coupling the set of channel signals to a set of antenna feeds; and (iii) while taking the monitor signals in pairs associated with adjacent channels, measuring a relative phase between each pair of monitor signals.

Abstract: An array of one or more integrated circuits includes at least one local input port to receive a chirp signal from a local generator; one or more primary input ports to each receive a respective chirp signal from a remote source; a primary switch arrangement operable to switch between the chirp signals from the at least one local input port and the one or more primary input ports to produce a composite signal having a chirp sequence with at least one chirp that begins during a settling period of a previous chirp; and one or more primary output ports to supply a local oscillator signal to a transmitter and a receiver based on the composite signal. The roles of master circuit and follower circuit can change during operation of the array.

Abstract: A multi-antenna signal encoding method comprises receiving an antenna signal and a reference signal a first mixer; producing, using the first mixer, a down-converted signal based on the antenna signal and the reference signal; receiving, at one or more second mixers, second antenna signals and second reference signals orthogonal to the first reference signal; producing one or more second down-converted signals based on the one or more second antenna signals and the one or more second reference signals; converting, using an analog-to-digital converter, a summation signal corresponding to a sum of the first down-converted signal and the one or more second down-converted signals, into a digital receive-signal; and extracting, at a processor, a plurality of digital signals from the digital receive-signal, wherein each of the plurality of digital signals corresponds to one of the first antenna signal and the one or more second antenna signals.

Abstract: Disclosed active reflector apparatus and methods that inhibit self-induced oscillation. One illustrative apparatus embodiment includes an amplifier and an adjustable phase shifter. The amplifier amplifies a receive signal to generate a transmit signal, the transmit signal causing interference with the receive signal. The adjustable phase shifter modifies the phase of the transmit signal relative to that of the receive signal to inhibit oscillation. A controller may periodically test a range of settings for the adjustable phase shifter to identify undesirable phase shifts prone to self-induced oscillation, and may maintain the phase shift setting at a value that inhibits oscillation.

Abstract: Automotive radar systems may employ a reconfigurable connection of antennas to radar transmitters and/or receivers. An illustrative embodiment of an automotive radar system includes: a radar transmitter; a radar receiver; and a digital signal processor coupled to the radar receiver to detect reflections of a signal transmitted by the radar transmitter and to derive signal measurements therefrom. At least one of the radar transmitter and the radar receiver are switchable to provide the digital signal processor with signals from each of multiple combinations of transmit antenna and receive antenna.

Abstract: A method for internal calibration of a detector comprising using one or more hardware processors for the following actions. The method comprises an action of receiving a request for internal calibration of a detector comprising a switchable termination resistor (Dicke switch) and connecting electronically one or more internal calibration circuits to the termination resistor. The method comprises an action of applying two or more input voltage signals to the detector from the calibration circuit and measuring two or more output readings from the detector, each output reading corresponding to one of the input voltage signals. The method comprises an action of computing internal calibration coefficients based on the input voltage signals and the output readings. The method comprises an action of storing the internal calibration coefficients on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connected to the hardware processor(s) for subsequent calibration of output values from the detector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow for radar imaging that is not range dependent for resolution. Arrays of cells comprised of antennas and true delays can be placed behind the target. The signal reflected by the individual cells provides information on whether the cell is blocked by the target. Additional information can be determined from the radar returns, such as material properties and target thickness. Similar structures can be constructed to act as wireless barcodes.

Abstract: A parabolic cylindrical reflector antenna that comprises two or more antenna feeds each directed towards a parabolic cylindrical reflector, wherein the antenna feeds are positioned in one or more line-arrays parallel to a focal line of the parabolic cylindrical reflector, and the line-array is substantially centered opposing the reflector. The antenna comprises a controller configured to scan along a straight edge of the reflector by electronically adjusting a phase of each of the antenna feeds, thereby changing the incident angle of an energy beam relative to the reflector. The controller is configured to scan along a curved edge of the reflector by moving, using a mechanical positioning mechanism, the antenna feeds in a direction parallel to a directrix of the reflector while maintaining the positioning or by electronically selecting one of two or more parallel line-arrays.

Abstract: A parabolic cylindrical reflector antenna that comprises two or more antenna feeds each directed towards a parabolic cylindrical reflector, wherein the antenna feeds are positioned in one or more line-arrays parallel to a focal line of the parabolic cylindrical reflector, and the line-array is substantially centered opposing the reflector. The antenna comprises a controller configured to scan along a straight edge of the reflector by electronically adjusting a phase of each of the antenna feeds, thereby changing the incident angle of an energy beam relative to the reflector. The controller is configured to scan along a curved edge of the reflector by moving, using a mechanical positioning mechanism, the antenna feeds in a direction parallel to a directrix of the reflector while maintaining the positioning or by electronically selecting one of two or more parallel line-arrays.

Abstract: A parabolic cylindrical reflector antenna that comprises two or more antenna feeds each directed towards a parabolic cylindrical reflector, wherein the antenna feeds are positioned in one or more line-arrays parallel to a focal line of the parabolic cylindrical reflector, and the line-array is substantially centered opposing the reflector. The antenna comprises a controller configured to scan along a straight edge of the reflector by electronically adjusting a phase of each of the antenna feeds, thereby changing the incident angle of an energy beam relative to the reflector. The controller is configured to scan along a curved edge of the reflector by moving, using a mechanical positioning mechanism, the antenna feeds in a direction parallel to a directrix of the reflector while maintaining the positioning or by electronically selecting one of two or more parallel line-arrays.

Abstract: A novel system that allows for 3D radar detection that simultaneously captures the lateral and depth features of a target is disclosed. This system uses only a single transceiver, a set of delay-lines, and a passive antenna array, all without requiring mechanical rotation. By using the delay lines, a set of beat frequencies corresponding to the target presence can be generated in continuous wave radar systems. Likewise, in pulsed radar systems, the delays also allow the system to determine the 3D aspects of the target(s). Compared to existing solutions, the invention, in embodiments, allows for the implementation of simple, reliable, and power efficient 3D radars.

Abstract: A method for internal calibration of a detector comprising using one or more hardware processors for the following actions. The method comprises an action of receiving a request for internal calibration of a detector comprising a switchable termination resistor (Dicke switch) and connecting electronically one or more internal calibration circuits to the termination resistor. The method comprises an action of applying two or more input voltage signals to the detector from the calibration circuit and measuring two or more output readings from the detector, each output reading corresponding to one of the input voltage signals. The method comprises an action of computing internal calibration coefficients based on the input voltage signals and the output readings. The method comprises an action of storing the internal calibration coefficients on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connected to the hardware processor(s) for subsequent calibration of output values from the detector.

Abstract: A device comprising: a housing mountable on a back surface of a handheld electronic device; a radar coupled with the housing, the radar comprising: (a) a receiver unit comprising at least one receiving antenna element; (b) a transmitter unit comprising at least one transmitting antenna element; an integrated circuit (IC) module; and an interface unit configured to operatively couple the radar with the handheld electronic device.

Abstract: An assembly for confining electromagnetic radiation in a waveguide. The assembly comprises a waveguide, comprising walls surrounding a cavity and an aperture in the walls that opens to the cavity, and a substrate assembly disposed in the aperture. The substrate assembly comprises a substrate comprising an antenna, wherein the antenna is located within the cavity and is configured for transmission of radiation within the cavity. The substrate assembly comprises an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the substrate, where the IC comprises semi-conductor components and a ground plane on one side of the IC. The ground plane is located between the IC semi-conductor components and the antenna. The ground plane is located across the aperture to reduce the area of the aperture and to reflect some of the radiation directed to the aperture back into the cavity.