Abstract: A radar sensor includes a housing, cover, and a plurality of transmit and receive antennas. The housing includes a cavity retaining a processing board. The cover defines a radome having a recess into the cavity with two separate and connected areas. The transmit and receive antennas are positioned on the processing board, adjacent to, and separated by a gap from, the recess. The transmit antennas are configured to transmit RF signals through the first area of the recess. The receive antennas are configured to receive RF signals returning through the second area of the recess.

Abstract: A radar sensor includes a housing, cover, and a plurality of transmit and receive antennas. The housing includes a cavity retaining a processing board. The cover defines a radome having a recess into the cavity with two separate and connected areas. The transmit and receive antennas are positioned on the processing board, adjacent to, and separated by a gap from, the recess. The transmit antennas are configured to transmit RF signals through the first area of the recess. The receive antennas are configured to receive RF signals returning through the second area of the recess.

Abstract: A radar sensor module includes a substrate, at least one transmit antenna formed on a surface of the substrate, and at least one receive antenna formed on the surface of the substrate. A radome is disposed over the surface of the substrate and the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna, such that a gap is located between the surface of the substrate and an underside of the radome in which a portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna can propagate. At least one trench is formed in the underside of the radome and is electromagnetically coupled to the gap, the at least one trench being sized, shaped and positioned with respect to the gap such that the portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna is substantially prevented from propagating toward the receiving antenna.

Abstract: A radar sensor includes a housing, cover, and a plurality of transmit and receive antennas. The housing includes a cavity retaining a processing board. The cover defines a radome having a recess into the cavity with two separate and connected areas. The transmit and receive antennas are positioned on the processing board, adjacent to, and separated by a gap from, the recess. The transmit antennas are configured to transmit RF signals through the first area of the recess. The receive antennas are configured to receive RF signals returning through the second area of the recess.

Abstract: A differential antenna includes a substrate formed of non-radio-frequency material and a pair of conductive microstrip lines formed on the substrate. A metallic sheet is supported and spaced apart from the pair of conductive microstrip lines by a plurality of support elements to form an air gap. The metallic sheet is patterned to include a plurality of differential radiating gaps disposed along the longitudinal axis of the antenna and above a gap between the pair of conductive microstrip lines. Multiple rows of metallic vias are formed in the substrate disposed and spaced apart laterally with respect to the gap between the pair of conductive microstrip lines to define two propagation air cavities in which radiation can propagate. The differential antenna is configured such that the radiation is differential-mode, second-order radiation, which is emitted from the differential antenna at the differential radiating gaps in the metallic sheet.

Abstract: RADAR or other sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles, along with related manufacturing/assembly methods. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a housing and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may comprise a first side and a second side opposite the first side and may further comprise one or more integrated circuits positioned on the first side of the printed circuit board. One or more antennas may be operably coupled with the integrated circuit. A flexible radome, such as a thermoplastic wrapper, may enclose the assembly and may provide the means for binding the printed circuit board to the housing.

Abstract: A radar sensor module includes a substrate, at least one transmit antenna formed on a surface of the substrate, and at least one receive antenna formed on the surface of the substrate. A radome is disposed over the surface of the substrate and the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna, such that a gap is located between the surface of the substrate and an underside of the radome in which a portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna can propagate. At least one trench is formed in the underside of the radome and is electromagnetically coupled to the gap, the at least one trench being sized, shaped and positioned with respect to the gap such that the portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna is substantially prevented from propagating toward the receiving antenna.

Abstract: A radar sensor module includes a substrate, at least one transmit antenna formed on a surface of the substrate, and at least one receive antenna formed on the surface of the substrate. A radome is disposed over the surface of the substrate and the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna, such that a gap is located between the surface of the substrate and an underside of the radome in which a portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna can propagate. At least one trench is formed in the underside of the radome and is electromagnetically coupled to the gap, the at least one trench being sized, shaped and positioned with respect to the gap such that the portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna is substantially prevented from propagating toward the receiving antenna.

Abstract: RADAR or other sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles, along with related manufacturing/assembly methods. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a housing and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may comprise a first side and a second side opposite the first side and may further comprise one or more integrated circuits positioned on the first side of the printed circuit board. One or more antennas may be operably coupled with the integrated circuit. A flexible radome, such as a thermoplastic wrapper, may enclose the assembly and may provide the means for binding the printed circuit board to the housing.

Abstract: A waveguide antenna apparatus includes a lower laminate layer of non-radio-frequency (RF) material and a first layer of conductive material formed on a top surface of the lower laminate layer of non-RF material. A middle layer of non-RF material formed over the first layer of conductive material, the middle layer of non-RF material comprising a waveguide cavity formed through the middle layer of non-RF material, such that air forms a propagation medium for radiation in the waveguide cavity. An upper layer of non-RF material is formed over the middle layer of non-RF material, and a second layer of conductive material is formed on a top surface of the upper layer of non-RF material, the first and second layers of conductive material and the waveguide cavity being part of a waveguide antenna.

Abstract: A detection system detects objects in an environment around a vehicle. The detection system includes a radar system and a LiDAR system, each configured to detect objects. The radar system and LiDAR system are positioned to have a shared frame of reference around the vehicle.

Abstract: A differential antenna includes a substrate formed of non-radio-frequency material and a pair of conductive microstrip lines formed on the substrate. A metallic sheet is supported and spaced apart from the pair of conductive microstrip lines by a plurality of support elements to form an air gap. The metallic sheet is patterned to include a plurality of differential radiating gaps disposed along the longitudinal axis of the antenna and above a gap between the pair of conductive microstrip lines. Multiple rows of metallic vias are formed in the substrate disposed and spaced apart laterally with respect to the gap between the pair of conductive microstrip lines to define two propagation air cavities in which radiation can propagate. The differential antenna is configured such that the radiation is differential-mode, second-order radiation, which is emitted from the differential antenna at the differential radiating gaps in the metallic sheet.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which electronic components are mounted and an antenna module mounted on the PCB. A coupling element on the PCB couples the antenna module to at least one of the electronic components. The antenna module comprises a radio-frequency (RF)-compatible antenna substrate and an antenna structure plurality of antenna patches formed on the RF-compatible antenna substrate.

Abstract: A radar sensor module includes a substrate, at least one transmit antenna formed on a surface of the substrate, and at least one receive antenna formed on the surface of the substrate. A radome is disposed over the surface of the substrate and the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna, such that a gap is located between the surface of the substrate and an underside of the radome in which a portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna can propagate. At least one trench is formed in the underside of the radome and is electromagnetically coupled to the gap, the at least one trench being sized, shaped and positioned with respect to the gap such that the portion of radiation emitted from the at least one transmit antenna is substantially prevented from propagating toward the receiving antenna.

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: 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: A waveguide antenna apparatus includes a lower laminate layer of non-radio-frequency (RF) material and a first layer of conductive material formed on a top surface of the lower laminate layer of non-RF material. A middle layer of non-RF material formed over the first layer of conductive material, the middle layer of non-RF material comprising a waveguide cavity formed through the middle layer of non-RF material, such that air forms a propagation medium for radiation in the waveguide cavity. An upper layer of non-RF material is formed over the middle layer of non-RF material, and a second layer of conductive material is formed on a top surface of the upper layer of non-RF material, the first and second layers of conductive material and the waveguide cavity being part of a waveguide antenna.

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 antenna system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which electronic components are mounted and an antenna module mounted on the PCB. A coupling element on the PCB couples the antenna module to at least one of the electronic components. The antenna module comprises a radio-frequency (RF)-compatible antenna substrate and an antenna structure plurality of antenna patches formed on the RF-compatible antenna substrate.

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.