Abstract: A warning system for conveying alerts and information relating to a vehicle blind spot and objects detected therein, is disclosed. The system conveys an assortment of information through a single light emitting indicator. Also disclosed are various methods of indicating the advisability of lane changes, and modes of configuring the indicator and an associated sensing system and controller.

Abstract: A radar, mounted on a vehicle, emits electromagnetic waves to a side area of a vehicle and receives reflected electromagnetic waves to detect a distance and a bearing of a physical object. A speed of the vehicle is detected. When the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined whether multiple reflection occurs based on at least distances detected by the radar. If it is determined that the multiple reflection occurs, an axis deviation of the radar is determined based on a difference between the detected bearing of the multiple reflection waves and a reference bearing.

Abstract: A radar, mounted on a vehicle, emits electromagnetic waves to a side area of a vehicle and receives reflected electromagnetic waves to detect a distance and a bearing of a physical object. A speed of the vehicle is detected. When the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined whether multiple reflection occurs based on at least distances detected by the radar. If it is determined that the multiple reflection occurs, an axis deviation of the radar is determined based on a difference between the detected bearing of the multiple reflection waves and a reference bearing.

Abstract: A warning system for conveying alerts and information relating to a vehicle blind spot and objects detected therein, is disclosed. The system conveys an assortment of information through a single light emitting indicator. Also disclosed are various methods of indicating the advisability of lane changes, and modes of configuring the indicator and an associated sensing system and controller.

Abstract: An exterior vehicle component includes a proximity member disposed along an outer perimeter of an electromagnetic wave transmission member provided at a center of the component which is disposed in front of a radar device. The proximity member includes a chromium-plated portion formed on its front surface which reflects an electromagnetic wave. The proximity member is formed of an acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile resin or a modified polyphenylene oxide resin having an attenuation coefficient for electromagnetic wave transmission, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A radar system comprises: a plurality of reception antennas; a transmission wave generating device; a transmission antenna; a mixer; an A/D converter; a storage device which stores the digitized beat signals in association with each of the reception antennas; a Fourier transformation device which Fourier transforms the stored beat signals; a digital beam forming device which generates beam signals at predetermined pitch angles based on the Fourier transformed signals; an orientation detecting device which detects an orientation of the object using the generated beam signals; a distance detecting device which detects a distance to the object using the generated beam signals; and a signal separation processing device which performs separation processing of the beat signals based on the detected orientation and distance of the object, using the beat signals associated with each of the reception antennas, which are Fourier transformed by the Fourier transformation device.

Abstract: While an FM-CW mode for sensing an object, in which a frequency of an electromagnetic wave transmitted from a transmission/reception antenna 6 is continuously modulated, and also, a CW mode for judging an abnormal condition, in which the frequency of the electromagnetic wave to be transmitted from the transmission/reception antenna 6 is not modulated are switched, an abnormal condition judging section judges an abnormal condition when a signal level of a reception signal of the FM-CW mode is smaller than, or equal to a first judging threshold value, and also, a signal level of a reception signal in the CW mode is smaller than, or equal to a second judging threshold value which is higher than the first judging threshold value.

Abstract: A horn antenna part of a radar apparatus is made of a heat emitting material and includes: an antenna body part having a plurality of horn parts arranged in an array form, wherein each horn part is open toward a front surface of the apparatus, and has a diameter which gradually increases toward the front surface; and a feeder part including a waveguide which communicates with the horn parts, wherein the feeder part is connected to the antenna body part. The radar apparatus also includes: a wireless part for generating a high-frequency signal supplied to the feeder part, and converting a reflected high-frequency signal to a medium-frequency signal; and a circuit part for controlling the high-frequency signal and processing the medium-frequency signal. At least one of the wireless part and the circuit part is arranged in a manner such that it contacts the feeder part.

Abstract: An exterior vehicle component includes a proximity member disposed along an outer perimeter of an electromagnetic wave transmission member provided at a center of the component which is disposed in front of a radar device. The proximity member includes a chromium-plated portion formed on its front surface which reflects an electromagnetic wave. The proximity member is formed of an acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile resin or a modified polyphenylene oxide resin having an attenuation coefficient for electromagnetic wave transmission, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A horn antenna part of a radar apparatus is made of a heat emitting material and includes: an antenna body part having a plurality of horn parts arranged in an array form, wherein each horn part is open toward a front surface of the apparatus, and has a diameter which gradually increases toward the front surface; and a feeder part including a waveguide which communicates with the horn parts, wherein the feeder part is connected to the antenna body part. The radar apparatus also includes: a wireless part for generating a high-frequency signal supplied to the feeder part, and converting a reflected high-frequency signal to a medium-frequency signal; and a circuit part for controlling the high-frequency signal and processing the medium-frequency signal. At least one of the wireless part and the circuit part is arranged in a manner such that it contacts the feeder part.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave is transmitted from a signal transmission antenna using a signal transmission IC; this electromagnetic wave is received, after having been reflected by a target object, by signal receiving antennas and signal receiving ICs; and the distance to the target object or the azimuth of the target object is detected by a signal processing section. The signal receiving antennas have approximately the same signal receiving characteristics and directivity in approximately the same direction, and are arranged in a row with a predetermined gap between them, thus constituting an antenna array.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave is transmitted from a signal transmission antenna using a signal transmission IC; this electromagnetic wave is received, after having been reflected by a target object, by signal receiving antennas and signal receiving ICs; and the distance to the target object or the azimuth of the target object is detected by a signal processing section. The signal receiving antennas have approximately the same signal receiving characteristics and directivity in approximately the same direction, and are arranged in a row with a predetermined gap between them, thus constituting an antenna array.

Abstract: While an FM-CW mode for sensing an object, in which a frequency of an electromagnetic wave transmitted from a transmission/reception antenna 6 is continuously modulated, and also, a CW mode for judging an abnormal condition, in which the frequency of the electromagnetic wave to be transmitted from the transmission/reception antenna 6 is not modulated are switched, an abnormal condition judging section judges an abnormal condition when a signal level of a reception signal of the FM-CW mode is smaller than, or equal to a first judging threshold value, and also, a signal level of a reception signal in the CW mode is smaller than, or equal to a second judging threshold value which is higher than the first judging threshold value.

Abstract: A radar system comprises: a plurality of reception antennas; a transmission wave generating device; a transmission antenna; a mixer; an A/D converter; a storage device which stores the digitized beat signals in association with each of the reception antennas; a Fourier transformation device which Fourier transforms the stored beat signals; a digital beam forming device which generates beam signals at predetermined pitch angles based on the Fourier transformed signals; an orientation detecting device which detects an orientation of the object using the generated beam signals; a distance detecting device which detects a distance to the object using the generated beam signals; and a signal separation processing device which performs separation processing of the beat signals based on the detected orientation and distance of the object, using the beat signals associated with each of the reception antennas, which are Fourier transformed by the Fourier transformation device.

Abstract: A ribbon and a bonding wire are connected respectively to a high-frequency input and output of a microwave circuit, the width of the ribbon and/or the thickness of the bonding wire being varied continuously or discontinuously at a portion other than a portion used for bonding. By applying the ribbon and bonding wire to a microwave circuit package including a metallic substrate and sealing therein an MMIC mounted to the metallic substrate, desired high-frequency characteristics of the MMIC can be obtained.

Abstract: A ribbon and a bonding wire are connected respectively to a high-frequency input and output of a microwave circuit, the width of the ribbon and/or the thickness of the bonding wire being varied continuously or discontinuously at a portion other than a portion used for bonding. By applying the ribbon and bonding wire to a microwave circuit package including a metallic substrate and sealing therein an MMIC mounted to the metallic substrate, desired high-frequency characteristics of the MMIC can be obtained.

Abstract: A radar device for vehicle use which can be manufactured inexpensively while enhancing its monitoring function for an adjacent object as well as a remote object. The radar device includes a radar module for monitoring an adjacent object having a plurality of adjacent object monitoring antennas, a signal transmitting/receiving section for supplying transmitting signals to the adjacent object monitoring antennas and outputting signals by mixing the transmitting signals with received signals supplied from the adjacent monitoring antennas and a delay circuit inserted between the signal transmitting/receiving section and the adjacent object monitoring antennas. The radar device also includes a module for monitoring a remote object having a remote object monitoring antenna and a signal transmitting/receiving section for supplying transmitting signals to the remote object monitoring antenna and generating signals by mixing the transmitting signals with received signals supplied from the remote monitoring antenna.

Abstract: The radar module comprises a vertical layered block of a planar array antenna, a signal delay section, and a transmitter-receiver section. The planar array antenna comprises: four antenna portions different in beam direction; and a selective connection section for selectively connecting each antenna portion with the signal delay section. Reducing the number of parts, saving the production cost and miniaturizing the apparatus is achieved by an arrangement in which a single transmitter-receiver section is in common use with a plurality of antenna portions. The signal delay section comprises a spiral dielectric line with a metal layer covering around a dielectric of rectangular section to achieve ensuring the delay time and reducing the package area.

Abstract: A non-radiative dielectric waveguide mixer includes at least one conductive plate, a dielectric waveguide held on said conductive plate and a solid-state device disposed across said dielectric waveguide for mixing at least two high-frequency signals which are propagated in opposite directions along said dielectric waveguide. The non-radiative dielectric waveguide mixer may be combined with a high-frequency signal generator and an antenna mechanism to provide a non-radiative dielectric waveguide radar module.

Abstract: A non-radiative dielectric waveguide mixer includes at least one conductive plate, a dielectric waveguide held on said conductive plate and a solid-state device disposed across said dielectric waveguide for mixing at least two high-frequency signals which are propagated in opposite directions along said dielectric waveguide. The non-radiative dielectric waveguide mixer may be combined with a high-frequency signal generator and an antenna mechanism to provide a non-radiative dielectric waveguide radar module.