Abstract: An illustrative example electronic device includes a substrate integrated wave guide (SIW) comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate. An antenna member is situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members. A signal generator has a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member. The antenna member radiates a signal into the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.

Abstract: An illustrative example electronic device includes a substrate integrated wave guide (SIW) comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate. An antenna member is situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members. A signal generator has a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member. The antenna member radiates a signal into the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.

Abstract: A signal handling device includes a first substrate. A plurality of first conductors in the first substrate are arranged to form a substrate integrated waveguide. A second substrate includes a plurality of second conductors arranged to form a resonating cavity near one end of the substrate integrated waveguide. A signal carrier is aligned with the one end of the substrate integrated waveguide.

Abstract: An illustrative example antenna device includes a substrate, a transmission line supported on the substrate, and a plurality of conductive patches supported on the substrate. Each conductive patch has a first end coupled to the transmission line and a second end coupled to ground. The plurality of conductive patches are arranged in sets including two of the conductive patches facing each other on opposite sides of the transmission line.

Abstract: An illustrative example transmission device, which is useful for an automated vehicle, includes a substrate having a metal layer near one surface of the substrate and a waveguide area. The metal layer includes a slot that at least partially overlaps the waveguide area. A source of radiation includes a first radiation output situated on a first side of the slot and a second radiation output situated on a second, opposite side of the slot.

Abstract: A ball-grid-array printed-circuit-board assembly includes a die, a plurality of solder-balls, a substrate, a top-metal layer, and a bottom-metal layer. The die includes a signal-out-pad and a plurality of ground-pads arranged about the signal-out-pad. The top-metal layer, a plurality of vias in the substrate, and the bottom-metal layer cooperate to form a substrate-integrated-waveguide. The top-metal layer is configured to define a U-shaped-slot between a signal-portion of the top-metal layer aligned with the signal-out-pad and the substrate-integrated-waveguide, and a ground-portion of the top-metal layer aligned with the plurality of ground-pads. The U-shaped-slot is characterized by a slot-length that is selected based on the frequency of a signal, and a slot-width that is selected based on the via-height such that the signal generates an electric field directed across the U-shaped-slot whereby the signal is propagated from the signal-portion of the top-metal layer into the substrate-integrated-waveguide.

Abstract: An antenna device includes a plurality of conductive pads that are conductively coupled to each other. A first one of the pads is connected with a first conductive strip. The first conductive strip is not connected to an adjacent second pad. A second conductive strip and a third conductive strip connect the first pad to the second pad. A slot is aligned with the first conductive strip to direct energy from a transceiver at the first conductive strip. The first pad and others in series with it radiate energy based on the energy received by the first conductive strip. The second and third conductive strips conduct energy from the first pad to the second pad. The second pad and others in series with it radiate energy based on the energy received by the second pad. One example use of the antenna device is on an automated vehicle.

Abstract: A meander-type, frequency-scanned antenna with reduced beam squint suitable for use on an automated vehicle radar system includes a plurality of parallel sub-arrays, each sub-array equipped with a plurality of radiators. The antenna is formed by a serpentine-arrangement of a continuous-strip of material. The serpentine-arrangement configured so a first sub-array characterized by a signal propagating in a first-direction is adjacent to a second sub-array characterized by the signal propagating in a second-direction opposite the first-direction. The first sub-array and the second sub-array are each further configured to define a plurality of radiators configured such that a radar-beam emitted by the antenna in response to the signal is characterized by a direction-angle that is substantially unchanged when a frequency of the signal is varied.

Abstract: A meander-type, frequency-scanned antenna with reduced beam squint suitable for use on an automated vehicle radar system includes a plurality of parallel sub-arrays, each sub-array equipped with a plurality of radiators. The antenna is formed by a serpentine-arrangement of a continuous-strip of material. The serpentine-arrangement configured so a first sub-array characterized by a signal propagating in a first-direction is adjacent to a second sub-array characterized by the signal propagating in a second-direction opposite the first-direction. The first sub-array and the second sub-array are each further configured to define a plurality of radiators configured such that a radar-beam emitted by the antenna in response to the signal is characterized by a direction-angle that is substantially unchanged when a frequency of the signal is varied.

Abstract: A ball-grid-array printed-circuit-board assembly includes a die, a plurality of solder-balls, a substrate, a top-metal layer, and a bottom-metal layer. The die includes a signal-out-pad and a plurality of ground-pads arranged about the signal-out-pad. The top-metal layer, a plurality of vias in the substrate, and the bottom-metal layer cooperate to form a substrate-integrated-waveguide. The top-metal layer is configured to define a U-shaped-slot between a signal-portion of the top-metal layer aligned with the signal-out-pad and the substrate-integrated-waveguide, and a ground-portion of the top-metal layer aligned with the plurality of ground-pads. The U-shaped-slot is characterized by a slot-length that is selected based on the frequency of a signal, and a slot-width that is selected based on the via-height such that the signal generates an electric field directed across the U-shaped-slot whereby the signal is propagated from the signal-portion of the top-metal layer into the substrate-integrated-waveguide.

Abstract: A radar antenna assembly suitable to mount atop a vehicle as part of a radar system for the vehicle includes a horizontal array and a vertical array. The horizontal array is configured to preferentially detect objects in a forward area and a rearward area about the vehicle. The vertical array is configured to preferentially detect objects in a leftward area and a rightward area about the vehicle. The horizontal array and the vertical array cooperate to detect an object in a panoramic area that surrounds the vehicle.

Abstract: An antenna device includes a plurality of conductive pads that are conductively coupled to each other. A first one of the pads is connected with a first conductive strip. The first conductive strip is not connected to an adjacent second pad. A second conductive strip and a third conductive strip connect the first pad to the second pad. A slot is aligned with the first conductive strip to direct energy from a transceiver at the first conductive strip. The first pad and others in series with it radiate energy based on the energy received by the first conductive strip. The second and third conductive strips conduct energy from the first pad to the second pad. The second pad and others in series with it radiate energy based on the energy received by the second pad. One example use of the antenna device is on an automated vehicle.

Abstract: An illustrative example electronic device includes a substrate integrated wave guide (SIW) comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate. An antenna member is situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members. A signal generator has a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member. The antenna member radiates a signal into the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.

Abstract: A radar antenna assembly suitable to mount atop a vehicle as part of a radar system for the vehicle includes a horizontal array and a vertical array. The horizontal array is configured to preferentially detect objects in a forward area and a rearward area about the vehicle. The vertical array is configured to preferentially detect objects in a leftward area and a rightward area about the vehicle. The horizontal array and the vertical array cooperate to detect an object in a panoramic area that surrounds the vehicle.

Abstract: A radar antenna assembly includes a microstrip patch, a hybrid coupler, a phase shifter, and a power divider. The microstrip patch is configured to emit a radar signal. The radar signal is characterized by a transmitted polarization of the radar signal. The transmitted polarization is influenced by a first transmit signal received at a first port of the microstrip patch and a second transmit signal received at a second port of the microstrip patch. The hybrid coupler is configured to orthogonally combine a first input signal and a second input signal to output the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal. The phase shifter is operable to vary the phase of the second input signal relative to the first input signal. The power divider is configured to divide unequally a source signal so the amplitudes of the first input signal and the second input signal are substantially equal.

Abstract: An antenna for a radar sensor includes an emitter element, a receiver element, and an anti-reflection element. The emitter element is configured to direct the emitted signal along a boresight that intersects a fascia. The receiver element is configured to detect a reflected signal reflected by an object located beyond the fascia. The anti-reflection element is configured to reduce reflection by the antenna of an early-reflection portion reflected by the fascia.

Abstract: An antenna suitable for use as a phased array antenna of a radar system. The antenna includes a plurality of radiating elements, and a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) configured to form a feed network to couple energy from a plurality of inputs to the radiating elements. The feed network includes over-moded waveguide couplers configured so energy propagates through an over-moded section in multiple modes, TE10 and TE20 modes for example. The feed network also defines sub-arrays configured such that half of the radiators of a sub-group are shared with an adjacent sub-group of an adjacent sub-array, i.e. the sub-arrays are configured to have 50% overlap. Preferably, the feed-network is formed about a single layer of substrate material.

Abstract: A ground vehicle radar system includes a windshield of the ground vehicle and a radar device installed behind the windshield. The windshield includes a metallization layer configured to inhibit propagation of infrared radiation through the windshield that also inhibits the propagation of radar signals. The metallization layer defines an opening in the metallization layer for radar signals emitted and detected by a radar device to pass through. An antenna of the radar device is installed behind the windshield and aligned with the opening. A lower portion of the antenna has a first field of view through the opening characterized as being directed horizontal toward a horizon forward of the vehicle. An upper portion of the antenna has a second field of view through the opening characterized as being directed downward toward an area of the ground forward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor module configured to be located behind a window of a vehicle to detect an object through the window and about the vehicle. The module includes a radar unit with an antenna and a controller. The antenna emits and/or receives a radar signal through the window with a selected or preferred polarization. The polarization determines a preferred angle of propagation of the radar signal through the window based on reflection characteristics of the window that vary with impingement angle and transmitted polarization. By varying the transmitted polarization vs. beam direction when a directional antenna is used, the signal propagating through the windshield can be maximized to enhance object detection over a range of signal directions. Also, by varying the transmitted polarization when an omnidirectional type antenna is used, the object can be ‘illuminated’ with variable intensity and detected with variable sensitivity.

Abstract: A radar antenna assembly includes a microstrip patch, a hybrid coupler, a phase shifter, and a power divider. The microstrip patch is configured to emit a radar signal. The radar signal is characterized by a transmitted polarization of the radar signal. The transmitted polarization is influenced by a first transmit signal received at a first port of the microstrip patch and a second transmit signal received at a second port of the microstrip patch. The hybrid coupler is configured to orthogonally combine a first input signal and a second input signal to output the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal. The phase shifter is operable to vary the phase of the second input signal relative to the first input signal. The power divider is configured to divide unequally a source signal so the amplitudes of the first input signal and the second input signal are substantially equal.