Abstract: A Pseudo-Random Phase Modulation (PRPM) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a first transmit-antenna that transmits a first transmit-signal generated by a first PRPM-code, a second transmit-antenna that transmits a second transmit-signal generated by a second PRPM-code, a receive-antenna used to detect a first reflected-signal arising from the first transmit-signal and a second reflected-signal arising from the second transmit-signal, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the receive-antenna and is operable to generate the first PRPM-code and the second PRPM-code.

Abstract: A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on one or more of a selected range resolution, a selected velocity resolution, and a selected angle of arrival resolution, as defined by memory requirements and processing requirements. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the memory requirements and processing requirements.

Abstract: A bi-static radar system configured for coherent detection of a radar-signal includes a plurality of radar-transceivers, a controller, and a communications device. The plurality of radar-transceivers is characterized as physically spaced apart with respect to each other. The controller is in communication with the each of the radar-transceivers and is configured to coherently operate each of the radar-transceivers. The communications device communicates both a reference-clock signal and a frame-sync signal from the controller to each of the plurality of radar-transceivers whereby the plurality of radar-transceivers operate coherently. Alternatively, the system may include a reference-signal generator, a transmitter, and a plurality of receivers. The reference-signal generator generates a reference-signal characterized by a reference-frequency proportional to a fraction of a radar-frequency of a radar-signal transmitted.

Abstract: A radar sensing system for a vehicle includes a plurality of transmitters, a plurality of receivers, and a plurality of receive and transmit antennas. The plurality of transmitters are configured for installation and use on a vehicle, and operable to transmit radio signals. The plurality of receivers are configured for installation and use on the vehicle, and operable to receive radio signals which include transmitted radio signals reflected from objects in the environment. The plurality of receive antennas and the plurality of transmit antennas are arranged in a selected MIMO configuration to provide a quantity of receive antennas and transmit antennas for a desired level of two-dimensional angle capability for a given board size.

Abstract: A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on the environment, the current information stored in the radar system, and/or external information provided to the radar system. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the desired objective.

Abstract: A radar sensing system for a vehicle, the radar sensing system including a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit a radio signal. The receiver is configured to receive the transmitted radio signal reflected from objects in the environment. The transmitter includes an antenna and is configured to transmit the radio signal via the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of linear arrays of patch radiators. An arrangement of the linear arrays of patch radiators is selected to form a desired shaped antenna pattern having a desired mainlobe shape and desired shoulder shapes to cover selected sensing zones without nulls or holes in the coverage.

Abstract: A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on the environment, the current information stored in the radar system, and/or external information provided to the radar system. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the desired objective.

Abstract: A Pseudo-Random Phase Modulation (PRPM) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a first transmit-antenna that transmits a first transmit-signal generated by a first PRPM-code, a second transmit-antenna that transmits a second transmit-signal generated by a second PRPM-code, a receive-antenna used to detect a first reflected-signal arising from the first transmit-signal and a second reflected-signal arising from the second transmit-signal, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the receive-antenna and is operable to generate the first PRPM-code and the second PRPM-code.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna for a radar system that includes a receive antenna, a first transmit antenna, and a second transmit antenna. The receive antenna is configured to detect radar signals reflected by a target toward the receive antenna. The first transmit antenna is formed of a first vertical array of radiator elements. The second transmit antenna is formed of a second vertical array of radiator elements distinct from the first vertical array. The second transmit antenna is vertically offset from the first transmit antenna by a vertical offset distance selected so an elevation angle to the target can be determined.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna for a radar system includes a receive antenna, a first transmit-antenna-arrangement, and a second transmit-antenna-arrangement. The receive-antenna is configured to detect radar-signals reflected by a target toward the receive-antenna. The first transmit-antenna-arrangement includes a first vertical-array of radiator elements and a second vertical-array of radiator elements. The first transmit-antenna-arrangement is configured so the first vertical-array can be selectively coupled to a transmitter independent of the second vertical-array. The second transmit-antenna-arrangement includes a third vertical-array of radiator elements and a fourth vertical-array of radiator elements. The second transmit-antenna-arrangement is configured so the third vertical-array can be selectively coupled to a transmitter independent of the fourth vertical-array.

Abstract: A radar system includes a controller equipped with memory for storing data. The controller is configured to receive a time-domain signal representative of a reflected signal detected by an antenna, and transform the time-domain signal into a plurality of range datasets. Each range dataset corresponds to one of the plurality of chirps, each range dataset is represented by a series of values assigned to a plurality of range bins, and each of the values includes a sign bit. The controller is also configured to compress the plurality of range datasets by storing in the memory a portion of each of the values assigned to at least one of the plurality of range bins, wherein the portion is defined to exclude a first number of redundant sign bits of each value. The controller may further compress the portion by retaining a second number of bits of the data by excluding some of the least significant bits of each value.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna for a radar system includes a receive antenna, a first transmit-antenna-arrangement, and a second transmit-antenna-arrangement. The receive-antenna is configured to detect radar-signals reflected by a target toward the receive-antenna. The first transmit-antenna-arrangement includes a first vertical-array of radiator elements and a second vertical-array of radiator elements. The first transmit-antenna-arrangement is configured so the first vertical-array can be selectively coupled to a transmitter independent of the second vertical-array. The second transmit-antenna-arrangement includes a third vertical-array of radiator elements and a fourth vertical-array of radiator elements. The second transmit-antenna-arrangement is configured so the third vertical-array can be selectively coupled to a transmitter independent of the fourth vertical-array.

Abstract: A radar system includes a controller equipped with memory for storing data. The controller is configured to receive a time-domain signal representative of a reflected signal detected by an antenna, and transform the time-domain signal into a plurality of range datasets. Each range dataset corresponds to one of the plurality of chirps, each range dataset is represented by a series of values assigned to a plurality of range bins, and each of the values includes a sign bit. The controller is also configured to compress the plurality of range datasets by storing in the memory a portion of each of the values assigned to at least one of the plurality of range bins, wherein the portion is defined to exclude a first number of redundant sign bits of each value. The controller may further compress the portion by retaining a second number of bits of the data by excluding some of the least significant bits of each value.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna for a radar system that includes a receive antenna, a first transmit antenna, and a second transmit antenna. The receive antenna is configured to detect radar signals reflected by a target toward the receive antenna. The first transmit antenna is formed of a first vertical array of radiator elements. The second transmit antenna is formed of a second vertical array of radiator elements distinct from the first vertical array. The second transmit antenna is vertically offset from the first transmit antenna by a vertical offset distance selected so an elevation angle to the target can be determined.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna for a radar system that includes a first transmit antenna, a second transmit antenna, and a receive antenna. The first transmit antenna is configured to emit a first radar signal toward a target. The first transmit antenna is formed of a first vertical array of radiator elements. The second transmit antenna is configured to emit a second radar signal toward the target. The second transmit antenna is formed of a second vertical array of radiator elements distinct from the first vertical array. The receive antenna is configured to detect radar signals reflected by a target toward the receive antenna. The receive antenna is formed of a plurality of paired vertical arrays of detector elements.

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 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: An integrated radar-camera sensor is provided which includes a camera sensor component and a radar sensor component both housed within a common single module housing. The sensor module also includes processing circuitry for processing the radar sensor and camera outputs. The sensor module is located behind the windshield of a vehicle and may include glare and/or EMI shields.

Abstract: A system, controller, antenna, and method for detecting obstruction and misalignment of a ground vehicle radar having an antenna configured to detect objects in a first direction characterized as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane about the ground vehicle, and detect objects in a second direction characterized as being toward a roadway surface proximate to the ground vehicle. The second direction radar return from the roadway is expected to have certain characteristics. If the characteristics are outside of a predetermined window, then obstruction and/or misalignment of the first direction and the second direction is likely, and so the radar may not reliably detect an object in the first direction, such as a vehicle in an adjacent lane.

Abstract: A system, controller, antenna, and method for detecting obstruction and misalignment of a ground vehicle radar having an antenna configured to detect objects in a first direction characterized as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane about the ground vehicle, and detect objects in a second direction characterized as being toward a roadway surface proximate to the ground vehicle. The second direction radar return from the roadway is expected to have certain characteristics. If the characteristics are outside of a predetermined window, then obstruction and/or misalignment of the first direction and the second direction is likely, and so the radar may not reliably detect an object in the first direction, such as a vehicle in an adjacent lane.