阅读说明：本技术 雷达系统中的冗余频率调制器 (Redundant frequency modulator in radar system ) 是由 O·朗曼 S·维尔勒瓦尔 I·比利克 于 2019-06-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种雷达系统包括一个或多个天线,以发射传输信号并接收由物体反射传输信号而生成的反射信号。传输信号是线性调频连续波(LFMCW)信号。雷达系统还包括用于生成传输信号的传输发生器。传输发生器包括控制器,控制器用于连续控制传输信号的第一传输信号和传输信号的第二传输信号的输出。传输信号的第一传输信号和传输信号的第二传输信号的传输之间的时间小于第一振荡器的稳定周期,第一振荡器用于生成传输信号的第一传输信号。(A radar system includes one or more antennas to transmit a transmission signal and receive a reflected signal generated by an object reflecting the transmission signal. The transmission signal is a Linear Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (LFMCW) signal. The radar system further comprises a transmission generator for generating a transmission signal. The transmission generator includes a controller for continuously controlling output of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and a second transmission signal of the transmission signals. The time between the transmission of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and the transmission of a second transmission signal of the transmission signals is less than a settling period of a first oscillator used to generate the first transmission signal of the transmission signals.)

1. A radar system, comprising:

one or more antennas to transmit a transmission signal and to receive a reflected signal generated by an object reflecting the transmission signal, the transmission signal being a Linear Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (LFMCW) signal; and

a transmission generator configured to generate the transmission signal, the transmission generator comprising a controller configured to continuously control output of a first transmission signal of the transmission signal and a second transmission signal of the transmission signal, wherein a time between the first transmission signal of the transmission signal and the second transmission signal of the transmission signal is less than a duration of a settling period of a first oscillator used to generate the first transmission signal of the transmission signal.

2. The radar system of claim 1, wherein the transmission generator includes a second oscillator to generate the second transmission signal of the transmission signals.

3. The radar system of claim 2, wherein the transmission generator comprises a multiplexer, and the controller is configured to control the multiplexer to continuously output one of the transmission signals generated based on the first oscillator and the other of the transmission signals generated based on the second oscillator.

4. The radar system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to: controlling an output of the second transmission signal of the transmission signal during a stabilization period of the first oscillator, and controlling an output of a third transmission signal of the transmission signal, which is continuously generated using the first oscillator, during a stabilization period of the second oscillator.

5. The radar system of claim 1, wherein the radar system is in a vehicle and information obtained from the reflected signals of the radar system is used to enhance or automate operation of the vehicle.

6. A method of configuring a radar system, the method comprising:

arranging one or more antennas to transmit a transmission signal and receive a reflected signal generated by an object reflecting the transmission signal, the transmission signal being a Linear Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (LFMCW) signal;

assembling a transmission generator to generate a transmission signal, the transmission generator exhibiting redundancy in generating the transmission signal; and

configuring a controller to control successive outputs of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and a second transmission signal of the transmission signals, wherein a time between transmissions of the first transmission signal of the transmission signals and the second transmission signal of the transmission signals is less than a duration of a settling period of a first oscillator used to generate the first transmission signal of the transmission signals.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising generating a second transmission signal of the transmission signals using a second oscillator.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the configuring the controller comprises coupling the controller to a multiplexer, and the configuring the controller comprises configuring the controller to control the multiplexer to continuously output one of the transmission signals generated based on the first oscillator and the other of the transmission signals generated based on the second oscillator.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the configuring the controller comprises configuring the controller to control output of the second transmission signal of the transmission signal during the settling period of the first oscillator, and to control output of a third transmission signal of the transmission signal during a settling period of the second oscillator, the third transmission signal being continuously generated using the first oscillator.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising disposing the radar system in a vehicle and coupling the radar system to a vehicle controller, wherein information obtained from reflected signals of the radar system is used to enhance or automate operation of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

In one exemplary embodiment, a radar system includes one or more antennas to transmit a transmission signal and receive a reflection signal generated by an object reflecting the transmission signal. The transmission signal is a Linear Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (LFMCW) signal. The radar system further comprises a transmission generator for generating a transmission signal. The transmission generator includes a controller for continuously controlling output of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and a second transmission signal of the transmission signals. The time between the transmission of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and the transmission of a second transmission signal of the transmission signals is less than a settling period of a first oscillator used to generate the first transmission signal of the transmission signals.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the transmission generator includes a second oscillator for generating a second transmission signal of the transmission signals.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the transmit generator includes a multiplexer.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller controls the multiplexer to continuously output one of the transmission signals generated based on the first oscillator and the other of the transmission signals generated based on the second oscillator.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller controls an output of a second transmission signal of the transmission signal during a stabilization period of the first oscillator, and controls an output of a third transmission signal of the transmission signal, which is continuously generated using the first oscillator, during a stabilization period of the second oscillator.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the radar system is in a vehicle.

In addition to one or more features described herein, information obtained from reflected signals of the radar system is used to enhance or automate operation of the vehicle.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of configuring a radar system includes arranging one or more antennas to transmit a transmission signal and receive a reflection signal generated by an object reflecting the transmission signal. The transmission signal is a Linear Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (LFMCW) signal. The method also includes assembling a transmission generator to generate a transmission signal. The transmission generator exhibits redundancy in generating the transmission signal. The controller is configured to control successive outputs of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and a second transmission signal of the transmission signals. The time between the transmission of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and the transmission of a second transmission signal of the transmission signals is less than a settling period of a first oscillator used to generate the first transmission signal of the transmission signals.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the method further includes generating a second transmission signal of the transmission signals using a second oscillator.

In addition to one or more features described herein, configuring the controller includes coupling the controller to the multiplexer.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the configuration controller includes a configuration controller to control the multiplexer to continuously output one of the transmission signals generated based on the first oscillator and the other of the transmission signals generated based on the second oscillator.

In addition to one or more features described herein, configuring the controller includes configuring the controller to control an output of a second transmission signal of the transmission signal during a stabilization period of the first oscillator, and to control an output of a third transmission signal of the transmission signal during a stabilization period of the second oscillator, the third transmission signal being continuously generated using the first oscillator.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the method further includes positioning a radar system in the vehicle.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the method further includes coupling the radar system to a vehicle controller. Information obtained from the reflected signals of the radar system is used to enhance or automate the operation of the vehicle.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes a radar system including one or more antennas to transmit a transmission signal and receive a reflected signal generated by an object reflecting the transmission signal. The transmission signal is a Linear Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (LFMCW) signal. The radar system further comprises a transmission generator for generating a transmission signal. The transmission generator includes a controller for continuously controlling output of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and a second transmission signal of the transmission signals. The time between the transmission of a first transmission signal of the transmission signals and the transmission of a second transmission signal of the transmission signals is less than a settling period of a first oscillator used to generate the first transmission signal of the transmission signals. The vehicle also includes a vehicle controller that uses information obtained from the reflected signals of the radar system to enhance or automate operation of the vehicle.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the transmission generator includes a second oscillator for generating a second transmission signal of the transmission signals.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the transmit generator includes a multiplexer.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller controls the multiplexer to continuously output one of the transmission signals generated based on the first oscillator and the other of the transmission signals generated based on the second oscillator.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller controls an output of a second transmission signal of the transmission signal during a stabilization period of the first oscillator, and controls an output of a third transmission signal of the transmission signal, which is continuously generated using the first oscillator, during a stabilization period of the second oscillator.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a scenario involving a radar system in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of aspects of a radar system in accordance with one or more embodiments; and

fig. 3 illustrates transmission rates of transmission signals in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Detailed Description

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

As previously mentioned, the radar system may be one of the sensors used in a vehicle, for example, to detect and track objects to enhance or automate vehicle operation. The LFMCW signal (i.e., chirp) may be generated by a modulation block using a Phase Locked Loop (PLL), Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS), or another known topology. It is also noted that the higher the frequency of chirp transmission, the higher the maximum detectable speed of the radar system. In this regard, the oscillator of the modulation block is a limiting factor because the oscillator requires time to stabilize after each chirp is generated. Embodiments of the systems and methods detailed herein relate to redundant frequency modulators in radar systems to facilitate an increase in chirp repetition frequency.

According to an exemplary embodiment, fig. 1 is a block diagram of a scenario involving a radar system 110. The vehicle 100 shown in fig. 1 is an automobile 101. For the exemplary radar system 110 of fig. 2, a transmit antenna 111 that transmits a transmit signal 150 and a receive antenna 112 that receives a generated reflection 155 are shown. In alternative or additional embodiments, radar system 110 may include a transceiver or additional transmit antenna 111 and receive antenna 112. Further, an exemplary radar system 110 is shown under the hood of the automobile 101. According to alternative or additional embodiments, one or more radar systems 110 may be located in vehicle 100 or elsewhere on vehicle 100. Another sensor 115 (e.g., camera, sonar, lidar system) is also shown. Information obtained by radar system 110 and one or more other sensors 115 may be provided to a controller 120 (e.g., an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)) for image or data processing, target recognition, and subsequent vehicle control.

The controller 120 may use this information to control one or more vehicle systems 130. In an exemplary embodiment, vehicle 100 may be an autonomous vehicle, and controller 120 may use information from radar system 110 and other sources for known vehicle operation control. In alternative embodiments, controller 120 may use information from radar system 110 and other sources as part of known systems (e.g., collision avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control systems, driver alerts) to enhance vehicle operation. The radar system 110 and one or more other sensors 115 may be used to detect an object 140, such as a pedestrian as shown in fig. 1. The controller 120 may comprise processing circuitry that may include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of aspects of radar system 110 in accordance with one or more embodiments. Specifically, a transmission generator 200 is shown that generates the transmission signal 150 according to an exemplary embodiment. Two modulation blocks 210-1, 210-2 (generally referred to as 210) are shown and represent redundancy in radar system 110. Each modulation block 210-1, 210-2 includes a respective oscillator 212-1, 212-2 (generally 212). In accordance with one or more embodiments, the stabilization period 310 (fig. 3) required by the oscillator 212 generates the redundancy represented by the transmission generator 200.

The modulation block 210 outputs chirps 215-1, 215-2 (collectively 215). The multiplexer 240 selects between the chirp 215-1 output by the modulation block 210-1 and the chirp 215-2 output by the modulation block 210-2 based on a control signal 235 of the controller 230. The clock 220 provides a clock signal 225 to the modulation block 210 and the multiplexer 240. The modulation block 210 may implement a PLL, DDS, or other known method for generating the chirp 215. Due to the redundancy of the modulation blocks 210-1, 201-2, the chirp repetition frequency (i.e., the transmission rate of the transmission signal 150) is increased, as discussed with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates a transmission rate of a transmission signal 150 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in fig. 3, the transmission signal 150 is alternately the chirp 215-1 output by the modulation block 210-1 and the chirp 215-2 output by the modulation block 210-2. The time t is displayed. Multiplexer 240 facilitates switching of transmission signal 150. Also shown are the stationary periods 310-1, 310-2 (generally 310) that follow the chirps 215-1, 215-2, respectively. As previously described, the settling periods 310-1, 310-2 correspond to the settling periods of the oscillators 212-1, 212-2. As shown in fig. 3, the second transmission signal 150 (i.e., chirp 215-2) is shown as being generated at time tn. However, if the second modulation block 210-2 is not present, as in the case of the conventional radar system 110, the modulation block 210-1 cannot generate the next transmission signal 150 until the end of the stabilization period 310-1, i.e., a later time tn + x.

Accordingly, since the multiplexer 240 selects the chirps 215-1 and 215-2 in an alternating manner, the settling period 310 of each modulation block 210 is not a period in which transmission is inactive. Therefore, the transmission rate or the chirp repetition frequency increases. Although two modulation blocks 210 are shown in fig. 2, the number of modulation blocks 210 and the scheme by which the controller 230 selects the chirp 215, the chirp 215 being output by the modulation blocks 210, are not limited by the exemplary configuration. For example, three or more modulation blocks 210 may provide chirps 215 to multiplexer 240 for selection. Further, radar system 110 is not limited to the manner in which the transmission rates shown in FIG. 3 are achieved. For example, the modulation block 210 may output the chirp 215 at the rate shown in fig. 3 so that the next chirp 215 is not generated once the settling period 310 is complete. According to an alternative embodiment, the chirp 215 may be generated as soon as possible (e.g., the second chirp 215-1 shown in fig. 3 is generated at tn + x) and then buffered to achieve the transmission rate shown.

While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the disclosure.