阅读说明：本技术 电子设备、电子设备的控制方法以及电子设备的控制程序 (Electronic device, control method for electronic device, and control program for electronic device ) 是由 川路聪 佐原彻 锦户正光 村上洋平 本间拓也 佐东将行 于 2019-10-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：电子设备具有多个传感器以及主控制部。多个传感器分别根据从发送天线作为发送波发送的发送信号以及从接收天线作为反射波接收的接收信号检测反射发送波T的物体。主控制部分别独立地控制所述多个传感器。(The electronic device includes a plurality of sensors and a main control unit. The plurality of sensors detect the object reflecting the transmission wave T from the transmission signal transmitted as the transmission wave from the transmission antenna and the reception signal received as the reflected wave from the reception antenna, respectively. The main control unit controls the plurality of sensors independently.)

1. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of sensors that detect an object reflecting a transmission wave from a transmission signal transmitted as the transmission wave from a transmission antenna and a reception signal received as a reflected wave from a reception antenna; and

and a main control unit for independently controlling the plurality of sensors.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main control section controls the plurality of sensors to detect in different frames of the transmission wave, respectively.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main control section controls the plurality of sensors to detect using transmission waves of different frequencies, respectively.

4. The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls an operation of a part of the plurality of sensors to be different from an operation of a sensor other than the part of the plurality of sensors.

5. The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main control unit controls the plurality of sensors to perform a predetermined operation in accordance with occurrence of a predetermined event.

6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the main control unit controls the plurality of sensors to perform predetermined operations, respectively, based on detection of the object.

7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the main control unit controls the plurality of sensors to perform predetermined operations, respectively, in accordance with a behavior of a mobile body on which the electronic apparatus is mounted.

8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the main control unit prioritizes an operation of a sensor corresponding to the traveling direction among the plurality of sensors over an operation of a sensor other than the sensor corresponding to the traveling direction among the plurality of sensors, according to the traveling direction of a moving body on which the electronic apparatus is mounted.

9. A control method of an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

detecting, by a plurality of sensors, an object reflecting a transmission wave from a transmission signal transmitted as the transmission wave from a transmission antenna and a reception signal received as a reflected wave from a reception antenna; and

the plurality of sensors are independently controlled, respectively.

10. A control program for an electronic device, wherein,

causing a computer to perform the steps of:

detecting, by a plurality of sensors, an object reflecting a transmission wave from a transmission signal transmitted as the transmission wave from a transmission antenna and a reception signal received as a reflected wave from a reception antenna; and

the plurality of sensors are independently controlled, respectively.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus, a control method of the electronic apparatus, and a control program of the electronic apparatus.

Background

For example, in the field of industries related to automobiles, techniques for measuring a distance between a host vehicle and a predetermined object are attracting attention. In particular, in recent years, various studies have been made on radar (radio detection and ranging) techniques for measuring a distance to an object by transmitting radio waves such as millimeter waves and receiving reflected waves reflected by the object such as an obstacle. With the development of a technique for assisting the driving of a driver and a technique related to automatic driving in which a part or all of the driving is automated, the importance of such a technique for measuring a distance and the like is expected to increase in the future.

In addition, several techniques have been proposed for detecting the presence of a predetermined object by a sensor having a plurality of reflected waves that receive transmitted radio waves and are reflected by the object. For example, patent document 1 discloses a technique of monitoring the periphery of a host vehicle while reducing a processing load by using a plurality of monitoring sensors for monitoring different areas around the host vehicle. For example, patent document 2 discloses a technique of performing predetermined processing on each of a plurality of output values output from a plurality of sensors based on priorities set based on angles formed between a reference direction on a road around the host vehicle and the direction of the host vehicle.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. WO 2010/140239;

patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-67237.

Disclosure of Invention

An electronic device according to one embodiment includes a plurality of sensors and a main control unit.

The plurality of sensors detect an object reflecting the transmission wave from a transmission signal transmitted as a transmission wave from a transmission antenna and a reception signal received as a reflected wave from a reception antenna.

The main control unit controls the plurality of sensors independently.

The control method of an electronic device of one embodiment includes the following steps.

A method of controlling an electronic device, comprising:

(1) a step in which a plurality of sensors detect an object reflecting a transmission wave from a transmission signal transmitted as the transmission wave from a transmission antenna and a reception signal received as a reflected wave from a reception antenna; and

(2) a step of controlling the plurality of sensors independently from each other.

A control program of an electronic device of an embodiment causes a computer to execute the above steps (1) and (2).

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage mode of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission signal according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the transmission antenna and the reception antenna in the electronic device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the electronic device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a connection mode of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the electronic device according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

In a technique for detecting a predetermined object by a sensor having a plurality of reflection waves that receive transmitted transmission waves and reflect the transmission waves, it is preferable to improve convenience. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic apparatus, a control method of the electronic apparatus, and a control program of the electronic apparatus, which can improve convenience in detecting an object using a plurality of sensors. According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus, a control method of an electronic apparatus, and a control program of an electronic apparatus, which can improve convenience in detecting an object using a plurality of sensors, can be provided. Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The electronic apparatus according to one embodiment is mounted on a vehicle (mobile body) such as an automobile, for example, and can detect a predetermined object existing around the mobile body. Therefore, the electronic apparatus according to one embodiment can transmit a transmission wave from a transmission antenna provided in a mobile body to the periphery of the mobile body. In addition, the electronic apparatus of one embodiment can receive a reflected wave in which the transmission wave is reflected from a reception antenna provided in the mobile body. At least one of the transmission antenna and the reception antenna may be provided in, for example, a radar sensor or the like provided on the moving body.

Hereinafter, a structure of an automobile in which an electronic device according to an embodiment is mounted in a passenger car will be described as a typical example. However, the electronic device according to one embodiment is not limited to an automobile. The electronic device according to one embodiment can be mounted on various mobile bodies such as a bus, a truck, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a ship, an airplane, an ambulance, a fire engine, a helicopter, and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The electronic apparatus according to one embodiment is not necessarily limited to a mobile body that moves by its own power. For example, the mobile object on which the electronic apparatus according to one embodiment is mounted may be a trailer unit towed by a tractor or the like. The electronic apparatus of one embodiment is capable of measuring a distance or the like between a sensor and a prescribed object in a case where at least one of the sensor and the object is movable. In addition, the electronic apparatus of one embodiment can also measure the distance or the like between the sensor and the object when both the sensor and the object are stationary.

First, an example of detecting an object using the electronic apparatus of one embodiment will be described.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage mode of an electronic device according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an example in which a sensor having a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna according to one embodiment is provided on a mobile body.

A sensor 5 having a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna according to one embodiment is provided in a mobile body 100 shown in fig. 1. The mobile object 100 shown in fig. 1 is equipped with (e.g., incorporates) the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment. The specific configuration of the electronic apparatus 1 will be described later. The sensor 5 may have, for example, at least one of a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The sensor 5 may include at least one of other functional units such as at least a part of the control unit 10 (fig. 2) included in the electronic device 1. The mobile body 100 shown in fig. 1 may be an automobile such as a car, but may be any type of mobile body. In fig. 1, the moving object 100 may move (travel or creep) in, for example, the positive Y-axis direction (traveling direction) as shown in the figure, may move in another direction, or may be stationary without moving.

As shown in fig. 1, a sensor 5 having a transmitting antenna is provided in a mobile body 100. In the example shown in fig. 1, only one sensor 5 having a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna is provided in front of the mobile body 100. Here, the position at which the sensor 5 is provided in the mobile body 100 is not limited to the position shown in fig. 1, and may be other positions as appropriate. For example, the sensor 5 shown in fig. 1 may be provided on the left side, right side, rear side, and/or the like of the mobile body 100. The number of such sensors 5 may be any number of one or more according to various conditions (or requirements) such as a measurement range and accuracy in the mobile body 100.

The sensor 5 transmits an electromagnetic wave from the transmission antenna as a transmission wave. For example, when a predetermined object (for example, the object 200 shown in fig. 1) exists around the moving body 100, at least a part of the transmission wave transmitted from the sensor 5 is reflected by the object to become a reflected wave. By receiving such a reflected wave by a receiving antenna of the sensor 5, for example, the electronic apparatus 1 mounted on the mobile body 100 can detect the object.

Typically, the sensor 5 having a transmitting antenna may be a radar (radio Detecting and ranging) sensor that transmits and receives electric waves. However, the sensor 5 is not limited to a radar sensor. The sensor 5 of one embodiment may be a sensor based on, for example, LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) technology using Light waves. These sensors can be configured to include, for example, patch antennas and the like. Since technologies such as RADAR and LIDAR are known, detailed description thereof is sometimes simplified or omitted as appropriate.

The electronic apparatus 1 mounted on the mobile body 100 shown in fig. 1 receives, from the receiving antenna, a reflected wave of the transmission wave transmitted from the transmitting antenna of the sensor 5. In this way, the electronic apparatus 1 can detect the predetermined object 200 existing within the predetermined distance from the mobile body 100. For example, as shown in fig. 1, the electronic apparatus 1 can measure a distance L between a moving body 100 as a host vehicle and a predetermined object 200. The electronic apparatus 1 can also measure the relative speed of the moving object 100 as the own vehicle and the predetermined object 200. Further, the electronic apparatus 1 can also measure the direction (arrival angle θ) in which the reflected wave from the predetermined object 200 reaches the mobile body 100 as the own vehicle.

Here, the object 200 may be at least any one of an oncoming vehicle that travels on a lane adjacent to the mobile body 100, an automobile that runs parallel to the mobile body 100, a front and rear automobile that travels on the same lane as the mobile body 100, and the like, for example. In addition, the object 200 may be any object existing around the moving body 100, such as a motorcycle, a bicycle, a baby carriage, a pedestrian, a guardrail, a center barrier, a road sign, a manhole, a ramp, a step of a sidewalk, a wall, an obstacle, and the like. In addition, the object 200 may be moved or stopped. For example, the object 200 may be a car or the like that stops or stops around the mobile body 100. The object 200 may be located not only on a lane but also on a sidewalk, a farm, an agricultural land, a parking lot, an open space, a space on a road, a shop, a crosswalk, water, air, a gutter, a river, another moving body, a building, an interior or exterior of another structure, or other appropriate locations. In the present disclosure, the object 200 detected by the sensor 5 includes living things such as a human, a dog, a cat, a horse, and other animals, in addition to being free of living things. The object 200 detected by the sensor 5 of the present disclosure includes a target object including a person, an object, an animal, and the like detected by radar technology.

In fig. 1, the ratio of the size of the sensor 5 to the size of the mobile body 100 does not necessarily represent an actual ratio. In fig. 1, the sensor 5 is shown as being provided outside the mobile body 100. However, in one embodiment, the sensor 5 may be disposed at various positions of the mobile body 100. For example, in one embodiment, the sensor 5 may be provided inside a bumper of the mobile body 100 to prevent it from appearing on the appearance of the mobile body 100. The sensor 5 may be provided inside the mobile body 100. The interior may be, for example, a space in a bumper, a space in a headlight, a space in a driving space, or the like.

Hereinafter, as a typical example, a case where the transmission antenna of the sensor 5 transmits radio waves in a frequency band such as millimeter waves (30GHz or more) or quasi millimeter waves (for example, around 20GHz to 30 GHz) will be described. For example, the transmission antenna of the sensor 5 may transmit a radio wave having a frequency bandwidth of 4GHz such as 77GHz to 81 GHz.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment. An example of the configuration of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment will be described below.

When measuring a distance or the like using a millimeter Wave radar, a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radar (hereinafter referred to as FMCW radar) is often used. The FMCW radar scans the frequency of an electric wave to be transmitted to generate a transmission signal. Therefore, for example, in the FMCW radar of the millimeter wave system using radio waves of a frequency band of 79GHz, the frequency of the radio waves used has a frequency bandwidth of 4GHz such as 77GHz to 81 GHz. The radar of the frequency band of 79GHz has a feature of a wider usable frequency bandwidth than other millimeter wave/quasi millimeter wave radars of, for example, frequency bands of 24GHz, 60GHz, 76GHz, and the like. Hereinafter, such an embodiment will be described. The radar system of the FMCW radar used in the present disclosure may include a Fast-Chirp Modulation (FCM) system in which Chirp signals are transmitted at a shorter period than usual. The signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 is not limited to the FMCW system signal. The signal generated by the signal generator 21 may be a signal of any system other than the FMCW system. The transmission signal sequence stored in the storage unit 40 may be different depending on these various modes. For example, in the case of the radar signal of the FMCW method, a signal whose frequency increases and a signal whose frequency decreases for each time sample may be used. Since the above-described various methods can be applied to known techniques as appropriate, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 2, the Electronic device 1 according to one embodiment includes a sensor 5 and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 50. The ECU50 controls various operations of the mobile body 100. The ECU50 may be constituted by at least one or more ECUs. The electronic device 1 of one embodiment includes a control unit 10. The electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may further include other functional units such as at least one of the transmission unit 20, the reception units 30A to 30D, and the storage unit 40. As shown in fig. 2, the electronic apparatus 1 may have a plurality of receiving units such as the receiving units 30A to 30D. Hereinafter, the receiver 30A, the receiver 30B, the receiver 30C, and the receiver 30D will be simply referred to as "receiver 30" without distinguishing them.

The control section 10 may have a distance FFT processing section 11, a velocity FFT processing section 12, an arrival angle estimating section 13, an object detecting section 14, a detection range determining section 15, and a parameter setting section 16. These functional portions included in the control portion 10 will be further described later.

As shown in fig. 2, the transmission section 20 may have a signal generation section 21, a synthesizer 22, phase control sections 23A and 23B, amplifiers 24A and 24B, and transmission antennas 25A and 25B. Hereinafter, the phase control unit 23A and the phase control unit 23B are simply referred to as "phase control unit 23" when they are not distinguished from each other. Hereinafter, the amplifier 24A and the amplifier 24B are simply referred to as "amplifier 24" without distinguishing them. Hereinafter, the transmission antenna 25A and the transmission antenna 25B are simply referred to as "transmission antenna 25" without distinguishing them.

As shown in fig. 2, the receiving unit 30 may have corresponding receiving antennas 31A to 31D. Hereinafter, the reception antenna 31A, the reception antenna 31B, the reception antenna 31C, and the reception antenna 31D are simply referred to as "reception antenna 31" without distinguishing them. As shown in fig. 2, each of the plurality of receiving units 30 may include an LNA32, a mixer 33, an IF unit 34, and an AD conversion unit 35. The receiving units 30A to 30D may have the same configuration. Fig. 2 schematically shows only the configuration of the receiver 30A as a representative example.

The sensor 5 may have, for example, a transmitting antenna 25 and a receiving antenna 31. The sensor 5 may include at least one of other functional units such as the control unit 10.

The control unit 10 included in the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can control the operation of the entire electronic apparatus 1, mainly by controlling each functional unit constituting the electronic apparatus 1. The control section 10 may include at least one processor such as a cpu (central Processing unit) to provide control and Processing capabilities for performing various functions. The control unit 10 may be realized by a single processor in a lump, may be realized by several processors, or may be realized by separate processors. The processor may be implemented as a single integrated circuit. Integrated circuits are also known as ics (integrated circuits). The processor may be implemented as a plurality of communicatively coupled integrated circuits as well as discrete circuits. The processor may be implemented based on various other known technologies. In one embodiment, the control unit 10 may be configured as, for example, a CPU and a program executed by the CPU. The control unit 10 may also include a memory necessary for the operation of the control unit 10 as appropriate.

The storage unit 40 may store a program executed in the control unit 10, a result of processing executed in the control unit 10, and the like. The storage unit 40 may function as a work memory of the control unit 10. The storage unit 40 may be configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, but is not limited to these, and may be any storage device. The storage unit 40 may be a storage medium such as a memory card inserted into the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment, for example. As described above, the storage unit 40 may be an internal memory of a CPU serving as the control unit 10.

In one embodiment, the storage unit 40 may store various parameters for setting a range in which an object is detected by the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25 and the reflected wave R received from the reception antenna 31. Such parameters will be further described later.

In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 can control at least one of the transmission unit 20 and the reception unit 30. In this case, the control unit 10 may control at least one of the transmission unit 20 and the reception unit 30 based on various information stored in the storage unit 40. In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the control unit 10 may instruct the signal generation unit 21 to generate a signal or may instruct the signal generation unit 21 to generate a signal.

The signal generation unit 21 generates a signal (transmission signal) as a transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25 under the control of the control unit 10. When generating the transmission signal, the signal generation unit 21 may allocate the frequency of the transmission signal, for example, according to the control of the control unit 10. Specifically, the signal generator 21 may allocate the frequency of the transmission signal according to the parameter set by the parameter setting unit 16. For example, the signal generator 21 receives the frequency information from the controller 10 (parameter setting unit 16) and generates a signal having a predetermined frequency in a frequency band of, for example, 77 to 81 GHz. The signal generation unit 21 may be configured to include a functional unit such as a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO).

The signal generating unit 21 may be configured as hardware having the function, for example, may be configured as a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured as a processor such as a CPU, a program executed by the processor, or the like. Each functional unit described below may be configured as hardware having the function, and may be configured to include, for example, a microcomputer or the like, or may be configured to include a processor such as a CPU, a program executed by the processor, or the like.

In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the signal generating unit 21 may generate a transmission signal (transmission chirp signal) such as a chirp signal, for example. In particular, the signal generation section 21 may generate a signal (linear chirp signal) in which the frequency varies linearly and periodically. For example, the signal generating section 21 may generate a chirp signal whose frequency linearly increases with time with a periodicity from 77GHz to 81 GHz. In addition, for example, the signal generating section 21 may generate a signal whose frequency is linearly repeated over time from 77GHz to 81GHz (up-chirp) and decreased (down-chirp). The signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 may be preset in the control unit 10, for example. The signal generated by the signal generating unit 21 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 40, for example. Since chirp signals used in the technical field such as radar are known, a more detailed description is appropriately simplified or omitted. The signal generated by the signal generation unit 21 is supplied to the synthesizer 22.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the frequency modulated signal generated by the signal generation unit 21.

In fig. 3, the horizontal axis represents elapsed time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. In the example shown in fig. 3, the signal generation section 21 generates a linear chirp signal whose frequency varies linearly and periodically. In fig. 3, the respective chirp signals are denoted as c1, c2, … …, c 8. As shown in fig. 3, in each frequency modulated signal, the frequency linearly increases with the passage of time.

In the example shown in fig. 3, 8 chirp signals such as c1, c2, … …, c8 are included as one sub-frame. That is, the sub-frames 1, 2, and the like shown in fig. 3 are respectively configured to include 8 chirp signals such as c1, c2, … …, and c 8. In the example shown in fig. 3, 16 subframes such as subframe 1 to subframe 16 are included as one frame. That is, frame 1, frame 2, and the like shown in fig. 3 are respectively configured to include 16 subframes. As shown in fig. 3, a frame interval of a predetermined length may be provided between frames.

In fig. 3, the same configuration may be adopted for frame 2 and later. In fig. 3, the same structure may be adopted for frame 3 and later. In the electronic device 1 of one embodiment, the signal generation section 21 may generate the transmission signal as an arbitrary number of frames. In addition, in fig. 3, a part of the chirp signal is omitted. As described above, the relationship between the time and the frequency of the transmission signal generated by the signal generation section 21 may be stored in, for example, the storage section 40 or the like.

In this way, the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment can transmit a transmission signal composed of a subframe including a plurality of chirp signals. Further, the electronic device 1 of one embodiment can transmit a transmission signal composed of a frame including a prescribed number of subframes.

The following explains the transmission of the transmission signal having the frame structure shown in fig. 3 by the electronic device 1. However, the frame structure shown in fig. 3 is an example, and the chirp signals included in one sub-frame are not limited to 8, for example. In one embodiment, the signal generator 21 may generate a subframe including any number (e.g., any number) of chirp signals. The subframe structure shown in fig. 3 is also an example, and for example, subframes included in one frame are not limited to 16. In one embodiment, the signal generator 21 may generate a frame including any number (e.g., any number) of subframes.

Returning to fig. 2, the synthesizer 22 raises the frequency of the signal generated by the signal generation unit 21 to the frequency of a predetermined frequency band. The synthesizer 22 may increase the frequency of the signal generated by the signal generation unit 21 to a frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25. The frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25 can be set by the control unit 10, for example. For example, the frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25 may be set to the frequency selected by the parameter setting unit 16. In addition, a frequency selected as the frequency of the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25 may be stored in the storage unit 40, for example. The signal whose frequency has been raised by the synthesizer 22 is supplied to the phase control unit 23 and the mixer 33. When there are a plurality of phase control units 23, a signal whose frequency has been increased by the synthesizer 22 can be supplied to each of the plurality of phase control units 23. In the case where there are a plurality of receiving units 30, the signal whose frequency has been increased by the synthesizer 22 can be supplied to each mixer 33 in the plurality of receiving units 30.

The phase control unit 23 controls the phase of the transmission signal supplied from the synthesizer 22. Specifically, the phase control unit 23 may adjust the phase of the transmission signal by advancing or delaying the phase of the signal supplied from the synthesizer 22 as appropriate, for example, according to the control of the control unit 10. In this case, the phase control unit 23 may adjust the phase of each transmission signal according to the path difference of each transmission wave T transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25. The phase control unit 23 appropriately adjusts the phase of each transmission signal, and the transmission waves T transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25 are intensified in a predetermined direction to form a beam (beam forming). In this case, the correlation between the direction of beam forming and the phase amount to be controlled of the transmission signal transmitted by each of the plurality of transmission antennas 25 may be stored in the storage unit 40, for example. The transmission signal phase-controlled by the phase control unit 23 is supplied to the amplifier 24.

The amplifier 24 amplifies the power (electric power) of the transmission signal supplied from the phase control unit 23, for example, according to the control of the control unit 10. When the sensor 5 has a plurality of transmitting antennas 25, the plurality of amplifiers 24 amplify the power (electric power) of the transmission signal supplied from each corresponding one of the plurality of phase control units 23, for example, in accordance with the control of the control unit 10. Since a technique of amplifying the power of a transmission signal is known per se, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted. The amplifier 24 is connected to a transmission antenna 25.

The transmission antenna 25 outputs (transmits) the transmission signal amplified by the amplifier 24 as a transmission wave T. In the case where the sensor 5 has a plurality of transmission antennas 25, the plurality of transmission antennas 25 may output (transmit) the transmission signal amplified by each corresponding amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers 24 as each transmission wave T, respectively. Since the transmitting antenna 25 can be configured in the same manner as the transmitting antenna 5 used in the known radar technology, a more detailed description thereof is omitted.

In this way, the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment can include the transmission antenna 25, and transmit a transmission signal (for example, a transmission chirp signal) as the transmission wave T from the transmission antenna 25. Here, at least one of the functional sections constituting the electronic apparatus 1 may be accommodated in one housing. In this case, the single housing may be configured to be not easily opened. For example, the transmission antenna 25, the reception antenna 31, and the amplifier 24 are housed in one housing, and the housing may be a structure that is not easily opened. Further, here, in the case where the sensor 5 is provided in the mobile body 100 such as an automobile, the transmitting antenna 25 may transmit the transmission wave T to the outside of the mobile body 100 via a cover member such as a radar cover. In this case, the radome may be made of a material that allows electromagnetic waves to pass therethrough, such as synthetic resin or rubber. The radome may, for example, serve as a housing for the sensor 5. By covering the transmission antenna 25 with a member such as a radome, the risk of damage or failure due to contact between the transmission antenna 25 and the outside can be reduced. The radome and the housing are also referred to as a cowling.

The electronic device 1 shown in fig. 2 shows an example with two transmitting antennas 25. However, in one embodiment, the electronic device 1 may include any number of transmit antennas 25. On the other hand, in one embodiment, when the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25 is formed into a beam in a predetermined direction, the electronic apparatus 1 may have a plurality of transmission antennas 25. In one embodiment, the electronic device 1 may have any number of transmit antennas 25. In this case, the electronic device 1 may include a plurality of phase control units 23 and amplifiers 24 corresponding to the plurality of transmission antennas 25. The plurality of phase control units 23 may control the phases of the plurality of transmission waves supplied from the synthesizer 22 and transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25, respectively. Further, the plurality of amplifiers 24 may amplify the power of the plurality of transmission signals transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25, respectively. In this case, the sensor 5 may be configured to include a plurality of transmitting antennas 25. As described above, when the electronic device 1 shown in fig. 2 includes the plurality of transmission antennas 25, it may be configured to include a plurality of functional units necessary for transmitting the transmission waves T from the plurality of transmission antennas 25.

The receiving antenna 31 receives the reflected wave R. The reflected wave R is a wave in which the transmission wave T is reflected by the predetermined object 200. The receiving antenna 31 may include a plurality of antennas, such as the receiving antenna 31A to the receiving antenna 31D. Since the receiving antenna 31 can be configured in the same manner as a receiving antenna used in a known radar technology, a more detailed description thereof is omitted. The receive antenna 31 is connected to the LNA 32. The reception signal based on the reflected wave R received by the reception antenna 31 is supplied to the LNA 32.

The electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can receive, from the plurality of receiving antennas 31, reflected waves R reflected by a predetermined object 200, for example, a transmitted wave T transmitted as a transmitted signal (transmitted chirp signal) such as a chirp signal. In this way, in the case of transmitting a transmission chirp signal as a transmission wave T, a reception signal based on a reflected wave R that has been received is referred to as a reception chirp signal. That is, the electronic apparatus 1 receives a reception signal (for example, a reception chirp signal) as the reflected wave R from the reception antenna 31. Here, in the case where the sensor 5 is provided in the mobile body 100 such as an automobile, the receiving antenna 31 may receive the reflected wave R from the outside of the mobile body 100 via a cover member such as a radome, for example. In this case, the radome may be made of a material that allows electromagnetic waves to pass therethrough, such as synthetic resin or rubber. The radome may, for example, serve as a housing for the sensor 5. By covering the receiving antenna 31 with a member such as a radome, the risk of damage or malfunction due to contact of the receiving antenna 31 with the outside can be reduced. The radome and the housing are also referred to as a cowling.

In addition, in the case where the receiving antenna 31 is disposed close to the transmitting antenna 25, these antennas may be collectively included in one sensor 5. That is, in one sensor 5, for example, at least one transmitting antenna 25 and at least one receiving antenna 31 may be included. For example, one sensor 5 may include a plurality of transmitting antennas 25 and a plurality of receiving antennas 31. In such a case, a radar sensor may be covered by a cover member such as a radome, for example.

The LNA32 amplifies a reception signal based on the reflected wave R received by the reception antenna 31 with low noise. The LNA32 can be a Low Noise Amplifier (Low Noise Amplifier) that amplifies a reception signal supplied from the reception antenna 31 with Low Noise. The reception signal amplified by the LNA32 is supplied to the mixer 33.

The mixer 33 generates a beat signal by mixing (multiplying) the reception signal of the RF frequency supplied from the LNA32 with the transmission signal supplied from the synthesizer 22. The beat signal mixed by the mixer 33 is supplied to the IF section 34.

The IF unit 34 reduces the frequency of the beat signal supplied from the mixer 33 to an Intermediate Frequency (IF) by frequency-converting the beat signal. The beat signal whose frequency is reduced by the IF unit 34 is supplied to the AD conversion unit 35.

The AD converter 35 digitizes the analog beat signal supplied from the IF unit 34. The AD Converter 35 may be configured by an arbitrary Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). The beat signal digitized by the AD conversion unit 35 is supplied to the distance FFT processing unit 11 of the control unit 10. When there are a plurality of receiving units 30, each beat signal digitized by the plurality of AD conversion units 35 may be supplied to the distance FFT processing unit 11.

The distance FFT processor 11 estimates the distance between the moving object 100 mounted with the electronic apparatus 1 and the object 200 based on the beat signal supplied from the AD converter 35. The distance FFT processing unit 11 may include, for example, a processing unit that performs fast fourier transform. In this case, the distance FFT processing unit 11 may be configured by an arbitrary circuit, a chip, or the like that performs Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processing.

The distance FFT processing unit 11 performs FFT processing (hereinafter, referred to as "distance FFT processing" as appropriate) on the beat signal digitized by the AD conversion unit 35. For example, the distance FFT processing unit 11 may perform FFT processing on the complex signal supplied from the AD conversion unit 35. The beat signal digitized by the AD conversion section 35 can be expressed as a temporal change in signal intensity (power). The distance FFT processing section 11 can express signal strength (power) corresponding to each frequency by performing FFT processing on such a beat signal. When the peak value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value in the result obtained by the distance FFT processing, the distance FFT processing unit 11 can determine that the predetermined object 200 is at the distance corresponding to the peak value. For example, there is known a determination method of determining that there is an object (reflected object) that reflects a transmission wave when a peak value equal to or larger than a threshold value is detected from an average power or amplitude of an interference signal, as in a constant False Alarm rate (cfar) detection process.

In this way, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can detect the object 200 reflecting the transmission wave T from the transmission signal transmitted as the transmission wave T and the reception signal received as the reflected wave R.

The distance FFT processing unit 11 can estimate the distance to a predetermined object from one chirp signal (e.g., c1 shown in fig. 3). That is, the electronic apparatus 1 can measure (estimate) the distance L shown in fig. 1 by performing the distance FFT processing. A technique of measuring (estimating) a distance to a prescribed object by performing FFT processing on the beat signal is known per se, and therefore a more detailed description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. The result of the distance FFT processing performed by the distance FFT processing section 11 (for example, information of the distance) may be supplied to the velocity FFT processing section 12. Further, the result of the distance FFT processing performed by the distance FFT processing unit 11 may be supplied to the object detection unit 14.

The velocity FFT processor 12 estimates the relative velocity between the moving object 100 mounted with the electronic apparatus 1 and the object 200 from the beat signal subjected to the distance FFT process by the distance FFT processor 11. The velocity FFT processing unit 12 may include, for example, a processing unit that performs fast fourier transform. In this case, the velocity FFT processing unit 12 may be configured by an arbitrary circuit, a chip, or the like that performs Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processing.

The velocity FFT processing section 12 also performs FFT processing (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "velocity FFT processing") on the beat signal on which the distance FFT processing has been performed by the distance FFT processing section 11. For example, the velocity FFT processing unit 12 may perform FFT processing on the complex signal supplied from the distance FFT processing unit 11. The velocity FFT processor 12 can estimate the relative velocity with respect to a predetermined object from a sub-frame (e.g., sub-frame 1 shown in fig. 3) of the chirp signal. If the beat signal is subjected to the distance FFT processing as described above, a plurality of vectors can be generated. By obtaining the phase of the peak in the result of the velocity FFT processing performed on these plural vectors, the relative velocity with respect to the predetermined object can be estimated. That is, the electronic apparatus 1 can measure (estimate) the relative velocity between the moving object 100 and the predetermined object 200 shown in fig. 1 by performing velocity FFT processing. Since a technique of measuring (estimating) a relative velocity with respect to a predetermined object by performing velocity FFT processing on a result of distance FFT processing is known per se, a more detailed description is appropriately simplified or omitted. The result of the velocity FFT processing performed by the velocity FFT processing section 12 (for example, information of velocity) may be supplied to the arrival angle estimating section 13. The result of the velocity FFT processing performed by the velocity FFT processing unit 12 may be supplied to the object detection unit 14.

The arrival angle estimating unit 13 estimates the direction in which the reflected wave R arrives from the predetermined object 200, based on the result of the velocity FFT processing performed by the velocity FFT processing unit 12. The electronic apparatus 1 can estimate the direction in which the reflected wave R arrives by receiving the reflected wave R from the plurality of receiving antennas 31. For example, the plurality of receiving antennas 31 are arranged at predetermined intervals. In this case, the transmission wave T transmitted from the transmission antenna 25 is reflected by the predetermined object 200 to become the reflected wave R, and the reflected wave R is received by each of the plurality of reception antennas 31 arranged at predetermined intervals. Then, the arrival angle estimating unit 13 can estimate the direction in which the reflected wave R reaches the receiving antenna 31, based on the phase of the reflected wave R received by each of the receiving antennas 31 and the path difference between the reflected waves R. That is, the electronic apparatus 1 can measure (estimate) the arrival angle θ shown in fig. 1 from the result of the velocity FFT processing.

Various techniques for estimating the direction in which the reflected wave R arrives have been proposed based on the result of performing the velocity FFT processing. For example, as known algorithms for estimating the direction of arrival, MUSIC (MUltiple SIgnal Classification), ESPRIT (Estimation of SIgnal Parameters via Rotational Estimation Technique), and the like are known. Therefore, a more detailed description of the known art will be appropriately simplified or omitted. The information (angle information) of the arrival angle θ estimated by the arrival angle estimating section 13 may be supplied to the object detecting section 14.

The object detection unit 14 detects an object existing in a range in which the transmission wave T is transmitted, based on information supplied from at least one of the distance FFT processing unit 11, the velocity FFT processing unit 12, and the arrival angle estimation unit 13. The object detection unit 14 can perform object detection by performing, for example, clustering processing based on the supplied information of the distance, the information of the velocity, and the information of the angle. As an algorithm used for aggregating data, for example, DBSCAN (Density-based clustering of applications with noise) and the like are known. In the clustering process, for example, the average power of the points constituting the object to be detected can be calculated. Information of the distance, information of the speed, angle information, and power information of the object detected by the object detecting section 14 may be supplied to the detection range determining section 15. In addition, information of the distance, information of the speed, angle information, and power information of the object detected by the object detection portion 14 may be supplied to the ECU 50. In this case, when the mobile object 100 is an automobile, communication CAN be performed using a communication interface such as a CAN (Controller Area Network).

The detection range determination unit 15 determines a range (hereinafter, also referred to as "object detection range") in which an object reflecting the transmission wave T is detected from the transmission signal and the reception signal. Here, the detection range specifying unit 15 may specify the object detection range based on, for example, an operation of a driver of the mobile object 100 on which the electronic apparatus 1 is mounted. For example, the detection range specifying unit 15 may specify the object detection range suitable for parking support when a parking support button is operated by a driver or the like of the mobile object 100. The detection range determination unit 15 may determine the object detection range based on an instruction from the ECU50, for example. For example, when the ECU50 determines that the mobile object 100 is to move backward, the detection range specifying unit 15 may specify an appropriate object detection range when the mobile object 100 moves backward, in accordance with an instruction from the ECU 50. The detection range specifying unit 15 may specify the object detection range based on, for example, a change in the operation state of a steering, an accelerator, a gear, or the like in the mobile unit 100. Further, the detection range determining section 15 may determine the object detection range from the result of the object detected by the object detecting section 14.

The parameter setting unit 16 sets various parameters defining a transmission signal and a reception signal of an object for detecting the reflected transmission wave T as the reflected wave R. That is, the parameter setting unit 16 sets various parameters for transmitting the transmission wave T from the transmission antenna 25 and various parameters for receiving the reflected wave R from the reception antenna 31.

In particular, in one embodiment, the parameter setting unit 16 may set various parameters related to transmission of the transmission wave T and reception of the reflected wave R so as to detect the object within the object detection range. For example, the parameter setting unit 16 may define a range in which the reflected wave R is to be received, and detect an object within the object detection range by receiving the reflected wave R. For example, the parameter setting unit 16 may determine a range of the beam direction of the transmission wave T, and detect an object in the object detection range by transmitting the transmission wave T from the plurality of transmission antennas 25. The parameter setting unit 16 may set various parameters for transmitting the transmission wave T and receiving the reflected wave R.

Various parameters set by the parameter setting section 16 may be supplied to the signal generating section 21. Thus, the signal generator 21 can generate a transmission signal to be transmitted as the transmission wave T based on the various parameters set by the parameter setting unit 16. Various parameters set by the parameter setting section 16 may be supplied to the object detection section 14. Thus, the object detection unit 14 can perform the process of detecting the object within the object detection range specified by the various parameters set by the parameter setting unit 16.

The ECU50 included in the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can control the operation of the entire mobile object 100, mainly by controlling each functional unit constituting the mobile object 100. In the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, the ECU50 controls the plurality of sensors 5 as described later. Hereinafter, in one embodiment, the ECU50 is also referred to as a "main control unit". To provide control and Processing capabilities for performing various functions, the ECU50 may include at least one processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example. The ECU50 may be realized by a single processor in a collective manner, by several processors in a collective manner, or by separate processors. The processor may be implemented as a single integrated circuit. Integrated circuits are also known as ics (integrated circuits). The processor may be implemented as a plurality of communicatively coupled integrated circuits as well as discrete circuits. The processor may be implemented based on various other known technologies. In one embodiment, the ECU50 may be configured as, for example, a CPU and a program executed by the CPU. ECU50 may also include a storage unit such as a memory necessary for the operation of ECU 50. At least a part of the functions of the controller 10 may be the function of the ECU50, and at least a part of the functions of the ECU50 may be the function of the controller 10.

The electronic device 1 shown in fig. 2 has two transmitting antennas 25 and four receiving antennas 31. However, the electronic device 1 of one embodiment may have any number of transmit antennas 25 and any number of receive antennas 31. For example, it is conceivable that the electronic device 1 has a virtual antenna array virtually configured by eight antennas by having two transmission antennas 25 and four reception antennas 31. In this way, the electronic apparatus 1 can receive the reflected waves R of the sixteen sub-frames shown in fig. 3 by using, for example, virtual eight antennas.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna in the sensor of the electronic device according to the embodiment. The directions of the X, Y, and Z axes shown in fig. 4 may be the same as those of the X, Y, and Z axes shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 4, the sensor 5 of the electronic device 1 of one embodiment may have, for example, two transmitting antennas 25A and 25A'. In addition, as shown in fig. 4, the sensor 5 of the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment may have four receiving antennas 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D.

The four receiving antennas 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D are arranged at intervals of λ/2 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), respectively, with the wavelength of the transmission wave T set to λ. In this way, the plurality of receiving antennas 31 are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the electronic device 1 can estimate the direction in which the reflected wave R reaches by receiving the transmitted wave T by the plurality of receiving antennas 31. Here, when the frequency band of the transmission wave T is, for example, 77GHz to 81GHz, the wavelength λ of the transmission wave T may be the wavelength of the transmission wave T whose center frequency is 79 GHz.

Further, let λ be the wavelength of the transmission wave T, and the two transmission antennas 25A and 25A' are disposed apart from each other at an interval of λ/2 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). In this way, by arranging the plurality of transmission antennas 25 in the vertical direction and transmitting the transmission wave T by the plurality of transmission antennas 25, the electronic apparatus 1 can change the direction of the beam of the transmission wave T to the vertical direction.

In addition, as shown in fig. 4, the sensor 5 of the electronic device 1 of one embodiment may have, for example, four transmission antennas 25A, 25A ', 25B, and 25B'.

Here, as shown in fig. 4, the two transmission antennas 25A and 25B are disposed apart from each other at an interval of λ/2 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) with the wavelength of the transmission wave T set to λ. As shown in fig. 4, the two transmission antennas 25A 'and 25B' are also arranged apart from each other at an interval of λ/2 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) with the wavelength of the transmission wave T set to λ. In this way, by arranging the plurality of transmission antennas 25 in a horizontal direction and transmitting the transmission wave T by the plurality of transmission antennas 25, the electronic apparatus 1 can also change the direction of the beam of the transmission wave T to the horizontal direction.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 4, the two transmission antennas 25B and 25B' are disposed apart from each other at an interval of λ/2 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) with the wavelength of the transmission wave T set to λ. In this way, in the configuration shown in fig. 4, by arranging the plurality of transmission antennas 25 in the vertical direction and transmitting the transmission wave T by the plurality of transmission antennas 25, the electronic apparatus 1 can change the direction of the beam of the transmission wave T to the vertical direction.

In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, when beamforming the transmission waves T transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25, the phases of the transmission waves T may be aligned in a predetermined direction according to a path difference when the plurality of transmission waves T are transmitted. In the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, the phase control unit 23 may control at least one phase of the transmission waves transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25, for example, so that the phases of the transmission waves T are aligned in a predetermined direction.

The amount of phase controlled to match the phases of the plurality of transmission waves T in a predetermined direction may be stored in the storage unit 40 in association with the predetermined direction. That is, the relationship between the direction of the beam and the amount of phase at the time of beamforming may be stored in the storage unit 40.

This relation may also be determined before the object detection by the electronic device 1, e.g. from actual measurements in the test environment, etc. When such a relationship is not stored in the storage unit 40, the phase control unit 23 may appropriately estimate the relationship based on predetermined data such as past measurement data. In addition, in the case where such a relationship is not stored in the storage section 40, the phase control section 23 may acquire an appropriate relationship by connecting to an external network, for example.

In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, control for performing beamforming of the transmission waves T transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25 may be performed by at least one of the control unit 10 and the phase control unit 23. In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the functional unit including at least the phase control unit 23 is also referred to as a transmission control unit.

Thus, in the electronic device 1 of one embodiment, the transmission antenna 25 may include a plurality of transmission antennas. In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the receiving antenna 31 may include a plurality of receiving antennas. In the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, the transmission control unit (for example, the phase control unit 23) may control the transmission waves T transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25 to form a beam in a predetermined direction (beam forming). In the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, the transmission control unit (for example, the phase control unit 23) may form a beam in the direction of the range in which the object is detected.

In addition, in the electronic device 1 of one embodiment, as described above, the transmission antenna 25 may include a plurality of transmission antennas 25 configured to include the vertical direction component. In this case, in the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, the phase control section 23 (transmission control section) may change the direction of the beam to include a vertical direction component in the direction of the object detection range.

Further, in the electronic device 1 of one embodiment, as described above, the transmission antenna 25 may also include a plurality of transmission antennas 25 configured to include a horizontal direction component. In this case, in the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, the phase control section 23 (transmission control section) may also change the direction of the beam to include a vertical direction component in the direction of the object detection range.

In the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment, the transmission control unit (for example, the phase control unit 23) may form a beam in a direction covering at least a part of the range of the detection object. In the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, the transmission control unit (for example, the phase control unit 23) may control at least one phase of the plurality of transmission waves so that the phases of the transmission waves T transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25 are aligned in a predetermined direction.

According to the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, a compensation value of a phase is calculated from frequency information of a wide band signal (for example, FMCW signal) output from the plurality of transmission antennas 25, and phase compensation depending on a frequency can be performed for each of the plurality of transmission antennas. This enables accurate beamforming in a specific direction in all frequency bands where transmission signals can be acquired.

According to such beam forming, the distance over which an object can be detected can be increased in a specific direction in which the object needs to be detected. In addition, according to the beam forming as described above, a reflected signal from an unnecessary direction can be reduced. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting the distance/angle can be improved.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a difference in detection distance of the radar realized by the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment.

As described above, the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can extract the object detection range and/or perform beamforming of the transmission wave. By employing at least one of the extraction of the object detection range and the beam forming of the transmission wave, a range in which the distance of the object can be detected from the transmission signal and the reception signal can be defined.

As shown in fig. 5, the electronic device 1 of one embodiment can detect an object in the range of r1, for example. The range r1 shown in fig. 5 may be a range in which object detection is possible by Ultra Short Range Radar (USRR), for example. As shown in fig. 5, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can perform object detection in the range of r2, for example. The range r2 shown in fig. 5 may be, for example, a range in which object detection can be performed by Short Range Radar (SRR). Further, as shown in fig. 5, the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can perform object detection in the range of r3, for example. The range r3 shown in fig. 5 may be a range in which object detection can be performed by a Medium Range Radar (MRR), for example. As described above, the electronic device 1 of one embodiment can perform object detection by appropriately switching the range of any one of the range r1, the range r2, and the range r3, for example. In this way, the longer the detection distance is, the lower the distance measurement accuracy tends to be for radars having different detection distances.

As described above, in the electronic apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the electronic apparatus 1 may set a range of the distance to detect the object from the transmission signal and the reception signal, based on the object detection range.

Next, a connection mode between the sensor 5 and the main control unit (ECU)50 in the electronic apparatus 1 will be described.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a connection mode between the sensor 5 and the main control unit (ECU)50 in the electronic device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a connection mode between the moving body 100 and the sensor 5 shown in fig. 1, for example. The electronic device 1 of one embodiment may have a plurality of sensors 5. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the plurality of sensors 5 may include four sensors such as a sensor 5a, a sensor 5b, a sensor 5c, and a sensor 5 d. Hereinafter, in the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment, the plurality of sensors such as the sensor 5a, the sensor 5b, the sensor 5c, and the sensor 5d are simply referred to as "sensor 5" without being distinguished from each other. In fig. 2, an example in which only one sensor 5 is connected to the ECU50 is described. Fig. 6 illustrates an example in which four sensors 5 are connected to the ECU 50.

As shown in fig. 6, in one embodiment, a plurality of sensors 5 are connected to the ECU50, respectively. The ECU50 may be connected to, for example, the steering wheel 82 and/or the gear 84 for use in operating the mobile body 100. The ECU50 may be connected to other functional units used when the mobile unit 100 is operated, for example, a brake. The ECU50 may be connected to any functional unit used when the mobile unit 100 is operated, or may be connected to any functional unit controlled by the mobile unit 100. In addition, the ECU50 may be connected to the notification portion 90. In one embodiment, these functional units are capable of communicating various information through their respective connections.

The plurality of sensors 5 shown in fig. 6 may have the same structure as the sensors 5 shown in fig. 2, respectively. The plurality of sensors 5 shown in fig. 6 are connected to the ECU50, respectively, and are controlled independently by the ECU50, respectively.

The ECU50 can perform various detections such as detection of an object around the moving body 100 based on information output from the plurality of sensors 5. The ECU50 can control each of the plurality of sensors 5 when performing the above-described various detections. The function and action of the plurality of sensors 5 controlled by the ECU50 will be further described later.

For example, when the mobile Unit 100 is an automobile, the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 50 can acquire the states of various functional units in the mobile Unit 100 such as the steering 82 and the gear 84. As described above, the ECU50 is also referred to as "main control portion" as appropriate.

The steering gear 82 controls the steering angle of wheels such as tires for running the mobile body 100. The mobile body 100 can change the direction while traveling under the control of the steering gear 82. The steering gear 82 in the mobile body 100 may be, for example, the same as a steering gear for driving a general automobile. In one embodiment, the steering gear 82 in the mobile unit 100 may be a steering gear operated by the driver, or may be a steering gear operated by the ECU50 in autonomous driving.

The gear 84 can change the reduction ratio of the power of the mobile body 100, and may be a transmission (gear box), for example. The mobile body 100 can change the forward or reverse during traveling by the operation of the gear 84. Further, the mobile body 100 can change the speed during traveling by the operation of the gear 84. The gear 84 in the mobile body 100 may be the same as, for example, a transmission (gear box) for shifting a general automobile. In one embodiment, the gear 84 in the mobile body 100 may be operated by the driver, or may be operated by the ECU50 in autonomous driving.

The ECU50 may be connected not only to the steering gear 82 and the gear 84, but also to functional parts such as an accelerator and/or a brake. The accelerator and/or brake and the like in the mobile unit 100 may be the same as those used for shifting a general automobile, for example. In one embodiment, the accelerator and/or brake, etc. of the mobile unit 100 may be operated by the driver, or may be operated by the ECU50 during autonomous driving.

The notification unit 90 notifies a driver of the mobile unit 100 of predetermined information. The notification unit 90 may be any functional unit that stimulates at least one of the auditory sense, the visual sense, and the tactile sense of the driver of the mobile object 100, such as sound, light, characters, video, and vibration. Specifically, the notification unit 90 may be, for example, a buzzer, a speaker, a light emitting unit such as an LED, a display unit such as an LCD, a tactile indication unit such as a vibrator, or the like. In one embodiment, the notification unit 90 notifies, for example, a driver of the mobile body 100 of information on the result of detecting an object around the mobile body 100. For example, in one embodiment, if an object around the moving body 100 is detected, the notification portion 90 that notifies the visual information may notify the driver of the moving body of the detection of the object by light emission, display, or the like. In one embodiment, if an object around the mobile object 100 is detected, the notification unit 90 that notifies auditory information may notify the driver of the mobile object of the detection of the object by sound, voice, or the like.

When the mobile unit 100 is driven by the driver, the ECU50 can detect the states of various functional units of the mobile unit 100. For example, the ECU50 can detect the steering angle (steering angle) to which the steering gear 82 of the mobile body 100 is operated. For example, the ECU50 can detect whether the gear 84 of the mobile body 100 is operated to move forward or backward, the transmission is operated to several speeds, and the like. For example, the ECU50 may detect the opening/closing of the accelerator and the brake of the mobile unit 100, the degree of the accelerator and the brake, and the like.

In addition, in the case where the mobile body 100 is driven by the driver, the notification portion 90 may notify information of the result of detecting the object around the mobile body 100, as described above. In this case, the control unit 10 may control the notification unit 90 to notify information of the result of detecting the object around the moving object 100.

On the other hand, when the mobile unit 100 is driven by autonomous driving, the ECU50 can control various functional units of the mobile unit 100. Here, the automated driving may be, for example, level 1 to 5 automated driving defined by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the japan government and the united states department of transportation. For example, the ECU50 may automatically control the steering gear 82 of the mobile body 100 based on the detection result of the sensor 5. The ECU50 can automatically control the gear 84 of the mobile body 100 (e.g., forward/backward movement, etc.) based on the detection result of the sensor 5. Further, the ECU50 may automatically control the operation of the gear 84 to several speeds according to the detection result of the sensor 5. Further, for example, the ECU50 may automatically control the opening/closing of the accelerator and brake, the degree of accelerator and brake, and the like of the mobile body 100 on the basis of the detection result of the sensor 5.

As described above, the electronic apparatus 1 may have the ECU50 for controlling the operation of the mobile body 100. In this case, the plurality of sensors 5 may supply information of the result of detecting the object around the moving body 100 to the ECU 50. Then, the ECU50 may control the operation of the mobile unit 100 based on information supplied from at least any one of the plurality of sensors 5.

Next, the operation of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment will be described.

In the electronic apparatus according to one embodiment, the main control unit 50 controls the plurality of sensors 5 independently from each other. Here, the control of the plurality of sensors 5 may change the object detection range of the sensors 5, or change the arrival distance of the transmission wave of the sensors 5, for example. The control of the plurality of sensors 5 may be the extraction of the object detection range by the sensors 5 and/or the beam forming of the transmission wave by the sensors 5. Hereinafter, the control of the plurality of sensors 5 independently of each other will be described more specifically.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In the case where the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment includes a plurality of sensors 5, the sensors 5 may be provided at a plurality of locations of the mobile object 100 as shown in fig. 7.

In the example shown in fig. 7, the sensor 5a is disposed at the front left portion of the mobile body 100, the sensor 5b is disposed at the front right portion of the mobile body 100, the sensor 5c is disposed at the rear right portion of the mobile body 100, and the sensor 5d is disposed at the rear left portion of the mobile body 100. In the example shown in fig. 7, the transmission wave Ta is transmitted from the sensor 5a, the transmission wave Tb is transmitted from the sensor 5b, the transmission wave Tc is transmitted from the sensor 5c, and the transmission wave Td is transmitted from the sensor 5 d.

In the electronic apparatus according to one embodiment, the main control unit 50 can independently control the plurality of sensors 5. Therefore, for example, as shown in fig. 7, the main control section 50 can independently control the ranges of the distances of the objects detected by the plurality of sensors 5. For example, the main control unit 50 may set the range in which the sensor 5a detects the object to a range r1 shown in fig. 5, that is, a range in which the object detection by the Ultra Short Range Radar (USRR) is possible. For example, the main control unit 50 may set the range in which the sensor 5b and the sensor 5dc detect an object to a range in which object detection can be performed by the short-range radar (SRR), which is the range r2 shown in fig. 5. For example, the main control unit 50 may set the range in which the sensor 5c detects an object to a range r3 shown in fig. 5, that is, a range in which object detection by the Medium Range Radar (MRR) is possible.

The detection method shown in fig. 7 may be such that, for example, the main control unit 50 starts independent control of each of the plurality of sensors 5, triggered by each of the plurality of sensors 5 detecting a predetermined object. As shown in fig. 7, the trigger for the main control unit 50 to start the independent control of each of the plurality of sensors 5 may be the following event. That is, as shown in fig. 7, the event may be a case where the object P1 is detected by the sensor 5a, the object P2 is detected by the sensor 5b, the object P3 is detected by the sensor 5c, and the object P4 is detected by the sensor 5 d.

The main control section 50 may be in a state where the plurality of sensors 5 do not start the object detection at first. In this case, the main control section 50 may start the detection shown in fig. 7 when the plurality of sensors 5 detect the object, respectively. The main control unit 50 may be in a state where the plurality of sensors 5 have started the object detection. In this case, as shown in fig. 7, the main control section 50 may detect an object based on each of the plurality of sensors 5 and change the object detection range or the like to an optimum range according to the object detected by each.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the electronic device 1 according to the embodiment. The description that is the same as or similar to that described in fig. 7 is simplified or omitted in fig. 8.

In the example shown in fig. 8, the manner of providing a plurality of sensors on the mobile body 100 is the same as that shown in fig. 7. As described above, in the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment, the main control unit 50 can independently control the plurality of sensors 5. Therefore, for example, as shown in fig. 8, the main control section 50 can independently control the beam forming of the plurality of sensors 5. For example, in the example shown in fig. 8, the main control unit 50 controls the formation (beam forming) of the beam Ba of the transmission wave transmitted from the sensor 5 a. Similarly, the main control unit 50 controls the formation of the beam Bb of the transmission wave transmitted from the sensor 5b, the formation of the beam Bc of the transmission wave transmitted from the sensor 5c, and the formation of the beam Bd of the transmission wave transmitted from the sensor 5 d.

The detection method shown in fig. 8 may be, for example, such that the main control unit 50 starts independent control of each of the plurality of sensors 5, triggered by each of the plurality of sensors 5 detecting a predetermined object. As shown in fig. 8, the trigger for the main control unit 50 to start the independent control of each of the plurality of sensors 5 may be the following event. That is, as in the description of fig. 7, the event may be a case where each object is detected by each sensor 5.

The main control unit 50 may be initially in a state where the plurality of sensors 5 do not start beamforming. In this case, the main control section 50 may form the beam shown in fig. 8 when the plurality of sensors 5 detect the object, respectively. The main control unit 50 may be in a state where the plurality of sensors 5 have already performed beam forming in a predetermined direction. In this case, as shown in fig. 8, the main control section 50 may detect an object based on each of the plurality of sensors 5 and change the direction of the beam according to the object detected by each.

For example, the main control unit 50 may be initially set in a state in which the beams of the plurality of sensors 5 are directed in the respective reference directions. Here, the reference direction of the beam may be a direction in which the phases of the plurality of transmission waves are aligned in a state in which the phases are not controlled in the sensors 5. For example, the reference direction of the beam in the sensor 5a may be the direction Dan shown in fig. 8. Likewise, the reference direction of the beam in sensor 5b may be direction Dbn, the reference direction of the beam in sensor 5c may be direction Dcn, and the reference direction of the beam in sensor 5d may be direction Ddn. In this case, as shown in fig. 8, the main control section 50 may detect an object based on each of the plurality of sensors 5 and change the direction of the beam according to the object detected by each.

As described above, the main control unit 50 of the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can control the operation of some of the plurality of sensors 5 (for example, the sensor 5a) to be different from the operation of the sensors other than the above-described some of the plurality of sensors 5 (for example, the sensors 5b, 5c, and 5 d).

The main control unit 50 of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may control each of the plurality of sensors 5 to perform a predetermined operation in response to occurrence of a predetermined event.

For example, the main control unit 50 of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may control each of the plurality of sensors 5 to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection of the object reflecting the transmission wave T.

The operations shown in fig. 7 and 8 can be performed based on the operation of the mobile body 100, for example. That is, the main control unit 50 may independently control the plurality of sensors 5 according to the behavior of the mobile body 100.

For example, in the situation shown in fig. 7, in the case where the moving body 100 changes the course to the right, the object detection ranges of the sensor 5b and the sensor 5c provided on the right side of the moving body 100 may be changed to be wide. In addition, in the case where the moving body 100 changes the course to the right, the distances at which the sensors 5b and 5c provided on the right side of the moving body 100 detect the object may be changed long.

In addition, for example, in the case shown in fig. 8, when the moving body 100 changes the course to the right, the beams of the sensor 5b and the sensor 5c provided on the right side of the moving body 100 may be directed to the right side of the moving body 100. For example, in the case shown in fig. 8, when the moving body 100 changes the course to the right, the beam direction of the sensor 5b may be slightly oriented clockwise from the reference direction Dbn. In the case shown in fig. 8, when the moving object 100 changes the course to the right, the beam direction of the sensor 5c may be slightly counterclockwise from the reference direction Dcn.

In addition, for example, in the situation shown in fig. 7, in the case where the mobile body 100 is accelerated, the object detection ranges of the sensors 5a and 5b provided on the front side of the mobile body 100 may be changed to be wide. In addition, when the moving body 100 is accelerated, the distance at which the sensor 5a and the sensor 5b provided on the front side of the moving body 100 detect the object may be changed to be long. In addition, for example, in the case shown in fig. 7, when the moving body 100 decelerates, the object detection ranges of the sensors 5c and 5d provided on the rear side of the moving body 100 may be changed widely. In addition, when the moving body 100 decelerates, the distance at which the sensor 5c and the sensor 5d provided on the rear side of the moving body 100 detect the object may be changed to be long.

As described above, the main control unit 50 of the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can control the plurality of sensors 5 to perform predetermined operations according to the behavior of the mobile object 100 on which the electronic apparatus 1 is mounted. In this case, the behavior of the mobile body 100 may be determined based on information supplied from a main control unit such as the ECU50 mounted on the mobile body 100.

The main control unit 50 of the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can independently control the plurality of sensors 5. For example, the electronic apparatus 1 may control on/off of the plurality of sensors 5 independently, respectively. In addition, for example, the electronic apparatus 1 may control at least one of the beam width of the transmission waves and the arrival distance of the transmission waves transmitted from the plurality of sensors 5 independently, respectively. In addition, for example, the electronic apparatus 1 may control the operation modes (e.g., normal mode/BF mode) of the plurality of sensors 5 independently, respectively. In addition, for example, the electronic apparatus 1 may control the directions of beamforming of the transmission waves transmitted from the plurality of sensors 5 independently, respectively. The electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can detect the presence or absence of an object or the like in substantially the entire periphery of the moving object 100 shown in fig. 7 or 8 by appropriately controlling the beam width of the transmission waves transmitted from the plurality of sensors 5, the arrival distance of the transmission waves, and the like.

As described above, in the case where the plurality of sensors 5 are independently controlled, if the sensors 5 detect at the same timing using the same frequency, there is a possibility that interference occurs in object detection by the plurality of sensors 5. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of sensors 5 are independently controlled, the main control unit 50 of the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment may shift the detection timing of each sensor 5. In this case, for example, the detection of different sensors 5 may be allocated to each of a plurality of frames or the like of the transmission wave T.

Fig. 9 to 11 are diagrams showing a state in which detection by the plurality of sensors 5 is set (allocated) for each frame or the like of the transmission wave T.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a frame of a transmission wave T, as in fig. 3. In the example shown in fig. 9, frames 1 to 6 of the transmission wave T are shown, and the following frames may be continued. Each frame shown in fig. 9 may include, for example, 16 subframes, as in the case of the frame 1 shown in fig. 3. In addition, in this case, each of the subframes may include, for example, 8 chirp signals, as in the subframes shown in fig. 3.

For example, as shown in fig. 9, the electronic device 1 of one embodiment may set (allocate) detection of different radars in the plurality of sensors 5 for each frame of the transmission wave T. For example, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may set one sensor for object detection among the plurality of sensors 5 for each frame of the transmission wave T. In this way, the main control unit 50 of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can cause the plurality of sensors 5 to detect in different frames of the transmission wave T. That is, in the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment, the main control unit 50 may switch the plurality of sensors 5 for each frame of the transmission wave T to transmit the transmission signal and receive the reception signal.

In the example shown in fig. 9, the detection of the sensor 5a is set for the frame 1 of the transmission wave T, and the detection of the sensor 5b is set for the frame 2 of the transmission wave T. The detection by the sensor 5c is set for the frame 3 of the transmission wave T, and the detection by the sensor 5d is set for the frame 4 of the transmission wave T. The same detection is repeatedly set thereafter. In one embodiment, each frame of the transmitted wave T may be, for example, on the order of tens of microseconds or the like. Therefore, the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment performs detection of different sensors at very short intervals. Therefore, according to the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, even if the plurality of sensors 5 are independently controlled and the sensors 5 detect the object using the same frequency, the risk of interference occurring in the object detection by the plurality of sensors 5 is reduced.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing subframes included in a frame of a transmission wave T, as in fig. 3. In the example shown in fig. 10, subframes 1 to 6 of the transmission wave T are shown, and the following frames may be continued. In addition, from subframe 1 to subframe 6 shown in fig. 10 may constitute a part of 16 subframes included in frame 1 shown in fig. 3. In addition, each of the subframes shown in fig. 10 may include, for example, 8 chirp signals, as in the subframes shown in fig. 3.

For example, as shown in fig. 10, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may set (assign) different detection of the sensor 5 for each subframe of the transmission wave T. For example, the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may set detection by any one of the plurality of sensors 5 for each subframe of the transmission wave T. In this way, the main control unit 50 of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment may set any one of the detections by the plurality of sensors 5 for each part (for example, a sub-frame) of the frame constituting the transmission wave T. In the example shown in fig. 9, the detection by the sensor 5a is set for the subframe 1 of the transmission wave T, the detection by the sensor 5b is set for the subframe 2 of the transmission wave T, the detection by the sensor 5c is set for the subframe 3 of the transmission wave T, and the same detection is repeatedly set thereafter. In one embodiment, each subframe of the transmitted wave T may be shorter than one frame time, for example. Therefore, the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can detect different sensors 5 in a shorter time.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing chirp signals included in a sub-frame of the transmitted wave T, as in fig. 3. In the example shown in fig. 11, the transmission wave T is shown from the subframe 1 to the subframe 2, but the subframes after the subframe 1 may be continued as in the subframe 1. In addition, the subframe 1 shown in fig. 11 may include 8 chirp signals, like the subframe 1 shown in fig. 3. In addition, each chirp signal shown in fig. 11 may be respectively the same as 8 chirp signals included in each subframe shown in fig. 3.

For example, as shown in fig. 11, the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment may set (assign) different detections by the sensor 5 for each chirp signal included in the sub-frame of the transmitted wave T. For example, the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment may set the detection of any one of the plurality of sensors 5 for each chirp signal of the transmitted wave T, for example. In this way, the main control unit 50 of the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can set any one of the detections of the plurality of sensors 5 for each chirp signal constituting the frame of the transmitted wave T. In the example shown in fig. 11, the detection of the sensor 5a is set for the chirp signal c1 of the transmission wave T, the detection of the sensor 5b is set for the chirp signal c2 of the transmission wave T, the detection of the sensor 5c is set for the chirp signal c3 of the transmission wave T, and the same detection is repeatedly set thereafter. In one embodiment, each chirp signal of the transmitted wave T may be shorter than the time of one sub-frame, for example. Therefore, the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can perform detection by the sensor 5 differently for each shorter time.

In the above description, the timings of detection by the plurality of sensors 5 are made different, so that the risk of interference in object detection by the plurality of sensors 5 is reduced. On the other hand, even if the frequencies of the radio waves detected by the plurality of sensors 5 are different, the risk of interference occurring in the object detection by the plurality of sensors 5 can be reduced. For example, the object detection may be started by setting the frequency (frequency band) of the radio wave used when the plurality of sensors 5 detect the object to be detected to be different among the plurality of sensors 5. That is, in fig. 7 or 8, the sensor 5a, the sensor 5b, the sensor 5c, and the sensor 5d can perform object detection independently using different frequencies (frequency bands), respectively. In this way, the main control unit 50 of the electronic device 1 according to one embodiment can cause the plurality of sensors 5 to detect using transmission waves of different frequencies. According to the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, even if the plurality of sensors 5 are controlled independently and the sensors 5 detect at the same time, the risk of interference in object detection by the plurality of sensors 5 is reduced.

In the examples shown in fig. 9 to 11, detection in which any one of the plurality of sensors 5 is sequentially (equally) assigned to each frame or the like of the transmission wave T is described. However, when detection by any one of the plurality of sensors 5 is allocated for each frame or the like of the transmission wave T, the detection may not be equally allocated to the plurality of sensors 5.

For example, in the case shown in fig. 7, the detection by the sensors 5b and 5c provided on the right side of the mobile body 100 may be prioritized over the detection by the sensors 5a and 5d provided on the left side of the mobile body 100.

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which detection by any of the plurality of sensors 5 is assigned to each frame of the transmission wave T. The description that is the same as or similar to that described in fig. 9 is simplified or omitted in fig. 12.

In the frame of the transmission wave T shown in fig. 12, the same allocation is made from frame 1 to frame 6 and from frame 7 to frame 12. The frame after the frame 12 can be similarly allocated.

As shown in fig. 12, the sensors 5b and 5c detect 2 times from frame 1 to frame 6, whereas the sensors 5a and 5d detect 1 time. By performing such allocation to each frame, it is possible to prioritize the detection by the sensors 5b and 5c provided on the right side of the mobile body 100 over the detection by the sensors 5a and 5d provided on the left side of the mobile body 100. In fig. 7, such assignment may be triggered by, for example, detection of a change in the course of the moving object 100 to the right. That is, in the case shown in fig. 7, when the moving body 100 changes the course to the right, the detection of the sensor 5b and the sensor 5c provided on the right side of the moving body 100 may be prioritized over the detection of the sensor 5a and the sensor 5d provided on the left side of the moving body 100.

As described above, the main control unit 50 of the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can control the plurality of sensors 5 with different priorities, for example, according to the traveling direction of the mobile object 100 in which the electronic apparatus 1 is mounted. For example, the operation of the sensors (e.g., the sensors 5b and 5c) corresponding to the traveling direction of the moving body 100 among the plurality of sensors 5 may be prioritized over the operation of the sensors (e.g., the sensors 5a and 5c) other than the sensors corresponding to the traveling direction of the moving body 100 among the plurality of sensors 5.

As described above, according to the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, it is possible to independently perform various controls on the plurality of sensors 5 with various events as triggers. Therefore, according to the electronic apparatus 1 of one embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of detecting an object by the plurality of sensors.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the electronic device according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, a flow of an operation of the electronic device according to one embodiment will be described.

The operation shown in fig. 13 may be started when, for example, an object existing around the mobile body 100 is detected by the electronic apparatus 1 mounted on the mobile body 100.

When the operation shown in fig. 13 is started, the main control section 50 controls each of the plurality of sensors 5 independently (step S1). For example, in step S1, the main control unit 50 may perform various controls on each of the plurality of sensors 5, as described with reference to fig. 7 or 8. In step S1, the detection range specifying unit 15 may specify, for example, a default object detection range for the plurality of sensors 5. In step S1, the detection range specifying unit 15 may specify the object detection range in response to an operation by the driver of the mobile object 100 or the like, for example, or may specify the object detection range in response to an instruction from the control unit 10 or the ECU50, for example.

The operation shown in step S1 may be an operation that is not initially performed after the operation shown in fig. 13 is started, but may be an operation that is performed before the operation shown in fig. 13 and then is restarted. In the case where there is a result that the object has been detected by the object detection section 14 at the time of step S1 performed again, the detection range determination section 15 may determine the object detection range from the position of the detected object.

If the control of the plurality of sensors 5 is started in step S1, the main control unit 50 determines whether or not a predetermined event has occurred as a trigger (step S2). The predetermined event determined in step S2 may be, for example, detection of an object, or a change in the position, distance, and/or relative speed of the detected object. The predetermined event determined in step S2 may be, for example, a change in the behavior of the mobile body 100 (direction change, acceleration, deceleration, gear change, or the like).

If no event has occurred in step S2, the main controller 50 continues the setting of the control to start in step S1, and performs the operation of object detection after step S4.

On the other hand, when an event occurs in step S2, the main control unit 50 sets each of the plurality of sensors 5 to perform a predetermined operation based on the event (step S3). Here, the predetermined operation of each of the plurality of sensors 5 may be, for example, various operations described in fig. 7 to 12. Note that, the setting of the plurality of sensors 5 performed in step S2 may be changed in the manner set up for the plurality of sensors 5.

If a plurality of sensors 5 are set in step S3, main control unit 50 controls transmission of transmission wave T from transmission antenna 25 (step S4). When beamforming the transmission waves T, the phase control unit 23 (transmission control unit) may control the phases of the transmission waves T so that the transmission waves T transmitted from the plurality of transmission antennas 25 form beams in a predetermined direction in step S4. Further, the phase control unit 23 (transmission control unit) may control the direction in which the beam of the transmission wave T is directed toward the object detection range so as to cover at least a part of the object detection range, for example.

If the transmission wave T is transmitted in step S4, the main control unit 50 controls the reception of the reflected wave R from the reception antenna 31 (step S5).

If the reflected wave R is received in step S5, the main control part 50 detects an object existing around the moving body 100 (step S6). In step S6, the object detection unit 14 of the control unit 10 may perform object detection (extraction of the object detection range) within the object detection range set in step S3. In step S6, the object detection unit 14 of the control unit 10 may detect the presence of an object from the estimation result of at least one of the distance FFT processing unit 11, the velocity FFT processing unit 12, and the arrival angle estimation unit 13. The detection of the object in step S6 can be performed according to various algorithms and the like using a technique based on a known millimeter wave radar, and therefore, a more detailed description is omitted.

If an object is detected in step S6, the main control portion 50 determines whether or not to end the object detection of the plurality of sensors 5 (step S7). If it is detected in step S7 that the operation has not been completed, the main control unit 50 may return to step S1 and repeat the operation. On the other hand, when the end of the detection is detected in step S7, the main control unit 50 may end the operation shown in fig. 13.

Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and the embodiments, it should be noted that various changes or modifications can be easily made by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be noted that such variations or modifications are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, functions and the like included in the functional units can be rearranged in a logically inconspicuous manner. A plurality of functional sections and the like may be combined into one or divided. The embodiments according to the present disclosure described above are not limited to the embodiments that are faithful to each other, and can be implemented by appropriately combining the features or omitting some of them. That is, various modifications and corrections can be made by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure in the present disclosure. Accordingly, such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in each embodiment, each functional unit, each step, and the like can be added to or replaced with each functional unit, each step, and the like of the other embodiments without being logically contradictory. In the embodiments of the present application, a plurality of functional units, steps, and the like may be combined into one or divided. The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not limited to the embodiments that are faithful to each other, and may be implemented by appropriately combining the features or omitting some of them.

The above embodiments are not limited to the embodiments as the electronic apparatus 1. For example, the above embodiment may be implemented as a method of controlling a device such as the electronic device 1. For example, the above-described embodiment may be implemented as a control program for a device such as the electronic device 1.

Description of the reference numerals

1 electronic device

5 sensor

10 control part

11 distance FFT processing unit

12-speed FFT processing unit

13 arrival angle estimating unit

14 object detecting part

15 detection range determining section

16 parameter setting unit

20 sending part

21 signal generating part

22 synthesizer

23 phase control part

24 amplifier

25 transmitting antenna

30 receiving part

31 receiving antenna

32 LNA

33 frequency mixer

34 IF part

35 AD conversion unit

40 storage unit

50 ECU (Main control unit)

82 steering gear

84 Gear

100 moving body

200 object

Text translation in the drawings of the specification

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a

Direction of travel

FIG. 2

Storage unit detection range determination unit parameter setting unit

Object detection unit arrival angle estimation unit velocity FFT processing unit distance FFT processing unit

Signal generation part synthesizer phase control part amplifier transmission wave object reflected wave AD conversion part IF part

FIG. 3

Subframe frame interval subframe

Frame

FIG. 5

Direction of travel

FIG. 6

Notification portion 90 steering wheel 82 gear 84

Sensor

FIG. 7

Direction of travel

FIG. 8

Direction of travel

FIG. 9

Sensor

Frame

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a

Sensor

Subframe

FIG. 11

Sensor

Subframe

FIG. 12

Sensor

Subframe

FIG. 13

Start of

Independently controlling multiple sensors

Occurrence of a triggering event

Setting a plurality of sensors according to events respectively

Transmitting transmission wave

Receiving the reflected wave

Detecting an object

End detection

End up