US20090135050A1 - Automotive radar system - Google Patents
Automotive radar system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090135050A1 US20090135050A1 US11/944,824 US94482407A US2009135050A1 US 20090135050 A1 US20090135050 A1 US 20090135050A1 US 94482407 A US94482407 A US 94482407A US 2009135050 A1 US2009135050 A1 US 2009135050A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- radar
- animate
- echoes
- signal
- objects
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000002592 echocardiography Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 7
- 241000282994 Cervidae Species 0.000 description 5
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241000124008 Mammalia Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010363 phase shift Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
- G01S7/41—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
- G01S7/411—Identification of targets based on measurements of radar reflectivity
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to automotive radar systems and, more particularly, to such a system which identifies animate objects within a range of interest.
- automotive radar systems typically comprise a high frequency radar transmitter which transmits a radar signal in a known direction.
- the transmitter may transmit the radar signal in either a continuous or pulse mode.
- These systems also include a receiver connected to the appropriate antenna system which receives echoes or reflections from the transmitted radar signal. Each such reflection or echo represents an object struck by the transmitted radar signal.
- the use of automotive radar has been generally limited to collision avoidance systems.
- the system detects the distance between the vehicle immediately forward of the vehicle having radar. Whenever the distance between the two vehicles falls less than a predetermined amount, which may vary as a function of speed, the radar system either generates an alert to the driver or automatically slows the vehicle down to increase the spacing between the vehicle and the next forward vehicle.
- Still other automotive radar systems detect the distance of objects within the direction of travel of the automotive vehicle and take necessary steps to avoid collision with those objects.
- the present invention provides an automotive radar system which overcomes the previously known disadvantages of the prior systems.
- the automotive radar system of the present invention comprises a high frequency radio transmitter which generates a radio signal in a known direction relative to the vehicle.
- the radio transmitter may generate the radar signal in either a pulse mode or continuous mode.
- the radar system further includes a radar receiver having two or more antennas that receive reflections or echoes of the radar signal resulting from impingement with an object. The position and distance for each such identified object is then provided as input data to a processor.
- the processor by analyzing the received data for each object over a period of time, then discriminates between animate objects and inanimate objects.
- the identification of animate objects may be achieved in several different ways.
- the reflected radar signal may be compared to a matched set filter contained as data in the processor for the radar system.
- the filters may contain both animate as well as inanimate objects so that, once a match has been made, the identification of the object as an animate or inanimate object may be rapidly determined.
- the processor provides an alert signal to the operator of the vehicle.
- the vehicle includes a video display screen and the alert signal comprises displaying video objects on the screen which correspond to the animate objects identified by the radar system.
- Other alert signals such as an audible signal, may also be employed.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an elevational diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the receipt of exemplary radar echoes corresponding to objects within the range of interest
- FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the received signal over an extended time period
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the radar system 10 includes a high frequency radio transmitter 12 which generates a radar signal through a radar antenna 14 in a known direction, typically forwardly, relative to a vehicle 26 ( FIG. 2 ).
- governmental regulations allow automotive radar in the range of 76-81 GHz, although other frequency ranges may become available or mandated for use in automotive systems in the future.
- the radar system 10 further includes a radar receiver 16 having at least two antennas 18 that are physically spaced apart on the automotive vehicle 26 . Such spaced apart antennas 18 allow the radar system to identify the position of any received signals by the antenna 18 through triangulation, phase shifting processing or other means.
- the radar receiver 16 provides an output to a processor 20 indicative of the echo(es) or radar signal reflection received by the receiver 16 .
- the information provided to the processor 20 enables the processor to determine both the position and distance between any objects detected by the radar receiver 16 .
- the processor 20 which is preferably microprocessor based, analyzes the data received from the radar receiver 16 to identify and discriminate between animate objects and inanimate objects that are within a range of interest.
- the algorithm utilized by the processor 20 to identify animate objects will be subsequently described in greater detail.
- the processor 20 After the processor 20 identifies animate objects within a range of interest, the processor 20 , through an alert control circuit 22 , generates an alert 24 to the operator of the vehicle 26 .
- This alert 24 may comprise, for example, a video display of the animate objects on a video display screen accessible to the operator of the vehicle or other audible or visual alerts.
- the alert 24 may also include automatic control of the vehicle 26 , e.g. automatic braking of the vehicle 26 .
- the automotive radar system 10 is there shown installed in the vehicle 26 which is either stationary or traveling in the direction of arrow 28 . It is only desirable to identify animate objects, such as a person 30 or a deer 32 , which may move into the path of travel of the vehicle 26 . Consequently, it is only necessary to examine the objects, both animate and inanimate, that are within a certain range of interest 34 .
- the range of interest 34 may, for example, include both an angular range ⁇ as well as a distance range d, either of which may vary as a function of the speed of the vehicle 26 .
- the radar transmitter generates the high frequency radio signal through the antenna 14 as illustrated at 36 ( FIG. 2 ) in the well known manner. Furthermore, the transmission of the high frequency radio signal through the antenna 14 may be either in pulse mode or continuous mode.
- each of the objects 30 , 32 , 33 and 35 Whenever the radar signal 36 impinges upon an object within the range of interest 34 , that object reflects the radar signal 36 back to the receiving antennas 18 on the motor vehicle 26 .
- This reflected signal or echo from both the inanimate objects 33 and 35 , as well as the animate objects 30 and 32 enables each of the objects 30 , 32 , 33 and 35 to not only be located but also, ultimately, to be identified as either an animate or an inanimate object.
- the time lapse between the transmission of the radar signal by the antenna 14 and the receipt of the echo from each object determines the distance between the object and the vehicle 26 .
- the phase shift between the receiving antennas 18 of each echo enables the angular position of the object relative to the vehicle 26 to be determined. Since both the angular position as well as the distance is determinable within the range of interest 34 , the position of each object 30 , 32 , 33 and 35 may be calculated by the processor 20 .
- the amplitude of the echo will vary depending upon the type of object within the area of interest 34 .
- An exemplary received radio signal for the scenario illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3 with the amplitude of the echo charted as a function of time t long .
- a first echo indicated at elapsed time t l i.e. the elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal and the receipt of the echo, corresponds to the nearest object or the person 30 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- a second echo 52 corresponds to the next further object or the deer 32 while a third echo 54 corresponds to the stop sign 33 .
- An echo 56 corresponds to the vehicle 35 immediately in front of the vehicle 26 .
- the amplitude of the radar echo from the automotive vehicle 35 is much greater than the amplitude of the echoes from either the person 30 , deer 32 or stop sign 33 since the automotive vehicle 35 is not only largely metallic in construction, but also much larger than the other objects.
- FIG. 4 a graph of the received echoes by the antenna is shown over an extended period of time t long .
- FIG. 4 also depicts the received radar echoes with the vehicle 26 stationary; otherwise the echoes 50 , 52 , 54 and 56 would shift along the elapsed time axis as the distance between the objects 30 , 32 , 33 and 35 changes. Consequently, the echo or reflection signal 50 from the person 30 will include different amplitude modulations 60 at spaced time intervals. This amplitude modulation may result from respiration of the person, the person's heartbeat, and/or the like.
- the echo signal 52 from the deer 32 would also contain amplitude modulations 62 at spaced time intervals. These amplitude modulations 62 , however, presumably would be different than the amplitude modulation exhibited by the person 30 .
- the received radar echo 54 from the stop sign 33 would not exhibit this type of amplitude modulation since both are inanimate objects.
- the echo signal 56 from the vehicle 35 is greater than a threshold Amp thresh ( FIG. 3 ) which represents an echo signal larger than any expected animate object.
- the radar transmitter 12 generates a microwave radar signal, preferably in the range of 76-81 GHz, through the antenna 14 and in a known direction relative to the vehicle.
- that known direction corresponds to the area of interest 34 forwardly of the vehicle 26 and in the angular range ⁇ as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Step 100 then proceeds to step 102 .
- the radar receiver 16 receives the echoes from objects within the area of interest 34 through its antennas 18 .
- Each received echo will vary both in amplitude, depending upon the object producing the echo, as well as the elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal at step 100 and the receipt of its echo.
- Objects that are closer to the vehicle 26 will exhibit a shorter elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal and the reception of its echo while, conversely, objects further from the vehicle 26 will exhibit a longer elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal and the reception of its echo.
- Step 102 then proceeds to step 104 .
- step 104 eliminates the received radar echoes having an amplitude in excess of Amp thresh . Such reflections or echoes with large amplitudes would correspond to other automotive vehicles and thus inanimate objects. Step 104 then proceeds to step 106 .
- step 106 determines if there are any other objects that are identified within the range of interest. Consequently, for the example illustrated, the echo 56 corresponding to the vehicle 35 is eliminated from further processing at step 104 so that step 106 determines that there are three separate remaining objects, each corresponding to echoes 50 , 52 and 54 , and step 106 proceeds to step 108 . However, if no objects are found within the range of interest at step 106 , step 106 branches back to step 100 where the above process is repeated.
- the processor 20 determines whether the objects 30 , 32 and 33 which respectively produce the return echoes 50 , 52 and 54 are animate or inanimate.
- the identification of animate objects within the range of interest 34 may be accomplished in different ways.
- a plurality of echoes may be received over a relatively long period of time t long as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- Each echo 50 , 52 or 54 is examined to determine if it exhibits amplitude modulation over that relatively long period of time.
- Such amplitude modulation can result from a heartbeat, respiration, actual movement of the inanimate object, and the like.
- the processor 20 identifies the object as an animate object.
- the received echoes from the radar transmission may be compared to match set filters that are previously determined and stored in memory accessible to the processor 20 .
- filters may correspond to objects commonly found along highways, such as stop signs, speed limit signs, and the like.
- the appropriate filter is applied to the received echo 50 , 52 and 54 , the object is accordingly identified as either animate or inanimate as the case may be.
- step 108 branches to step 110 where the algorithm determines whether or not all objects within the range of interest 34 have been processed. If not, step 110 branches back to step 108 where the above process is repeated.
- step 108 instead branches to step 112 where the processor 20 generates an alert signal 24 via the alert control circuit 22 .
- This alert signal 24 may comprise, for example, the display of a symbol on a video display screen, or other alert signals.
- the alert signal 24 can change the operation of the vehicle itself. For example, in the event of a possible collision with an animate object, the alert signal 24 may automatically apply the vehicle brakes to slow the vehicle or even steer the vehicle around the animate object.
- the present invention provides an automotive radar system which identifies animate objects within a range of interest and which may potentially enter into the path of travel of the vehicle.
Abstract
Description
- I. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to automotive radar systems and, more particularly, to such a system which identifies animate objects within a range of interest.
- II. Description of Material Art
- There are previously known automotive radar systems and such automotive radar systems are expected to become more prevalent in the future. These automotive radar systems typically comprise a high frequency radar transmitter which transmits a radar signal in a known direction. The transmitter may transmit the radar signal in either a continuous or pulse mode.
- These systems also include a receiver connected to the appropriate antenna system which receives echoes or reflections from the transmitted radar signal. Each such reflection or echo represents an object struck by the transmitted radar signal.
- To date, the use of automotive radar has been generally limited to collision avoidance systems. For example, in some radar systems, the system detects the distance between the vehicle immediately forward of the vehicle having radar. Whenever the distance between the two vehicles falls less than a predetermined amount, which may vary as a function of speed, the radar system either generates an alert to the driver or automatically slows the vehicle down to increase the spacing between the vehicle and the next forward vehicle.
- Still other automotive radar systems detect the distance of objects within the direction of travel of the automotive vehicle and take necessary steps to avoid collision with those objects.
- There are situations, however, where an object is outside the direction of travel of the vehicle but may move into the direction of travel of the vehicle and cause a collision. For example, animals, such as deer, as well as people may move suddenly into the path of travel of the vehicle and cause a collision. These previously known radar systems have been unable to discriminate between animate objects which may move into the path of travel of the vehicle and inanimate objects.
- The present invention provides an automotive radar system which overcomes the previously known disadvantages of the prior systems.
- In brief, the automotive radar system of the present invention comprises a high frequency radio transmitter which generates a radio signal in a known direction relative to the vehicle. The radio transmitter may generate the radar signal in either a pulse mode or continuous mode.
- The radar system further includes a radar receiver having two or more antennas that receive reflections or echoes of the radar signal resulting from impingement with an object. The position and distance for each such identified object is then provided as input data to a processor.
- The processor, by analyzing the received data for each object over a period of time, then discriminates between animate objects and inanimate objects. The identification of animate objects may be achieved in several different ways.
- First, all animate objects of interest, such as people and other mammals, continually exhibit certain movements. For example, such animate objects have a continuous heartbeat, respiration and the like, all of which results in amplitude modulation of the reflected signal back to the automotive vehicle. Consequently, identification of amplitude modulation in the reflected signal over a period of time is indicative that the object is animate.
- Similarly, the reflected radar signal may be compared to a matched set filter contained as data in the processor for the radar system. The filters may contain both animate as well as inanimate objects so that, once a match has been made, the identification of the object as an animate or inanimate object may be rapidly determined.
- Once the animate objects have been identified, the processor provides an alert signal to the operator of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle includes a video display screen and the alert signal comprises displaying video objects on the screen which correspond to the animate objects identified by the radar system. Other alert signals, such as an audible signal, may also be employed.
- A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an elevational diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the receipt of exemplary radar echoes corresponding to objects within the range of interest; -
FIG. 4 is a view similar toFIG. 3 but illustrating the received signal over an extended time period; and -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. - With reference first to
FIG. 1 , a block diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of theradar system 10 according to the present invention is shown. Theradar system 10 includes a highfrequency radio transmitter 12 which generates a radar signal through aradar antenna 14 in a known direction, typically forwardly, relative to a vehicle 26 (FIG. 2 ). At present, governmental regulations allow automotive radar in the range of 76-81 GHz, although other frequency ranges may become available or mandated for use in automotive systems in the future. - The
radar system 10 further includes aradar receiver 16 having at least twoantennas 18 that are physically spaced apart on theautomotive vehicle 26. Such spaced apartantennas 18 allow the radar system to identify the position of any received signals by theantenna 18 through triangulation, phase shifting processing or other means. - The
radar receiver 16 provides an output to aprocessor 20 indicative of the echo(es) or radar signal reflection received by thereceiver 16. The information provided to theprocessor 20 enables the processor to determine both the position and distance between any objects detected by theradar receiver 16. - The
processor 20, which is preferably microprocessor based, analyzes the data received from theradar receiver 16 to identify and discriminate between animate objects and inanimate objects that are within a range of interest. The algorithm utilized by theprocessor 20 to identify animate objects will be subsequently described in greater detail. - After the
processor 20 identifies animate objects within a range of interest, theprocessor 20, through analert control circuit 22, generates analert 24 to the operator of thevehicle 26. Thisalert 24 may comprise, for example, a video display of the animate objects on a video display screen accessible to the operator of the vehicle or other audible or visual alerts. Thealert 24 may also include automatic control of thevehicle 26, e.g. automatic braking of thevehicle 26. - With reference now to
FIG. 2 , theautomotive radar system 10 is there shown installed in thevehicle 26 which is either stationary or traveling in the direction ofarrow 28. It is only desirable to identify animate objects, such as aperson 30 or adeer 32, which may move into the path of travel of thevehicle 26. Consequently, it is only necessary to examine the objects, both animate and inanimate, that are within a certain range ofinterest 34. The range ofinterest 34 may, for example, include both an angular range α as well as a distance range d, either of which may vary as a function of the speed of thevehicle 26. - With reference now to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , the radar transmitter generates the high frequency radio signal through theantenna 14 as illustrated at 36 (FIG. 2 ) in the well known manner. Furthermore, the transmission of the high frequency radio signal through theantenna 14 may be either in pulse mode or continuous mode. - Whenever the
radar signal 36 impinges upon an object within the range ofinterest 34, that object reflects theradar signal 36 back to thereceiving antennas 18 on themotor vehicle 26. This reflected signal or echo from both theinanimate objects animate objects objects - First, the time lapse between the transmission of the radar signal by the
antenna 14 and the receipt of the echo from each object determines the distance between the object and thevehicle 26. The phase shift between thereceiving antennas 18 of each echo enables the angular position of the object relative to thevehicle 26 to be determined. Since both the angular position as well as the distance is determinable within the range ofinterest 34, the position of eachobject processor 20. - The amplitude of the echo will vary depending upon the type of object within the area of
interest 34. An exemplary received radio signal for the scenario illustrated inFIG. 2 is shown inFIG. 3 with the amplitude of the echo charted as a function of time tlong. - With reference then to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first echo indicated at elapsed time tl, i.e. the elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal and the receipt of the echo, corresponds to the nearest object or theperson 30 as shown inFIG. 2 . Similarly, asecond echo 52 corresponds to the next further object or thedeer 32 while athird echo 54 corresponds to thestop sign 33. Anecho 56 corresponds to thevehicle 35 immediately in front of thevehicle 26. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 3 , the amplitude of the radar echo from theautomotive vehicle 35 is much greater than the amplitude of the echoes from either theperson 30,deer 32 or stopsign 33 since theautomotive vehicle 35 is not only largely metallic in construction, but also much larger than the other objects. - With reference now to
FIG. 4 , a graph of the received echoes by the antenna is shown over an extended period of time tlong. For simplicity,FIG. 4 also depicts the received radar echoes with thevehicle 26 stationary; otherwise theechoes objects reflection signal 50 from theperson 30 will includedifferent amplitude modulations 60 at spaced time intervals. This amplitude modulation may result from respiration of the person, the person's heartbeat, and/or the like. - Similarly, the
echo signal 52 from thedeer 32 would also containamplitude modulations 62 at spaced time intervals. Theseamplitude modulations 62, however, presumably would be different than the amplitude modulation exhibited by theperson 30. - Conversely, the received
radar echo 54 from thestop sign 33, as well as the receivedecho 56 from thevehicle 35 in front of thevehicle 26, would not exhibit this type of amplitude modulation since both are inanimate objects. Furthermore, theecho signal 56 from thevehicle 35 is greater than a threshold Ampthresh (FIG. 3 ) which represents an echo signal larger than any expected animate object. - With reference now to
FIGS. 1 and 5 , the operation of the radar system of the present invention is there illustrated in greater detail. Atstep 100 theradar transmitter 12 generates a microwave radar signal, preferably in the range of 76-81 GHz, through theantenna 14 and in a known direction relative to the vehicle. In this example, that known direction corresponds to the area ofinterest 34 forwardly of thevehicle 26 and in the angular range α as shown inFIG. 2 . Step 100 then proceeds to step 102. - At
step 102, theradar receiver 16 receives the echoes from objects within the area ofinterest 34 through itsantennas 18. Each received echo will vary both in amplitude, depending upon the object producing the echo, as well as the elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal atstep 100 and the receipt of its echo. Objects that are closer to thevehicle 26 will exhibit a shorter elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal and the reception of its echo while, conversely, objects further from thevehicle 26 will exhibit a longer elapsed time between the transmission of the radar signal and the reception of its echo. Step 102 then proceeds to step 104. - In order to simplify processing,
step 104 eliminates the received radar echoes having an amplitude in excess of Ampthresh. Such reflections or echoes with large amplitudes would correspond to other automotive vehicles and thus inanimate objects. Step 104 then proceeds to step 106. - After elimination of the large objects corresponding to automotive vehicles,
step 106 determines if there are any other objects that are identified within the range of interest. Consequently, for the example illustrated, theecho 56 corresponding to thevehicle 35 is eliminated from further processing atstep 104 so thatstep 106 determines that there are three separate remaining objects, each corresponding to echoes 50, 52 and 54, and step 106 proceeds to step 108. However, if no objects are found within the range of interest atstep 106, step 106 branches back to step 100 where the above process is repeated. - At
step 108, theprocessor 20 determines whether theobjects interest 34 may be accomplished in different ways. - For example, a plurality of echoes may be received over a relatively long period of time tlong as illustrated in
FIG. 4 . Eachecho processor 20 identifies the object as an animate object. - Alternatively, the received echoes from the radar transmission may be compared to match set filters that are previously determined and stored in memory accessible to the
processor 20. Such filters may correspond to objects commonly found along highways, such as stop signs, speed limit signs, and the like. When the appropriate filter is applied to the receivedecho - If the object is identified as inanimate at
step 108, step 108 branches to step 110 where the algorithm determines whether or not all objects within the range ofinterest 34 have been processed. If not, step 110 branches back to step 108 where the above process is repeated. - Conversely, in the event that the object is identified as an animate object which could potentially move into the path of travel of the
vehicle 26,step 108 instead branches to step 112 where theprocessor 20 generates analert signal 24 via thealert control circuit 22. Thisalert signal 24 may comprise, for example, the display of a symbol on a video display screen, or other alert signals. - Alternatively, the
alert signal 24 can change the operation of the vehicle itself. For example, in the event of a possible collision with an animate object, thealert signal 24 may automatically apply the vehicle brakes to slow the vehicle or even steer the vehicle around the animate object. - From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides an automotive radar system which identifies animate objects within a range of interest and which may potentially enter into the path of travel of the vehicle. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.
- I claim:
Claims (12)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/944,824 US7532152B1 (en) | 2007-11-26 | 2007-11-26 | Automotive radar system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/944,824 US7532152B1 (en) | 2007-11-26 | 2007-11-26 | Automotive radar system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US7532152B1 US7532152B1 (en) | 2009-05-12 |
US20090135050A1 true US20090135050A1 (en) | 2009-05-28 |
Family
ID=40601586
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/944,824 Expired - Fee Related US7532152B1 (en) | 2007-11-26 | 2007-11-26 | Automotive radar system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7532152B1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100118037A1 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2010-05-13 | Apple Inc. | Object-aware transitions |
US8849554B2 (en) | 2010-11-15 | 2014-09-30 | Image Sensing Systems, Inc. | Hybrid traffic system and associated method |
US9472097B2 (en) | 2010-11-15 | 2016-10-18 | Image Sensing Systems, Inc. | Roadway sensing systems |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8742910B2 (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2014-06-03 | Teknikkonsult Eriksson-Viotti Handelsbolag | Impact alert system and method |
JP5949721B2 (en) * | 2013-10-10 | 2016-07-13 | 株式会社デンソー | Predecessor selection device |
US11521500B1 (en) * | 2018-10-17 | 2022-12-06 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Unmanned aerial systems with range finding |
US11577677B2 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2023-02-14 | Diogenes Patrick Rojas | Vehicle system that includes external airbag impellers with its mounting structure that, in addition to preventing damage to the outside and the bottom of the vehicle, also allows its buoyancy |
US11366214B2 (en) * | 2019-12-30 | 2022-06-21 | Woven Planet North America, Inc. | Systems and methods for adaptive clutter removal from radar scans |
Citations (40)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3163861A (en) * | 1962-05-02 | 1964-12-29 | Suter Henry | Electromagnetic field disturbance intruder detection apparatus |
US3383678A (en) * | 1966-12-23 | 1968-05-14 | Advanced Devices Lab Inc | Moving object detection system |
US3697985A (en) * | 1970-09-23 | 1972-10-10 | Bendix Corp | Rear end warning system for automobiles |
US3781859A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1973-12-25 | Seabroad Electric | Controlled wave pattern ultrasonic burglar alarm |
US3796208A (en) * | 1971-09-07 | 1974-03-12 | Memco Ltd | Movement monitoring apparatus |
US3882495A (en) * | 1973-06-11 | 1975-05-06 | Rca Corp | Doppler correlation radar providing coarse-range detection resolution |
US3983558A (en) * | 1974-06-28 | 1976-09-28 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Moving target indicating (MTI) radar systems employing vehicle discriminator apparatus |
US4051472A (en) * | 1974-04-08 | 1977-09-27 | International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation | Large area motion sensor using pseudo-random coding technique |
US4072945A (en) * | 1975-12-02 | 1978-02-07 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Radar-operated collision avoidance system for roadway vehicles using stored information for determination of valid objects |
US4195289A (en) * | 1975-12-03 | 1980-03-25 | I.E.I. Proprietary Limited | Microwave intrusion or movement detectors |
US4632543A (en) * | 1983-05-06 | 1986-12-30 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Optical radar system for vehicles |
US4792804A (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1988-12-20 | Dei-Dispositivi Elettronici Industriali Di Rubechini Roberto | Apparatus for detecting a body in motion on the ground of a protected area |
US4861972A (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 1989-08-29 | Spectra-Physics, Inc. | Bar code scanner and method of programming |
US5019822A (en) * | 1973-07-09 | 1991-05-28 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Marine object detector |
US5049858A (en) * | 1990-04-23 | 1991-09-17 | Physitron, Inc. | Intrusion detection system |
US5081585A (en) * | 1987-06-17 | 1992-01-14 | Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. | Control system for autonomous automotive vehicle or the like |
US5319350A (en) * | 1992-12-29 | 1994-06-07 | Demarco Frank | Motion detection assembly for use in combination with a motor vehicle |
US5337053A (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1994-08-09 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Method and apparatus for classifying targets |
US5343206A (en) * | 1990-07-05 | 1994-08-30 | Fiat Auto S.P.A. | Method and means for avoiding collision between a motor vehicle and obstacles |
US5479173A (en) * | 1993-03-08 | 1995-12-26 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Obstacle sensing apparatus for vehicles |
US5585798A (en) * | 1993-07-07 | 1996-12-17 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Obstacle detection system for automotive vehicle |
US5594414A (en) * | 1994-08-02 | 1997-01-14 | Namngani; Abdulatif | Collision probability detection system |
US5699057A (en) * | 1995-06-16 | 1997-12-16 | Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Warning system for vehicle |
US5734336A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1998-03-31 | Collision Avoidance Systems, Inc. | Collision avoidance system |
US5979586A (en) * | 1997-02-05 | 1999-11-09 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Vehicle collision warning system |
US5999092A (en) * | 1997-08-30 | 1999-12-07 | Ford Motor Company | Antenna cluster for a motor road vehicle collision warning system |
US6031482A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 2000-02-29 | Office National D'etudes Et De Recherches Aerospatiales (Onera) | Method and system for sensing and locating a person, e.g. under an avalanche |
US6115651A (en) * | 1998-01-15 | 2000-09-05 | Cruz; Diogenes J. | Large vehicle blindspot monitor |
US6130607A (en) * | 1998-10-19 | 2000-10-10 | Eaton Corporation | Back-up protection sensor for a vehicle |
US6208248B1 (en) * | 1999-01-28 | 2001-03-27 | Anro Engineering, Inc. | Quick response perimeter intrusion detection sensor |
US6269307B1 (en) * | 1998-08-06 | 2001-07-31 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Travel safety system for vehicle |
US6408247B1 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 2002-06-18 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Obstacle detecting system |
US6813562B2 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-11-02 | General Motors Corporation | Threat assessment algorithm for forward collision warning |
US20050024257A1 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2005-02-03 | Michael Britton | Object detection apparatus and method |
US6903677B2 (en) * | 2003-03-28 | 2005-06-07 | Fujitsu Limited | Collision prediction device, method of predicting collision, and computer product |
US7009503B2 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2006-03-07 | Idealab | Collision warning systems and methods |
US20060091654A1 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-04 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Sensor system with radar sensor and vision sensor |
US7046128B2 (en) * | 2004-05-26 | 2006-05-16 | Roberts Kristie L | Collision detection and warning system for automobiles |
US20060190175A1 (en) * | 2003-01-28 | 2006-08-24 | Toyoto Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Collision predicting apparatus and collision predicting method |
US7102496B1 (en) * | 2002-07-30 | 2006-09-05 | Yazaki North America, Inc. | Multi-sensor integration for a vehicle |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS522526B2 (en) | 1972-05-20 | 1977-01-22 | ||
FR2717131B1 (en) | 1994-03-09 | 1996-04-19 | Valeo Vision | Vehicle projector incorporating a millimeter wave radar. |
JP4043276B2 (en) | 2002-04-24 | 2008-02-06 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Radar equipment |
US7411542B2 (en) | 2005-02-10 | 2008-08-12 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Automotive radar system with guard beam |
DE102005006763A1 (en) | 2005-02-15 | 2006-08-24 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method and device for object recognition |
-
2007
- 2007-11-26 US US11/944,824 patent/US7532152B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (42)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3163861A (en) * | 1962-05-02 | 1964-12-29 | Suter Henry | Electromagnetic field disturbance intruder detection apparatus |
US3383678A (en) * | 1966-12-23 | 1968-05-14 | Advanced Devices Lab Inc | Moving object detection system |
US3697985A (en) * | 1970-09-23 | 1972-10-10 | Bendix Corp | Rear end warning system for automobiles |
US3796208A (en) * | 1971-09-07 | 1974-03-12 | Memco Ltd | Movement monitoring apparatus |
US3781859A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1973-12-25 | Seabroad Electric | Controlled wave pattern ultrasonic burglar alarm |
US3882495A (en) * | 1973-06-11 | 1975-05-06 | Rca Corp | Doppler correlation radar providing coarse-range detection resolution |
US5019822A (en) * | 1973-07-09 | 1991-05-28 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Marine object detector |
US4051472A (en) * | 1974-04-08 | 1977-09-27 | International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation | Large area motion sensor using pseudo-random coding technique |
US3983558A (en) * | 1974-06-28 | 1976-09-28 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Moving target indicating (MTI) radar systems employing vehicle discriminator apparatus |
US4072945A (en) * | 1975-12-02 | 1978-02-07 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Radar-operated collision avoidance system for roadway vehicles using stored information for determination of valid objects |
US4195289A (en) * | 1975-12-03 | 1980-03-25 | I.E.I. Proprietary Limited | Microwave intrusion or movement detectors |
US4632543A (en) * | 1983-05-06 | 1986-12-30 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Optical radar system for vehicles |
US4792804A (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1988-12-20 | Dei-Dispositivi Elettronici Industriali Di Rubechini Roberto | Apparatus for detecting a body in motion on the ground of a protected area |
US5081585A (en) * | 1987-06-17 | 1992-01-14 | Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. | Control system for autonomous automotive vehicle or the like |
US4861972A (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 1989-08-29 | Spectra-Physics, Inc. | Bar code scanner and method of programming |
US4861972B1 (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 2000-12-05 | Spectra Physics Scanning Syst | Bar code scanner and method of programming |
US5049858A (en) * | 1990-04-23 | 1991-09-17 | Physitron, Inc. | Intrusion detection system |
US5343206A (en) * | 1990-07-05 | 1994-08-30 | Fiat Auto S.P.A. | Method and means for avoiding collision between a motor vehicle and obstacles |
US5319350A (en) * | 1992-12-29 | 1994-06-07 | Demarco Frank | Motion detection assembly for use in combination with a motor vehicle |
US5479173A (en) * | 1993-03-08 | 1995-12-26 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Obstacle sensing apparatus for vehicles |
US5585798A (en) * | 1993-07-07 | 1996-12-17 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Obstacle detection system for automotive vehicle |
US5337053A (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1994-08-09 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Method and apparatus for classifying targets |
US5594414A (en) * | 1994-08-02 | 1997-01-14 | Namngani; Abdulatif | Collision probability detection system |
US5734336A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1998-03-31 | Collision Avoidance Systems, Inc. | Collision avoidance system |
US5699057A (en) * | 1995-06-16 | 1997-12-16 | Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Warning system for vehicle |
US6031482A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 2000-02-29 | Office National D'etudes Et De Recherches Aerospatiales (Onera) | Method and system for sensing and locating a person, e.g. under an avalanche |
US5979586A (en) * | 1997-02-05 | 1999-11-09 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Vehicle collision warning system |
US5999092A (en) * | 1997-08-30 | 1999-12-07 | Ford Motor Company | Antenna cluster for a motor road vehicle collision warning system |
US6115651A (en) * | 1998-01-15 | 2000-09-05 | Cruz; Diogenes J. | Large vehicle blindspot monitor |
US6269307B1 (en) * | 1998-08-06 | 2001-07-31 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Travel safety system for vehicle |
US6130607A (en) * | 1998-10-19 | 2000-10-10 | Eaton Corporation | Back-up protection sensor for a vehicle |
US6208248B1 (en) * | 1999-01-28 | 2001-03-27 | Anro Engineering, Inc. | Quick response perimeter intrusion detection sensor |
US6408247B1 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 2002-06-18 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Obstacle detecting system |
US7102496B1 (en) * | 2002-07-30 | 2006-09-05 | Yazaki North America, Inc. | Multi-sensor integration for a vehicle |
US6813562B2 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-11-02 | General Motors Corporation | Threat assessment algorithm for forward collision warning |
US20060190175A1 (en) * | 2003-01-28 | 2006-08-24 | Toyoto Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Collision predicting apparatus and collision predicting method |
US7009503B2 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2006-03-07 | Idealab | Collision warning systems and methods |
US6903677B2 (en) * | 2003-03-28 | 2005-06-07 | Fujitsu Limited | Collision prediction device, method of predicting collision, and computer product |
US20050024257A1 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2005-02-03 | Michael Britton | Object detection apparatus and method |
US6861972B2 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2005-03-01 | Ellistar Sensor Systems, Inc. | Object detection apparatus and method |
US7046128B2 (en) * | 2004-05-26 | 2006-05-16 | Roberts Kristie L | Collision detection and warning system for automobiles |
US20060091654A1 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-04 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Sensor system with radar sensor and vision sensor |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100118037A1 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2010-05-13 | Apple Inc. | Object-aware transitions |
US8849554B2 (en) | 2010-11-15 | 2014-09-30 | Image Sensing Systems, Inc. | Hybrid traffic system and associated method |
US9472097B2 (en) | 2010-11-15 | 2016-10-18 | Image Sensing Systems, Inc. | Roadway sensing systems |
US10055979B2 (en) | 2010-11-15 | 2018-08-21 | Image Sensing Systems, Inc. | Roadway sensing systems |
US11080995B2 (en) | 2010-11-15 | 2021-08-03 | Image Sensing Systems, Inc. | Roadway sensing systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7532152B1 (en) | 2009-05-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7532152B1 (en) | Automotive radar system | |
EP1371997B1 (en) | Method for detecting stationary object on road by radar | |
US9604572B2 (en) | Method for maintaining a warning signal in a motor vehicle on the basis of the presence of a target object in a warning region, in particular a blind spot region, corresponding driver assistance system, and motor vehicle | |
EP1804076B1 (en) | System and method for generating a radar detection threshold | |
US6469659B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for detecting radar obstruction | |
US10310083B2 (en) | Method for detecting target echoes in a received signal of an ultrasonic sensor of a motor vehicle, ultrasonic sensor device, and motor vehicle | |
CN106461772B (en) | Signal processing method in radar installations and radar installations | |
EP1806596A1 (en) | Method and system for generating a target alert | |
EP1326087B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for radar data processing | |
US6121916A (en) | Method and apparatus for recognizing stationary objects with a moving side-looking radar | |
US7379018B1 (en) | System and method for verifying a radar detection | |
US20070182587A1 (en) | Method and device for detecting objects in the surroundings of a vehicle | |
US10473760B2 (en) | Radar device and vertical axis-misalignment detecting method | |
US10444341B2 (en) | Road clutter mitigation | |
US7119734B2 (en) | Target determination apparatus, target judgment apparatus, and determination aid apparatus | |
JP2787014B2 (en) | Vehicle obstacle identification system | |
TW201405155A (en) | Motion parameter estimating method, angle estimating method and determination method | |
JP2008089505A (en) | Radar device | |
CN210617998U (en) | Blind area detection equipment for freight transport and passenger transport vehicles | |
US11209537B2 (en) | Extended target-matched CFAR detector | |
US20040210350A1 (en) | Leaky cable based method and system for automotive parking aid, reversing aid, and pre-collision sensing | |
CN113552575A (en) | Parking obstacle detection method and device | |
GB2378597A (en) | Object Detection Device | |
JPH0634755A (en) | On-vehicle radar | |
CN117406227A (en) | Early warning position judging system and method for vehicle-mounted radar |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AME Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:YONAK, SERDAR H.;REEL/FRAME:020152/0810 Effective date: 20071108 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023003/0011 Effective date: 20090715 |
|
CC | Certificate of correction | ||
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20130512 |