DE102023200606A1 - Radar system with CMOS electronic components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor system (2) for environmental detection with:
- an optical device (7) for providing an optical transmission signal (8),
- a transmitting device (4), the transmitting device (4) comprising:
◯ a first optical-electronic converter unit (13) which is designed to generate an electrical transmission signal (14) on the basis of the optical transmission signal (8),
◯ a transmitting unit (15) which is designed to transmit the electrical transmission signal (14),
- a receiving device (5), the receiving device (5) comprising:
◯ a receiving unit (20) for receiving an electrical reception signal (21),
◯ a second optical-electronic converter unit (22) which is designed to generate an optical output signal (23) on the basis of the electrical reception signal (20), wherein
- the first optical-electronic converter unit (13), the transmitting unit (15), the receiving unit (20) and the second optical-electronic converter unit (22) are designed as CMOS electronic components.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle (1).

Description

The invention relates to a sensor system for environmental detection. The sensor system has an optical device for providing an optical transmission signal. The sensor system also has a transmitting device, the transmitting device having an optical-electronic converter unit which is designed to generate an electrical transmission signal based on the optical transmission signal. The transmitting device also has a transmitting unit which is designed to transmit the electrical transmission signal. The sensor system also has a receiving device, the receiving device having a receiving unit for receiving an electrical reception signal and a second optical-electronic converter unit which is designed to generate an optical output signal based on the electrical reception signal.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a corresponding sensor system.

For example, a lidar system is known from US 2021 / 0 181 310 A1. This lidar system can have a silicon-based "phase shifter array". Furthermore, US 2019 / 0 056 558 A1 discloses possibilities for arranging or "packaging" laser sources.

An object of the present invention is to create or provide a sensor system, in particular a radar system, which can be used more efficiently and flexibly, and in particular in a more space-saving manner.

This problem is solved by a sensor system and a motor vehicle according to the independent patent claims. Useful further developments arise from the dependent patent claims. Useful further developments arise from the dependent patent claims.

• - einer optischen Einrichtung zum Bereitstellen eines optischen Übertragungssignals,
• - einer Sendeeinrichtung, wobei die Sendeeinrichtung aufweist:
  • ◯ eine erste optisch-elektronische Wandlereinheit, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, ein elektrisches Aussendesignal auf Basis des optischen Übertragungssignals zu erzeugen,
  • ◯ eine Sendeeinheit, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, das elektrische Aussendesignal auszusenden,
• - einer Empfangseinrichtung, wobei die Empfangseinrichtung aufweist:
  • ◯ eine Empfangseinheit zum Empfangen eines elektrischen Empfangssignals,
  • ◯ eine zweite optisch-elektronische Wandlereinheit, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, ein optisches Ausgangssignal auf Basis des elektrischen Empfangssignals zu erzeugen, wobei
• - die erste optisch-elektronische Wandlereinheit, die Sendeeinheit, die Empfangseinheit und die zweite optisch-elektronische Wandlereinheit als CMOS-Elektronikkomponenten ausgebildet sind.

One aspect of the invention relates to a sensor system for environmental detection with:

• - an optical device for providing an optical transmission signal,
• - a transmitting device, the transmitting device comprising:
  • ◯ a first optical-electronic converter unit which is designed to generate an electrical transmission signal based on the optical transmission signal,
  • ◯ a transmitting unit which is designed to transmit the electrical transmission signal,
• - a receiving device, the receiving device comprising:
  • ◯ a receiving unit for receiving an electrical reception signal,
  • ◯ a second optical-electronic converter unit which is designed to generate an optical output signal based on the electrical reception signal, wherein
• - the first optical-electronic converter unit, the transmitting unit, the receiving unit and the second optical-electronic converter unit are designed as CMOS electronic components.

The sensor system according to the invention can be used more efficiently and flexibly, in particular for environmental detection. The sensor system is particularly advantageous in its application or use in the automotive sector, i.e. in motor vehicles. By using CMOS technology or CMOS electronic components in the sensor system, the sensor system can be manufactured or provided at lower cost, in a smaller installation space and in a shorter time. This is a further advantage for the use of the sensor system in motor vehicles.

Furthermore, the proposed sensor system offers advantages such as the use of standard telecommunications lasers instead of special solutions. Furthermore, by using CMOS electronic components, edge couplers can now be used for planar designs instead of edge couplers or grating couplers. Furthermore, a monolithic integration of lasers, such as the optical device, can be achieved in the sensor system. Furthermore, by using CMOS electronic components, the proposed sensor system requires less installation space and reduced power consumption, so that there is also less power loss. This makes the sensor system more efficient in use. By using more cost-effective CMOS manufacturing technology, cost savings can be achieved in the manufacture of the sensor system. Furthermore, a FAB throughput time or throughput, especially in the manufacture of the sensor system, can be reduced. By using cost-effective CMOS electronic components, dependence on a semiconductor manufacturing industry can be reduced. Furthermore, the sensor system has an improved output performance.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the proposed sensor system will have improved usability under demanding environmental conditions. The sensor system can therefore also be used in agriculture, automotive systems or in space travel.

CMOS processes also enable established modules to be integrated in high volumes. Furthermore, CMOS processes can be used to use a SUI waver, which can save on the very slow monolithic growth of Si (silicon). Furthermore, the use of CMOS electronic components can reduce the mechanical dimensions of the sensor system, so that the sensor system in particular can have more compact units or integrated circuits. Furthermore, the proposed sensor system can be connected to continuously improved energy management systems (FTSOI). Furthermore, the sensor system can be connected to technologies such as TSMC, GF, etc. In particular, the proposed sensor system enables connection to "leading edge technology".

In particular, the proposed sensor system can be used to achieve a monolithic co-integration of photonic and electronic circuits in CMOS technologies. For example, the proposed sensor system can use CMOS processes and, if necessary, use silicon nitride-based photonic components.

Furthermore, the proposed sensor system offers the advantage that it is no longer necessary to resort to chip production using hybrid BICMOS processes for photonic radars. Furthermore, cost-intensive production processes can be avoided. Furthermore, the sensor system can be manufactured in a shorter production time by using CMOS electronic components.

By using CMOS electronic components and thus a CMOS process, an electronic-photonic co-integrated radar system can be designed or manufactured using CMOS processes. Thus, for example, a photonic radar system with CMOS electronics can be provided or created with the help of the proposed sensor system.

In particular, the sensor system can be used in, for example, at least partially autonomously operated motor vehicles, but especially also in fully autonomously operated motor vehicles. However, in order to enable such automated driving, safe environmental perception is essential. The environment or surroundings are recorded using sensors such as radar, lidar or camera. A holistic 360-degree three-dimensional recording of the environment is particularly important so that all static and dynamic objects can be recorded. The sensor system can be used for this purpose. In particular, the lidar plays a key role in redundant, robust environmental detection, as this type of sensor can measure distances more precisely in environmental detection and can also be used for classification. However, these lidar sensors are costly and complex to set up. 360-degree three-dimensional environmental detection is particularly problematic because either many smaller individual sensors are necessary to ensure this, which usually work with many individual light sources and detector elements, or large lidar sensors are installed. Furthermore, lidar sensors are susceptible to weather influences such as rain, fog or direct sunlight. The sensor system can help to remedy this.

Radar sensors or sensor systems are also established in automotive engineering and provide data reliably and reliably in all weather conditions. Even poor visibility, such as rain, fog, snow, dust or darkness, hardly affect their perception reliability. However, according to the state of the art, the resolution is currently limited; in particular, series radars in use are only designed with a resolution of around 7 degrees. In order to meet the requirements for an increased level of automation in automotive engineering with safe driving functions, it is intended that the radar sensor device provide three-dimensional images with a high angular resolution in the range of 0.1 degrees and below with a high level of insensitivity to interference from its surroundings. This is not achieved with conventional radar technology according to the state of the art, since the resolution of such systems is too low. This is precisely where the sensor system according to the invention intervenes advantageously.

The sensor system can be designed as a photonic radar system, which realizes an increase in resolution by co-integrating electronic and photonic components in a single semiconductor chip. The tracking of an FMCW signal as well as the All signal processing and signal evaluation are carried out in the central station. Each transmitting and receiving module has an electronically-photonically co-integrated chip, a so-called Epic chip. Silicon photonics technology is used for the cointegration. This enables the monolithic integration of photonic components, high-frequency electronics and digital electronics together on one chip. The technical innovation of such a system lies in the signal transmission of gigahertz signals using the optical carrier signal in the terahertz frequency range. A central station, which can also be referred to as a central electronic computing device, generates an optical carrier frequency in terahertz. The transmitted signal is modulated at this with an eighth of the radar frequency and the optical fiber is sent to the antenna chips. Frequency multiplication takes place on these so that the radar radiation can be emitted by the antenna chips. Signal detection takes place in the opposite way. All data is processed at the central station.

However, such a design is very complex in the implementation of gigahertz electronics at chip level. In particular, the frequency multiplication that takes place on the chip after detection by a photodiode is technically challenging and represents a major challenge in terms of gigahertz signal generation with a high signal-to-noise ratio and as little jitter as possible. The gigahertz signal must therefore be stabilized in further steps, which is complex. In addition, gigahertz electronics are costly. Furthermore, high performance requirements are placed on the optical carrier, in particular the laser, since a lot of optical power is required to generate a highly precise gigahertz signal, which makes ring lines with the single phase difficult to implement for a radar array with many distributed radar semiconductor chips. In particular, two photonic-electronic semiconductor chips are still required for each transmission and reception channel, which leads to further costs. The problems just mentioned are at least partially, in particular completely, solved by the sensor system.

With the help of the radio-based transmitting unit, the electrical transmission signal can be transmitted into the environment, in particular into the environment of a motor vehicle. This transmitted electrical transmission signal can be reflected, for example, by an object in the environment or within the surrounding area. This can be received using the radio-based receiving unit, which is, for example, a receiving antenna. In particular, the radio-based receiving unit is a radar receiving antenna or a radar receiving unit.

For example, the electrical reception signal may have been reflected by an object in the surroundings. This makes it easier to detect an object in the vicinity of a motor vehicle, for example.

With the help of the proposed sensor system, a transfer and implementation of existing EPIC chip functions (for example based on SiGe technologies) for photonic radar systems in chip design based on CMOS technology (CMOS PDKs) can be achieved. For example, a contract chip manufacturer ("foundry") can provide a PDK (process development kit). By using extremely scaled technology dimensions, as is common in CMOS, the optical components, which are very sensitive to process variations, can be manufactured with high yield. In addition, other optical components and optical waveguides are available in different levels and materials in CMOS technologies, which allows flexible, optimizable optics to be realized. This approach benefits the sensor system.

The proposed sensor system may be a radar system or radar sensor system.

The transmitting device and/or receiving device can be radio-based units, in particular radar units. With the help of the transmitting unit and/or receiving unit, objects and/or an environment can be detected using radio-based, electrical and/or electromagnetic signals.

In particular, spectral properties of the optical output signal can be equal to the electrical transmission signal and/or electrical reception signal.

For example, the optical device or an optical source can generate a 77 GHz FMCW signal. This signal can be used, for example, for a 77 GHz radar or radar sensor, such as the transmitting unit.

For example, at least the optical device can be provided to modulate the optical transmission signal directly and/or by means of external components.

CMOS refers to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors. In particular, CMOS is a term for semiconductor components in which both P-channel and N-channel MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors) are used on a common substrate. CMOS technology refers, for example, to the semiconductor process used to create integrated digital and analog circuits (ICs).

In one embodiment, it is provided that the first optical-electronic converter unit has a photodiode and/or a phototransistor for generating the electrical transmission signal depending on the optical transmission signal, wherein the photodiode and/or the phototransistor is designed as a CMOS electronic component. In particular, the optical-electronic converter unit can be referred to as an optical-electronic converter device. The optical-electronic converter unit can be arranged on the transmission device or integrated and/or partially integrated.

Furthermore, a control unit can also be provided for monitoring the conversion process from an optical transmission signal to the electrical transmission signal. This control unit can also be designed as a CMOS electronic component. The monitoring of the conversion process can be used for diagnostic purposes.

Specifically, the optical-electronic or optical-electrical converter unit can be referred to as a detector.

The converted electrical transmission signal can be transmitted using the transmitting unit. Furthermore, the converted signal can be transmitted using the transmitting unit immediately after the optical transmission signal has been converted into the electrical transmission signal.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the first optical-electronic converter unit has at least one amplifier for amplifying the electrical transmission signal, wherein the at least one amplifier is designed as a CMOS electronic component. This enables efficient, in particular improved, detection of the environment, since the transmission signal can be processed accordingly, in particular depending on the requirement or area of application. In addition to the converter unit, the at least one amplifier can also be designed as a CMOS electronic component in order to make the aforementioned advantages with regard to the sensor system even more effective. In particular, the amplifier is an electrical amplifier in order to be able to amplify the electrical transmission signal accordingly.

The at least one amplifier can be referred to as an amplifier unit, for example, and can optionally have several sub-amplifiers or sub-amplifier units. For example, several amplifiers can be interconnected. The optical-electronic converter unit can thus contain a connection of several amplifiers. These several amplifiers can also be designed as CMOS electronic components.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the transmitting device, in particular a radio-based one, is designed to generate and transmit the electrical transmission signal depending on the optical transmission signal or to generate and transmit the electrical transmission signal based on a manipulation of the optical transmission signal. The transmitting device can thus have several functions or operating modes. In particular, the transmitting device and thus the sensor system can thus be used more efficiently and flexibly or in a more diverse manner.

For example, the transmitting device can be designed to generate and transmit the electrical transmission signal, which is optionally based directly on the optical transmission signal or optionally by manipulating the optical transmission signal.

For example, the transmitting device can have the transmitting unit, which can be designed, for example, as a radar sensor or as an antenna or antenna element.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the central computing device, which is designed to process the optical output signal, the electrical reception signal, the electrical transmission signal and/or the optical transmission signal, wherein the central computing device is at least partially designed as a CMOS electronic component. The central computing device can be a central unit for signal generation, signal detection and data processing. In particular, the transmitting device and the receiving device can be connected to the central computing device in terms of signaling and/or communication technology. In particular, several transmitting devices and several receiving devices can each be coupled or connected to the computing device.

For example, the transmitting device can be referred to as a transmitting module and the receiving device as a receiving module. For example, the transmitting device and the receiving device can be connected to the computing device via an optical fiber or electronic interface, such as Ethernet. The computing device can, for example, provide all the necessary control and data processing signals for the transmitting and receiving device or the receiving and transmitting device. The corresponding transmitting and receiving signals can be processed together using the computing device. The computing device can provide joint signal processing and/or signal evaluation for both the transmitting device and the receiving device. This means that additional computing or evaluation units are not required.

The central processing of data, signals and information can take place in the central computing facility.

With the help of the central electronic-photonic computing device, the transmitting device in particular can be controlled or supplied with the optical transmission signal. In particular, the central electronic-photonic computing device or central electronic computing device can be used as a control and evaluation unit of the sensor system and in particular for the transmitting device and for the receiving device. Accordingly, for example, the most varied transmitting devices and/or receiving devices can be controlled or operated or controlled with one and the same central electronic-photonic computing device.

For example, the central electronic-photonic computing device can be used to track an FMCW signal and an optical signal as well as to carry out the entire signal processing and signal evaluation.

For example, the central electronic-photonic computing device can be coupled to the transmitting device and/or receiving device via one or more optical fibers. Consequently, the optical transmission signal generated by the central electronic-photonic computing device is coupled into the optical fiber and transmitted to an optical input of the transmitting device via optical signal transmission. The optical fiber can be a fiber optic cable, for example.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the transmitting device, the receiving device, the optical device and the central computing device are physically and/or spatially separate units from one another. Consequently, the devices are separate units from one another or from each other. Alternatively, the transmitting device, receiving device, the optical device and the central computing device can be designed together as a common unit. Consequently, the devices are a combined, common or single unit. For example, the devices can be integrated together on a chip. This has above all space-saving and installation space-optimized advantages.

If necessary, the transmitting device and/or receiving device can be spatially separated from each other and from the optical device. In this case, an optical transmission path is specifically required.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the transmitting device, the receiving device, the optical device and/or the central computing device are at least partially physically and/or spatially separate units from one another. The sensor system can thus be better adapted to the respective area of use or to the respective application.

For example, the transmitting device, the receiving device, and the optical device can be formed together as a common unit and, as a common unit, be physically and/or spatially separated from the computing device. It is also conceivable that the transmitting device, the receiving device, and the computing device can be formed together as a common unit and, as a common unit, be physically and/or spatially separated from the optical device. It is also conceivable that the transmitting device and the receiving device can be formed together as a common unit and, as a common unit, be physically and/or spatially separated from the optical device and the computing device. It is also conceivable that the optical device and the computing device are formed as a common unit and that this common unit, the transmitting device, and the receiving device, are physical and/or separate units from one another.

The possibilities just mentioned for how the individual facilities can be trained are not intended to be exhaustive, but merely to provide an overview of the wide range of possible combinations. Further combinations are therefore possible. In this context, it should be mentioned that the arrangement of the hardware components is not intended to be exhaustive, but merely to provide an overview of the wide range of possible combinations. Further combinations of the hardware components are therefore also possible.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the transmitting device, the receiving device, the optical device and/or the central computing device are designed as CMOS-based circuits. In order to be able to use or produce a particularly advantageous sensor system based on CMOS technology, all devices can in particular be designed as CMOS-based circuits or based on a CMOS-based circuit. In this way, a photonic radar system or sensor system with CMOS electronics can be created.

For example, the transmitting device, the receiving device, the optical device and the central computing device can each be designed as a CMOS-based circuit. It is also conceivable that at least only some of the devices mentioned are designed as CMOS-based circuits.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the transmitting device, the receiving device, the optical device and/or the central computing device are monolithically integrated in a CMOS-based photonic technology. In this way, a sensor system can be created which makes a monolithic co-integration of photonic and electronic circuits in CMOS technology usable or producible.

In particular, all of the said devices or only parts of the said devices can be monolithically integrated in a CMOS-based photonic technology.

In particular, the transmitting device, the receiving device, the optical device and/or the central computing device consist of or are based at least partially, in particular completely, of silicon (SiN). Thus, in particular the transmitting device, the receiving device, the optical device and/or the central computing device can be manufactured or produced using silicon nitride as a material or as a substrate. In addition to silicon nitride, other silicon compounds can also be used.

This makes it possible to create a sensor system or radar system that replaces conventional circuits with CMOS-based electronic and photonic circuits. The transmitting device and receiving device can therefore be designed or manufactured as CMOS modules. Conventional components can be replaced by CMOS components or CMOS electronic components. Furthermore, components in the computing device can be replaced by CMOS electronic components. This means that the entire system or sensor system can be used or integrated in motor vehicles in a more flexible, universal, space-saving and/or cost-minimized manner.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a sensor system according to the previous aspect or an advantageous development thereof. In particular, the motor vehicle just described contains a sensor system according to the previous aspect.

In particular, the motor vehicle is an assisted or at least partially autonomously operated vehicle. In particular, the motor vehicle is a highly automated motor vehicle that includes various driver assistance systems. These driver assistance systems can access the proposed sensor system and, for example, retrieve information about the environment. In particular, the motor vehicle can have several such sensor systems.

In particular, several transmitting devices and several receiving devices can be arranged in and/or on the motor vehicle. These in turn can be coupled to the central computing device, which is, for example, centrally integrated in the motor vehicle.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck or as a passenger bus or motorcycle. In addition, trams, subways, trains, boats, airplanes, satellites and other mobile units can also be equipped with this sensor technology.

For example, the units of the sensor system can be distributed throughout the motor vehicle, in particular for detecting the environment. In particular, the sensor system can be an environment detection system.

Such a sensor system can be used in particular in motor vehicles, rail vehicles, watercraft or in automated systems or in aeronautical or aerospace technology. In particular, the sensor system can be used to detect the environment or to detect objects or environmental pollution.

Embodiments of individual aspects of the invention are to be viewed as advantageous embodiments of other aspects, in particular of all other aspects. In particular, the respective embodiments of individual aspects can be viewed as advantageous embodiments of all other aspects and vice versa.

An environmental sensor system can be understood, for example, as a sensor system that is able to generate sensor data or sensor signals that map, represent or reproduce the environment of the environmental sensor system. In particular, the ability to detect electromagnetic or other signals from the environment is not sufficient to consider a sensor system as an environmental sensor system. For example, cameras, radar systems, lidar systems and/or ultrasonic sensor systems can be understood as environmental sensor systems.

The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the further developments of the sensor system according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kraftfahrzeugs, welches ein erfindungsgemäßes Sensorsystem aufweist;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Recheneinrichtung des Sensorsystems aus 1;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Sendeeinrichtung des Sensorsystems aus 1; und
• 4 die schematische Darstellung einer Empfangseinrichtung des Sensorsystems 2 aus 1.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are described.

• 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle having a sensor system according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of a computing device of the sensor system 1 ;
• 3 a schematic representation of a transmitting device of the sensor system 1 ; and
• 4 the schematic representation of a receiving device of the sensor system 2 from 1 .

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the components described each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also develop the invention independently of one another and are therefore to be viewed as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments described can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that different aspects are described, each of which can be used individually or in combination. This means that any aspect can be used with different embodiments of the invention unless explicitly shown as a pure alternative.

Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, reference will generally only be made to one entity below. Unless explicitly stated, the invention may also comprise several of the entities concerned. In this respect, the use of the words "a", "an" and "another" is to be understood only as an indication that at least one entity is used in a simple embodiment.

Where procedures are described below, the individual steps of a procedure can be arranged and/or combined in any order, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the procedures can be combined with one another, unless expressly indicated otherwise.

As a rule, information with numerical values should not be understood as exact values, but also include a tolerance of +/- 1% up to +/- 10%.

References to standards or specifications are to be understood as references to standards or specifications that are/were in force at the time of the application and/or - if priority is claimed - at the time of the priority application. However, this does not imply a general exclusion of applicability to subsequent or replacing standards or specifications."

The 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 shown has, for example, a sensor system 2. For example, the sensor system is used to detect the surroundings 3 of the motor vehicle 1. For example, the sensor system 2 can be part of a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle 1. In this case, the sensor system 2 can deliver or provide corresponding information, in particular regarding the surroundings 6, for the driver assistance system or a vehicle guidance system.

The sensor system 2 comprises, for example, a transmitting device 4 (see 3 ), a receiving device 5 (see 4 ) and a central computing facility 6 (see 2 ) on.

In addition to the use of the sensor system 2 in the motor vehicle 1, it can also be used in systems external to the vehicle. For example, the sensor system 2, which can be designed as a radar system, can be used in automated systems, in space technology, in aviation technology or in communications technology. Here in the 1 For illustrative purposes, the example is shown in which the sensor system 2 is integrated in the motor vehicle 1.

In the 2 The central computing device 6 or a central unit is shown by way of example, in particular schematically.

The computing device 6 serves in particular for signal processing, signal processing and/or signal evaluation of the sensor system 2.

For example, the central computing device 6 can be a separate and physically separated unit from the transmitting device 4 and/or the receiving device 5.

In a conceivable embodiment, the transmitting device 4, the receiving device 5, an optical device 7 and the computing device 6 can be physically and/or spatially separate units from one another. Alternatively, the transmitting device 4, the receiving device 5, the optical device 7 and the central computing device 6 can be formed together as a common unit.

In a further embodiment, the transmitting device 4, the receiving device 5, the optical device 7 and/or the central computing device 6 can be at least partially physically and/or spatially separate units from one another.

For example, the optical device 7 can be integrated in the computing device 6. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the transmitting device 4 and the receiving device 5 are integrated in a common unit. Thus, for example, the sensor system 2 can be formed from a unit which contains the computing device 6 and the optical device 7 and a unit which contains the transmitting device 4 and the receiving device 5.

The central computing device 6 can, for example, be a central unit or a central control or central activation unit of the sensor system 2.

In particular, the proposed sensor system is designed using CMOS technology or CMOS electronics. For this purpose, the sensor system 2 can be manufactured using CMOS methods, for example. For this purpose, the transmitting device 4, the receiving device 5, the optical device 7 and/or the central computing device 6 can be designed as CMOS-based circuits. Furthermore, the transmitting device 4, the receiving device 5, the optical device 7 and/or the central computing device 6 can be monolithically integrated in a CMOS-based photonic technology. In this way, the sensor system 2 in particular can be manufactured and used in a way that minimizes costs, minimizes installation space, minimizes time, optimizes performance and/or is more flexible.

For this purpose, the transmitting device 4, the receiving device 5, the computing device 6 and/or the optical device 7 can be completely and/or at least partially designed or manufactured from CMOS electronic components.

With the aid of the optical device 7 or a laser device, for example a laser, an optical transmission signal 8 can be generated or provided.

In the illustrated 2 the optical device 7 is integrated in the computing device 6. However, this is only one possible example. The optical device 7 can also be designed as an independent unit.

In this example, the optical transmission signal 8 can be transmitted via fiber optic cable 9 to an optical input 10 (compare 3 ) of the transmitting device 4. Thus, the transmitting device 4 and the central computing device 6 are connected by means of optical transmission paths or an optical transmission path. Furthermore, the optical transmission signal 8 can also be made available to the receiving device 5 by means of the glass fiber 9. For this purpose, the receiving device 5 can have a further optical input 11 (see 4 ) exhibit.

For example, the computing device 6 can be used to supply several different transmitting and receiving devices with the transmission signal 8. For this purpose, the computing device 6 has, for example, a distributor 12 with which the transmission signal 8 can be divided, for example into several transmission paths.

In the 3 a schematic representation of the transmitting device 4 is shown. The transmission signal 8 transmitted to the transmitting device 4 can be converted with the aid of a first optical-electronic converter unit 13 or an optical-electronic converter device. For this purpose, an electrical transmission signal 14 can be generated on the basis of the optical transmission signal 8. This electrical transmission signal 14 can be transmitted in particular into the environment 3. For this purpose, the transmitting device 4 can have a, in particular radio-based, transmitting unit 15. This transmitting unit 15 can be, for example, an antenna or an antenna element. In particular, the transmitting device 4 can be referred to as a transmitting module or radar transmitter. For example, the transmitting device 4 can be controlled or operated with the aid of the computing device 6 so that a radar-based signal can be transmitted. Depending on the application and/or area of use, the transmitting device 4 can have at least one amplifier 16, in particular an electrical amplifier. With this amplifier, the electrical transmission signal 14 can be amplified for transmission. Furthermore, the transmission device 4 can have a module 17. With the help of the module 17, the transmission signal 14 can be adapted, manipulated or changed accordingly. This means that the transmission signal 14 can be processed, prepared or changed before it is transmitted.

Furthermore, the first optical-electronic converter unit 13 can have a photodiode 18 and/or a phototransistor 19 for generating the electrical transmission signal 14 on the basis of the transmission signal 8.

For example, the amplifier 16 may be a power amplifier.

It is particularly advantageous if the transmitting device 4 as such is designed as a CMOS circuit. In particular, the first optical-electronic converter unit 13, the photodiode 18, the phototransistor 19, the module 17, the amplifier 16 and/or the transmitting unit 15 can be designed as CMOS electronic components. In particular, all components or units of the transmitting device 4 can be designed as CMOS electronic components. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the transmitting device 4 is also designed to upconvert the electrical transmission signal 14 to a higher frequency.

In the following, the 4 the receiving device 5 is explained.

The receiving device 5 can have a receiving unit 20, in particular a radio-based one. The radio-based receiving unit 20 can be a receiving antenna, an antenna, an antenna element or a radar sensor. The receiving unit 20 can receive an electrical received signal 21 in the environment 3. For example, the received signal 21 can be based on the transmitted signal 14. For example, the transmitted signal 14 can impinge on an object in the environment 3 and be reflected there accordingly, so that it can be received as a received signal 21. The received received signal 21 can be converted by means of a second optical-electronic converter unit 22. For this purpose, the received signal 21 can be converted into an optical output signal 23.

For example, the transmission signal 8 also provided to the receiving device 5 can be mixed with the electrical reception signal 21. For this purpose, the transmission signal can be converted into an electrical signal using a further optical-electronic converter unit 24. This converted signal can then be adjusted or manipulated using a manipulation device 25 and then fed together with the electrical reception signal 21 to a demodulation unit 26 or a mixer. The transmission signal 8, in particular which at least contains a carrier frequency, can thus be taken into account when converting the optical reception signal 23. The converted electrical optical output signal 23 can be made available or transmitted to the computing device 6 via an optical output 27. A glass fiber 9 can again be used for this purpose.

In addition to the additional consideration of the optical transmission signal 8 for mixing with the electrical reception signal 21, the receiving device 5 can have a separate or independent optical source 28. With this, a corresponding optical signal can be made available to the second optical-electronic converter unit 22 or transmitted to it and this can be taken into account when converting the electrical reception signal 21.

In particular, the optical-electronic converter unit 22, the transmitting unit 20, the converter unit 24, the modulation device 25, the demodulation device 26 and/or the further optical source 28 can be designed as CMOS electronic components. Optionally, all components or units of the receiving device 5 can be designed as CMOS electronic components.

The optical output signal 23 provided to the computing device 6 can be converted by means of a further optical-electronic converter unit 29 (see 2 ) into a corresponding electrical signal. In addition, digitization and/or processing can be carried out. This electrical signal can be sent to an evaluation unit 30 (see 2 ) or processing unit or signal processing unit or transmitted to it so that the electrically converted optical output signal 23, which contains radar or environmental information, can be evaluated. With the help of the evaluation unit 30, signal processing, signal processing and/or signal analysis can be carried out. This is used in particular for environmental detection.

Furthermore, a corresponding electrical signal of the evaluation unit 30 or an electrical control signal can be sent to an optical-electronic converter unit 31 (see 2 ) of the computing device 6 or transmitted with it. This can in turn be mixed by the optical transmission signal 8.

In particular, the optical device 7, the converter unit 31, the distributor 12, the converter unit 29 and/or the evaluation unit 30 can be designed as CMOS electronic components. In particular, all components or units of the computing unit 6 can be designed as CMOS electronic components.

List of reference symbols

1

Motor vehicle

2

Sensor system

3

Vicinity

4

Transmitter

5

Reception facility

6

Computing device

7

optical device

8th

optical transmission signal

9

glass fiber

10

optical input

11

additional optical input

12

Distributor

13

first optical-electronic converter unit

14

electrical transmission signal

15

Transmitter unit

16

amplifier

17

module

18

Photodiode

19

Phototransistor

20

Receiving unit

21

electrical reception signal

22

second optical-electronic converter unit

23

optical output signal

24

additional optical-electronic converter unit

25

Modulation device

26

Demodulation device

27

optical output

28

further optical source

29

additional optical-electronic converter unit

30

Evaluation unit

31

additional optical-electronic converter unit

Claims (10)

Sensor system (2) for environmental detection with: - an optical device (7) for providing an optical transmission signal (8), - a transmitting device (4), wherein the transmitting device direction (4) has: ◯ a first optical-electronic converter unit (13) which is designed to generate an electrical transmission signal (14) on the basis of the optical transmission signal (8), ◯ a transmitting unit (15) which is designed to transmit the electrical transmission signal (14), - a receiving device (5), the receiving device (5) having: ◯ a receiving unit (20) for receiving an electrical reception signal (21), ◯ a second optical-electronic converter unit (22) which is designed to generate an optical output signal (23) on the basis of the electrical reception signal (20), characterized in that - the first optical-electronic converter unit (13), the transmitting unit (15), the receiving unit (20) and the second optical-electronic converter unit (22) are designed as CMOS electronic components. Sensor system (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first optical-electronic converter unit (13) has a photodiode (18) and/or a phototransistor (19) for generating the electrical transmission signal (14) depending on the optical transmission signal (8), wherein the photodiode (18) and/or the phototransistor (18) is designed as a CMOS electronic component. Sensor system (2) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first optical-electronic converter unit (13) has at least one amplifier (16) for amplifying the electrical transmission signal (14), wherein the amplifier (16) is designed as a CMOS electronic component. Sensor system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the, in particular radio-based, transmitting device (4) is designed to generate and transmit the electrical transmission signal (14) depending on the optical transmission signal (8) or to generate and transmit the electrical transmission signal (14) based on a manipulation of the optical transmission signal (8). Sensor system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a central computing device (6) which is designed to process the optical output signal (23), the electrical reception signal (20), the electrical transmission signal (14) and/or the optical transmission signal (8), wherein the central computing device (6) is at least partially designed as a CMOS electronic component. Sensor system (2) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that - the transmitting device (4), the receiving device (5), the optical device (7) and the central computing device (6) are physically and/or spatially separate units from one another, or - the transmitting device (4), the receiving device (5), the optical device (7) and the central computing device (6) are formed together as a common unit. Sensor system (2) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the transmitting device (4), the receiving device (5), the optical device (7) and/or the central computing device (6) are at least partially physically and/or spatially separate units from one another. Sensor system (2) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the transmitting device (4), the receiving device (5), the optical device (7) and/or the central computing device (6) are designed as CMOS-based circuits. Sensor system (2) according to Claim 5 or 8th , characterized in that the transmitting device (4), the receiving device (5), the optical device (7) and/or the central computing device (6) are monolithically integrated in a CMOS-based photonic technology. Motor vehicle (1) with a sensor system (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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