KR20190004120A - Radar module and automotive radar apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a radar module comprises: a transmission antenna element for transmitting a transmission signal; a reception antenna element for receiving a reception signal in response to reflection of the transmission signal; and a communication element including a plurality of transmission channels connected to the transmission antenna element and a plurality of reception channels connected to the reception antenna element, and processing the transmission signal and the reception signal. The transmission antenna element includes: a first transmission antenna unit connected to a first transmission channel among the transmission channels; a second transmission antenna unit connected to a second transmission channel among the transmission channels; and a third transmission antenna unit connected to a third transmission channel among the transmission channels. The first and third transmission antenna units are separately arranged on both sides of the second transmission antenna unit, having the same interposed therebetween, and has a symmetrical structure with respect to the second transmission antenna unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a radar module and a radar device including the same,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radar apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly to a radar apparatus for a vehicle including a near-field and long-distance radar module.

2. Description of the Related Art [0002] Radar devices have been applied to various technical fields, and in recent years, they have been mounted on vehicles to improve the mobility of vehicles. Such a radar device uses electromagnetic waves to detect information about the environment of the vehicle. The efficiency of the vehicle mobility can be improved as the information is used for moving the vehicle. To this end, the radar device includes an antenna to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves.

On the other hand, a vehicle radar can be classified into a long range radar (LRR) and a short range radar (SRR). In the case of a long distance radar device, a frequency of 77 GHz is mainly used, The radar device is mainly used in the 24 GHz band.

A vehicle radar including both a long-range radar device and a near-field radar device is required to simultaneously determine the distance between the optimal antenna channels to secure a detection distance and a field of view (FOV) for detecting long- It is necessary to secure antenna gain.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a radar module including a transmitting antenna element and a receiving antenna element commonly connected to one communication element, and a radar apparatus for a vehicle including the same.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a radar module capable of sensing an object within a long distance, a medium distance, and a short range using one transmission antenna element through a combination of transmission antennas connected to different transmission channels of the communication element And a radar device for a vehicle including the same.

Also, in the embodiment of the present invention, a radar module capable of removing baluns by using a differential line of each channel of a communication element as a feed line, and a radar device for a vehicle including the radar module are provided.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a radar module including an antenna element composed of a plurality of transmission antenna arrays having a bilaterally symmetrical structure and a radar device for a vehicle including the radar module.

It is to be understood that the technical objectives to be achieved by the embodiments are not limited to the technical matters mentioned above and that other technical subjects not mentioned are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments proposed from the following description belong, It can be understood.

A radar module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a transmission antenna element for transmitting a transmission signal; A reception antenna element for receiving a reception signal according to reflection of the transmission signal; And a communication element including a plurality of transmission channels connected to the transmission antenna element and a plurality of reception channels connected to the reception antenna element and processing the transmission signal and the reception signal, A first transmission antenna unit connected to a first transmission channel of the plurality of transmission channels; a second transmission antenna unit connected to a second transmission channel of the plurality of transmission channels; And a third transmission antenna unit connected to the first transmission antenna unit and the second transmission antenna unit, wherein the first transmission antenna unit and the third transmission antenna unit are respectively disposed on both sides of the second transmission antenna unit with the second transmission antenna unit interposed therebetween, And has a mutually symmetric structure around the transmitting antenna portion.

The first transmission antenna unit may include a first feed point, a first feed line extending from the first feed point, and a plurality of second feed lines disposed at opposite sides of the first feed line, Wherein the third transmission antenna portion includes a second feed point, a second feed line extending from the second feed point, and a second feed line disposed on both sides of the second feed line, And a plurality of second radiators that are symmetrical with the plurality of first radiators.

In addition, among the plurality of first radiators, a radiator adjacent to the first feed point is arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the first feeder line on the first feeder line, The radiator adjacent to the second feed point is arranged on the second feed line in a second direction perpendicular to the second feed line, and the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

It is preferable that the first transmission antenna section includes a plurality of first antenna arrays having the same structure and the second transmission antenna section includes a plurality of second antenna arrays having the same structure, One antenna array has a symmetrical structure with each of the plurality of second antenna arrays.

The first transmission antenna unit may include a first impedance matching unit connected to a differential line of the first channel of the communication device and the third transmission antenna unit may include a differential line of the third channel of the communication device, And the shape of the first impedance matching part is symmetric with the shape of the second impedance matching part.

The second transmission antenna unit may include a feeder and a plurality of radiators disposed at a predetermined distance on one side of the feeder, wherein the feeder is connected directly to the differential line of the second channel of the communication device And the differential line of the second channel constitutes a part of the feed line of the second transmission antenna section.

The second transmission antenna unit may include a third feed line connected to a first line of the differential lines of the second channel and a plurality of third radiators spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the third feed line A fourth feed line connected to a second one of the differential lines of the second channel, and a plurality of fourth radiators arranged at a certain distance apart from the fourth feed line, 2 array section.

The plurality of third radiators are arranged on the third feed line in a first direction perpendicular to the third feed line, and the plurality of fourth radiators are arranged on the fourth feed line, And the first direction is a direction opposite to the second direction.

The first array portion has a symmetrical structure with the second array portion.

The plurality of third radiators are arranged at a predetermined angle on the third feed line, the plurality of fourth radiators are arranged at a predetermined angle on the fourth feed line, Are arranged on the third feed line so as to face the plurality of fourth radiators.

Also, the first transmission antenna and the third transmission antenna are a medium-distance sensing antenna, and the second transmission antenna is a near-field sensing antenna.

Meanwhile, a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment includes a case; And a printed circuit board housed in the case and mounted with a radar module, wherein the radar module comprises: a transmitting antenna element for transmitting a transmitting signal; a receiving antenna element for receiving a receiving signal according to the reflection of the transmitting signal; A plurality of transmission channels connected to the transmission antenna elements, and a plurality of reception channels connected to the reception antenna elements, the communication device processing the transmission signals and the reception signals, A first transmission antenna unit connected to a first transmission channel of the plurality of transmission channels; a second transmission antenna unit connected to a second transmission channel of the plurality of transmission channels; And a third transmission antenna unit connected to the channel, wherein the first transmission antenna unit includes a first feeding point and a second feeding point extending from the first feeding point And a plurality of first radiators arranged alternately spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval on both sides of the first feed line, wherein the third transmission antenna section includes a second feed point and a second feed point And a plurality of second radiators arranged alternately spaced apart from each other at both sides of the second feeder line and having a symmetrical structure with the plurality of first radiators.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the radar device can be minimized by integrating the previously separated communication communication device and the receiving communication device into one communication device, thereby lowering the product price accordingly .

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by implementing the optimized radar antenna beam pattern according to the road driving situation, it is possible to reduce the risk of traffic accident due to improvement of blind spot and improvement of target detection.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the radar module, which has been previously divided into the long-distance antenna, the near-field antenna, and the middle-distance antenna, can be integrally implemented, This has the effect of reducing the degree of freedom and cost of the vehicle design.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, by forming a plurality of transmission antenna arrays in a symmetrical structure, signals having the same power and same phase can be supplied to the plurality of transmission antenna arrays, The problem of signal imbalance that occurs can be solved.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solve the asymmetry of the signal line and the asymmetrical problem of the radiation pattern by eliminating the balun disposed in the signal line of the transmit antenna array arranged at the center among the plurality of transmit antenna arrays , Thereby improving the detection characteristics.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a radar module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view showing a radome of a radar apparatus for a vehicle and a printed circuit board on which the radar module is disposed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of antenna arrays according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an antenna array structure of the first transmission antenna unit 411 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an antenna array structure of the third transmission antenna unit 413 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a view showing an antenna array structure of the second transmission antenna unit 412 shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a modification of the antenna array structure of the second transmission antenna unit 412 shown in FIG.
9 is a diagram illustrating an overall structure of a transmission antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a diagram illustrating an overall structure of a transmitting antenna element according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a gain graph according to a combining operation of a transmission antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a gain graph according to an individual operation of each transmit antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 to 17 are views showing a connection configuration of a radar module in each operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a plan view of a radome of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
20 is a plan view of a radome of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
21 is a sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
22 is a plan view of a radome of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a plan view showing a radar device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted on the rear side of the vehicle.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining a stepwise control method of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a stepwise control method of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar elements, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of related arts will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein may be blurred. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. , ≪ / RTI > equivalents, and alternatives.

Terms including ordinals, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present application, the terms "comprises", "having", and the like are used to specify that a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

The vehicle described herein may be a concept including a car, a motorcycle. Hereinafter, the vehicle will be described mainly with respect to the vehicle.

The vehicle described in the present specification may be a concept including both an internal combustion engine vehicle having an engine as a power source, a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric motor as a power source, and an electric vehicle having an electric motor as a power source.

In the following description, the left side of the vehicle means the left side in the running direction of the vehicle, and the right side of the vehicle means the right side in the running direction of the vehicle.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, a vehicle radar apparatus 100 includes a case 110, a connector 120, an auxiliary printed circuit board (PCB) 130, a bracket 140, a printed circuit board 150, A shield 160, a radome 170, and a waterproof ring 180.

The case 110 may receive the connector 120, the auxiliary printed circuit board 130, the bracket 140, the printed circuit board 150, and the shield 160.

The connector 120 can transmit and receive signals between the vehicular radar apparatus 100 and an external apparatus. For example, the connector 120 may be a controller area network (CAN) connector, but is not limited thereto.

The auxiliary printed circuit board 130 may be a circuit for power supply and signal processing, but is not limited thereto.

The bracket 140 may block noise generated during signal processing of the auxiliary printed circuit board 130.

The printed circuit board 150 may include a plurality of antenna arrays and an integrated circuit (IC) chip connected to the plurality of antenna arrays. The plurality of antenna arrays may include a plurality of wide-angle antennas arranged in a row, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The IC chip may be a millimeter-wave RFIC (radio frequency IC), but is not limited thereto.

The IC chip is an integrated communication device that is commonly connected to a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, thereby processing both a transmitting signal and a receiving signal.

In addition, the plurality of antenna arrays may include a transmitting antenna element and a receiving antenna element. Herein, the transmission antenna elements may include a plurality of transmission antenna arrays each composed of a single channel connected to different transmission channels of the communication elements. That is, the transmission antenna array includes antenna arrays of a first transmission antenna connected to a first transmission channel of a communication element, antenna arrays of a second transmission antenna connected to a second transmission channel of the communication element, The receive antenna elements may include a plurality of receive antenna arrays each coupled to a different receive channel of the communication device, .

According to the embodiment, the auxiliary printed circuit board 130 may be mounted with the plurality of antenna arrays and the IC chip connected to the plurality of antenna arrays. The auxiliary printed circuit board 130 and the printed circuit board 150 may be spaced apart with the bracket 140 therebetween.

The shielding portion 160 may shield the RF signal generated from the IC chip of the printed circuit board 150. To this end, the shield 160 may be formed in a region of the printed circuit board 150 corresponding to the IC chip.

The radome 170 may receive the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150 and the radome 170 may be coupled to the case 110. The radome 170 may be made of a material with low attenuation of radio waves and may be an electric insulator.

The waterproof ring 180 may be disposed between the radome 170 and the case 110 to prevent flooding of the vehicular radar device 100. For example, the waterproof ring 180 may be formed of an elastic material.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a radar module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a radome of a radar device for a vehicle and a printed circuit board on which the radar module is disposed according to an embodiment of the present invention. to be.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the printed circuit board 150 may include a plurality of antenna portions including a plurality of antenna arrays and a communication element 430.

The plurality of antenna units including the plurality of antenna arrays may include a transmitting antenna element 410 and a receiving antenna element 420 disposed on the printed circuit board 150.

The transmit antenna element 410 may include a radiator (to be described later), and the radiator emits a signal at the transmit antenna element 410. That is, the radiator forms a radiation pattern of the transmitting antenna element 410. Here, the radiator is arranged along the feeder line, and the radiator is made of a conductive material. The radiator may include at least one of Ag, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au, and Ni.

The transmission antenna element 410 may include a plurality of transmission antenna units including a plurality of antenna arrays. The plurality of transmission antenna units are connected to different transmission channels of the communication device 430 and selectively form the radiation pattern according to a signal supplied through the communication device 430.

The receive antenna element 420 may comprise a plurality of receive antenna arrays and may include a radiator. The radiator forms the radiation pattern of the receive antenna element 420. Here, the radiator is arranged along the feed line, and is made of a conductive material. The radiator may include at least one of Ag, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au, and Ni.

The communication element 430 is connected to the plurality of antenna arrays. Communication element 430 may comprise, for example, a millimeter wave RFIC. The communication element 430 generates a transmission signal from the transmission data, outputs it to the transmission antenna element 410, receives the signal from the reception antenna element 420, and generates reception data from the reception signal.

The control unit 440 may drive the radar module 100 to detect a forward object while driving the vehicle. That is, the control unit 440 controls the radar module 100 to detect an object existing in the surrounding area at the current position of the vehicle. The control unit 440 processes the transmission data and the reception data transmitted and received through the radar module 100. The control unit 440 controls the communication element 430 to generate a transmission signal from the transmission data. The control unit 440 controls the communication element 430 to generate reception data from the reception signal. The control unit 440 can synchronize the transmission data with the reception data. The control unit 440 may perform a CFAR operation, a tracking operation, a target selection operation, and the like as received data to extract angular information, velocity information, and distance information for the target.

The radome 170 may include a lid portion 171 disposed opposite to the printed circuit board 150 and a rim portion 173 coupled to the case 110. The printed circuit board 150 may be disposed in a space formed by a height difference between the lid portion 171 and the rim portion 173 of the radome 170.

The radome 170 can define a direction in which the plurality of antenna arrays are arranged in a Y axis direction, a direction in which the plurality of antenna arrays are arranged in a sequential order, and a vertical direction in a Y axis direction, And a vertical direction with respect to the plurality of antenna arrays can be defined as a Z-axis direction.

4 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of antenna arrays according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the communication element 430 is connected in common with a transmitting antenna element 410 and a receiving antenna element 420.

The communication element 430 has a plurality of transmission channels connected to the transmission antenna element 410 and a plurality of reception channels connected to the reception antenna element 420.

Preferably, the communication element 430 may include a first transmission channel CH1, a second transmission channel CH2, and a third transmission channel CH3. The communication device 430 may include a first receiving channel CH1, a second receiving channel CH2, a third receiving channel CH3, and a fourth receiving channel CH4.

The transmission antenna element 410 includes a first transmission antenna unit 411 connected to the first transmission channel CH1, a second transmission antenna unit 412 connected to the second transmission channel CH2, And a third transmission antenna unit 413 connected to the transmission channel CH3.

The receiving antenna element 420 includes a first receiving antenna unit 421 connected to the first receiving channel CH1, a second receiving antenna unit 422 connected to the second receiving channel CH2, A third reception antenna unit 423 connected to the third reception channel CH3 and a fourth reception antenna unit 424 connected to the fourth reception channel CH4.

In this case, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first to third transmission antenna units 411, 412 and 413 may be an antenna composed of a single channel and a plurality of arrays having different structures. Preferably, the first to third transmission antenna portions 411, 412, and 413 have a second transmission antenna portion 412 disposed at the center thereof, and the first transmission antenna portion 412 is disposed on both sides of the second transmission antenna portion 412. [ And the third transmission antenna unit 413 may be disposed.

At this time, the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 have different antenna structures. In other words, the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 have a layered structure with respect to the second transmission antenna unit 412.

The first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 are the same type of antennas. In other words, the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 are a middle range radar (MRR).

Accordingly, the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 use frequencies in the same band to detect objects in the middle range.

As described above, since the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 are the same type of antennas, they have the same structure. The arrangement direction and arrangement interval of the radiators of the array constituting the first transmission antenna section 411 are the same as the arrangement direction and arrangement interval of the radiators of the array constituting the third transmission antenna section 413.

At this time, the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 are disposed in different directions with respect to the second transmission antenna unit 412 as described above. Accordingly, a phase difference is generated between the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413, and the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413, 3 transmission antenna unit 413. In this case,

That is, the length of the baluns constituting the first transmission antenna unit 411 is different from the length of the baluns constituting the third transmission antenna unit 413, and the length of the baluns constituting the first transmission antenna unit 413 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413. Accordingly, in the case of the conventional antenna apparatus having the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413, signals having the same power and phase are transmitted through the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413, It is difficult to input them to the transmission antenna unit 413 respectively.

Therefore, in the present invention, the array structure of the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 are symmetrical to each other, so that the baluns constituting the first transmission antenna unit 411 And the baluns constituting the third transmission antenna unit 413 are also symmetrical.

 The array structure of the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the array structure of the third transmission antenna unit 413 will be described in further detail below.

In addition, the second transmission antenna unit 412 may be connected to the differential line of the communication element unlike the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413, It is directly connected to the device. That is, the second transmission antenna unit 412 does not include a balun-like structure connected to the differential line. This is because the antenna array structure of the first transmission antenna unit 411 has a symmetrical structure with respect to the antenna array structure of the third transmission antenna unit 413.

Therefore, the second transmission antenna unit 412 uses the differential line of the communication element as it is as a power supply line. That is, conventionally, the second transmission antenna unit 412 can not directly use the differential line of the communication element as a feed line, and impedance matching such as balun is performed between the differential line and the second transmission antenna unit 412 Additional devices had to be deployed. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate elements such as the balun which must be disposed at the front end of the second transmission antenna unit 412, thereby improving the sensing characteristic while securing the design freedom of the antenna array.

The second transmission antenna unit 412 is a short range radar (SRR) unlike the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the second transmission antenna unit 412.

A detailed array structure of the first to third transmission antenna portions will be described in more detail below.

Accordingly, the transmission antenna element 410 in the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to transmit a combination of the first to third transmission antenna units 411, 412, and 413 connected to the transmission channels CH1, CH2, and CH3 Thereby forming different radiation patterns.

The reception antenna element 420 includes the first to fourth reception antenna portions 421, 422, 423 and 424 as described above, and accordingly receives the reception signal for the transmission signal transmitted through the transmission antenna element 410 .

On the other hand, the communication element 430 can generate a transmission signal from the transmission data. To this end, the communication element 430 may output a transmission signal to the transmission antenna element 410 through each transmission channel. For this purpose, the communication element 430 may include an oscillation unit (not shown), for example, the oscillation unit may include a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and an oscillator.

In addition, the communication device 430 may receive a received signal from the receiving antenna element 420. The communication element 430 may generate received data from the received signal. For this purpose, the communication device 430 may include a low noise amplifier (LNA) (not shown) and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (not shown). The low-noise amplifier can low-noise amplify the received signal, and the analog-to-digital converter can convert received signals from analog signals to digital data to generate received data.

That is, the transmission antenna element 410 transmits a transmission signal to the air, and the reception antenna element 420 can receive a reception signal from the air. Here, the transmission signal indicates a radio signal transmitted from the radar module 10. The received signal indicates a radio signal that is input to the radar module 100 as the transmitted signal is reflected by the target TARGET.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first transmission antenna unit 411 is a middle-distance transmission antenna array, the second transmission antenna unit 412 is a short-distance transmission antenna array, and the third transmission antenna unit 413 Is a middle-distance transmission antenna array having a symmetrical structure with the first transmission antenna unit 411. [

At this time, as shown in the figure, the antenna array of the short-distance transmission antenna section constituting the second transmission antenna section 412 includes the first transmission antenna array 411 and the third transmission antenna array 413 The transmission antenna array can be formed in a smaller size than the medium-distance transmission antenna array.

The first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 may be configured as a single channel to be connected to different transmission channels of the communication device 430, . In addition, each of the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412, and the third transmission antenna unit 413 may be a single array. Alternatively, a plurality of Array.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it can be confirmed that a pattern of the main beam radiated from the antenna element appears in a very wide shape, which brings about the following effects.

In other words, when one antenna element is used for each channel, the antenna has an equivalent isotropically radiated power (ERIP), which is a sum of an antenna gain and a transmission power. However, according to the present invention, a higher ERIP is obtained as the transmission power increases in each channel . For example, conventionally, an ERIP of 25 dBm including 15 dBi (Antenna Gain) and 10 dBm (Tx power) is obtained. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission power is increased to 14.7 dBm as the transmission power increases , The overall performance can be improved by about 4.7 dB.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the antenna array structure of the first transmission antenna unit 411 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a view showing an antenna array structure of the third transmission antenna unit 413 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing an antenna array structure of the second transmission antenna unit 412 shown in FIG. 8 is a view showing a modification of the antenna array structure of the second transmission antenna unit 412 shown in FIG.

 Referring to FIG. 5, the first transmission antenna unit 411 may include a single channel composed of a plurality of arrays. The first transmission antenna unit 411 may include a feeder including a feeder line and a feeding point, and a plurality of radiators.

In an embodiment, the first transmission antenna section 411 may include a first array a1 and a second array a2. Although the first transmission antenna unit 411 includes only the first array a1 and the second array a2 in the drawing, the first transmission antenna unit 411 includes only the first array a1 and the second array a2. However, The number of antenna arrays that constitute it may be further increased.

In the embodiment, the first array a1 may include a feed line 4111, a feed point 4118, and a plurality of radiators.

The feed line 4111 may be extended from the feed point 4118 to supply signals to the plurality of radiators. The feeder lines 4111 extend in one direction and are arranged in parallel to each other in the other direction. The feed lines 4111 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a signal can be transmitted from one end of the feed line 4111 to the other end.

The feed point 4118 is connected to one end of the feed line 4111 and can supply a signal to the feed line 4111.

The plurality of radiators emit a signal at the first transmission antenna unit 411.

The plurality of radiators form a radiation pattern of the first transmission antenna unit 411. The plurality of radiators are dispersed in the feeder line 4111. The plurality of radiators are arranged along the feeder lines 4111.

An impedance matching unit (not shown) such as balun-to-unbalanced is disposed between the feed line 4111 and the feed point 4118. The impedance matching unit is connected to a plurality of differential lines between the feeding point 4118 and the communication element, and performs impedance matching to output the plurality of differential lines to one signal line. The one signal line may be branched in a plurality of directions to be connected to the plurality of antenna arrays.

The first transmission antenna unit 411 according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed not only on one side of the feeder line 4111 but on both sides of the feeder line 4111.

Signals are supplied from the feeder line 4111 to the radiators 4115 and 4116. The plurality of radiators are made of a conductive material. The plurality of radiators may include at least one of Ag, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au, and Ni.

The second array a2 may include a feed line 4112, a feed point 4118, and a plurality of emitters.

The first transmission antenna unit 411 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first array a1 and a second array a2 disposed in the second array a2 to form a radiation pattern that minimizes a side lobe, (Central points in the radiator) of the light-receiving surface of the light-emitting element is equal to or smaller than? / 2.

That is, the distance H1 between the radiator 4113 of the first array a1 and the radiator 4114 of the second array a2 is set to be not more than? / 2.

The distance H2 between the radiators 4113 and 4115 of the first array a1 is set to be equal to or smaller than?.

The interval H3 between the phase centers of the radiator 4116 of the first array a1 and the radiator 4117 of the second array a2 is set to be equal to or less than? / 2.

In other words, the distance H1 between the radiator 4113 of the first array a1 and the radiator 4114 of the second array a2 is set to be equal to or smaller than lambda / 2 and the radiator 4113 of the first array a1 And the interval H2 between the radiators 4116 of the first array a1 and the centers of the radiators 4117 of the second array a2 is set to lambda / 2 Or less, so that the side lobe can be minimized.

In addition, the size of the radiator may be different from the feeding point 4118 to the center of the feeder line 4111. For example, the radiator disposed at the center of the feeder line 4111 is arranged so that the width of the radiator is narrower than that of the radiator adjacent to the feed point 4118, and the width of the radiator is widened so that the radiation is concentrated at the center of the feeder line 4111, Can be minimized.

In the embodiment, the first transmission antenna section 411 is a middle-distance transmission antenna, and exists in a range between the 77 GHz band used by the long-distance transmission antenna and the 24 GHz band used by the short-distance transmission antenna The frequency may be used, but is not limited thereto.

The radiators 4119a and 4119b disposed nearest to the feed point 4118 among the first array a1 and the second array a2 of the first transmission antenna unit 411 are connected to the respective feeder lines 4111 And 4112 are arranged in the same direction with respect to each other.

At this time, the first transmission antenna unit 411 is disposed on the left side of the second transmission antenna unit 412 with the second transmission antenna unit 412 as a center. The radiators 4119a and 4119b disposed nearest to the feeding point 4118 among the radiators constituting the first array a1 and the second array a2 of the first transmission antenna unit 411 are In the left direction of the feeder lines 4111 and 4112 of FIG.

The upper radiators adjacent to the radiators 4119a and 4119b may be arranged in the right direction of the feeder lines 4111 and 4112 opposite to the arranging direction of the radiators 4119a and 4119b.

As a result, the first array a1 and the second array a2 constituting the first transmission antenna unit 411 may have the same shape.

Referring to FIG. 6, the third transmission antenna unit 413 may include a single channel composed of a plurality of arrays. The third transmission antenna unit 413 may include a feeding part including a feeding line and a feed point, and a plurality of radiators.

In an embodiment, the third transmission antenna portion 413 may include a first array a1 and a second array a2. Although the third transmission antenna section 413 includes only the first array a1 and the second array a2 in the drawing, the third transmission antenna section 413 includes only the first array a1 and the second array a2. However, The number of antenna arrays that constitute it may be further increased.

Preferably, the number of arrays of the third transmission antenna unit 413 is the same as the number of arrays of the first transmission antenna unit 411. That is, when the number of arrays of the first transmission antenna unit 411 is four, the number of arrays of the third transmission antenna unit 413 is four. However, the arrangement of the radiators of the array of the third transmission antenna unit 413 is not the same as the arrangement of the radiators of the array of the first transmission antenna unit 411, and they are symmetrical to each other.

In the embodiment, the first array a1 may include a feed line 4131, a feed point 4138, and a plurality of radiators.

The feeder line 4131 may extend from the feed point 4138 to supply signals to the plurality of radiators. The feeder lines 4131 extend in one direction and are arranged in parallel to each other in the other direction. The feed lines 4131 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a signal can be transmitted from one end of the feed line 4131 to the other end.

The feed point 4138 is connected to one end of the feed line 4131 to supply a signal to the feed line 4131.

The plurality of radiators emit a signal at the third transmission antenna portion 413.

The plurality of radiators form a radiation pattern of the third transmission antenna unit 413. The plurality of radiators are dispersed in the feeder line 4131. The plurality of radiators are arranged along the feeder lines 4131.

An impedance matching unit (not shown) such as balun-to-unbalanced is disposed between the feed line 4131 and the feed point 4138. The impedance matching unit is connected to a plurality of differential lines between the feed point 4138 and the communication element, and performs impedance matching thereby to output the plurality of differential lines to one signal line. The one signal line may be branched in a plurality of directions to be connected to the plurality of antenna arrays.

At this time, the shape of the impedance matching unit included in the third transmission antenna unit 413 corresponds to the shape of the impedance matching unit included in the first transmission antenna unit 411. The impedance matching unit included in the first transmission antenna unit 411 may be disposed at a predetermined distance in the left direction centering on the differential line of the first channel of the communication device. Accordingly, the impedance matching unit included in the third transmission antenna unit 413 may be arranged to be bent at a predetermined distance in the right direction centering on the differential line of the third channel of the communication element. Preferably, the impedance matching unit included in the first transmission antenna unit 411 has a symmetric structure with the impedance matching unit included in the third transmission antenna unit 413.

The third transmitting antenna unit 413 according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed not only on one side of the feeder line 4131 but on both sides of the feeder line 4131.

Signals are supplied from the feeder line 4131 to the radiators 4134 and 4135. The plurality of radiators are made of a conductive material. The plurality of radiators may include at least one of Ag, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au, and Ni.

The second array a2 may include a feed line 4132, a feed point 4138, and a plurality of emitters.

The third transmission antenna portion 413 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first array a1 and a second array a2 disposed in the second array a2 to form a radiation pattern that minimizes a side lobe, (Central points in the radiator) of the light-receiving surface of the light-emitting element is equal to or smaller than? / 2.

That is, the distance H4 between the radiator 4133 of the first array a1 and the radiator 4134 of the second array a2 is set to be equal to or smaller than? / 2 and the distance between the radiator 4114 of the first array a1 The distance H5 between the centers of the radiators 4136 of the first array a1 and the radiators 4137 of the second array a2 is not more than? / 2 So that the side lobe can be minimized.

In other words, the distance H1 between the radiator 4113 of the first array a1 and the radiator 4114 of the second array a2 is set to be equal to or smaller than lambda / 2 and the radiator 4113 of the first array a1 And the interval H2 between the radiators 4116 of the first array a1 and the centers of the radiators 4117 of the second array a2 is set to lambda / 2 Or less, so that the side lobe can be minimized.

In addition, the size of the radiator may be different from the feeding point 4138 to the center of the feeder line 4131. For example, the radiator disposed at the center of the feeder line 4131 is arranged so that the width of the radiator is narrower than that of the radiator adjacent to the feed point 4138, and the width of the radiator is widened so that the radiation is concentrated at the center of the feeder line 4131, Can be minimized.

In the embodiment, the third transmission antenna section 413 is a middle-distance transmission antenna, and exists in a range between the 77 GHz band used by the long-distance transmission antenna and the 24 GHz band used by the short- The frequency may be used, but is not limited thereto.

The radiators 4139a and 4139b disposed nearest to the feed point 4138 among the first array a1 and the second array a2 of the third transmission antenna unit 413 are connected to the respective feeder lines 4131 , And 4132 in the same direction.

At this time, the third transmission antenna unit 411 is disposed on the right side of the second transmission antenna unit 412 with the second transmission antenna unit 412 as a center. Among the radiators constituting the first array a1 and the second array a2 of the third transmission antenna unit 413, the radiators 4139a and 4139b disposed nearest to the feeding point 4138 are The power supply lines 4131 and 4132 of FIG.

That is, conventionally, the arrangement direction of the radiators 4119a and 4119b included in the first transmission antenna unit 411 is the same as the arrangement direction of the radiators 4139a and 4139b included in the third transmission antenna unit 413 Direction. In other words, the array of the first transmission antenna unit 411 has the same shape and structure as the array of the third transmission antenna unit 413. Accordingly, the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 have an asymmetric structure with respect to the second transmission antenna unit 412, It was difficult to input the signal.

However, in the present invention, the array of the first transmission antenna unit 411 has a symmetric structure that is not the same as the array of the third transmission antenna unit 413. Here, the symmetric structure includes not only a feed line and a radiator constituting the array but also an impedance matching unit such as a balun connected to the feed line.

The upper radiators adjacent to the radiators 4139a and 4139b of the third transmission antenna unit 413 are arranged in the left direction of the feeder lines 4131 and 4132 opposite to the arranging direction of the radiators 4139a and 4139b Lt; / RTI >

As a result, the first array a1 and the second array a2 constituting the third transmission antenna unit 413 may have the same shape.

Referring to FIG. 7, the second transmission antenna unit 412 may include a plurality of arrays, and may include, for example, a first array a1 and a second array a2. The second transmission antenna unit 412 is disposed between the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413.

The second transmission antenna unit 412 may include a feeding part including a feeding line and a feed point, and a plurality of radiators. In the embodiment, the first array a1 may include a feed line 4122, a feed point 4121, and a plurality of radiators.

The feed line 4122 may be extended from the feed point 4121 to supply signals to the plurality of radiators. The feeder lines 4122 extend in one direction and are arranged in parallel to each other in the other direction. The feed lines 4122 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and signals can be transmitted from one end of the feed line 4122 to the other end.

The feed point 4121 is disposed at one end of the feed line 4122 and can supply a signal to the feed line 4122. [

At this time, the feed point 4121 is not connected to the impedance matching unit such as the balun, and is directly connected to the signal line of the communication element 430. The feed point 4121 may be directly connected to the first line of the differential line of the communication element 430 to receive a signal from the first line. In other words, the second transmission antenna unit 412 can receive the signal using the differential line constituting the second channel of the communication element 430 as it is as a feed line.

The plurality of radiators emit a signal at the second transmission antenna unit 412. The plurality of radiators form a radiation pattern of the second transmission antenna portion 412. The plurality of radiators are dispersedly disposed on the feeder line 4122. The plurality of emitters are arranged along the feeder lines 4122. As a result, signals are supplied from the feeder line 4122 to the radiators 4123, 4124 and 4125. The plurality of radiators are made of a conductive material. The plurality of radiators may include at least one of Ag, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au, and Ni.

At this time, the plurality of radiators 4123, 4124, and 4125 arranged along the feeder line 4122 may be disposed only in one direction of the feeder line 4122. Preferably, the radiators 4123, 4124, and 4125 of the first array a1 may be arranged only in the left direction of the feeder line 4122.

The second array a2 may include a feed line 4126, a feed point 4125, and a plurality of radiators.

The feed line 4126 may extend from the feed point 4125 to supply signals to the plurality of radiators. The feeder lines 4126 extend in one direction and are arranged in parallel to each other in the other direction. The feed lines 4126 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and signals can be transmitted from one end of the feed line 4126 to the other end.

The feed point 4125 may be disposed at one end of the feed line 4126 to supply a signal to the feed line 4126. [

At this time, the feed point 4125 is not connected to the impedance matching unit such as the balun, and is directly connected to the signal line of the communication element 430. Preferably, the feed point 4125 is directly connected to the second line of the differential line of the communication element 430, and can receive a signal from the second line. In other words, the second transmission antenna unit 412 can receive the signal using the differential line constituting the second channel of the communication element 430 as it is as a feed line.

The plurality of radiators emit a signal at the second transmission antenna unit 412. The plurality of radiators form a radiation pattern of the second transmission antenna portion 412. The plurality of radiators are dispersed in the feeder line 4126. The plurality of radiators are arranged along the feeder lines 4126. As a result, a signal is supplied from the feeder line 4126 to the radiators 4127. The plurality of radiators are made of a conductive material. The plurality of radiators may include at least one of Ag, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au, and Ni.

At this time, the plurality of radiators 4127 arranged along the feeder line 4126 may be disposed only in one direction of the feeder line 4126. Preferably, the radiators 4127 of the second array a2 may be arranged only in the right direction of the feeder line 4126.

In other words, the first array a1 and the second array a2 constituting the second transmission antenna unit 412 have mutually symmetric structures. Accordingly, a plurality of emitters disposed on the first array a1 correspond to a plurality of emitters disposed on the second array a2.

Preferably, the emitters disposed on the lowermost side of the first array a1 are arranged side by side with the emitters disposed on the lowermost side of the second array a2. That is, a virtual straight line L1 connecting the center of the first radiator of the first array a1 and the center of the second radiator of the second array a2 corresponding to the first radiator is connected to the feeder line 4122, 4126).

The second transmission antenna unit 412 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first array antenna a1 and a second array a2 to minimize a side lobe and to form a uniform radiation pattern. (Center points in the radiator) of the radiator to be disposed are arranged at the same position with respect to one another.

In this case, when the energy distribution of the radio wave radiated from the antenna is divided into various directions, the side lobe is called the main lobe in the direction in which the radiation energy becomes the maximum, and the radiation in the other direction is called the minor lobe , And a lobe radiating in an undesired direction is referred to as a side lobe. The sidelobe level refers to the lobe level having the highest power among the lobes emitting in the undesired direction. If the number of side lobes radiated in directions other than the main lobe among the horizontal direction patterns of the antenna directivity is small, the antenna efficiency is high.

In addition, the second transmission antenna unit 412 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the two arrays to use the differential line of the communication element 430 as it is as a feed line, So as to form a radiation pattern in which the beam width is minimized and the side lobe is minimized.

Meanwhile, in the general antenna array, the side lobes are generated. However, the second transmission antenna unit 412 according to the embodiment of the present invention is designed such that the intervals between the antenna patches are within half wavelength so that there is no distinction between the main lobe and the side lobe, So that there is no boundary between the lobe and the side lobe.

In addition, since the radiator of the first array a1 and the radiator of the second array a2 are arranged at the same position, the distance between the radiator of the first array a1 and the radiator of the second array a2 Becomes zero.

The interval H7 between the radiators 4123, 4124 and 4125 of the first array a1 and the interval H7 between the radiator 4127 of the second array a2 are equal to or less than lambda .

Further, the shape and size of the radiator may be different from the feeding points 4121 and 4125 toward the centers of the feed lines 4122 and 4126. The radiator disposed at the center of the feeder lines 4122 and 4126 is arranged so that the width l1 is narrower and the width 12 is wider than the radiators adjacent to the feeding points 4121 and 4125, 4125 can concentrate radiation to minimize side lobes.

In the embodiment, the second transmission antenna unit 412 can use the 24 GHz band as the short-distance transmission antenna, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, in the second transmission antenna unit 412 in the first embodiment of the present invention, in the respective arrays, the radiators are vertically bent from the feed line with the feed line as a center. That is, in each array, the second transmission antenna unit 412 is vertically bent from the feed line while facing the radiators facing each other.

Alternatively, the second transmission antenna portion 412 in the second embodiment of the present invention may be arranged such that the radiators in the respective arrays have a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the feed line not in the vertical direction.

In this case, the first array a1 and the second array a2 of the second transmission antenna unit 412 do not have mutually symmetric structures. In other words, the radiators of the first array a1 and the radiators of the second array a2 have a certain phase difference. Accordingly, when the radiators of the first array a1 are arranged in the vertical direction around the feed line, the radiators of the second array a2 are also arranged in the vertical direction about the feed line.

However, if the emitters of the first array a1 are disposed at an angle to the upper side of the feed line at a certain angle, the emitters of the second array a2 are arranged at a predetermined angle And is disposed obliquely.

Referring to FIG. 8, the second transmission antenna unit 412 may include a first array a1 and a second array a2.

The first array a1 includes a feed line 4121a and a plurality of first radiators 4122a arranged along the feed line 4121a. The second array a2 includes a feed line 4121b and a plurality of second radiators 4122b arranged along the feed line 4121b.

At this time, the first radiators 4122b and the second radiators 4122b are disposed to face each other with a predetermined angle from the respective feed lines.

In other words, the first radiators 4122a are arranged on the feeder line at a predetermined angle in an upward direction. Accordingly, the second radiating elements 4122b are disposed on the feeding line at a predetermined angle in a downward direction opposite to the first radiating elements 4122a.

That is, the first radiators 4122a are disposed such that the central portion thereof is inclined at a first angle? 1 in a left upper direction centering on a line L1 perpendicular to the feeder line.

The second radiating elements 4122b are disposed such that the central portion of the second radiating elements 4122b is inclined at a second angle? 2 in the lower right direction around the line L1 perpendicular to the feed lines. At this time, the first angle? 1 and the second angle? 2 are equal to each other. Accordingly, the first radiators 4122a and the second radiators 4122b are arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle while facing each other on the feed line.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the radar device can be minimized by integrating the previously separated communication communication device and the receiving communication device into one communication device, thereby lowering the product price accordingly .

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by implementing the optimized radar antenna beam pattern according to the road driving situation, it is possible to reduce the risk of traffic accident due to improvement of blind spot and improvement of target detection.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the radar module, which has been previously divided into the long-distance antenna, the near-field antenna, and the middle-distance antenna, can be integrally implemented, This has the effect of reducing the degree of freedom and cost of the vehicle design.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, by forming a plurality of transmission antenna arrays in a symmetrical structure, signals having the same power and same phase can be supplied to the plurality of transmission antenna arrays, The problem of signal imbalance that occurs can be solved.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solve the asymmetry of the signal line and the asymmetrical problem of the radiation pattern by eliminating the balun disposed in the signal line of the transmit antenna array arranged at the center among the plurality of transmit antenna arrays , Thereby improving the detection characteristics.

9 is a diagram illustrating an overall structure of a transmission antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9, the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 constitute one transmission antenna element according to the embodiment of the present invention. do.

As described above, the second transmission antenna unit 412 is disposed at the center of the transmission antenna element, and the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 are disposed at the center of the transmission antenna element, (412).

In addition, the radiator of the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the radiator of the second transmission antenna unit 412 may be disposed to intersect with each other.

Preferably, the first transmission antenna section 411 includes the first array and the second array as described above. The radiators arranged on the right side of the transmission line among the radiators constituting the second array of the first transmission antenna unit 411 intersect with the radiators of the first array antenna of the second transmission antenna unit 412 .

At this time, in order to form a radiation pattern that minimizes the side lobe, the phase center of the radiator of the second array of the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the phase center of the second transmission antenna unit 412 (Center point in the radiator) of the radiator disposed in the first array is equal to or smaller than? / 2.

In addition, the radiator of the third transmission antenna unit 413 and the radiator of the second transmission antenna unit 412 may be disposed to intersect with each other.

Preferably, the third transmission antenna portion 413 includes a first array and a second array as described above. The radiators arranged on the left side of the transmission line among the radiators constituting the first array of the third transmission antenna unit 413 intersect with the radiators of the second array antenna of the second transmission antenna unit 412 .

At this time, in order to form a radiation pattern that minimizes the side lobe, the phase center of the first array of radiators of the third transmission antenna unit 413 and the phase center of the second transmission antenna unit 412 (Center point in the radiator) of the radiator disposed in the second array is equal to or smaller than? / 2.

As described above, the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412, and the third transmission antenna unit 413 include a plurality of arrays each including a radiator, The emitters included in the array have a shape in which the vertical width increases as the distance from the feeding point increases.

10 is a diagram illustrating an overall structure of a transmitting antenna element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, unlike the transmit antenna elements shown in FIG. 9, the transmit antenna elements have the largest vertical widths of the radiators disposed at the center among the radiators included in the respective arrays constituting the transmit antenna elements.

That is, the transmission antenna element includes a first transmission antenna unit 411a, a second transmission antenna unit 412a, and a third transmission antenna unit 413a.

The first transmission antenna unit 411a includes a first array and a second array. In addition, the first array has a shape in which the width of the radiator gradually increases from the feeding point to the central region. In addition, the first array has a shape in which the width of the radiator decreases from the central region to the top region. In addition, the second array of the first transmission antenna portion 411a has a shape in which the width of the radiator gradually increases from the feeding point to the central region. The second array has a shape in which the top and bottom widths of the radiator decrease again from the central region toward the top region.

The second transmission antenna portion 412a includes a first array and a second array. The first array of the second transmission antenna portion 412a has a shape in which the width of the radiator gradually increases from the feeding point to the central region. In addition, the first array has a shape in which the width of the radiator decreases from the central region to the top region. In addition, the second array of the second transmission antenna unit 412a has a shape in which the width of the radiator gradually increases from the feeding point to the central region. The second array has a shape in which the top and bottom widths of the radiator decrease again from the central region toward the top region.

The third transmission antenna portion 413a includes a first array and a second array. The first array of the third transmission antenna portion 413a has a shape in which the width of the radiator gradually increases from the feeding point to the central region. In addition, the first array has a shape in which the width of the radiator decreases from the central region to the top region. In addition, the second array of the third transmission antenna portion 413a has a shape in which the width of the radiator gradually increases from the feeding point to the central region. The second array has a shape in which the top and bottom widths of the radiator decrease again from the central region toward the top region.

FIG. 11 is a gain graph according to a combining operation of a transmitting antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a gain graph according to an individual operation of each transmitting antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11, when the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412, and the third transmission antenna unit 413 constituting the transmission antenna unit are simultaneously driven, the frequency of 19.4618 dB , A radiation pattern of 7 dB occurs in the region of -65.35 degrees, and a radiation pattern of 7 dB occurs in the region of +65.28 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412, and the third transmission antenna unit 413 may be independently driven. Accordingly, when the plurality of antenna units constituting the transmission antenna unit are individually driven, different radiation patterns can be implemented, and thus the operation of the transmission antenna unit can be controlled according to the operation mode of the vehicle.

That is, when the first transmission antenna unit 411 is solely driven, the radiation pattern has 17.15 dB in the 0 degree region, 7 dB in the -38.30 degree region, and 7 dB in the 42.46 degree region.

When the second transmission antenna unit 412 is solely driven, the radiation pattern has 13.7945 dB in the 0 degree region, 7 dB in the -74.45 degree region, and 7 dB in the 74.47 degree region.

When the third transmission antenna unit 413 is solely driven, the radiation pattern has 17.1789 dB in the 0 degree region, 7 dB in the -42.70 degree region, and 7 dB in the 38.28 degree region.

13 to 17 are views showing a connection configuration of a radar module in each operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, in the connection of the radar module, only the second transmission antenna unit 412 among the plurality of transmission antenna units can be connected to the communication device 430, Only the transmitting antenna portion 412 can form a radiation pattern. This can be performed in the low-speed driving mode of the vehicle, for example, when the vehicle is in an intersection, a congested road, and a high-rotation period. The transmitting antenna element in this case operates as a near-field radar.

Referring to FIG. 14, in the connection of the radar module, only the first transmission antenna unit 411 among the plurality of transmission antenna units may be connected to the communication device 430. 15, only the third transmission antenna unit 413 among the plurality of transmission antenna units can be connected to the communication device 430. [ Referring to FIG. 16, the first transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413 of the plurality of transmission antenna units may be connected to the communication device 430 together.

The transmission antenna element 410 in the connection structure of Figs. 14 to 16 operates as a medium-range radar. This can be operated when the vehicle is traveling in the normal driving mode.

To this end, the communication element 430 is connected to a first channel connected to the first transmission antenna unit 411 or a third channel connected to the third transmission antenna unit 413 among the three transmission channels, A signal can be supplied to the first channel and the third channel connected to the transmission antenna unit 411 and the third transmission antenna unit 413, and no signal is supplied to the other channel.

 17, a transmitting antenna element radiates a radiation pattern corresponding to the entire combination of the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412, and the third transmission antenna unit 413. This can be performed in a high-speed driving mode of the vehicle, specifically, when the vehicle is traveling on a highway or a motorway. In this case, the transmission antenna element 410 operates as a long-distance radar.

To this end, the communication device 430 supplies signals to the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412, and the third transmission antenna unit 413, which are respectively connected to the three transmission channels. Accordingly, in the above case, the first to third transmission antenna units 11, 412, and 413 emit a signal for detecting the object.

Accordingly, according to the transmission channel setting, the first transmission antenna unit 411, the second transmission antenna unit 412, and the third transmission antenna unit 413 are all operated in the third operation mode, The transmit antenna element 410 operates as an antenna for a long distance. In this case, the transmitting antenna element 410 is capable of detecting objects in a wide vertical range by applying a wide-angle antenna. Accordingly, it is possible to detect objects existing over 160 m.

18 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

18, the radome 170 includes a lid portion 171 disposed opposite to the printed circuit board 150, a rim portion 173 for fastening the lid 170 to the case 110, (175) disposed in the recessed portion (177).

A communication element 430 is mounted on the printed circuit board 150.

The upper surface of the printed circuit board 150 is divided into a first area on which the communication element 430 is mounted and a second area on which the transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420 are mounted.

An electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 for shielding electromagnetic waves generated by the communication element 430 is disposed in an area of the inner surface of the lid part 171 which is vertically overlapped with the first area. Here, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 may be a shield can.

The concavo-convex portion 175 is disposed in a region of the inner surface of the lid portion 171 which is vertically overlapped with the second region.

The lid portion 171 may include a transmitting antenna element 410 and a receiving antenna element 420 that can receive the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150 and may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150, It is possible to pass the radio wave radiated from the outside and the radio wave received from the outside.

The printed circuit board 150 may be disposed in a space formed by the height difference between the lid part 171 and the rim part 173 of the radome 170. The transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150. [

Referring to the enlarged views of the radome 170 and the printed circuit board 150, the height d1 of the cover 171 of the radome 170 and the height d2 of the rim 173 may be the same, The present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the height d1 of the lid portion 171 may be 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less, and the height d2 of the rim portion 173 may be 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The irregular portion 175 may include a plurality of irregularities, and the shape of the irregularities may be a rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto. The period d3 between the plurality of irregularities may be 0.5 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The distance d4 between the inner surface 177 of the lid portion 171 and the printed circuit board 150 may be 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less and preferably the distance d4 may be 2 mm.

The height d5 of the plurality of irregularities may be 0.5 mm or more and 0.75 mm or less, but the present invention is not limited thereto. However, the height d5 of the plurality of irregularities has a great influence on the wide angle implementation, so that the optimal wide angle can be realized when the height d5 is 0.5 mm or more and 0.75 mm or less.

That is, the radome 170 of the radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention has a protrusion 175 formed on the inner side surface 177 to suppress propagation progression in the surface direction due to irregular reflection and increase the propagation of radio waves in the vertical direction .

On the other hand, the lid part 171 is formed with a predetermined stepped upper surface, and accordingly, the inner side surface of the lid part 171 is formed with a predetermined step.

That is, the inner surface of the lid part 171 may be divided into a first area in which the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed and a second area in which the concave and convex parts 175 are disposed.

At this time, the second region of the lid 171 is related to the distance d4, and the wide-angle implementation performance changes according to the position of the second region.

At this time, when the distance d4 is 2 mm as described above, optimum performance can be realized.

On the other hand, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed in the first region of the lid portion 171. The distance d6 between the first area of the lid part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 is determined by the height of the communication elements 430 and 440 and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 .

At this time, the height of the communication element 430 is about 0.8 mm, and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is about 4.2 mm.

Accordingly, the distance d6 between the inner surface of the first area of the lid part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 can be 4.2 mm.

In other words, the first area of the inner surface of the lid part 171 may be defined as an area for electromagnetic wave shielding, and the second area may be defined as an area for radio wave transmission. Therefore, the inner surfaces of the lid part 171 have a predetermined step difference.

Preferably, the inner surface of the first region of the inner surface of the lid portion 171 is located higher than the inner surface of the second region.

19 is a plan view of a radome of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

19 is a plan view showing the inner side surface 177a of the radome 170a. The radome 170a has a recessed portion 175a disposed in the second area of the inner side surface 177a in the rim portion 173a, . ≪ / RTI > At this time, the concave / convex portion 175a is not formed in the first area of the inner side surface 177a in the rim portion 173a, and thus the flat surface is in contact with the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450. [

The interval d8 in the X-axis direction and the interval d7 in the Y-axis direction between the rim portion 173a and the inner side surface 177a may be the same, but the invention is not limited thereto. The interval d7 in the X axis direction between the rim 173a and the inner side 177a may be 5 mm or more and 7 mm or less and the interval d6 in the Y axis direction between the rim 173a and the inner side 177a ) May be 5 mm or more and 7 mm or more.

The irregular portion 175a of the radome according to the first embodiment has a shape continuously extending in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and a plurality of irregularities can be arranged in the lateral direction .

20 is a plan view of a radome of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 18 is a plan view showing the inner side surface 177b of the radome 170b. The radome 170b may include a concave / convex portion 175b disposed on the inner side surface 177b in the rim portion 173b. have. The interval between the rim 173b and the inner surface 177b in the X-axis direction and the interval in the Y-axis direction may be the same, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The concave-convex portion 175b of the radome according to the second embodiment has a shape that discontinuously extends in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) and has a plurality of concave and convex portions in the lateral direction -zag < / RTI >

21 is a sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

21, the radome 170c includes a lid portion 171c disposed opposite to the printed circuit board 150, a rim portion 173c for fastening to the case 110, And a concave portion 175c disposed on the concave portion 177c.

The upper surface of the printed circuit board 150 is divided into a first area on which the communication element 430 is mounted and a second area on which the transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420 are mounted.

An electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 for shielding electromagnetic waves generated by the communication element 430 is disposed in an area of the inner surface of the lid part 171c which is vertically overlapped with the first area. Here, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 may be a shield can.

A concave / convex portion 175c is disposed in a region of the inner surface of the lid portion 171c which is vertically overlapped with the second region.

The lid portion 171c may receive the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150 and may include a transmit antenna element 410 and a receive antenna element 420, It is possible to pass the radio wave radiated from the outside and the radio wave received from the outside.

The printed circuit board 150 may be disposed in a space formed by a height difference between the lid part 171c and the rim part 173c of the radome 170c.

The transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150. [

The radome 170c according to the third embodiment includes at least one of the plurality of concavo-convex portions 175c in the area where the lid portion 171c, the transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420 are vertically overlapped I can not. That is, since the irregular portion 175c is not disposed in the vertical direction between the transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420, the transmission of the radio wave in the vertical direction can be increased, and the beam width can be widened.

Referring to the enlarged views of the radome 170c and the printed circuit board 150, the height of the lid portion 171c of the radome 170c and the height of the rim portion 173c may be the same, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The distance d10 between the rim portion 173c of the radome 170c and the transmitting antenna element 410 may be 10 mm or less, but is not limited thereto.

A region in which the lid portion 171c of the radome 170c according to the third embodiment is disposed in the vertical direction and the region in which the transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420 are arranged is overlapped in the vertical direction, The width d9 may be 1 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, but is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the lid part 171c has a top surface formed with a predetermined step, and accordingly, the inside surface of the lid part 171c is formed with a predetermined step.

That is, the inner surface of the lid part 171c may be divided into a first area in which the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed and a second area in which the concave and convex part 175c is disposed.

At this time, the second region of the lid 171c is related to the distance d4, and the wide-angle implementation performance changes according to the position of the second region.

At this time, when the distance d4 is 2 mm as described above, optimum performance can be realized.

Meanwhile, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed in the first region of the lid portion 171c. The distance d6 between the first area of the lid part 171c and the printed circuit board 150 may be determined by the height of the communication device 430 and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 .

At this time, the height of the communication element 430 is about 0.8 mm, and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is about 4.2 mm.

Accordingly, the distance d6 between the inner surface of the first area of the lid part 171c and the printed circuit board 150 can be 4.2 mm.

In other words, the first region of the inner surface of the lid portion 171c may be defined as a region for electromagnetic wave shielding, and the second region may be defined as a region for radio wave transmission. Therefore, the inner surfaces of the lid part 171 have a predetermined step difference.

Preferably, the inner surface of the first region of the inner surface of the lid portion 171c is positioned higher than the inner surface of the second region.

22 is a plan view of a radome of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

22 is a plan view showing the inner side surface 177c of the radome 170c. The radome 170c may include a concave portion 175c disposed on the inner side surface 177c in the rim portion 173c have. The interval between the rim portion 173c and the inner surface 177c in the X-axis direction and the interval in the Y-axis direction may be the same, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The radial uneven portions 175c of the radome according to the third embodiment have a shape that continuously extends in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and a plurality of radial directions (e.g., the X-axis direction) can be disposed.

The radome 170c may not include at least one of the plurality of irregular portions 175c in the region where the lid portion 171c, the transmitting antenna element 410 and the receiving antenna element 420 are vertically overlapped.

23 is a plan view showing a radar device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted on the rear side of the vehicle.

Referring to Fig. 23, the vehicular radar apparatus 100 can be mounted on the rear side of the vehicle, respectively. For example, a plurality of antenna arrays of the radar apparatus 100 for a vehicle may be arranged perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and radio waves may be radiated in the Z-axis direction.

When a wide-angle radar that provides a wide field of view (FOV) on the rear side of the vehicle is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle as in the vehicle radar apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, a blind spot formed on the rear side of the vehicle It can be completely covered, which can help in safe driving.

The foregoing detailed description should not be construed in all aspects as limiting and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining a stepwise control method of a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a radar apparatus for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 24, the controller 440 communicates with the outside to obtain driving information of the vehicle (step 110). Here, the running information of the vehicle may include speed information of the vehicle and position information of the vehicle. In addition, the location information of the vehicle may include road traffic situation information according to the present position of the vehicle.

Then, the control unit 440 confirms the driving state of the vehicle using the obtained driving information (operation 120). That is, the controller 440 confirms the current speed of the vehicle using the travel information, and also confirms the traffic situation information of the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling.

The control unit 440 selects the sensing mode of the transmitting antenna element 410 using the checked traveling state of the vehicle (step 130). The sensing mode refers to an operating mode of the transmitting antenna element.

Thereafter, the controller 440 selects a transmission channel to which a signal among the plurality of transmission channels of the communication device 430 is to be supplied according to the selected mode (operation 140).

Thereafter, the communication element 430 supplies a signal through the transmission antenna element 410 connected to the selected transmission channel among the plurality of transmission channels, and performs an object detection operation accordingly (operation 150).

Referring to FIG. 25, the controller 440 communicates with the outside to obtain driving information of the vehicle (operation 210). Here, the running information of the vehicle may include speed information of the vehicle and position information of the vehicle. In addition, the location information of the vehicle may include road traffic situation information according to the present position of the vehicle.

Thereafter, the control unit 440 confirms the driving state of the vehicle using the obtained driving information (step 220). That is, the controller 440 confirms the current speed of the vehicle using the travel information, and also confirms the traffic situation information of the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling.

The control unit 440 selects the sensing mode of the transmitting antenna element 410 using the checked traveling state of the vehicle (step 230). The sensing mode means the operation mode.

Thereafter, when the mode is selected, the controller 440 determines phase and power to be input to each transmit antenna array connected to the plurality of transmission channels according to the selected mode (operation 240).

Thereafter, the communication device 430 supplies the determined phase and power to the respective transmit antenna arrays in accordance with the control signal of the controller (step 250).

The communication device 430 performs an object detection operation through a transmission antenna connected to each of the transmission channels (operation 260).

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the radar device can be minimized by integrating the previously separated communication communication device and the receiving communication device into one communication device, thereby lowering the product price accordingly .

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by implementing the optimized radar antenna beam pattern according to the road driving situation, it is possible to reduce the risk of traffic accident due to improvement of blind spot and improvement of target detection.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the radar module, which has been previously divided into the long-distance antenna, the near-field antenna, and the middle-distance antenna, can be integrally implemented, This has the effect of reducing the degree of freedom and cost of the vehicle design.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, by forming a plurality of transmission antenna arrays in a symmetrical structure, signals having the same power and same phase can be supplied to the plurality of transmission antenna arrays, The problem of signal imbalance that occurs can be solved.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solve the asymmetry of the signal line and the asymmetrical problem of the radiation pattern by eliminating the balun disposed in the signal line of the transmit antenna array arranged at the center among the plurality of transmit antenna arrays , Thereby improving the detection characteristics.

The features, structures, effects and the like described in the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment and are not necessarily limited to one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects and the like illustrated in the embodiments can be combined and modified by other persons skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Accordingly, the contents of such combinations and modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the embodiments.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It can be seen that the modification and application of branches are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

Claims (12)

A transmitting antenna element for transmitting a transmitting signal;
A reception antenna element for receiving a reception signal according to reflection of the transmission signal; And
And a communication element including a plurality of transmission channels connected to the transmission antenna element and a plurality of reception channels connected to the reception antenna element and processing the transmission signal and the reception signal,
The transmission antenna element includes:
A first transmission antenna unit connected to a first transmission channel among the plurality of transmission channels;
A second transmission antenna unit connected to a second transmission channel among the plurality of transmission channels,
And a third transmission antenna unit connected to a third transmission channel among the plurality of transmission channels,
Wherein the first transmission antenna unit and the third transmission antenna unit comprise:
And a second transmission antenna unit disposed on both sides of the second transmission antenna unit with the second transmission antenna unit interposed therebetween,
Radar module. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first transmission antenna unit comprises:
A first feeding point,
A first feed line extending from the first feeding point,
And a plurality of first radiators disposed on both sides of the first feed line and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance,
Wherein the third transmission antenna unit comprises:
A second feed point,
A second feed line extending from the second feed point,
And a plurality of second radiators arranged alternately spaced apart from each other on both sides of the second feed line and symmetrical with the plurality of first radiators
Radar module. 3. The method of claim 2,
And a radiator adjacent to the first feeding point among the plurality of first radiators,
A second feed line arranged on the first feed line in a first direction perpendicular to the first feed line,
And a radiator adjacent to the second feed point of the plurality of second radiators,
And a second feed line arranged on the second feed line in a second direction perpendicular to the second feed line,
The first direction is a direction
The direction opposite to the second direction
Radar module. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first transmission antenna unit comprises:
And a plurality of first antenna arrays having the same structure,
Wherein the second transmission antenna unit comprises:
A plurality of second antenna arrays having the same structure as each other,
Wherein the plurality of first antenna arrays include:
And a plurality of second antenna arrays each having a symmetrical structure
Radar module. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first transmission antenna unit comprises:
And a first impedance matching unit connected to a differential line of the first channel of the communication element,
Wherein the third transmission antenna unit comprises:
And a second impedance matching unit connected to a differential line of the third channel of the communication element,
The shape of the first impedance matching unit may be,
And a second impedance matching unit which is symmetrical with the shape of the second impedance matching unit
Radar module. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the second transmission antenna unit comprises:
A feeding part,
And a plurality of emitters disposed at a predetermined distance on one side of the feeder,
Wherein the power-
A differential line of the second channel of the communication element,
Wherein the differential line of the second channel comprises:
And a part of the feed line of the second transmission antenna section
Radar module. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the second transmission antenna unit comprises:
A third feed line connected to a first one of the differential lines of the second channel and a plurality of third radiators arranged at a predetermined distance on one side of the third feed line;
A fourth feed line connected to a second one of the differential lines of the second channel and a second array including a plurality of fourth radiators spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the fourth feed line,
Radar module. 8. The method of claim 7,
The plurality of third radiators may include a plurality of third radiators,
And a third feed line arranged on the third feed line in a first direction perpendicular to the third feed line,
The plurality of fourth radiators may include a plurality of second radiators,
A second feed line arranged on the fourth feed line in a second direction perpendicular to the fourth feed line,
The first direction is a direction
The direction opposite to the second direction
Radar module. 9. The method of claim 8,
The first array unit includes:
And a second array part having a symmetrical structure
Radar module. 8. The method of claim 7,
The plurality of third radiators may include a plurality of third radiators,
Wherein the third feed line is disposed at an angle to the third feed line,
The plurality of fourth radiators may include a plurality of second radiators,
A second feed line disposed at a predetermined angle on the fourth feed line,
The plurality of third radiators may include a plurality of third radiators,
And a plurality of fourth radiators arranged on the third feed line
Radar module. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first transmission antenna and the third transmission antenna comprise:
Distance sensing antenna,
Wherein the second transmission antenna comprises:
Near-field sensing antenna
Radar module. case; And
And a printed circuit board accommodated in the case and mounting the radar module,
The radar module includes:
A transmission antenna element for transmitting a transmission signal,
A reception antenna element for receiving a reception signal according to reflection of the transmission signal;
And a communication element including a plurality of transmission channels connected to the transmission antenna element and a plurality of reception channels connected to the reception antenna element and processing the transmission signal and the reception signal,
The transmission antenna element includes:
A first transmission antenna unit connected to a first transmission channel among the plurality of transmission channels;
A second transmission antenna unit connected to a second transmission channel among the plurality of transmission channels,
And a third transmission antenna unit connected to a third transmission channel among the plurality of transmission channels,
Wherein the first transmission antenna unit comprises:
A first feeding point,
A first feed line extending from the first feeding point,
And a plurality of first radiators disposed on both sides of the first feed line and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance,
Wherein the third transmission antenna unit comprises:
A second feed point,
A second feed line extending from the second feed point,
And a plurality of second radiators arranged alternately spaced apart from each other on both sides of the second feeder line and having a symmetrical structure with the plurality of first radiators,
Radar system for vehicles.

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