A dielectric lens antenna for digital beamforming and superresolution DOA estimation in 77 GHz automotive radar

Author

Wenig, Peter ; Weigel, Robert ; Schneider, Martin

Author_Institution

Univ. of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen

fYear

2008

fDate

26-27 Feb. 2008

Firstpage

184

Lastpage

189

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel dielectric lens antenna configuration for automotive radar applications. A cylindric lens fed by a uniform linear array (ULA) accomplishes elevation beam shaping and simultaneously allows for the application of digital beamforming (DBF) and superresolution DOA estimation methods in azimuth. Pattern perturbations due to lens edge effects are systematically analyzed. Finally guidelines for an optimum antenna setup with minimum sensor size are derived. The results show excellent elevation beam shaping performance. High resolution direction of arrival (DOA) estimation is important for future automotive safety systems. The concept has the potential for the application in a low cost automotive radar sensor that is expected to fulfill high DOA estimation requirements.

Keywords

direction-of-arrival estimation; lens antennas; radar antennas; road vehicle radar; DOA estimation; automotive radar; dielectric lens antenna; digital beamforming; direction of arrival estimation; uniform linear array; Array signal processing; Automotive engineering; Azimuth; Dielectrics; Direction of arrival estimation; Lenses; Linear antenna arrays; Pattern analysis; Radar antennas; Radar applications;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Smart Antennas, 2008. WSA 2008. International ITG Workshop on

Conference_Location

Vienna

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-1756-8

Electronic_ISBN

978-1-4244-1757-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/WSA.2008.4475557

Filename

4475557