Abstract:
A radar detection process includes computing a derivative of an FFT output signal to detect an object within a specified detection zone. In one embodiment, a zero crossing in the second derivative of the FFT output signal indicates the presence of an object. The range of the object is determined as a function of the frequency at which the zero crossing occurs. Also described is a detection table containing indicators of the presence or absence of an object within a respective radar beam and processing cycle. At least two such indicators are combined in order to detect the presence of an object within the detection zone and with changing range gates in each of the antenna beams the coverage of the detection zone can be varied.
Abstract:
A radar transmitter includes a digital ramp generator circuit for generating a VCO control signal. The ramp generator includes a digital signal processor and a digital-to-analog converter. In one embodiment, the VCO output signal is up-converted to provide the transmit signal and in another embodiment, the VCO operates over the transmit frequency. Also described is a VCO comprising a DR and a phase shifter. A temperature compensation feature includes detecting the transmit frequency and comparing the DSP output generating the detected frequency to a DSP output stored in association with the detected frequency. Also described is a technique for compensating for non-linear VCO operation in which the DSP output words are adjusted to provide a waveform complementary in shape to the non-linear VCO characteristic. Susceptibility of the radar to interference is reduced by randomly varying at least one parameter of the ramp signal, such as offset interval or voltage range, in at least one ramp signal cycle.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a vehicle equipped with two multibeam electronically scanned radar systems that function as side object detection systems. The transmit/receive modules of the radar are illustratively located on right and left side panels of the vehicle at the rear of its body. Each radar system generates eight equal-angle beams. The radar systems are programmed so that targets are detected only within a predefined range for each of its eight beam patterns corresponding to the adjacent highway lane. As an overtaking vehicle approaches in an adjacent lane, its approach is detected sequentially by the beams on that side of the vehicle. Each radar system generates eight signals, corresponding to the eight beams positions, which are coupled individually to eight LEDs configured in an array. Detection of an overtaking vehicle within a scanned beam causes illumination of a corresponding LED. Thus, the driver of a host vehicle can easily determine the presence and position of an overtaking vehicle in an adjacent lane relative to his or her own from the position of the illuminated LED or LEDs in the array, and can also determine the closing speed of the overtaking vehicle from the rapidity of the transition of LEDs in the array being illuminated. In a preferred embodiment, the arrays are affixed to the outside mirrors in a vertical columnar configuration.
Abstract:
A vehicle control system includes a road data memory, current position sensor that detects a current position of a vehicle and a camera that takes a picture of the road ahead of the current position. At least one indicator line such as a lane dividing line on the road is shown in the picture. The picture changes as the vehicle moves forward along the road, during which increase in width of the indicator line or increase of distance between two indicator lines may be detected. By such detection, the vehicle position with respect to the indicator line is determined, the result of which is incorporated into control operation of an automatic transmission, for example.
Abstract:
A multiple beam array antenna system comprises a plurality of radiating elements provided from stripline-fed open-ended waveguide coupled to a Butler matrix beam forming network. The Butler matrix beam forming network is coupled to a switched beam combining circuit. The antenna can be fabricated as a single Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) circuit.
Abstract:
A multiple beam array antenna system comprises a plurality of radiating elements provided from stripline-fed open-ended waveguide coupled to a Butler matrix beam forming network. The Butler matrix beam forming network is coupled to a switched beam combining circuit. The antenna can be fabricated as a single Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) circuit.
Abstract:
A near object detection (NOD) system includes a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors for providing detection coverage in a predetermined coverage zone. Each of the sensors includes a transmit antenna for transmitting a first RF signal, a receive antenna for receiving a second RF signal and a means for sharing the target data between each of the plurality of sensors in the NOD system.
Abstract:
In a vehicular run controlling apparatus and method, a vehicular run controller is provided to perform a vehicular run control on the basis of a vehicular velocity of the vehicle and a vehicular running environment surrounding the vehicle, the vehicular run controller having at least two control modes of a control wait mode and a vehicular run mode, falling in a state of the vehicular run control when a start of the vehicular run control by means of the vehicular run controller is set through a vehicular run control setter, falling in a halt state of the vehicular run control when a release of the vehicular run control is set through the vehicular run control setter, carrying out a mode transition from one control mode to the other control mode when the mode transition from the one control mode to the other control mode is instructed through a mode transition instructor according to a vehicular driver's will and when a predetermined condition is established during the vehicular run control irrespective of the vehicular driver's will, and informing the vehicular driver through an informing device such as an alarm unit of an occurrence of the mode transition from the one control mode to the other control mode when the mode transition from the one control mode to the other control mode occurs.
Abstract:
A driving assisting apparatus for preventing a vehicular collision including a camera, a target detector and a processor. The camera takes an image of a predetermined range in front of a vehicle. The target detector detects in the image a target notifying to stop the vehicle to prevent a vehicular collision. In a case that the target detector detects a plurality of the targets, the processor automatically stops the vehicle at a safe position required to prevent the vehicle from colliding with another vehicle.
Abstract:
The present lane departure prevention system comprises a driving-power difference generating unit for generating a driving power difference between left and right driving wheels, a braking power difference generating unit for generating a braking power difference between left and right wheels, a departure tendency determining unit for determining a tendency of departure of a vehicle from a lane of travel, and a yaw moment applying unit for switching a departure avoidance control for applying, to the vehicle, a yaw moment generated by the driving-power difference generating unit and a departure avoidance control for applying, to the vehicle, the yaw moment generated by the braking-power difference generating unit, on the basis of a driving state of the vehicle when the departure tendency determining unit determines that the vehicle has a tendency to depart from the lane of travel.