Automotive radar transmitter architecture

摘要

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a transmitter within a single integrated chip substrate, which is capable of continuous beam steering of a transmitted radar beam as well as an option to change the physical position of the origin of the transmit radar beam. The transmitter has a signal generator that generates an RF signal. The RF signal is provided to a plurality of independent transmission chains, which contain independently operated vector modulators configured to introduce an individual phase adjustment to the high frequency input signal to generate separate RF output signals. A control unit is configured to selectively activate a subset of (e.g., two or more) the independent transmission chains. By activating the subset of independent transmission chains to generate RF output signals with separate phases, a beam steering functionality is enabled. Furthermore, the subset defines a changeable position of the transmitted radar beam.

主权项

1. A transmitter, comprising:
a plurality of independent transmission chains configured to receive an RF input signal, wherein respective independent transmission chains comprise a vector modulator configured to independently introduce an amplitude adjustment or a phase adjustment to the RF input signal; and a control unit configured to independently activate and deactivate the plurality of independent transmission chains, such that a subset of the plurality of transmission chains is activated to concurrently operate to generate a transmitted signal; wherein the plurality of independent transmission chains comprise: a first transmission chain comprising a first vector modulator configured to introduce a first amplitude adjustment or a first phase adjustment into the RF input signal; and a second transmission chain comprising a second vector modulator configured to introduce a second amplitude adjustment, different than the first amplitude adjustment, or a second phase adjustment, different than the first phase adjustment, into the RF input signal.