초록 ▼

A method and an apparatus for aligning the elevation of an automotive radar unit. The method of aligning a radar transceiver unit ( 4 ) on a vehicle ( 1 ) having the steps of: positioning at least three radar reflectors ( 7, 8, 9 ) in a pattern in which the reflectors are fixed relative to one anoth

A method and an apparatus for aligning the elevation of an automotive radar unit. The method of aligning a radar transceiver unit ( 4 ) on a vehicle ( 1 ) having the steps of: positioning at least three radar reflectors ( 7, 8, 9 ) in a pattern in which the reflectors are fixed relative to one another with the reflectors occupying three rows ( 20, 21, 22 ) at different elevations and at least three different horizontal positions ( 23, 24, 25 ), so that the middle row ( 21 ) is horizontally distinguishable from the neighboring rows ( 20, 22 ); directing a beam (14) of radar waves ( 12 ) from the radar transceiver ( 4 ) generally towards the radar reflectors ( 7, 8, 9 ); scanning ( 18 ), and if necessary repeatedly scanning, the beam (14) relative to the pattern so that the beam moves across the pattern at one or more fixed elevations in a horizontal direction; receiving at the radar transceiver ( 4 ) radar waves reflected ( 17 ) from one or more of the reflectors ( 7, 8, 9 ); detecting the elevation of the middle row ( 21 ); setting the elevation of the beam ( 14 ) of radar waves according to the detected elevation of the middle row ( 21 ).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of aligning a radar transceiver unit on a vehicle, using at least three radar reflectors, comprising the steps of:a) positioning the radar reflectors in a pattern in which the reflectors are fixed relative to one another with the reflectors occupying three rows at different elevations an

1. A method of aligning a radar transceiver unit on a vehicle, using at least three radar reflectors, comprising the steps of:a) positioning the radar reflectors in a pattern in which the reflectors are fixed relative to one another with the reflectors occupying three rows at different elevations and at least three different horizontal positions, so that the at least three reflectors arranged diagonally, so that the middle row is horizontally distinguishable from the neighboring rows;b) directing a beam of radar waves from the radar transceiver generally towards the radar reflectors;c) scanning the beam relative to the pattern so that the beam moves across the pattern at one elevation in a horizontal direction;d) receiving at the radar transceiver radar waves reflected from one or more of the reflectors;e) detecting the elevation of the middle row, including repeating, if necessary steps c) and d) at different elevations;f) setting the elevation of the beam of radar waves according to the detected elevation of the middle row. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the pattern is fixed relative to the vehicle, and the beam of radar waves is scanned horizontally across the pattern of radar reflectors. 3. The method as claimed in claim 2, in which a radar reflector in the middle row is aligned azimuthally with respect to a longitudinal center of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:g) scanning the beam of radar waves over the pattern so that the beam moves across said reflector in a horizontal direction;h) receiving at the radar transceiver radar waves reflected from said reflector;i) detecting the point in the scan at which the reflector is in alignment azimuthally with the beam of radar waves to set the azimuth alignment of the scanned beam. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the beam of radar waves is monopulse beam with two lobes. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the elevation separation between the middle row and neighboring rows is such that in step d) the radar transceiver does not detect reflected radar waves from reflectors in said neighboring rows when the elevation of the beam of radar waves is at the elevation of the middle row. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the elevation separation between the middle row and neighboring rows is such that the radar transceiver detects with equal reduced strength reflected radar waves from reflectors in said neighboring rows when the elevation of radar waves is at the elevation of the middle row. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which there are at least five radar reflectors, the number of radar reflectors in each row serving after steps c) and d) to identify uniquely each row. 8. An apparatus for aligning a radar transceiver unit on a motor vehicle wherein the radar transceiver is capable of directing a beam of radar waves at a selected elevation and of scanning the beam of radar waves horizontally at the selected elevation and of indicating a pattern of reflected radar waves received during a scan of the beam of radar waves at the selected elevation, the apparatus for aligning the radar transceiver comprising:a plurality of radar reflectors for reflecting the beam of radar waves back to the radar transceiver, whereinthe radar reflectors are arranged in a pattern in which the reflectors are fixed relative to one another with the reflectors occupying three rows at different elevations and at least three different horizontal positions, so thatat least three reflectors are arranged diagonally, andthe middle row is horizontally distinguished from the neighboring rows by the horizontal positions of the radar reflectors in the middle row, wherebythe radar transceiver will indicate when the beam of radar waves is scanning the middle row of radar reflectors by identifying the middle row of reflectors, thereby indicating that the beam of radar waves is being scanned at a selected elevation that corresponds with the elevation of the middle row of radar reflectors.