MAGNA ELECTRONICS, LLC

Antenna structures and assemblies for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a plurality of elongated radiating slots formed in a first array, which may extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to each another within the first array. The assembly may further comprise a plurality of elongated protrusions formed in a second array, which may extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to each another within the second array. In some embodiments, each radiating slot within the first array may similarly extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to each elongated protrusion within the second array.

RADAR sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide comprising a waveguide groove defined by opposing waveguide groove structures. An antenna structure may be operably coupled with the waveguide. A printed circuit board may be operably coupled with the waveguide and may comprise an electrically conductive top layer, an electrically conductive bottom layer, and a substrate positioned in between the electrically conductive top layer and the electrically conductive bottom layer. The electrically conductive top layer may comprise an opening exposing the substrate, which opening may extend along the waveguide groove in between the opposing waveguide groove structures. This configuration may allow for various parameters of the printed circuit board to be modified to tune a performance of a sensor/antenna.

Antenna assemblies, such as RADAR sensor antenna assemblies, that incorporate destructive interference elements. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise one or more waveguides, one or more antenna slots, and a plurality of destructive interference elements. The destructive interference elements may be configured to reduce backscatter radiation by contributing to destructive interference of electromagnetic waves incident upon the destructive interference elements. In some embodiments, the destructive interference elements may be defined and/or exposed by a plate that may be coupled with a waveguide block or another layer/component of the assembly.

Antenna assemblies, such as RADAR sensor antenna assemblies, that incorporate destructive interference elements. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise one or more waveguides, one or more antenna slots, and a plurality of destructive interference elements. The destructive interference elements may be configured to reduce backscatter radiation by contributing to destructive interference of electromagnetic waves incident upon the destructive interference elements. In some embodiments, the destructive interference elements may comprise at least two distinct types of destructive interference elements arranged adjacent to one another on the outer surface, in some cases in a repeating pattern.

Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies for vehicles and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an antenna slot array comprising a plurality of antenna slots extending between opposing surfaces of a unitary structure of the antenna assembly, such as a waveguide and/or antenna block. A plurality of elongated grooves may be positioned adjacent to at least one of the antenna slots of the antenna slot array. Each of at least a subset of the plurality of elongated grooves may be defined, at least in part, by a ridge formed along an antenna side of the unitary structure.

Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, an antenna module for a vehicle sensor may comprise a first array of elongated antenna slots and a second array of elongated antenna slots. In some embodiments, at least one of the elongated antenna slots comprises a shifted, elongated antenna slot that is shifted vertically in a vertical direction along an axis of the shifted, elongated antenna slot relative to each of the other elongated antenna slots of a respective array of the shifted, elongated antenna slot.

Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, an antenna module for a vehicle sensor may comprise a receive (RX) array of elongated RX antenna slots and a transmit (TX) array of TX antenna slots. The TX array may comprise both one or more vertically-shifted TX antenna slots and one or more high-gain and/or squinted TX antenna arrays, each comprising a plurality of high-gain antenna slots.

Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide groove extending along an elongated axis on a first side of a block and an antenna structure operably coupled with the waveguide groove. The antenna structure may comprise an antenna slot extending along the elongated axis on a second side of the block opposite from the first side and the antenna slots may be positioned and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide groove therethrough. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more grooves extending adjacent to the antenna slot, such as opposing grooves extending adjacent to the antenna slot.

Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a structure defining a waveguide groove on a first side of the structure and an antenna slot formed on a second side of the structure opposite from the first side. A thru-hole may extend through the structure between the antenna slot and the waveguide groove. The thru-hole may comprise an axis and a width measured between opposing sidewalls extending at least substantially perpendicular to the axis. The width may be less than a corresponding width of the waveguide groove.

Waveguide and/or antenna structures for use in RADAR sensor assemblies and the like. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide block comprising a first surface on a first side of the waveguide block and a second surface on a second side of the waveguide block opposite the first side. One or more waveguides may be formed in the waveguide block. One or more antenna slots may be operably coupled with one or more of the waveguides. One or more auxiliary grooves may be positioned adjacent to at least one of the antenna slots and may mimic, or at least substantially mimic, at least one of the one or more antenna slots, such as in length and/or width.