Systems and methods for enhancing target detection

Abstract

A system for determining a spatial disposition or a characteristic of a target external to a terrestrial vehicle is provided. The system may comprise a radar antenna array configured to transmit and receive radar signals, and a controller operatively coupled to the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use spatial information of the terrestrial vehicle and a spatial configuration of the radar antenna array to generate an enhanced main lobe by attenuating one or more side lobes in an effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array or enhancing a main lobe in the effective sensitivity pattern associated with the radar antenna array. The controller can be configured to use the enhanced main lobe to determine (i) the spatial disposition of the target relative to the terrestrial vehicle or (ii) the characteristic of the target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determining a spatial disposition or a characteristic of a target, said system comprising:
 a radar antenna array mountable on a terrestrial vehicle, wherein said radar antenna array is configured to (i) transmit successive radar pulses, and (ii) receive a plurality of signals corresponding to at least a subset of said successive radar pulses, which plurality of signals is generated upon the at least said subset of said successive radar pulses interacting with said target, wherein an effective sensitivity pattern associated with said radar antenna array is obtainable from said plurality of signals, said effectivity sensitivity pattern comprising a main lobe and a side lobe, wherein said side lobe comprises an aliasing side lobe; and   at least one controller operatively coupled to said radar antenna array, wherein said at least one controller is configured to (i) use spatial information of said terrestrial vehicle while said terrestrial vehicle is in motion and a spatial configuration of said radar antenna array to attenuate said side lobe relative to said main lobe or enhance said main lobe relative to said side lobe, thereby providing an enhanced main lobe, and (ii) use said enhanced main lobe to determine said spatial disposition or said characteristic of said target.