A Microwave Anticipatory Crash Sensor for Automobiles

John B. Hopkins; F. Ross Holmstrom; Morrin E. Hazel; Edward White; Timothy Newfell

doi:10.4271/720423

1972-02-01

A Microwave Anticipatory Crash Sensor for Automobiles 720423

An anticipatory crash sensor for actuation of deployable passive restraint systems has been developed. The system consists of a 10 GH_z continuous wave (CW) doppler radar. In operation, position discrimination is achieved through use of separate receiving and transmitting antennas, located on opposite sides of the front of the vehicle. An object is detected only when within the region of overlap of the two antenna patterns. Velocity discrimination has been achieved very simply in both digital and linear realizations. A threshold circuit permits adjustment of the minimum target size to which the sensor will respond.

A variety of circuit and antenna configurations has been examined and constructed to obtain optimal system performance. These include hybrid systems which make use of mechanical confirmation of impact in an intermediate speed range, and more elaborate antenna configurations. Characteristics of typical targets have been determined experimentally. In addition, studies are being carried out to permit preliminary estimates of cost and reliability for production sensors, and-using available accident data-to indicate the probable effectiveness of such systems.

SAE MOBILUS

Subscribers can view annotate, and download all of SAE's content. Learn More »

Access SAE MOBILUS »

Digital $35.00 Print $35.00

Preview Document

We also recommend:

Standards

SAE Mobilus®

Publications

News

Events

Professional Development

A World in Motion (PreK-12)

Participate with SAE

SAE Membership

Donate

A Microwave Anticipatory Crash Sensor for Automobiles 720423

SAE MOBILUS