Apple Inc.
Power-splitter-based virtual array

Abstract:

During operation, a transmitter in an electronic device may provide, to a transmission path, an electrical signal. This electrical signal may be divided by the power splitter into a first output electrical signal in a first output transmission path and a second output electrical signal in a second output transmission path, which may result in transmitting of the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal by antennas. Because the second output transmission path may include a delay element that provides a delay, the second wireless signal may be delayed relative to the first wireless signal. Moreover, N radar receivers in the electronic device may receive first wireless-return signals corresponding to the first wireless signal and second wireless-return signals corresponding to the second wireless signal. These wireless-return signals may be combined to create a virtual array MIMO radar having an antenna aperture size of 2N.