US 12,334,638 B2
Low-profile passive reflectors for radar detection of road markings
Kamal Sarabandi, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Tanner Douglas, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to The Regents of The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed by THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/074,706.
Prior Publication US 2024/0186714 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. H01Q 15/14 (2006.01); F41J 2/00 (2006.01); H01Q 1/32 (2006.01); H01Q 9/42 (2006.01); H01Q 19/10 (2006.01); H01Q 21/00 (2006.01); H01Q 21/06 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 15/14 (2013.01) [F41J 2/00 (2013.01); H01Q 1/3233 (2013.01); H01Q 9/42 (2013.01); H01Q 19/104 (2013.01); H01Q 21/0043 (2013.01); H01Q 21/06 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A low-profile radar reflector configured to reradiate when illuminated by a vertically-polarized incident wave generated by an automotive radar, the low-profile radar reflector comprising:
a ground plane;
a dielectric substrate including a top surface and a bottom surface opposing the top surface; and
a plurality of radiating elements positioned on the dielectric substrate, each radiating element including opposing vertical metallic side segments connected to the ground plane, and a horizontal metallic segment extending between the opposing vertical metallic side segments and along the top surface of the dielectric substrate, wherein the horizontal metallic segment of said each radiating element has a defined length such that, when the radiating element is illuminated by the vertically-polarized incident wave from the automotive radar, each radiating element is at its resonance causing currents in the opposing vertical metallic side segments to flow in the same direction and reradiates back to the automotive radar.