Systems and methods for prioritizing detected objects in a vehicular radar system

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicular radar system by prioritizing objects detected by the radar system. The radar system can prioritize objects in the environment around the vehicle based on several factors such as the time to closest point of approach, the distance to closest point of approach, the grounded velocity of the object and the radial velocity of the object. The radar system can generate a score for each object that is associated with that object's threat priority. Based on the object's threat priority score, a determination can be made as to whether the collection of additional information about the detected object is desirable. If additional information about the detected object is to be collected, either a different radar scan pattern having different waveforms can be generated or a different resolution of processing may be applied to the object.