Radar target simulator, corresponding antenna array and radar target simulation method

Abstract

The invention relates to a radar target simulator, a corresponding antenna array and a radar target simulation method. The radar target simulator comprises: a primary target generator configured to create at least a portion of a radar scene, in particular a radar scene, and / or at least one primary radar target; and a secondary target generator configured to create at least one secondary radar target. In this case, the secondary target generator includes a receive path, a Doppler shifter, a delayer or delay structure, and a transmit path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radar target simulator, a corresponding antenna array, and a corresponding radar target simulation method. In particular, the present invention relates to a radar target simulator including a main target generator and a secondary target generator, an antenna array including a radar target generator, and a radar target simulation method including creating a main radar target and a secondary radar target. Background Art

[0002] Generally, in an era of increasing applications using radar systems such as advanced driver assistance systems or autonomous vehicles, there is a growing need for radar target simulators, corresponding antenna arrays, and corresponding radar target simulation methods to measure these applications in order to verify their correct operation in a particularly reliable, efficient, and economical manner.

[0003] Unfortunately, in the case of creating a particularly realistic environment for the corresponding radar under test or the corresponding radar sensor, ordinary radar target simulation devices cannot provide such a realistic environment, or their corresponding creation is very expensive and costly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a radar target simulator, a corresponding antenna array, and a corresponding radar target simulation method to measure the radar under test in a particularly reliable, efficient, and economical manner.

[0005] This is achieved by the embodiments provided in the present invention. The present invention further defines advantageous implementations.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radar target simulator. The radar target simulator includes: a main target generator configured to create at least a part of a radar scene, in particular the radar scene, and / or at least one main radar target; and a secondary target generator configured to create at least one secondary radar target. In this case, the secondary target generator includes a receiving path, a Doppler frequency shifter, a delay device or a delay structure, and a transmitting path. Advantageously, the radar under test can be tested in a particularly reliable, efficient, and economical manner. More advantageously, a phantom object and / or a static reflection with the own speed (ego speed) of the corresponding vehicle can be provided, thereby further improving the reliability.

[0007] According to an implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, the radar target simulator further includes at least one transmit-receive pair configured to provide the at least one secondary radar target to the radar under test. Advantageously, for example, inefficiencies can be further reduced.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the secondary target generator further includes at least one of an attenuator, an attenuation analog modulator, an attenuation analog modulator with a frequency shift, a Doppler modulator especially for generating a frequency shift, an analog modulator especially for generating a frequency shift, and any combination thereof. Advantageously, for example, flexibility can be increased, which results in increased efficiency.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one main radar target is based on main radio waves that are incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in a direct or similar manner. Advantageously, for example, the main target generator can be effectively configured to generate and / or simulate real objects.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one secondary radar target is based on secondary radio waves that are incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in an indirect manner (especially in a multipath manner) or a similar manner. Advantageously, for example, the secondary target generator can be effectively configured to generate and / or simulate non-real objects or phantom objects.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one secondary radar target includes or is at least one phantom radar target. Advantageously, for example, reliability and efficiency can be further improved.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the secondary target generator is further configured to change the corresponding radar cross-section area, especially by means of an attenuator and / or an attenuation analog modulator. Advantageously, for example, complexity can be reduced by using the above-mentioned attenuator and / or attenuation analog modulator.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving path and the transmitting path of the secondary target generator and / or the secondary target generator are adapted to be connected to a plurality of receiving antennas and transmitting antennas and / or a plurality of front ends, especially in order to provide the at least one secondary radar target at different angles. Advantageously, for example, flexibility can be increased, thereby also improving efficiency.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the delay device or delay structure includes or is at least one of a delay line, a switchable delay line, a digital delay line, a switchable digital delay line, a coaxial cable, a switchable coaxial cable, an optical fiber line, a switchable optical fiber line, a small package module, and any combination thereof. Advantageously, for example, multipath behavior can be provided in a particularly effective and economical manner.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the respective delays of the delayers or delay structures are adjustable. Advantageously, for example, flexibility can be further increased, thereby reducing inefficiencies.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the sub-target generator further includes at least one additional delayer or at least one additional delay structure, especially for providing the at least one sub-radar target at different distances. Advantageously, for example, flexibility can be further increased, thereby also increasing efficiency.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an antenna array is provided. The antenna array includes at least two transmitting antennas, at least two receiving antennas, and a radar target generator configured to create at least one radar target. In this case, the radar target generator includes a receiving path, a Doppler frequency shifter, a delayer or a delay structure, and a transmitting path. Advantageously, a radar under test can be tested in a particularly reliable, efficient, and economical manner. More advantageously, a phantom object and / or a static reflection with the own speed of the corresponding vehicle can be provided, thereby further increasing reliability.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, at least one transmit-receive pair of the at least two transmitting antennas and the at least two receiving antennas is configured to provide the at least one radar target to the radar under test. Advantageously, for example, inefficiencies can be further reduced.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the radar target generator further includes at least one of an attenuator, an attenuation analog modulator, an attenuation analog modulator with a frequency shift, especially a Doppler modulator for generating a frequency shift, especially an analog modulator for generating a frequency shift, and any combination thereof. Advantageously, for example, flexibility can be increased, which results in an increase in efficiency.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the at least one radar target is based on radio waves incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in an indirect manner (especially a multipath manner) or a similar manner. Advantageously, for example, the radar target generator can be effectively configured to generate and / or simulate non-real objects or phantom objects.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the at least one radar target includes or is at least one phantom radar target. Advantageously, for example, reliability and efficiency can be further increased.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the radar target generator is further configured to change the corresponding radar cross section, in particular by means of an attenuator and / or an attenuation analog modulator. Advantageously, for example, the complexity can be reduced by using the above-mentioned attenuator and / or attenuation analog modulator.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the receiving path and the transmitting path of the radar target generator and / or the radar target generator are adapted to be connected to a plurality of antennas among the at least two transmitting antennas and the at least two receiving antennas, in particular in order to provide the at least one radar target at different angles. Advantageously, for example, the flexibility can be increased, thereby also improving the efficiency.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the delay device or delay structure includes or is at least one of a delay line, a switchable delay line, a digital delay line, a switchable digital delay line, a coaxial cable, a switchable coaxial cable, an optical fiber line, a switchable optical fiber line, a small package module, and any combination thereof. In addition or as an alternative, the corresponding delay of the delay device or delay structure is adjustable. Further additionally or further alternatively, the radar target generator further includes at least one additional delay device or at least one additional delay structure, in particular in order to provide the at least one radar target at different distances. Advantageously, for example, the flexibility can be further increased, thereby reducing inefficiency.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a radar target simulation method is provided. The radar simulation method includes the following steps: creating at least a part of a radar scene, in particular a radar scene, and / or at least one main radar target by a main target generator, and creating at least one secondary radar target by a secondary target generator. In this case, the secondary target generator includes a receiving path, a Doppler frequency shifter, a delay device or delay structure, and a transmitting path. Advantageously, the radar under test can be tested in a particularly reliable, efficient and economical manner. More advantageously, a phantom object and / or a static reflection with the own speed of the corresponding vehicle can be provided, thereby further improving the reliability. Description of the Drawings

[0026] The above aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be explained in the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 2A Shown based on Figure 1 Another exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2B shows another exemplary embodiment based on Figure 2A ;

[0030] Figure 3 shows an exemplary radar target simulation system including Figure 2A ;

[0031] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 shows another exemplary embodiment based on Figure 4 ;

[0033] Figure 6 shows an exemplary radar target simulation system including Figure 5 ; and

[0034] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0035] Regarding Figure 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the radar target simulator 10a is described. The radar target simulator 10a includes a primary target generator (PRI) 11 and a secondary target generator 12. The primary target generator 11 is configured to create at least a part of a radar scene, in particular the radar scene, and / or at least one primary radar target. The secondary target generator 12 is configured to create at least one secondary radar target.

[0036] It can also be seen from Figure 1 that the secondary target generator includes a receiving path 13, a Doppler shifter (DOP) 14, a delay unit or delay structure (DEL) 15, and a transmitting path 16. Exemplarily, the receiving path 13 is configured to be connected to an antenna array or a receiving antenna or receiving part of a front end. The receiving path 13 is connected to the Doppler shifter 14, in particular to its input end. The Doppler shifter 14, in particular its output end, is connected to the delay unit or delay structure 15, in particular to its input end. In addition, the delay unit or delay structure 15, in particular its output end, is connected to the transmitting path 16. The transmitting path 16 is configured to be connected to an antenna array or a transmitting antenna or transmitting part of a front end.

[0037] In addition, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the radar target simulator 10a includes at least one transmit-receive pair configured to provide at least one secondary radar target to the radar under test. Exemplarily, it may be particularly advantageous if the transmit path 16 and the receive path 13 form a transmit-receive pair. The at least one transmit-receive pair or the transmit-receive pair may be respectively configured to be connected to a transmit-receive antenna pair or a transmit-receive pair part of the antenna array or the front end.

[0038] Now, regarding Figure 2A , another exemplary embodiment of the radar target simulator 10b is shown, which is based on the above-mentioned radar target simulator 10a according to Figure 1 . Therefore, similar elements of the radar target simulator 10b will not be explained again, but have the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements of Figure 1 . All of the above explanations equally apply to Figure 2A , and vice versa.

[0039] The radar target simulator 10b differs from the radar target simulator 10a particularly in that the secondary target generator 12 further includes at least one of an attenuator, an attenuation analog modulator, an attenuation analog modulator with a frequency shift, a Doppler modulator particularly for generating a frequency shift, an analog modulator particularly for generating a frequency shift, and any combination thereof. Exemplarily, the secondary target generator 12 includes a tunable attenuator (ATT) 17. In addition, as another difference from Figure 1 , the secondary target generator 12 may particularly include a switch (SWI) 18 in the transmit path 16, preferably for enabling or disabling the corresponding provision of at least one secondary radar target of the radar under test.

[0040] Exemplarily, as can be further seen from Figure 2A , the receive path 13 is connected to the tunable attenuator 17, particularly to its input. The tunable attenuator 17, particularly its output, is connected to the Doppler frequency shifter 14, particularly to its input. The Doppler frequency shifter 14, particularly its output, is connected to the delay unit or delay structure 15, particularly to its input. In addition, the delay unit or delay structure 15, particularly its output, is connected to the transmit path 16 via the switch 18.

[0041] Regarding the above-mentioned at least one main radar target, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the at least one main radar target is based on a main radio wave that is incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in a direct or similar manner. It should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the main target generator 11 is configured to generate and / or simulate a real object.

[0042] Regarding the at least one secondary radar target described above, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the at least one secondary radar target is based on secondary radio waves that are incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in an indirect manner (especially in a multipath manner) or a similar manner. It should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the secondary target generator 12 is configured to generate and / or simulate non-real objects or phantom objects. Thus, it may be particularly advantageous if the at least one secondary radar target includes or is at least one phantom radar target.

[0043] Furthermore, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the secondary target generator 12 is further configured to change the corresponding radar cross-section, especially by means of an attenuator and / or an attenuation simulation modulator (such as the adjustable attenuator 17 described above).

[0044] Similarly, regarding the above-mentioned receiving path 13 and transmitting path 16, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the receiving path 13 and transmitting path 16 of the secondary target generator 12 and / or the secondary target generator 12 is adapted to be connected to a plurality of receiving antennas and transmitting antennas, and / or a plurality of front ends, preferably connected in parallel, especially in order to provide at least one secondary radar target at different angles.

[0045] Regarding the above-mentioned delay 15, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the delay device or delay structure 15 includes or is at least one of a delay line, a switchable delay line, a digital delay line, a switchable digital delay line, a coaxial cable, a switchable coaxial cable, an optical fiber line, a switchable optical fiber line, a small package module, and any combination thereof. Advantageously, the secondary target generator 12 may be configured to provide multipath by acquiring a target and adding a delay, especially by acquiring an existing target from the primary target generator 11 and adding an additional delay. More advantageously, the corresponding delay of the delay device or delay structure 15 may be settable.

[0046] Now, regarding Figure 2B , another exemplary embodiment of the radar target simulator 10c is shown, which is based on the above-mentioned radar target simulator 10b according to Figure 2A . Therefore, similar elements of the radar target simulator 10c will not be explained again, but have the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements of Figure 2A . All of the above explanations apply equally to 2B, and vice versa.

[0047] Figure 2B The exemplary embodiment of the radar target simulator 10c of Figure 2AThe radar target simulator is different especially in that the secondary target generator 12 further includes at least one additional delay or additional delay structure (DEL) 19, preferably a delay or delay structure in at least one corresponding additional channel 42, especially for providing at least one secondary radar target at different distances.

[0048] In the exemplary case according to Figure 2B it can be seen that the secondary target generator 12 may include a channel 41, which includes the above-mentioned receiving path 13, adjustable attenuator 17, Doppler frequency shifter 14, delay or delay structure 15, transmitting path 16, and especially a switch 18.

[0049] In this case, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if at least one additional channel, such as an additional channel 42, similarly includes at least a part or each element of the channel 41. Therefore, it should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if at least a part or each of the at least one additional channel (such as an additional channel 42) is implemented as the channel 41.

[0050] In addition, Figure 3 An exemplary radar target simulation system is shown, which includes the above-mentioned radar target simulator 10b, antenna array (ANT) 31, and radar under test (RUT) 33. Exemplarily, the radar target simulator 10b, especially the primary target generator 11 and the secondary target generator 12, are connected to the antenna array 31. Further exemplarily, the antenna array 31 communicates with the radar under test 33. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the radar target simulator 10b of the radar target simulation system may be exemplarily replaced by the above-mentioned radar target simulator 10a or 10c.

[0051] Regarding the above-mentioned radar target simulation system, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the radar target simulation system is used for hardware-in-the-loop testing or vehicle-in-the-loop testing, or in the case of hardware-in-the-loop testing or vehicle-in-the-loop testing. It should also be noted that this may similarly apply to the above-mentioned radar target simulators 10a, 10b, 10c or the antenna array described below respectively.

[0052] Regarding the above-mentioned radar under test 33, it should be noted that the radar under test 33 may include or be a radar sensor. Preferably, in order to create a real environment for the radar under test 33 or the radar sensor respectively, especially in the case of hardware-in-the-loop testing or vehicle-in-the-loop testing, it may be particularly advantageous if the radar target simulators 10a, 10b, 10c or the radar target simulation system, especially the secondary target generator 12, is configured to provide phantom objects and / or static reflections with the own speed of the corresponding vehicle.

[0053] In addition, Figure 4An exemplary embodiment of the antenna array 20a is shown. The antenna array includes: at least two transmitting antennas, exemplarily the transmitting antennas 21a, 21c; at least two receiving antennas, exemplarily the receiving antennas 21b, 21d; and a radar target generator 22 configured to create at least one radar target. In this case, the radar target generator 22 includes a receiving path 23, a Doppler shifter 24, a delay or delay structure 25, and a transmitting path 26.

[0054] Exemplarily, the receiving path 23 is connected to the Doppler shifter 24, especially to its input. The Doppler shifter 24, especially its output, is connected to the delay or delay structure 25, especially to its input. Furthermore, the delay or delay structure 25, especially its output, is connected to the transmitting path 26.

[0055] It should be noted that the above explanation regarding the sub-target generator 12 applies equally to the radar target generator 22, and vice versa. Therefore, the above explanations regarding the receiving path 13, the Doppler shifter 14, the delay or delay structure 15, and the transmitting path 16 can be similarly applied to the corresponding elements of the radar target generator 22, and vice versa.

[0056] It should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if at least one transmit-receive pair of the at least two transmitting antennas and the at least two receiving antennas is configured to provide at least one radar target to the radar under test. Exemplarily, the transmit-receive pair is formed by the transmitting antenna 21a and the receiving antenna 21b. Thus, the receiving path 23 can be especially connected to the receiving antenna 21b, and the transmitting path 26 can be especially connected to the transmitting antenna 21a.

[0057] It may be particularly advantageous if at least a part or each of the remaining transmitting antennas and receiving antennas not used to provide at least one radar target to the radar under test is configured to be connected to a radar target simulator. Exemplarily, the transmitting antenna 21c and the receiving antenna 21d can be configured to be connected to a radar target simulator.

[0058] Now, regarding Figure 5 , another exemplary embodiment of the antenna array 20b is shown, which is based on the above antenna array 20a according to Figure 4 . Therefore, the similar elements of the antenna array 20b will not be explained again, but have the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements of Figure 4 . All of the above explanations apply equally to Figure 5 , and vice versa.

[0059] The antenna array 20b differs from the antenna array 20a especially in that the radar target generator 22 further includes at least one of an attenuator, an attenuation analog modulator, an attenuation analog modulator with frequency shift, a Doppler modulator especially for generating a frequency shift, an analog modulator especially for generating a frequency shift, and any combination thereof. Exemplarily, the radar target generator 22 includes a tunable attenuator 27. Additionally, as another difference from Figure 4 , the radar target generator 22 may especially include a switch 28 in the transmit path 26, preferably for enabling or disabling the corresponding provision of at least one radar target of the radar under test.

[0060] It should be noted that the above explanations regarding the tunable attenuator 27 and the switch 28 are equally applicable to the corresponding elements of the radar target generator 22, and vice versa.

[0061] Exemplarily, it can be further seen from Figure 5 that the receive path 23 is connected to the tunable attenuator 27, especially to its input. The tunable attenuator 27, especially its output, is connected to the Doppler frequency shifter 24, especially to its input. The Doppler frequency shifter 24, especially its output, is connected to a delay or delay structure 25, especially to its input. Additionally, the delay or delay structure 25, especially its output, is connected to the transmit path 26 via the switch 28.

[0062] Regarding the above at least one radar target, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the at least one radar target is based on radio waves that are incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in an indirect manner (especially in a multipath manner) or a similar manner. It should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the radar target generator 22 is configured to generate and / or simulate non-real objects or phantom objects. Thus, it may be particularly advantageous if the at least one radar target includes or is at least one phantom radar target.

[0063] Furthermore, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the radar target generator 22 is also configured to change the corresponding radar cross section, especially by means of an attenuator and / or an attenuation analog modulator (such as the above tunable attenuator 27).

[0064] It should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the receive path 23 and the transmit path 26 of the radar target generator 22, and / or the radar target generator 22 is adapted to be connected to a plurality of antennas among at least two transmit antennas and at least two receive antennas, preferably connected in parallel, especially for providing at least one radar target at different angles.

[0065] For example, the receiving path 23 can be connected in parallel to the receiving antennas 21b, 21d, and the transmitting path 26 can be connected in parallel to the transmitting antennas 21a, 21c, especially in order to provide at least one radar target at different angles. Thus, in such an example, it may be particularly advantageous if the antenna array 20b includes at least one additional transmitting antenna configured to be connected to a radar target simulator and at least one additional receiving antenna configured to be connected to a radar target simulator or the radar target simulator.

[0066] Regarding the above-mentioned delay device or delay structure 25, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the delay device or delay structure 25 includes or is at least one of a delay line, a switchable delay line, a digital delay line, a switchable digital delay line, a coaxial cable, a switchable coaxial cable, an optical fiber line, a switchable optical fiber line, a small package module, and any combination thereof. More preferably, the corresponding delay of the delay device or delay structure 25 can be especially settable.

[0067] It should also be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the radar target generator 22 further includes at least one additional delay device or additional delay structure, preferably the delay device or delay structure in the corresponding at least one additional channel, especially in order to provide at least one radar target at different distances. Regarding the at least one additional delay device or delay structure, or the at least one additional channel, the explanations above respectively regarding the exemplary additional delay device or delay structure 19 or the exemplary additional channel 42 according to Figure 2B can equally apply, and vice versa.

[0068] In addition, Figure 6 An exemplary radar target simulation system is shown, including the above-mentioned antenna array 20b, a radar target simulator (RTS) 32, and a radar under test 33. Exemplarily, the radar target simulator 32 is connected to the antenna array 20b. In particular, the radar target simulator 32 is exemplarily connected to the transmitting antenna 21c and the receiving antenna 21d. Further exemplarily, the antenna array 20b communicates with the radar under test 33. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the antenna array 20b of the radar target simulation system can be exemplarily replaced by the above-mentioned antenna array 20a.

[0069] Regarding the above-mentioned radar target simulation system, it should be noted that it may be particularly advantageous if the radar target simulation system is used for hardware-in-the-loop testing or vehicle-in-the-loop testing, or is used in the case of hardware-in-the-loop testing or vehicle-in-the-loop testing. It should also be noted that this can equally apply to the above-mentioned antenna array 20a or 20b.

[0070] Regarding the above-mentioned radar under test 33, it should be noted that the radar under test 33 may include or be a radar sensor. Preferably, in order to create a realistic environment for the radar under test 33 or the radar sensor respectively, especially in the case of hardware-in-the-loop testing or vehicle-in-the-loop testing, it may be particularly advantageous if the antenna arrays 20a, 20b or the radar target simulation system, especially the radar target generator 22, is configured to provide phantom objects and / or static reflections with the own speed of the corresponding vehicle.

[0071] Finally, Figure 7 A flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a radar target simulation method is shown. The first step 101 includes creating at least a part of a radar scene, especially the radar scene, and / or at least one main radar target by a main target generator (such as the main target generator 11 mentioned above). In addition, the second step 102 includes creating at least one secondary radar target by a secondary target generator (such as the secondary target generator 12 or the radar target generator 22 mentioned above), where the secondary target generator includes: a receiving path, such as the receiving path 13 or 23 mentioned above; a Doppler frequency shifter, such as the Doppler frequency shifter 14 or 24 mentioned above; a delay device or a delay structure, such as the delay device or the delay structure 15 or 25 mentioned above; and a transmitting path, such as the transmitting path 16 or 26 mentioned above.

[0072] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation. Various changes can be made to the disclosed embodiments in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above embodiments. Instead, the scope of the present invention should be defined in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0073] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, other technical personnel in the field will think of equivalent changes and modifications after reading and understanding this specification and the drawings. In addition, although a particular feature of the present invention may be disclosed only with respect to one of several implementations, such a feature can be combined with one or more other features of other implementations, which may be desirable and advantageous for any given or specific application.

Claims

1. A radar target simulator, comprising: A main target generator configured to create at least a part of a radar scene, in particular a radar scene, and / or at least one main radar target, and A secondary target generator configured to create at least one secondary radar target, Wherein the secondary target generator includes a receiving path, a Doppler shifter, a delay device or delay structure, and a transmitting path.

2. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, further comprising: At least one transmit-receive pair configured to provide the at least one secondary radar target to the radar under test.

3. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The secondary target generator further includes at least one of an attenuator, an attenuation analog modulator, an attenuation analog modulator with frequency shift, in particular a Doppler modulator for generating a frequency shift, an analog modulator for generating a frequency shift, and any combination thereof.

4. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The at least one main radar target is based on main radio waves incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in a direct or similar manner.

5. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The at least one secondary radar target is based on secondary radio waves incident and / or reflected relative to the radar under test in an indirect manner, in particular a multipath manner, or a similar manner.

6. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The at least one secondary radar target includes or is at least one ghost radar target.

7. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The secondary target generator is further configured to change the corresponding radar cross-section area, in particular by means of an attenuator and / or an attenuation analog modulator.

8. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The receiving path and the transmitting path of the secondary target generator and / or the secondary target generator are adapted to be connected to a plurality of receiving antennas and transmitting antennas and / or a plurality of front ends, in particular in order to provide the at least one secondary radar target at different angles.

9. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The delay device or delay structure includes or is at least one of a delay line, a switchable delay line, a digital delay line, a switchable digital delay line, a coaxial cable, a switchable coaxial cable, an optical fiber line, a switchable optical fiber line, a small package module, and any combination thereof.

10. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The corresponding delay of the delay device or delay structure is adjustable.

11. The radar target simulator according to claim 1, Among them, The secondary target generator further includes at least one additional delay device or at least one additional delay structure, in particular in order to provide the at least one secondary radar target at different distances.

12. An antenna array, comprising: At least two transmitting antennas, At least two receiving antennas, and A radar target generator configured to create at least one radar target, Wherein the radar target generator includes a receiving path, a Doppler shifter, a delay device or delay structure, and a transmitting path.

13. The antenna array according to claim 12, Among them, wherein at least one transmit-receive pair among the at least two transmit antennas and the at least two receive antennas is configured to provide the at least one radar target to the radar under test.

14. The antenna array according to claim 12, Among them, The radar target generator further includes at least one of an attenuator, an attenuation analog modulator, an attenuation analog modulator with frequency shift, a Doppler modulator especially for generating frequency shift, an analog modulator especially for generating frequency shift, and any combination thereof.

15. The antenna array according to claim 12, Among them, The at least one radar target is based on radio waves incident on and / or reflected from the radar under test in an indirect manner, especially in a multipath manner, or a similar manner.

16. The antenna array according to claim 12, Among them, The at least one radar target includes or is at least one phantom radar target.

17. The antenna array according to claim 12, Among them, The radar target generator is further configured to change the corresponding radar cross section, especially by means of an attenuator and / or an attenuation analog modulator.

18. The antenna array according to claim 12, Among them, The receiving path and the transmitting path of the radar target generator and / or the radar target generator is adapted to be connected to a plurality of antennas among the at least two transmit antennas and the at least two receive antennas, especially to provide the at least one radar target at different angles.

19. The antenna array according to claim 12, Among them, The delay device or delay structure includes or is at least one of a delay line, a switchable delay line, a digital delay line, a switchable digital delay line, a coaxial cable, a switchable coaxial cable, an optical fiber line, a switchable optical fiber line, a small package module, and any combination thereof, and / or wherein the corresponding delay of the delay device or delay structure is adjustable, and / or wherein the radar target generator further includes at least one additional delay device or at least one additional delay structure, especially to provide the at least one radar target at different distances.

20. A radar target simulation method, comprising the following steps: creating, by a main target generator, at least a part of a radar scene, especially the radar scene, and / or at least one main radar target, and creating, by a secondary target generator, at least one secondary radar target, wherein the secondary target generator includes a receiving path, a Doppler frequency shifter, a delay device or delay structure, and a transmitting path.

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