Radar OTA Testing with Configurable EM Frontends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing over-the-air (OTA) testing solutions for radar sensors are inflexible and require upfront knowledge about the modulation of the radar sensor, limiting the complexity of simulated environments and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a plurality of EM frontends and a computing device that controls their emission behavior to simulate various scenes without requiring knowledge of the sensor modulation, allowing flexible simulation of static or dynamic environments by varying the number and type of EM frontends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional OTA testing solutions are used, then radar sensors can be tested under realistic conditions, but the system is inflexible and requires upfront knowledge about the modulation of the radar sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the testing environment into multiple independent EM frontends, each representing a separate object or scene element. Each frontend can be individually controlled to emit electromagnetic radiation with specific characteristics, allowing flexible configuration of test scenarios without requiring comprehensive upfront knowledge of the radar sensor's modulation schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the EM frontends to be configured and reconfigured in real-time based on the actual radar sensor being tested. The computing device adjusts the emission behavior of each frontend dynamically, enabling the same hardware system to adapt to different radar sensors and their specific modulation characteristics without requiring pre-programming.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of EM frontends is increased to simulate more complex scenes, then the simulation complexity increases, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each EM frontend is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can represent different types of objects (vehicles, pedestrians, buildings, etc.) through software configuration. The same physical frontend can simulate various scattering characteristics, radar cross-sections, and motion patterns, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware for each object type and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electromagnetic parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase, polarization) and spatial parameters (position, velocity, orientation) of the EM frontends through software control rather than through physical hardware modifications. This allows complex scenes to be simulated by adjusting parameters rather than adding proportional hardware complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a highly flexible OTA testing system that can simulate complex environments and scenarios, including moving targets and large fields of view, without needing specific information about the sensor modulation, enhancing testing accuracy and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of EM frontends which are arranged in a field of view of the radar device and which are configured to emit electromagnetic, EM, radiation towards the radar device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system for testing a radar device. The system comprises: a plurality of EM frontends which are arranged in a field of view of the radar device and which are configured to emit electromagnetic, EM, radiation towards the radar device; and a computing device which is configured to control an EM emission behavior of the EM frontends. The computing device comprises: a first interface configured to receive information on the spatial arrangement of the plurality of EM frontends; and a second interface configured to receive information on a scene to be simulated; wherein the computing device is further configured to individually control the EM frontends based on their respective location such that the plurality of EM frontends emit the EM radiation in an emission pattern that corresponds to the scene to be simulated.