Automotive Radar – Market, Technology and Test

Trends

Dr. Steffen Heuel

Technology Manager

Rohde & Schwarz Munich, Germany

COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL

I do not think that the wireless waves

I have discovered will have any

practical application.

- Heinrich Hertz -

2

Radar

Measurement of

ı Range

ı Radial Velocity

ı Azimuth Angle

ı Elevation Angle

ı Object Properties

ı e.g. size, class

3

Speed enforcement Weather ImagingAir Traffic

Control (ATC)

Tracking and localization Automotive

Automotive Technology Overview

4

Source: Continental

1978

ADASAdvanced Driver Assistance Systems

Sensor FusionThe integration of various sensors (i.e.

radar, camera, lidar, ultrasonic) and

fusion of their data

Connected DriveIntegration of assistant services into

the automotive environment

Automotive radar trends

ı 79 GHz band becomes available in more countries

power regulation @ 79 GHz of −3 dBm/MHz and −9 dBm/MHz outside the vehicle max range of

approx. 100m (MRR sensors)

ı More functionaliy based on radar sensors

Gesture control

ı Replacement of ultrasonic sensors desired

more robust

detects geometry

range > 4m

no visible sensors

5

Automotive radar trends

ı Higher CMOS Chip integration ( less

components for a single radar)

ı Multi Channel chips (2Tx, 4Rx now), 3D radars

with azimuth measurement

ı MIMO, virtual MIMO and multi antenna arrays

ı Elevation measurement required, first products

seen

ı Smaller footprint

ı Reduced cost

AFE – Analog Frontend Infineon

It becomes relatively easy to build radars:

„three package solution for automotive radar“

6

Automotive radar trends

ı Alternative waveforms

Interference robustness

New waveforms (e.g. OFDM), frequency hopping,

different polarizations, switching between modes,

processing mitigation techniques

ı Transmit power of -9dBm/MHz EIRP in 79 GHz is not

sufficient

ı Hardware / Software in the Loop testing required,

virtual validation

ı China considers to restrict import of foreign

automotive radar sensors

IWPC2017

Trends driven by autonomous driving

7

Automotive radar trends

Signal bandwidth

Δφ

ΔRΔvr

24 GHz

Narrow Band

BW 200 MHz

24 GHz

UWB

BW 5 GHz

77 GHz

BW 1 GHz

79 GHz

BW 5 GHz

Δφ

ΔR

Δvr

Δφ

ΔR

Δvr

Δφ

ΔR

Δvr

Performance

Bandwidth, aperture, and time on target…

8

Nowadays most radars <1 GHz signal BW

chip manufacturers support already 4 GHz

BW with 100MHz/100ns modulation speed,

scalable 28nm CMOS

Bandwidth Requirements for Future Safety and Comfort Application, Markus Andres, Universität Ulm

Automotive Radar Range Resolution

9

Automotive radar trends

Frequencies

77 / 79 GHzSource:

Wikipedia

77 GHz / 79 GHz 24 GHz

24 GHz

10

What else?

136-141 GHz considered -> feasable in

10+ years, for LRR, MRR, SRR

120 GHz ISM

Current Applications: Radar Parking Scenarios

Source: VW

Lidar Detections

Radar Detections

Ultrasonic Detections

11

Evolution of advanced driver assistance systems

Examples from VWı Emergency Assistant

The system supports the driver in specific

emergency situations

ı Traffic Jam Assist

Automatically keeps the distance to the vehicle

ahead, stays in lane and breaks / accelerates

automatically

ı Park Assist

Partially automated parking

ı Trailer Assist

Reversing with trailer attached

ı Parking Route Memory

Can follow a memorized route to a specific

parking spot

ı Intelligent Park Assist

12

Source: VW

Evolution of advanced driver assistance systems

Examples from VWı Emergency Assistant

The system supports the driver in specific

emergency situations

ı Traffic Jam Assist

Automatically keeps the distance to the vehicle

ahead, stays in lane and breaks / accelerates

automatically

ı Park Assist

Partially automated parking

ı Trailer Assist

Reversing with trailer attached

ı Parking Route Memory

Can follow a memorized route to a specific

parking spot

ı Intelligent Park Assist

13

Source: VW

Potential of Automotive Radar in ADAS

ı *Euro NCAP (European New

Car Assessment

Programme)

ı focusing on collision

avoidance

ı requirements are increasing

over time

14

Automotive radar market

2015

ı New licensed cars:

72 Mio (world wide)

ı Produced radar sensors:

20 Mio (world wide)

2025

ı Trend: massive increase

Considering 3 sensors / vehicle and a

stable number of new licensed cars

> 200 Mio (world wide)

2015

Ca. 40-70 EUR / Radar sensor

Results in a market volume

800 Mio – 1.4 Bil EUR

2025

Ca. 20-50 EUR / Radar sensor

4 Bil – 10 Bil EUR

15

Test and Measurement

16

Radar Market Test RequirementsSystem Level Test

Functional tests in generated andreproducibleenvironments

Integration andperformance tests

(performance behind radom, bumper, detection, tracking

and classification performancein real world scenarios…)

Radar basic functionaly tests

(interference mitigation, detectionperformance, accuracy, resolution…)

Test of radar, radom, components and parts

(power output, antenna pattern, spectral emissionmask, interfaces, phase noise…)

Unit

System

Signal Generators

Analysers,

Oscilloscopes,

Network Analysis,

Power Meters…

Integration Test

(QAR)

Echo Generation

(AREG)

Mutual Interference Test

(SMW+SMZ)

17

What‘s required next from T&M perspective?

ı Frequencies and bandwidth is still increasing

Automotive radar up to 5 GHz BW

Intereference issues

120 GHz fc in research for parking applications and ultra short

range coverage

ı Production and EOL testing

System level test in production, alignment tests

Less field test, Hardware in the loop required

Test comprehensive functionaliy

ı Higher integration requires material tests

Radar production test

Radome and

Material test

Wideband signal analysis

18

Wideband Signal Analysis

19

5 GHz analysis bandwidth: with FSW-B5000 and RTO2064

ı Available now with FSW85

ı Amplitude and phase response equalized and fully characterized with guaranteed specifications

ı 5 GHz ABW available for frequencies between 9.5 GHz and 43.5/85 GHz (90 GHz with FSW-B90G

option)

20

FSW-B5000

How does it workı FSW downconverts RF signal to an IF of 2.8 or

3.5 GHz (2.8 GHz for ABW ≤ 4.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz

for ABW >4.4 GHz)

ı Oscilloscopes digitizes the IF

ı Digital data goes back to the FSW over LAN

ı B5000 resamples and equalizes the data and

down converts it into the digital baseband

ı Measurement applications on the FSW receive

equalized IQ data

ı Details in user manual here

21

FSW-B5000

Instrument setup and alignment

ı User enters oscilloscope IP-address when B5000 is activated.

ı FSW provides calibration signal source for fast alignment procedure of oscilloscope and cabling

ı Improvement compared to B2000: no need to change the cabling during calibration

ı Oscilloscope is fully controlled by FSW and invisible to user.

22

FSW-B5000 Applications supported

23

FSW-B5000

FSW-B500 Applications

Automotive Radar Signal analysisı Main target application for FSW-B5000

ı The R&S FSW’s transient analysis

application (FSW-K60) allows in deep

analysis of wideband FMCW chirps (FSW-

K60C) and hopped (FSW-K60H) radar

signals that are used in automotive radars.

24

Example - IMST Radarsensor (24 GHz)

25

COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL

Example - Continental ARS 300 (77 GHz)

26

COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL

FSW models / frequency ranges / RF input connector type

8 18 27 40 60 90 GHz

FSW8

FSW13

FSW26

FSW43

FSW50

FSW67

FSW85

50 GHz, 1.8 mm

43.5 GHz, 2.9 mm

26.5 GHz, 3.5 mm

13.6 GHz, N

8 GHz, N

67 GHz, 1.8 mm

86/90 GHz, 1mm

Model supports external harmonic mixers up to 500 GHz

27

R&S HA-Z24E External Preamplifier 1 – 85 GHz

Highlightsı Improves the sensitivity of any spectrum analyzer.

ı Works between 1 GHz and 85 GHz (usable between 10 MHz and 90 GHz)

ı Gain is typ. 23 dB between 65 and 73 GHz. The complete specification available here

ı Comes with an USB cable for control and 5V supply and a 15 cm long 1 mm cable to make the

connection to the DUT more convenient.

ı HA-Z24E has 1 mm RF connectors (f)

28

HA-Z24EExternal Preamp operation with FSW85Facts:

ı FSW Firmware recognizes HA-Z24E

automatically

ı Firmware loads calibration data from

HA-Z24E automatically

Benefits:

ı External unit can be placed close to

DUT (less cable loss!)

ı Preamp for (almost) full span!

Note:

ı No bypass: the Ext. Preamp on/off key

turns the correction factors off, but not

the preamplifier

29

Automotive Radar Production Test

30

The R&S AREG100A for Production Testing

10/26/2017

77 / 79 GHz 24 GHz

31

preview

COMPANY RESTRICTED

The R&S AREG100A for Production Testing

Key Facts:

ı 24 GHz or 77 / 79 GHz

ı Up to 4 GHz signal bandwidth

ı Outstanding RF performance

ı Remote RF front end

ı Remote configuration and operation

ı Up to 3 individually switchable paths

with fixed distances (3 parallel optical delay lines)

ı Individually controllable amplitude for each path

ı Optional Doppler frequency shift for each path (2 GHz Doppler BW max.)

ı Fully coherent and transparent for the radar sensor

ı Integrated precision power level measurement port for testing conformance according to applicable

standards

77 GHz 24 GHz

10/26/2017 32

COMPANY RESTRICTED

R&S AREG100A – Component Testing

R&S ATS1000 in combination

with the R&S AREG100A

10/26/2017 33

COMPANY RESTRICTED

Automotive Radar Production Test with R&S®AREG100A

R&S®AREG100A Automotive radar echo generator

R&S®ATS1000 Antenna test system

R&S®SMBV100A Vector Signal Generator (6 GHz)

R&S®QuickStep

Radar DUT

Positioner

Automation via LAN

34

Radar Test and Antenna Pattern Measurement

35

R&S AREG100A - Synergy at a Glance

R&S®FSW8 Signal and

Spectrum Analyzer R&S®SMW200A (B106)

Vector Signal GeneratorR&S®NRP8SN

Power Sensors

Complete set of T&M equipment for testing automotive

radar sensors from one source

10/26/2017 36

COMPANY RESTRICTED

R&S AREG100A

R&S AREG100A

Selectable frequency band

Monitor output for EIRP and OBW

standard conform meas.

Future proof with bandwidths of up

to 4 GHz

Remotely cable connected RF

front end to base unit

Capable of realizing very short distances down to 3.5 m (0.5 m air

gap)

Additional configurable

Doppler offset (up to 2 GHz

bandwidth)Injection of

interferers via IF input interface

All-in one solution with R&S anechoic

chamber

3 years of R&S warranty and

approved service concept

10/26/2017

COMPANY RESTRICTED

Radar integration (material) tests

38

Integration of sensors into the car

2009, Junior BMW 2016

Integration of radar sensors behind bumpers and radome is already common

Material, paintings and positionig is critical and important to RF

77 GHz radars are often placed behind „design radome“

39

Radome Measurements

Influence of radome quality

System not operational anymore

Unexpected emergency braking

Possible reason: radome attenuation is too high

Possible reason: radome not homogenous enough

Source: motortalk.de

Source: audi

Audi pre sense: limited

functionaliy. Sensor view is

limited. See the manual.

40

Radar angular measurement technology

…

Radar

with

phased

array

target

planar wavefront

of the echo signald

Estimate azimuth / elevation angles from phase differences /

amplitudes at the receive antennas of the phased array

41

Radar angular measurement technology

…

Radar

with

phased

array

target

planar wavefront

of the echo signald

radome

Metallic 3D effects

Disturbed wavefront

Homogenity and attenuation of the radome is critical for radar

operation, i.e. detection performace, accuracy

42

Today‘s research and development test

using a VNAAutomotive radome

Measurement points

Measurement

point

One-way attenuation

@ 76.5 GHz

P1 1.2 dB

P2 1.1 dB

P3 1.4 dB

P4 0.9 dB

P5 1.3 dB

43

Today‘s research and development test

Corner reflector

Golden radar device

y

x

Reports range,

azimuth, power level

R1,α1, SNR1

Radar is rotated

αerr

α-45° +45°

2°

-2°

Limit

44

Today‘s production test

Corner reflector

Golden radar device

y

x

Reports range,

azimuth, power level

of the corner

reflectors

R1,α1, SNR1 R1±R1err ,α1±α1err, SNR1-Latt

Comparison of range, azimuth and power level

measurements yields the error that the radome

introduces

45

Material Integration Test with R&S®QAR

Technical data

Spatial resolution < 2 mm

Frequency range 72…82 GHz

Maximum DUT size: 0.4m x 0.4m

Measurement cycle: <5s

Approx. 1500 Tx & 1500 Rx

Image dynamic range > 30 dB

MIMO antenna arrayUsed for reflectivity measurement

External antennaUsed for transmission measurement

46

Material Integration Test

Combining two measurements

Reflection imaging for radome reflectivity and its

homogeneity

Examine wave matching

Identify reflecting locations

Find blinding spots or directions

Transmission through radome body over the whole

frequency spectrum

Examine frequency shifting (radome thickness)

Find resonances

Test the complete attenuation

48

R&S Radome under Test

49

Exemplary measured data

Attenuation in

77 GHz and

79 GHz

bands

Attenuation

vs

frequency

Reflectivity measurement Transmission measurement

Radome

under test

Reflectivity

values

50

R&S®QAR Advantages

ı Radar independet test. Test your material / radom without the need of a golden radar device

ı Material design / formfactor / size independent

ı Radar antenna characteristic independent

ı No need to allocate huge measurement space

ı Comprehensive measurement results that allow debugging

ı Understanding and testing the material and not the „radar measurement results“

ı Spatially resolved radome measurement (USP)

51

Summary

ı Radar technology and market trends

ı Test and measurement solutions for

radar testing

Wideband signal analysis

Radar echo generation

Material and integration test

R&S®AREG

R&S®QAR

52

R&S®FSW with B5000