An end-of-line (EOL) test for automotive radar sensors is required to verify the functionality and automatically calibrate the finished assemblies. This is typically done in a compact, low reflection anechoic chamber using radar target simulation. The sensor’s operating parameters and calibration are measured through a defined test sequence, where the radar sensor is rotated around its radiation center in the horizontal and vertical directions using precision drives. An over-the-air approach enables validating the entire radar transmission channel, both antennas and electronics.
dSPACE, working with NOFFZ Technologies, has developed a 3GPP-compliant compact antenna test range (CATR) method for testing automotive radar sensors, and the approach requires only a small footprint. The CATR creates a large far-field distance from a compact range, and the large quiet zone enables interference-free testing. The CATR-based system is precise, accurate and flexible, with high throughput—well suited for automated, EOL testing. A quick-change adapter and parallel mounting hardware support fast set-up times when changing the sensor to be tested. The test system can simulate up to four simultaneous targets from the same direction of arrival, with the distance, speed and size of each target changed individually and continuously. With 5 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth, the system can calibrate the latest 3D and 4D sensors.
The collaboration between dSPACE and NOFFZ Technologies taps NOFFZ’s expertise in compact, reliable test systems for radar sensors and anechoic chambers with high reflection suppression. dSPACE provides the assembly of the CATR mirror and the radar target simulators for the 23 to 26 GHz and 75 to 82 GHz radar bands, with a processing bandwidth to 5 GHz.
dSPACE GmbH
Paderborn, Germany
www.dspace.com