Frequency dividers in radar target stimulator applications

Abstract

More and more driver assistance systems are integrated into modern vehicles. This development results in a continuous rise in the complexity of these vehicles, as the functions have to comply to the corresponding safety standards. Testing and validating these functions on an automotive test bench instead of driving tests at closed proving grounds requires comprehensive stimulation of the involved sensors. In this article we are focusing on an approach for stimulating short-range radar sensors of a vehicle located on such a test bench. Coping with the requirements imposed by these types of sensors we investigate the usage of frequency multipliers and dividers in the frequency translation section of the radar stimulator. For this purpose, we provide an overview on different concepts for these multipliers and dividers. After reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of these devices, we provide measurement results of a stimulator setup applying this type of frequency translation.Keywords: radar systems; test equipment; radar applications; radar equipment; radar signal processing; radio frequency circuit design