Rohde & Schwarz RadEsT advances automotive radar test

R&S RadEsT (Radar Essential Tester) automotive radar target simulator is an ultra-compact versatile tool designed to meet a wide array of testing needs along radar sensors lifecycle, from lab-based functional testing to vehicle-level production checks, offering the industry a hitherto unseen price-performance point.

With its impressive array of features and exceptional value, it opens new possibilities for precise, reliable, and dynamic radar testing.

The Radar Essential Tester addresses a wide spectrum of use cases, from system checks and debugging of radar module reference designs to software verification and functional tests on the radar module.

It is an ideal fit for OEM end-of-line testing, that provides advanced testing capabilities for radar alignment and calibration as well as functional check during production beyond the limited functionality of passive reflective elements that have historically been used. Furthermore, the RadEsT has the capability to test advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) functions.

R&S RadEsT captures radar sensor signals, modifies, and returns them as simulated radar targets. The dynamic target simulation allows for quick adaptation to simulate rapidly moving targets, which is crucial for qualifying autonomous driving functions like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control (ACC).

The simulated target can dynamically be configured on the fly in terms of a distance, velocity/doppler, and attenuation/RCS.

The radar target simulator features 12 receive and 12 transmit patch antennas with different polarizations.

This allows targets to be simulated from any angular direction, without the need for mechanical movement. Furthermore, its built-in detection mechanism adapts to different radar sensor polarizations.

R&S RadEsT also offers integrated analysis functionalities. It can directly measure key indicators of radar sensor quality, such as equivalent isotopically radiated power (EIRP) and occupied bandwidth.

Despite its advanced capabilities, R&S RadEsT's compact design and lightweight make it easy to set up and integrate into any test environment. It also offers optional battery-powered operation, providing even more portability and flexibility.

To ensure consistent performance over time, R&S RadEsT features a self-check capability. This feature monitors its performance metrics, identifying any discrepancies or drifts, and alerts users to any deviations or abnormalities in the measurement process.

R&S RadEsT has also been designed to reduce reflections and multipath effects. Small patch antennas together with an absorber covered surface provide a clean RF frontend with very low RCS, suppressing close-range targets and potential multipath reflections. Furthermore, R&S RadEsT offers compact shielding systems to provide an interference-free RF environment. The R&S RadEsT-Z50 pyramidal, or R&S RadEsT-Z55 straight, can be used from lab to vehicle level, minimizing reflections and providing better testing results.