E8718A Radar Target Simulator 76 GHz to 81 GHz with Remote Heads

Introduction

Radar modules are an essential component in today’s modern vehicles, and undoubtedly a mandatory sensor for the future of Advance Drive Assistance Systems (ADAS). As demand grows, so do investments into both development and manufacture of the latest radar modules.

The new E8718A Radar Target Simulator (RTS) design reflects how Keysight has extended the base capabilities of the previous generation E8708A and has improved the usability for customers in different stages of the design lifecycle. Given where the test requirements are headed for the future of automotive Radar, this new generation of RTS addresses more challenges, among those, the subject of interference test, and multi-target, multi-angle testing.

Product Description

To add flexibility in physically positioning the radar target simulator, a newly designed remote radio head or remote front end is now available with the E8718A RTS and with it an improved simulated signal performance. The new remote head leads to opportunities in interference testing and allows for simultaneous measurements while simulating targets, removing the need to switch between either in the previous models.

Testing in Manufacturing

In manufacturing, test coverage and test time needs to strike an even balance, and at the correct cost, making part of the overall cost-of-test. Both the single-target and multi-target simulators can be streamlined to meet the required cost-of-test per the coverage required. Instead of a full distance simulator, the E8718A can be configured with fixed distances and should the test require multi targets at an angle, it can be configured to cover 3 targets, with 3 different angles of arrival. Even with a single variable distance module, the time taken to switch between distances is within 100ms, ensuring fast target simulation.

Additionally, the dual IF channels allows measurement of the incoming radar device signal, while simultaneously the RTS continuously projects a target, no need for any switching. The simultaneous feature saves valuable test time, while allowing test coverage to the maintained.

Bringing Testing to The Lab

Our intent is to bring ADAS scenario testing to the lab. Currently, Keysight has the ability to create the Radar signal under test, and with the new E8718A RTS introduces the capability of generating multiple objects at variable distances. Interference signals are created using Keysight’s wideband M8195A Arbitrary Waveform Generator. The AWG allows the generation of both predefined and custom interference signals with greater than 5GHz bandwidth from 60GHz to 90GHz.  Combining the AWG with the millimeter wave headers, the new solution can be configured to generate up to 16 interference signals at various attack angles. And, the new AutoRad software will fully automate interference Radar test procedures as defined by ETSI. 

The new remote head leads to opportunities in interference testing and allows for simultaneous measurements while simulating targets, removing the need to switch between either in the previous models.

Looking into the verification of interference susceptibility, the below diagram provides a quick glimpse of how the E8718A would be used, in combination with the M9185A Arbitrary Waveform Generator, and KS83RX0A software to control the sweeping FMCW and frequency bands as required by ETSI and radar mitigation strategies.

The solution concept in Figure 4, the E8718A continues to provide the target simulation to the Radar unit, at the same time, the AWG provides and interfering signal. For more information please refer to Keysight’s Automotive Radar Signal Analysis and Generation Solutions.