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Electronics OEM Taps Keysight Automotive Radar Solution to Support Autonomous Driving R&D

Case Studies

Electronics OEM Taps Keysight Automotive Radar Solution to Support Autonomous Driving R&D 

As more companies race to provide Level-5 autonomy for vehicles, there is a critical need for sensing technologies to provide flawless “sight and sense” capabilities in a multitude of traffic scenarios. These capabilities involve hardware that can emulate various signals to test the performance of sensors, and powerful software algorithms that can analyze, differentiate, and respond to a variety of potential road hazards.

Looking to build on its expertise in image detection and artificial intelligence (AI) applications for the growing autonomous driving market, a global electronics manufacturer sought a new, and more robust approach to design and test verification. The manufacturer’s research and development (R&D) team was already at work developing AI and deep learning algorithms to enable its light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and radar sensor systems to respond more efficiently to changing road conditions and potential driving hazards. The R&D team also planned to develop “smart sensors” to improve the capabilities of self-driving cars in challenging weather conditions. 

Company:

  • Leading Electronics Manufacturer

Key Issues:

  • No experience with mmWave radar in automotive applications
  • A lack of reliable measurement methods for 79 GHz and above
  • Desire to reduce design cycles and meet tight schedules

Solution:

  • Keysight E8740A automotive radar signal analysis and generation solution

Results:

  • Solved the root causes of spurious signals using mmWave radar analysis
  • Able to analyze radar signals across the 76 GHz ~ 81 GHz frequency range at 4GHz bandwidth
  • Shortened test development time by 50 percent and increased the number of scenarios tested by 50 percent 

Need to meet higher standards

Stricter design and test verification standards are inevitable given these urgent requirements and the rapid pace of development in the autonomous driving market. As the electronics manufacturer ramped up its development pipeline, it needed to establish and implement more robust test verification standards to ensure optimal sensor performance. Sensor performance is considered a critical requirement for autonomous driving systems.

To meet its test needs, the manufacturer turned to Keysight Technologies and its solution based on the E8740A, which enabled processing of a variety of signals from different devices. This helped ensure sturdier devices and software for autonomous driving in real-world driving conditions.

The Challenge

Limitations of existing equipment

The manufacturer’s R&D team encountered obstacles using its existing equipment. It also lacked specific domain knowledge with respect to millimeter wave (mmWave) radar in automotive applications. In addition, the team needed to identify a tactic to verify radio frequency power, modulation, and phase noise in multiple scenarios operating at 79 GHz and higher. 

Initially, the team tried using existing equipment such as a spectrum analyzer and oscilloscopes to capture the required data; however, it quickly hit a roadblock. The team attempted to use an external mmWave mixer to down-convert the 79 GHz signal to RF frequency, but the process proved time-consuming and the measurements were inconsistent. The team was also unable to get appropriate data for ultra-wideband mmWave modulation measurements because the conversion process caused signal degradation and inaccurate signal-to-noise ratios.

The team was concerned that inadequate testing for its 79 GHz bandwidth radar modules might expose the project to costly design risks which, in turn, might lead to a redesign process, lengthy design cycles, and even potential product recalls. In addition, the team sought a standard solution that could analyze automotive radar signals across a wider frequency range of 76-81 GHz to prepare for upcoming applications on the product roadmap. 

The Solution

Powerful Signal Generation and Analysis Hardware, Simulation Software Seeking to understand the customer’s learning curve and challenges in automotive radar, Keysight’s team of automotive radar technical experts helped create the test setup requirements. After competitive evaluations, the manufacturer adopted the Keysight E8740A automotive radar signal analysis and generation solution.

By using the Keysight E8740A, the manufacturer was able to process a variety of signals from different devices. The solution comprised the E8740-A-070 performance radar signal generator, which gave the customer the ability to emulate various signals for wide-field automotive radar testing. 

For analyzing signals, Keysight’s E8740A included the N9041B UXA signal analyzer, the first analyzer on the market with 4 GHz of analysis bandwidth. This met the customer’s need for a solution to test radar signals across 76 GHz ~ 81 GHz frequency range using a 4 GHz bandwidth.

The N9041B UXA signal analyzer also helped the team check for spurious signals over a wide range, from 2 Hz to 110 GHz in one continuous time-saving sweep. In the past, the manufacturer’s equipment was unable to perform this critical task and the team could not identify the root causes of the spurious signals. Spurious signals can adversely affect the functioning of radar equipment, so it is critical that root causes are identified early in the design and development phase.

For signal generation, the E8740-A-070 performance radar signal generator gave the R&D team the ability to emulate various signals for wide-field automotive radar testing. Previously, the team did not have these signal generation capabilities.

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