The impact of phase noise parameters on target signal detection in FMCW-radar system simulations for automotive applications

Accurate system simulations have proven to be a valuable aid during the development process and help to decrease the time-to-market and the amount of design iterations, thus keeping development costs at a moderate level. Therefore a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system simulation environment has been built up, enabling for performance analysis of millimeter-wave radar frontends for automotive applications. A key parameter especially for radar systems applying the FMCW principle thereby is the linearity of the frequency ramp as it directly affects the quality of the target signal and thus the performance of the entire radar sensor. Hence in this scientific paper we investigate the influence of a phase noise afflicted VCO on the target signal detection, and the range resolution respectively. Leeson's equation is applied to model oscillator phase noise and the results show which parameters are crucial for the radar system. Eventually a two-target scenario is calculated to substantiate the statements taken.