Comparison of real and simulated automotive radar targets measured with a reference radar

Realistic simulation of automotive radar target objects is necessary for reliable testing of a radar in a controlled environment. A radar target simulator uses antennas to reproduce the target signatures over the air to the radar under test. Before we apply the radar target simulator for this purpose, it is required to test it for its accuracy of simulation. We use a programmable reference radar module with a known performance and compare the measurements of real targets with the simulated ones. Results show a high fidelity in simulation of the range spectrum for point targets. Further, we compare the accuracy of simulated peak range values with the desired ones for different static target distances corresponding to the applications of a typical commercial automotive radar. Results indicate a reliable reproduction of desired range values.