Patent ID: 6420998
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A method of detecting and correcting non-linearities in a microwave radar system, comprising:generating a transmitted signal, frequency modulated according to a predefined function, using a transmit oscillator and by mixing the transmitted signal with a received signal reflected by an object; determining a distance of the microwave radar system from the object; testing linearity characteristics of the microwave radar system using a reference signal; using test results for a correction; in predefined time windows, applying a predefined constant test control voltage to the transmit oscillator instead of a control voltage effecting frequency modulation; updating a voltage/frequency characteristic of a module during a time window in order to generate a function characteristic for frequency modulation taking into consideration the reference signal; and using the updated voltage/frequency characteristic for frequency modulation outside the time window during operation of the microwave radar system.