Patent Description:
Generally, in times of an increasing number of application employing radar systems such as advanced driver assistance system or autonomous vehicles, there is a growing need of a radar target simulation system and a radar target simulation method for performing measurements with respect to such applications in order to verify their correct functioning.

<CIT> relates to a method for modeling radar cross sections (RCS) scattering characteristics of a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) target by using the graphic electromagnetic computing (GRECO) principle and radar modeling simulation imaging technology. However, in accordance with said document, no resolution adaption with respect to a device under test is provided, which disadvantageously leads to a limited accuracy and a reduced efficiency. <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> are also relevant prior art.

Accordingly, there is the object to provide a radar target simulation system and a radar target simulation method in order to allow for performing measurements with respect to a device under test, especially a device under test employing radar, in a flexible manner, thereby ensuring a high accuracy and efficiency of the measurement.

This object is solved by the features of the first independent claim for a radar target simulation system adaptable to the respective resolution of a device under test and the features of the second independent claim for a radar target simulation method. The dependent claims contain further developments.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a radar target simulation system adaptable to the respective resolution of a device under test is provided. The radar target simulation system comprises a memory unit, an interface, and a modifying unit. In this context, the memory unit is configured to save at least one data set representing at least one radar target simulation scenario and comprising at least one identifiable element, the interface is configured to specify parameters of a desired resolution for the device under test, and the modifying unit is configured to modify the at least one identifiable element so that it falls within the respective resolution parameters of the device under test. Advantageously, in this manner, both a high accuracy and a high efficiency are ensured. Further advantageously, said system allows for any desired scaling with respect to target resolution and adaption.

According to a first preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, modifying the at least one identifiable element comprises at least one of making a cross section bigger, reducing distance from the device under test, increasing distance from the device under test, making two targets at a greater angle from one another, removing at least one interfering element, preferably at least one cell phone and/or at least one car radar especially of another car, or any combination thereof. Advantageously, for instance, complexity can be reduced, thereby further increasing efficiency.

According to a second preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation system further comprises a selection unit. In this context, the selection unit is configured to select only the respective data sets which meet the respective resolution parameters for running for the costumer especially in the case that the at least one radar target simulation scenario and/or the at least one identifiable element is not modified. Advantageously, for example, inefficiencies are further reduced.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation system further comprises a radio frequency lens. In this context, the radio frequency lens is configured to make at least one respective radio frequency wave planar. Advantageously, for instance, accuracy is further increased.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation system further comprises a scaling unit. In this context, the scaling unit is configured to scale down and/or up the respective radio frequency pixels especially of the radar target simulation system preferably to be aligned with the respective radar resolution. Advantageously, for example, not only accuracy but also efficiency can further be increased. Further advantageously, especially in the case of the usage of several radars such as within the scope of production lines or in the case of employing MIMO (multiple input multiple output) for an ISA (intelligent speed adaption) system, resolutions for different radars and/or a known resolution for each of these can be preprogrammed.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, for the case that the radar target simulation system does not already comprise a scaling unit, the radar target simulation system further comprises a scaling unit. In addition to this, the scaling unit is configured to scale the respective radio frequency receive pixels especially of the radar target simulation system preferably to be aligned with the respective desired radar resolution. Advantageously, for instance, both inaccuracies and inefficiencies can further be reduced.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation system further comprises an adjusting unit. In this context, the adjusting unit is configured to adjust the respective resolution of the corresponding receive side. Advantageously, for example, accuracy can further be increased in a particularly efficient manner.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the at least one radar target simulation scenario comprises or is at least one image, preferably at least one radar image, more preferably at least one radar target image, most preferably at least one radar target simulation image. Advantageously, for instance, complexity can further be reduced, which leads to an increased efficiency.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a radar target simulation method is provided. Said radar target simulation method comprises the steps of saving at least one data set representing at least one radar target simulation scenario and comprising at least one identifiable element, specifying parameters of a desired resolution for a device under test, and modifying the at least one identifiable element so that it falls within the respective resolution parameters of the device under test. Advantageously, in this manner, both a high accuracy and a high efficiency are ensured. Further advantageously, said method allows for any desired scaling with respect to target resolution and adaption.

According to a first preferred implementation form of the second aspect of the invention, modifying the at least one identifiable element comprises at least one of making a cross section bigger, reducing distance from the device under test, increasing distance from the device under test, making two targets at a greater angle from one another, removing at least one interfering element, preferably at least one cell phone and/or at least one car radar especially of another car, or any combination thereof. Advantageously, for instance, complexity can be reduced, thereby further increasing efficiency.

According to a second preferred implementation form of the second aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation method further comprises the step of selecting only the respective data sets which meet the respective resolution parameters for running for the costumer especially in the case that the at least one radar target simulation scenario and/or the at least one identifiable element are/is not modified. Advantageously, for example, inefficiencies are further reduced.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the second aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation method further comprises the step of making at least one respective radio frequency wave planar preferably with the aid of a radio frequency lens. Advantageously, for instance, accuracy is further increased.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the second aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation method further comprises the step of scaling down and/or up the respective radio frequency pixels preferably to be aligned with the respective radar resolution. Advantageously, for example, not only accuracy but also efficiency can further be increased. Further advantageously, especially in the case of the usage of several radars such as within the scope of production lines or in the case of employing MIMO (multiple input multiple output) for an ISA (intelligent speed adaption) system, resolutions for different radars and/or a known resolution for each of these can be preprogrammed.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the second aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation method further comprises the step of scaling the respective radio frequency receive pixels preferably to be aligned with the respective desired radar resolution. Advantageously, for instance, both inaccuracies and inefficiencies can further be reduced.

According to a further preferred implementation form of the second aspect of the invention, the radar target simulation method further comprises the step of adjusting the respective resolution of the corresponding receive side. Advantageously, for example, accuracy can further be increased in a particularly efficient manner.

With respect to <FIG>, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of radar target simulation system <NUM> adaptable to the respective resolution of a device under test is shown, wherein the radar target simulation system <NUM> comprises a memory unit <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, and a modifying unit <NUM>.

In this context, the memory unit <NUM> is configured to save at least one data set representing at least one radar target simulation scenario and comprising at least one identifiable element. The interface <NUM> is configured to specify parameters of a desired resolution for the device under test. In addition to this, the modifying unit <NUM> is configured to modify the at least one identifiable element so that it falls within the respective resolution parameters of the device under test.

Exemplarily, the memory unit <NUM> is connected to the modifying unit <NUM>, whereas the interface <NUM> is also connected to the modifying unit <NUM>. With respect to the modifying unit <NUM>, it is noted that said modifying unit <NUM> may especially comprise or be a processing unit or a processor.

Furthermore, with respect to said resolution, it is noted that resolution can exemplarily be or mean a minimum angle where it should distinguish between two targets, a minimum radar cross section, maximum and/or minimum distance to a respective target especially for target recognition, a number of radio frequency pixels especially related to the respective accuracy of the corresponding system, or any combination thereof.

As it can further be seen, a scalability is provided, which may especially adjust the respective radar itself. This may exemplarily require increasing the respective resolution (for instance, angle between objects or radio frequency pixels) and/or decreasing the respective resolution. Increasing and/or decreasing may especially comprise removing and/or adding objects and/or test elements such as modules. For instance, more modules can physically or logically be added in order to get a <NUM>-degree resolution as opposed to a <NUM>-degree or <NUM>-degree resolution especially for the respective beam steering as exemplarily illustrated by <FIG>.

With respect to said <FIG>, it is noted that the exemplary different degree resolutions of <NUM> degree or <NUM> degree, respectively, are especially shown in the context of an autonomous car <NUM>.

As it can be seen, said autonomous car <NUM> comprises long radars <NUM>, especially for recognizing and/or identifying distant objects and/or for an adaptive cruise control, cameras <NUM>, preferably stereo and/or monocular cameras, especially for a surround view and/or monitoring the respective blind zone, ultrasonic sensors <NUM>, especially for rear collision warning. Additionally, the autonomous car <NUM> comprises light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and/or laser detection and ranging (LaDAR) and/or synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems <NUM>, especially for obstacle detection with special respect to closer objects.

Again, with respect to <FIG>, it might be particularly advantageous if modifying the at least one identifiable element comprises at least one of making a cross section bigger, reducing distance from the device under test, increasing distance from the device under test, making two targets at a greater angle from one another, removing at least one interfering element, preferably at least one cell phone and/or at least one car radar especially of another car, or any combination thereof.

In accordance with <FIG>, the radar target simulation system <NUM> further comprises a selection unit <NUM>. In this context, the selection unit <NUM> is configured to select only the respective data sets which meet the respective resolution parameters for running for the costumer especially in the case that the at least one radar target simulation scenario and/or the at least one identifiable element is not modified.

Exemplarily, said selection unit <NUM> is connected to the modifying unit <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the selection unit <NUM> may be connected to the memory unit <NUM> and/or the interface <NUM>. With respect to the selection unit <NUM>, it is noted that said selection unit <NUM> may especially comprise or be a processing unit or a processor, preferably the processing unit or processor already mentioned above.

As it can further be seen, the radar target simulation system <NUM> further comprises a radio frequency lens <NUM>. Said radio frequency lens <NUM> is configured to make at least one respective radio frequency wave planar.

Moreover, the radar target simulation system <NUM> further comprises a scaling unit <NUM>. In this context, the scaling unit <NUM> is configured to scale down and/or up the respective radio frequency pixels especially of the radar target simulation system preferably to be aligned with the respective radar resolution.

Exemplarily, said scaling unit <NUM> is connected to the modifying unit <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the scaling unit <NUM> may be connected to the memory unit <NUM> and/or the interface <NUM>. With respect to the scaling unit <NUM>, it is noted that said scaling unit <NUM> may especially comprise or be a processing unit or a processor, preferably the processing unit or processor already mentioned above.

It might be particularly advantageous if the scaling unit <NUM> is further configured to scale the respective radio frequency receive pixels especially of the radar target simulation system <NUM> preferably to be aligned with the respective desired radar resolution.

According to <FIG>, the radar target simulation system <NUM> further comprises an adjusting unit <NUM>. In this context, the adjusting unit <NUM> is configured to adjust the respective resolution of the corresponding receive side. Exemplarily, said adjusting unit <NUM> is connected to the modifying unit <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting unit <NUM> may be connected to the memory unit <NUM> and/or the interface <NUM>. With respect to the adjusting unit <NUM>, it is noted that said adjusting unit <NUM> may especially comprise or be a processing unit or a processor, preferably the processing unit or processor already mentioned above.

With respect to the at least one radar target simulation scenario, it is noted that it might be particularly advantageous if said at least one radar target simulation scenario comprises or is at least one image, preferably at least one radar image, more preferably at least one radar target image, most preferably at least one radar target simulation image.

With general respect to the invention, regarding both the inventive system and the inventive method, it is noted that it might be particularly advantageous if meta data is used for radar target generation. In this context, said meta data may preferably be generated on the basis of an adaption with respect to the desired target system. Further advantageously, the respective data and/or said meta data may preferably be scalable to the corresponding application.

Furthermore, <FIG> shows another embodiment of an inventive radar target simulation system <NUM> adaptable to the respective resolution of a device under test. The radar target simulation system <NUM> comprises a memory unit <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, and a processing unit <NUM> or a processor. In this context, the memory unit <NUM> is configured to save at least one data set representing at least one radar target simulation scenario and comprising at least one identifiable element. In addition to this, the interface <NUM> is configured to specify parameters of a desired resolution for the device under test. Further additionally, the processing unit <NUM> or the processor, respectively, is configured to modify the at least one identifiable element so that it falls within the respective resolution parameters of the device under test.

Furthermore, modifying the at least one identifiable element may preferably comprise at least one of making a cross section bigger, reducing distance from the device under test, increasing distance from the device under test, making two targets at a greater angle from one another, removing at least one interfering element, preferably at least one cell phone and/or at least one car radar especially of another car, or any combination thereof.

Moreover, it might be particularly advantageous if the processing unit <NUM> or the processor, respectively, is configured to select only the respective data sets which meet the respective resolution parameters for running for the costumer especially in the case that the at least one radar target simulation scenario and/or the at least one identifiable element is not modified.

In accordance with <FIG>, the radar target simulation system <NUM> further comprises a radio frequency lens <NUM>. In this context, the radio frequency lens <NUM> is configured to make at least one respective radio frequency wave planar. Again, with respect to the processing unit <NUM> or the processor, respectively, the processing unit <NUM> or the processor is configured to scale down and/or up the respective radio frequency pixels especially of the radar target simulation system <NUM> preferably to be aligned with the respective radar resolution.

It is noted that it might be particularly advantageous if the processing unit <NUM> or the processor, respectively, is further configured to scale the respective radio frequency receive pixels especially of the radar target simulation system preferably to be aligned with the respective desired radar resolution. In addition to this or as an alternative, the processing unit <NUM> or the processor, respectively, may especially be configured to adjust the respective resolution of the corresponding receive side.

As already noted with respect to <FIG>, the at least one radar target simulation scenario may especially comprise or be at least one image, preferably at least one radar image, more preferably at least one radar target image, most preferably at least one radar target simulation image.

Finally, <FIG> shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the inventive method. In a first step <NUM>, at least one data set representing at least one radar target simulation scenario and comprising at least one identifiable element is saved. Then, in a second step <NUM>, parameters of a desired resolution are specified for a device under test. Furthermore, in a third step <NUM>, the at least one identifiable element is modified so that it falls within the respective resolution parameters of the device under test.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims.

Claim 1:
A radar target simulation system (<NUM>) allowing for performing measurements with respect to a device under test employing radar, and adaptable to the respective resolution of the device under test, the radar target simulation system (<NUM>) comprising:
a memory unit (<NUM>),
an interface (<NUM>), and
a modifying unit (<NUM>),
wherein the memory unit (<NUM>) is configured to save at least one data set representing at least one radar target simulation scenario and comprising at least one identifiable element,
wherein the at least one radar target simulation scenario comprises or is at least one image, wherein the interface (<NUM>) is configured to specify parameters of a desired resolution for the device under test,
wherein the resolution is a minimum angle to distinguish two targets or a minimum radar cross-section or maximum and/or minimum distance to the respective target or number of pixels related to the respective accuracy of the corresponding system, or any combination thereof,
wherein the modifying unit (<NUM>) is configured to modify the at least one identifiable element so that it falls within the respective resolution parameters of the device under test, and
wherein modifying the at least one identifiable element comprises at least one of making a cross section bigger, reducing distance from the device under test, increasing distance from the device under test, making the two targets at a greater angle from one another.