77 GHz radar sensor for car application

This paper describes the development of a radar sensor system in the 77 GHz domain and the current status of experimental trials. The radar concept and the signal processing has been developed by Technical University Braunschweig and the trials are being performed by Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg. The application background for a car radar sensor is outlined and a requirement profile is derived therefrom. A standard hardware platform for a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar system is described. A coded step-form of frequency modulation in the transmission signal will be used to confirm real objects and to eliminate ghost targets in the signal processing unit. The application of a residual-class code with its special correlation properties ensures a high level detection probability of all objects inside the observation area with unambiguous target parameters. Additionally, a new digital calibration procedure will be used for correction of typical analog receiver errors.