Automated Validation and Calibration of Radar Sensors in Production with New End-of-Line Test System

Paderborn, March 31, 2022. dSPACE expands its range of Automotive Radar Test Systems (DARTS) and launches a solution for automatic end-of-line testing of automotive radar sensors. The new test solution was developed in cooperation with NOFFZ Technologies GmbH and helps ensure that radar-based driver assistance systems are reliable and precise. 

The modern end-of-line test system will be used especially in high-volume production and is based on the compact antenna test range (CATR) method, which uses a parabolic reflector to generate a plane wavefront. This enables the calibration of sensors with a large far-field distance in a particularly compact setup. The test system therefore requires only a small footprint compared to conventional ‘direct far-field’ test systems.

In the extremely low-reflection absorber chamber, the radar sensor is calibrated with the support of the integrated radar target simulator. This is done in a predefined test sequence, during which the radar sensors are rotated around their radiation center in both the horizontal and vertical directions, using high-precision drives.

The test system is therefore particularly suitable for the calibration of modern radar sensors, such as 4-D radars and imaging radars.

“With a small system that delivers excellent signal quality and precision, manufacturers can now validate and calibrate their sensors right during production.  With the expansion of its radar portfolio, dSPACE is becoming the automotive industry's comprehensive partner for radar sensor testing," explains Dr. Andreas Himmler, Senior Product Manager for automotive radar solutions at dSPACE.

dSPACE will be presenting the end-of-line test bench at European Microwave Week, which takes place in London from April 4 to 6, at its booth No. 115.