A Wideband Dielectric Waveguide-Based 160-GHz Radar Target Generator

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Electromagnetics
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Growing demand for radar sensor functionality tests in commercial and industrial applications.
• Conventional testing relies on expensive anechoic chambers, limiting accessibility and increasing costs.
• Need for cost-effective and compact solutions for radar sensor calibration and validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, compact, and low-cost dielectric waveguide radar target generator.
• To enable precise simulation of radar target scenarios for level probing radars.
• To provide an alternative to traditional anechoic chamber testing methods.

Main Methods:

• Design and simulation of a dielectric waveguide acting as a single-target scenery.
• Manipulation of waveguide field distribution to generate specific radar reflections.
• Full-wave simulations to design targets for realistic tank level probing scenarios.
• Utilizing an extruded dielectric waveguide with low loss and reflection holders.

Main Results:

• Achieved target distances ranging from 13 cm to over 9 meters using a 160 GHz dielectric waveguide.
• Dielectric losses of 2 dB/m and low loss holders (0.5 dB) were implemented.
• Detailed analysis of dielectric waveguide dispersion effects on frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radars.
• Successful verification of the radar target generator with a 160 GHz FMCW radar prototype.

Conclusions:

• The developed dielectric waveguide radar target generator is a viable, cost-effective solution for radar sensor testing.
• The system accurately simulates realistic radar target scenarios, particularly for level probing applications.
• This technology offers a significant advancement over conventional anechoic chamber testing, improving accessibility and reducing costs.