Rohde & Schwarz and NOFFZ collaborate to develop a Compact Antenna Test Range production test system for automotive imaging radars

Radar is the key technology for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving (AD). For an improved SAE L3 (Society of Automotive Engineers level 3) experience on the way towards autonomous driving, radar sensors have to accommodate much more complex traffic scenarios. Consequently, imaging radar sensors have been developed with significantly finer spatial resolution and this requires much larger antenna apertures. Measuring these radar sensors in the direct far-field (DFF) would be impractically large for production environments. However, the CATR technology from Rohde & Schwarz found in the R&S ATS1500C chamber creates a large quiet zone with high quality far-field conditions in a very compact physical footprint.

The NOFFZ End-of-Line tester UTP 5069 CATR is designed for high-volume production test and calibration. The extremely low-reflection anechoic chamber is one of the key differentiators and one of the results of over 30 years’ experience as a system integrator. It is available with a compact footprint of less than 3.5 sqm (40 sqft). The relative motion of the DUT during calibration, loading and unloading can be realized either by an integrated robot or a goniometer. Both motion options can be selected depending on the requirements for movement flexibility, position accuracy, and cycle time.

Tier1 radar sensor and module suppliers now have a fast, accurate test system optimized for production that saves cost, makes efficient use of space, and is ready for the next generation of radar technology.

The R&S ATS1500C CATR chamber together with the R&S AREG radar moving object simulator family are already adopted globally for radar development. Whereas, the NOFFZ end-of-line radar sensor tester UTP 5069 with its broad coverage of test requirements is well established at radar production facilities around the globe. Furthermore, the performance of this new test system was validated during its development by leading edge radar module developer Uhnder.

There are many challenges on the way towards autonomous driving but the capabilities, performance and measurement accuracy of the test system produced by the collaboration of two automotive radar expert companies NOFFZ and Rohde & Schwarz solves already one of them: Optimizing the transition from development to mass production for imaging radars. 

Find further information under https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/automotive-radar

Automotive test solutions – Test it. Trust it.
As a leading worldwide provider of test and measurement software, instruments and systems, Rohde & Schwarz employs its technical expertise to develop innovative solutions for the entire automotive lifecycle from predevelopment to production. OEMs, tier 1s, chip suppliers and engineering service providers around the world rely on the company’s proven test solutions for automotive radar, connectivity, infotainment, high-performance computing and EMC compliance. With innovative solutions for radar tests in development, integration production, Rohde & Schwarz supports its customers as a reliable partner for the launch of next-generation ADAS and AD systems. The company’s many years of experience and expertise in wireless communications ensure robust connectivity conforming to all standards from 5G and C-V2X to UWB, Wi-Fi and GNSS. Rohde & Schwarz instruments enable the development and debugging of in-vehicle networks with leading-edge bus speeds as well as ECUs such as high-performance domain controllers, and help to eliminate EMC issues. Rohde & Schwarz also offers T&M equipment and custom turnkey test systems for carrying out EMI and EMS measurements on vehicles and vehicle components in line with all major CISPR, ISO and manufacturer-specific EMC standards. These systems and equipment support full vehicle antenna testing and wireless coexistence testing with the user’s own systems and instruments. The company also offers outstanding solutions at the component and board level tests during ECU production. Partners and customers around the world use these test solutions to ensure automotive components and systems function correctly, interact flawlessly and smoothly and communicate faultlessly with the outside world.

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