Channel Measurement and Ray-Tracing Simulation for 77 GHz Automotive Radar

Millimeter-wave automotive radar is essential for realizing autonomous driving. Realistic channel model and simulation are important for system and sensing algorithm design. This work introduces channel measurements and ray-tracing (RT) channel simulations for frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) automotive mmWave radar. The 77 GHz channel measurements in an urban crossroads environment are presented. The dominant echoes (multi-path components) of the measurement are detected and matched with corresponding objects for each frame. A measurement-based electromagnetic (EM) parameter estimation method is proposed to find the optimal parameter set that minimizes the error of simulated radar cross section (RCS). As a result, the issue of lacking reliable EM material parameters for RT simulation at 77 GHz frequency band is tackled. Simulation results are validated in power, range, velocity, and angle domains with the provided EM parameter set. Extending validated RT simulations in similar environments with various configurations allows more reliable channels for rigorous testing without the limitation of channel measurement.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the channel measurements and ray-tracing simulations for frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) automotive mmWave radar. By proposing a measurement-based electromagnetic parameter estimation method, the issue of lacking reliable material parameters for RT simulation at 77 GHz frequency band is addressed. The simulations are validated in various domains, allowing for more reliable channel testing in different environments and configurations.