24 GHz radar front-end for FMCW and spread spectrum radar applications

Abstract

Two configurations of radar front-end with a multi-chip assembly for automotive applications have been studied and presented. One configuration is suitable for both FMCW radar and spread spectrum radar with the replacement of a base-band module that could be realized by a digital synthesizer; the concept "software defined radar" could be addressed from this prospective. The other configuration is a conventional FMCW radar setup. Commercially available MMICs and a new substrate integrated horn antenna have been used for the radar transceiver module. The functionality of the front-end has been validated by a set of laboratory radar measurements.