Enhancing teaching of FMCW radar sensors by means of dedicated simulation tools

Abstract

Simulation tools for Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar technology present a transformative approach in teaching and educating engineers and students about FMCW Radars. By emulating real-world scenarios, these tools offer a hands-on experience in understanding and optimizing radar systems, without the high costs associated with physical prototypes. The ability to simulate various environmental conditions, including interference and noise, allows learners to experiment with different radar parameters such as antenna alignment and operating frequency. This interactive learning environment accelerates the comprehension of complex radar concepts, from the Doppler effect to signal processing techniques, facilitating a deeper understanding of FMCW radar operations. As a teaching example, we propose and compare the simulation results of two radars with different radar parameters and antenna configurations. Additionally, we discuss how the standalone simulation results can be integrated and utilized as inputs for other tools using co-simulation approach. Based on this example, the advantages of using simulation for education are explored, and the reliability of the simulation is evaluated by comparing it with the results from a real radar.