Fast and Customizable Wideband RF Test for Radar Sensor Validation
From automotive radar to asset localization and presence/gesture detection, radar sensing has seen a dramatic increase in use with the proliferation of new use cases. This has placed more pressure on the ability to efficiently develop and validate complex RF devices, such as frequency modulated continuous waveform (FMCW) radar sensors, while meeting requirements such as extreme wideband capabilities, high center frequency, and fast pulse generation and analysis.
An effective radar sensor validation test solution must:
- Generate and acquire waveforms up to and exceeding 5.5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth
- Provide RF signal generation/analysis capabilities in spectrum common to wideband test applications, such as mmWave and sub-THz frequencies
- Provide pulse generation and measurement capabilities such as chirp analysis, beat frequency, and Doppler shift
- Integrate and synchronize pulsed RF measurements with DC and digital measurements
- Enable fast test speeds and easy automation for wideband RF component and device characterization
FMCW Radar Sensor Validation Test System
- 30 MHz to 26.5 GHz frequency coverage with PXIe-5842 Vector Signal Transceivers
- Extended frequency coverage with the addition of third-party frequency up- and down-converters, such as those from Eravant
- Simultaneously generate and acquire waveforms with up to 7 GHz instantaneous RF bandwidth with VST frequency stitching, using two PXIe-5842 VSTs
- Built-in system calibration for external attenuators, frequency converters, and other system components
- Integrated pulse measurements with NI RFmx Pulse, including beat frequency, chirp length/rate, Doppler, with the ability to capture and analyze long acquisitions in parallel
- Abstracted software UI for an easy getting started experience and customizable LabVIEW example code for additional functionality
Solution Advantages
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Best-in-class RF Performance ensuring full test coverage
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Superior synchronization and scalability on the PXI platform
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Fast time to first measurements and easy path to automation with LabVIEW example code
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Lower overall cost of ownership with PXI VSTs
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Versatile RF hardware, able to be repurposed for RF test of any wireless standard at any frequency range
Watch How to Configure a Radar Sensor Test System
An Open and Customizable Platform for Wideband RF Test Applications Across Multiple Standards
NI’s PXI platform provides a high-level starting point for wideband RF test applications. See how pre-built example code can enable quick parametric measurements or be customized to add additional functionality in this example for radar sensor test.
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Wideband RF Validation Solution Brochure
Radar sensor test systems built on the PXI platform can take many shapes and are customizable to meet the needs of your application. At the core is the NI PXIe-5842 VST, with best-in-class RF performance. Learn more about PXI VSTs and how they can enable various RF test applications.