TARGET IDENTIFICATION CAPABILITY OF SWEPT FREQUENCY AUTOMOBILE RADAR

Theoretical and experimental results of an initial study of X-band swept frequency radar as a means of target discrimination for automotive radar are presented. A simple analytical model is used to demonstrate that the frequency dependence of radar returns from an object is related to the number and position of its scattering centers. Experimental measurements show that obstacles such as oil drums and road signs are simple targets comprising a single scattering center while automobiles are very complex targets having a large number of interacting scattering centers. Preceding this investigation, it was thought that the structural similarities of automobiles (bumpers, grills, etc. ) would produce common features in their respective frequency response measurements. However, the data has indicated that the scattering centers are associated with the fine structural details which make one type of automobile different from another. Also, the angle at which these scattering centers are illuminated determines the degree to which they contribute to the overall frequency response. Targets posing potentially serious hazards cannot be distinguished from those which do not.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was presented at the SAE Meeting, Febuary 27-March 3, 1978.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Funke, J L
• Publication Date: 1978-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 12 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Frequency response; Measurement; Radar; Radar vehicle detectors; Reflection; Safety equipment; Traffic crashes
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178110
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 780261 Preprint
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 1978 12:00AM