A Software-Adaptive 77GHz Radar Sensor for Traffic Applications

Millimeter-wave radar sensors applied in traffic scenarios are mainly divided into two categories: real-time speed control and traffic monitoring as an all-weather sensor of intelligent transportation infrastructure components. This work presents the design, implementation, and verification procedure of a software-adaptive 77 GHz radar sensor, which can meet both mentioned traffic applications. The implemented radar sensor can adapt itself to one “longer distance (300 m) narrow FoV (± 3°) “mode or to the other” shorter distance (200 m) wide FoV (± 10°) “mode by switching operational modes via software but based on exactly the same hardware platform. The radar coverage diagrams were measured for both operational modes. Measurement results in real traffic scenarios confirmed functions of the implemented traffic radar from system performance aspect. Additionally, a real-time calibration procedure based on stationary object detection was also proposed and verified as practical solution for convenient installation. A co-integration product form with camera was implemented for further data fusion.