Height Profiles of Typical Automotive Landmarks Using Tomographic Compact-Range Measurements

Height estimation of radar targets is of particular importance for self-localization and autonomous driving. It is an essential part of the risk assessment and makes it possible to assess whether certain obstacles can be traversed or an evasive maneuver must be initiated. In order to evaluate such situations as reliably as possible, high demands are placed on the classification of radar targets. New possibilities are opened up by determining not only the total height, but an intensity distribution resolved by the height. To prove the advantages, typical landmarks, namely two signs and a guide post, were measured in a compact antenna test range in the E-band frequency range. It is shown that besides the total height also the most important features of the landmarks can be identified in the height profile. This improves the overall perception of the environment as well as the detection of additional indicators for self-localization.