Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has teamed up with IPG Automotive, a specialist in virtual test driving, to ‘redefine’ automotive radar Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) integration testing, with the aim of reducing development costs by moving Autonomous Driving (AD) testing from the proving ground into the lab.
The partners have combined the CarMaker simulation software from IPG Automotive with the R&S AREG800A radar object simulator and the R&S QAT100 advanced antenna array, a setup they say provides vehicle manufacturers with the ability to simulate ADAS/AD scenarios like those defined in the Euro NCAP.
The CarMaker open integration and test platform allows vehicle manufacturers, engineering services companies and Tier 1 suppliers to implement virtual test scenarios in the application areas of powertrain, vehicle dynamic chassis functions, and ADAS/AD functions. A high-resolution 3D engine enables the simulation of the complete sensor stack in very high detail. Seamless integration into existing tool landscapes is also possible, with a variety of supported standards and interfaces like the ASAM Open Standards.
The R&S AREG800A, in conjunction with the R&S QAT100, generates multiple artificial objects, each with independent range, Radar Cross Section (RCS), angle (azimuth/elevation) and radial velocity. The Open Simulation Interface (ASAM OSI) links R&S AREG800A with the CarMaker HIL test automation, creating a comprehensive test setup, useful for realistic driving scenario assessment within radar HIL testing. The solution also includes a Scenario Editor, specifically designed for non-simulation experts. This feature greatly simplifies the process of testing manoeuvre-based driving scenarios and their associated complex traffic-related configurations, and makes it accessible to a wider range of users.
The combination with the R&S technologies provides automotive OEMs and radar sensor suppliers with a comprehensive radar sensor testing platform, which is applicable for validation and real-time, closed-loop characterisation of radar sensors, and enables compliance with Association for ASAM standards.
The CarMaker simulator also features a Test Manager function that can build and run automated test sequences, individually or simultaneously, locally or in the cloud. It can also automate the calculation and evaluation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and generate reports automatically.
The Model Manager in CarMaker helps to define the configuration of virtual vehicle prototypes, enhancing the realism and accuracy of simulations.
