Simple-Structure and Cost-Effective FMCW Radar Test System Using a PLL-Gunn Oscillator and Fundamental Mixer in the E-band

The authors explain the development of a cost-effective frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar test system in the E-band with a simple-structure, and demonstrate it for an automotive application using an FMCW radar chipset evaluation board and an FMCW radar. The system consists of a down-converter, based on a fundamental mixer with a phase-locked loop-Gunn oscillator, and a mixed domain oscilloscope or a conventional digital oscilloscope. It is able to evaluate an FMCW signal in the time domain, such as the chirp rate, chirp length, chirp width, linearity, and the relative power level.