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National Instruments launches better radar testing for autonomous tech

In the name of automated driving technology, better test softwares are being made.

Dan Pabustan on Nov 21, 2017

Automakers have been doing their best to stay atop of Autonomous advancement. Latest products are being integrated model after model in just a short period of time, like the one from Mitsubishi's EMIRAI 4 concept with "next-gen driving assistance tech." Land Rover even announced an off-road autonomous driving tech last year.

Now, National Instruments Corporation (NI) further improves the development of radar sensors through its latest Vehicle Radar Test System (VRTS) Technology. In light of this new technology, engineers may evaluate 76- to 81-GHz radar sensors through high-volume production test—from individual sensors to integrated advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

“We can use the VRTS to configure the industry’s most advanced ADAS test systems to improve the safety and reliability of vehicles.”

Michael Konrad
Konrad Technologies founder, ADAS Innovation in Test (IIT) Consortium CEO and co-founder

From a much technical standpoint, the VRTS can simulate Doppler effect velocity of up to 250 km/h at minimum obstacle range of 4 meters, with object distance resolution down to 10 cm and support for multiple angles of arrival/variable cross section.

In simpler terms, it has better capabilities compared to traditional radar simulators, which are only capable of obstacle generation.

Additionally, the VRTS provides object simulation and radar measurement suite for better autonomous driving technology by combining NI's mmWave and PXI Vector Signal Transceiver (VST). Engineers may also use the VRTS for different simulations ranging from a pedestrian walking across the street to lane-changing scenarios.

The competition in the automated/driver assist technology is becoming tighter as more competitive products are possible to set higher standards in the existing market. Through the VTRS, carmakers now have an available tool for more accurate data to further develop their product. Things such as assisted brake system, cruise control, parking sensors, and lane-assist will be more accurate than ever.