Estimation of the Influence of Incoherent Interference on the Detection of Small Obstacles with a DBF Radar

As the technology of automated driving progresses, the market penetration and the functional importance of automotive radar systems are on the rise. Multiple access interference (crosstalk) between automotive radars will occur more often, reducing the detection capabilities of radars. The consequences are particularly critical regarding upcoming new requirements, such as the detection of small static targets in the road by radar. This Paper investigates the performance reduction of front mounted digital beamforming (DBF) radars due to the presence of an incoherent interferer on the neighboring track. A model for the estimation of signal-to-noise-ratio-loss due to crosstalk is introduced, focusing the impact of interference periods and quantities on chirp sequence radars. Further, the influence of digital beamforming is taken into account. A worst-case analysis regarding the relative position of the interferer is performed.