A Unified Model of Coherent Direction-of-Arrival Simulation for Radar Target Simulators

In order to simulate highly realistic scenarios for modern radar sensors, like traffic scenarios, radar target simulators require the capability to generate targets in all four radar dimensions, which are range, radial velocity, azimuth, and elevation angle. To generate targets with angular information, coherent direction-of-arrival (DoA) simulation allows a highly accurate and flexible angular simulation, at a minimum of the required hardware. In this article, a unifying general model for coherent DoA simulation with channel knowledge for radar target simulators is derived. It comprises previous models. We present methods that allow the simulation of arbitrary and adjustable DoAs, without any constraints on the radar array geometry or the implemented beamformer. The proposed models and methods are analytically derived, analyzed by simulations, and finally verified by measurements. Lastly, a measurement of a 2D-DoA simulation for a radar with 12 channels is conducted, in order to show the general applicability of the concept.