Simulations of Interference-Limited OFDM and FMCW Radars in Realistic Highway Traffic

This study examines the performance of FMCW and OFDM automotive radars in the presence of interfering signals transmitted by other automotive radars. The analy-sis focuses on managing the signal carrier within the allocated spectrum range of 76–81 GHz. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the performance of a front radar receiver on a vehicle traveling along a six-lane highway, surrounded by other radar-equipped vehicles acting as interferers, is evaluated. The simulations combine a radar receiver software tool with an open-source traffic simulator for the highway scenario. The carrier frequency management technique employed is random hopping, performed frame by frame within the 76–81 GHz band. Results indicate that random carrier frequency hopping significantly mitigates interference effects for both FMCWand OFDM radars.