Real-Time Millimetre Wave Radar Simulation

Abstract

This paper summarizes the ideas involved in implementing an imaging radar simulator based on using modern computer graphics hardware. We make heavy use of recent technologies like vertex and fragment shaders, reaching performance up to 90 Hz on a standard workstation. For greater realism we generate radar shadows implementing shadow map techniques in the programmable graphics hardware. Furthermore, we present a Phong-like approach for modeling the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the mean normalized radar cross section (RCS). In the past different models have been proposed for this task. While being accurate in most cases they lack an intuitive understanding. The new model is intuitive by making use of categories of diffuse and specular reflections. Although it is computationally more efficient than previous approaches, it is composed of only a few parameters. Finally we give example setups for different types of terrain. The particular implementation is tailored to imitate millimetre wave (MMW) radar but can be extended for other types of radar systems, and even other sensor types.