Abstract: Automotive radar is a kind of key sensor for the range detection of objects in Advanced Driver
Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as the pre-crash system and the backing aid system. Radar cross section
(RCS) was measured as an important reference data to evaluate and compare the radar’s performances. After
analyzed methods of measuring and calibrating RCS, a standard object was developed to represent pedestrian
in vehicle radar performance tests. The RCS was measured for small targets (such as a pipe) with length of
1 m and RCS below 0 dB to analyze the influence of different characteristics of pipe such as the material,
diameter, and inclination angle on the RCS. Radio wave reflection and absorption properties of test objects
were evaluated as well. The results show that by setting up a standard object of pedestrians, it is easier to test
performance of any ADAS application system, therefore, improving radar’s ability to detect pedestrians.

Key words: vehicle safety, automotive radar, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), radar cross section (RCS), pedestrian, standard object, measurement and calibration system