Frequency modulated (FM) chirp testing for automotive radars using standard automated test equipment (ATE) digital pin channels

1. A method for characterizing a frequency modulated (FM) chirp signal generated by a device under test (DUT), the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a sample frequency and chirp duration for capturing the FM chirp signal;

down converting the FM chirp signal;

capturing the FM chirp signal using a digital pin electronics card to produce a captured FM chirp signal;

obtaining a plurality of period measurements from the captured FM chirp signal using a timing measurement unit (TMU) of an automated test equipment (ATE); and

converting each of the plurality of period measurements into corresponding frequency values.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample frequency and the chirp duration are selected to obtain a desired resolution bandwidth, and further comprising:

characterizing the captured FM chirp signal by analyzing the frequency values versus corresponding time values.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

creating a visual indication of the captured FM chirp signal by plotting the frequency values versus corresponding time values on a display unit.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

calculating a deviation of the captured FM chirp signal from an ideal FM chirp signal.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample frequency and chirp duration are selected, wherein a resultant resolution bandwidth is less than a predetermined required chirp resolution value.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample frequency and the chirp duration are selected based on an expected maximum transmit rate programmed into the DUT.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of period measurements are obtained at predetermined time intervals over the chirp duration.

8. An Automated Test Equipment (ATE) system, the system comprising:

a memory comprising instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions are operable to characterize a frequency modulated (FM) chirp signal generated by a device under test (DUT);

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to operate in accordance with the instructions to:

receive a selection of a sample frequency and chirp duration for capturing the FM chirp signal;

down convert the FM chirp signal;

capture the FM chirp signal using a digital pin electronics card to produce a captured FM chirp signal, wherein the digital pin electronics card is operable to couple with a test-head of the ATE, and wherein the digital pin electronics card comprise a timing measurement unit (TMU);

obtain a plurality of period measurements from the captured FM chirp signal using the TMU; and

convert each of the plurality of period measurements into corresponding frequency values.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the sample frequency and the chirp duration are selected to obtain a desired resolution bandwidth, and wherein the processor is further configured to operate in accordance with the instructions to:

characterize the captured FM chirp signal by analyzing the frequency values versus corresponding time values.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

create a visual indication of the captured FM chirp signal by plotting the frequency values versus corresponding time values on a display unit associated with the ATE.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

calculate a deviation of the captured FM chirp signal from an ideal FM chirp signal.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the sample frequency and chirp duration are selected, wherein a resultant resolution bandwidth is less than a predetermined required chirp resolution value.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the sample frequency and the chirp duration are selected based on an expected maximum transmit rate programmed into the DUT.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of period measurements are obtained at predetermined time intervals over the chirp duration.