Fault-Induced Signal Distortion in FMCW Automotive Radar: A Simulation-Based Analysis

Faults in automotive radar subsystems distort the radar signal and compromise system performance, especially in frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar architectures. However, the signal-level consequences of such faults remain underexplored. This paper presents a simulation-based analysis of signal distortions caused by five representative fault behaviors across three critical FMCW radar subsystems: the waveform generator, transmitter, and receiver. We examine the effects of each fault on complex baseband signals and range estimation accuracy, providing both qualitative and quantitative evaluations. The results reveal distinct distortion patterns and demonstrate that range errors and false negatives can occur independently, highlighting the need for diagnostic and fault-aware processing strategies. This work offers a foundational perspective on fault-induced anomalies in radar signal processing and supports the development of more robust FMCW radar systems.