High-Precision Synchronization for 77-GHz Radar Networks via White Rabbit

Achieving coherent processing in advanced 77 GHz automotive radar networks requires highly precise synchronization of distributed sensors. Existing wired synchronization methods, however, incur high cabling costs and present challenges in complexity and scalability. This paper proposes a novel application of White Rabbit synchronization, an Ethernet-based technology providing sub-nanosecond accuracy, to address these limitations. White Rabbit enables simultaneous synchronization and data transfer over a standard Ethernet link, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated custom clock distribution network. Two modifications of the algorithm were developed and experimentally validated with 77 GHz radar sensors. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the synchronization requirements for different radar waveforms is presented. White Rabbit synchronization demonstrated precise frequency alignment and notably reduced peak broadening compared to uncoupled networks. Its synchronization performance is shown to be comparable to low frequency coupled systems, while offering enhanced scalability and simplified integration. The proposed methods in this work have significant potential for enabling advanced, cost efficient synchronized radar network architectures.