Estimation of the relative permittivity from the molecular structure of polymers used in automotive industries

To scan a vehicle's environment frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar sensors are essential. The implementable driver assistance systems based on these sensors increase the comfort of an automobile. When integrating them into the car, the radar sensor's cover must be taken into account. These parts serve as protection against external chemical and mechanical influences, but they should also support the vehicle design and appearance. Usually, painted polymer components are used as a radome. Depending on their material parameters (i.e. relative permittivity and loss-tangent) polymer covers lead to reflections and absorption, which may impair the radar performance, if they are not properly designed from a microwave point of view. For an appropriate design procedure, the polymer properties, have to be known precisely beforehand or need to be analyzed in realistic experimental configurations. Within this paper it is shown by measurements around the 80 GHz automotive radar bands and calculations based on the polymers repeating unit that the relative permittivity can be estimated from knowledge of the molecule structure. This allows the calculation of the relative permittivity of polymer molecules that have not yet been measured in the W-band at 80 GHz at a very early stage of the design process. Additionally it is shown that it has to be taken into account if the polymer is semi-crystalline or amorphous. Furthermore, the density or crystallinity has to be known. (paper)