Failure detection system and method

A radar system comprising:

• a transmit antenna;
• and
• a transmitter module coupled to the transmit antenna, the transmitter module comprising:
• a power combiner;
• a plurality of interconnection structures coupled between the power combiner and the transmit antenna;
• and
• detection circuitry coupled to the power combiner and configured to:
• inject at least one test current onto at least one electrical path that includes the power combiner and at least one of the plurality of interconnection structures;
• compare a first voltage at the at least one electrical path to a reference voltage;
• and
• provide, in response to the first voltage exceeding the reference voltage, a failure indication to safety monitoring circuitry of the radar system.

A method comprising:

• performing a failure detection process for a radar system by:
• injecting, by detection circuitry of the radar system, at least one test current onto at least one electrical path including a power combiner and at least one interconnection structure;
• comparing, by the detection circuitry, a first voltage at the at least one electrical path to a reference voltage;
• and
• providing, by the detection circuitry in response to the first voltage exceeding the reference voltage, a failure indication to safety monitoring circuitry of the radar system.

A transmitter module comprising:

• a power combiner;
• interconnection structures coupled to the power combiner;
• and
• detection circuitry coupled to the power combiner and configured to:
• inject at least one test current onto at least one electrical path that includes the power combiner and at least one of the interconnection structures;
• compare a first voltage at the at least one electrical path to a reference voltage;
• and
• provide, in response to the first voltage exceeding the reference voltage, a failure indication to safety monitoring circuitry.