High Accuracy Motion Detection Algorithm via ISM Band FMCW Radar

The conventional frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar accuracy range detection algorithm is based on the frequency estimation and additional phase evaluation which contains Fourier transform and frequency refining analysis in each chirp, so it has the disadvantages of being computationally expensive, and not being suitable for real-time motion measurement. In addition, if there are other objects near the target, the spectra of the clutter and the target will be adjacent and affect each other, making it more challenging to estimate the frequency of the target. In this paper, the analytical expression of the Fourier transform of the beat signal is presented and it can be seen that spectrum leakage makes the phase of Fourier transform no longer consistent with the real phase of signal. The change regularities of real and imaginary parts of Fourier transform are studied, and the corrected phase of ellipse approximation is given in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. Accurate displacement can be obtained by accurate phase. The algorithm can filter the direct current (DC) offset which is mainly caused by stationary objects. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated by a radar system whose center frequency is 24.075 GHz and the bandwidth is 0.15 GHz; the measurement accuracy of displacement is 0.087 mm and the accuracy of distance is 0.043 m.

Automated summary

The conventional FMCW radar accuracy range detection algorithm has limitations in frequency estimation and phase evaluation, making it unsuitable for real-time motion measurement. This paper presents an analytical expression for the Fourier transform of the beat signal and proposes a corrected phase approximation for accurate displacement measurement. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.