Extending the frequency matching in linear FMCW radar exploiting extreme frequencies

Abstract

Frequency matching is an essential block of the signal processing chain in LFMCW (linear frequency modulated continuous wave) radar. Its task is to associate frequency detections obtained in multiple measurements. Under certain conditions, this association may fail and frequency detections from multiple real targets may be combined to a mismatch. The classification of a frequency association as match (real target) or mismatch (ghost target) is commonly regarded impossible if we only have frequency detections. Yet in this paper we show that even in this case, a reliable classification is possible when special attention is paid to the two outermost frequencies in each spectrum. Furthermore, the radar's modulation can be designed such that the reliable classification can be achieved in the regions of interest of the distance-velocity-plane, i.e. application-specific.