Identification of Linear Time Invariant Systems Using FMCW Signals and Stretch Processing Receivers

The paper deals with the identification of linear time invariant (LTI) systems by a special observer. An observer emitting an frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal and having a stretch processor as receiver will be considered for system identification. A thorough derivation of the gathered baseband signal for arbitrary LTI systems will be given. It is shown, that the received signal is approximately given by the transfer function of the LTI system over the frequency sweep of the FMCW signal. The proof relies on an infinite large time-bandwidth product of the transmit signal, such that errors remain in practical applications with a finite time-bandwidth product. Monte–Carlo simulations are conducted to verify the approximation and to quantify its accuracy and remaining errors. The findings are important for e.g. calibration or derivation of a device model in FMCW radar applications.