Narrowband Tracking Filters in FMCW Radar Sensors

Abstract

The need for spectral analysis of the signal received by frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar sensors (FMRS) is inevitable in many applications of FMRS. It can be effectivelly performed using only digital signal processors, based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT). To make the signal analysis by FFT processor easier, it is necessary to separate the received signal (which generally varies in amplitude and in frequency ) from the broadband noisy background at the microwave mixer output by the narrowband tracking filter. Besides a brief desription of the performance and application of FMRS, the analysis of FMCW signal, with respect to moving target indication (MTI), and the function of a suitable tracking filter system is presented in this paper.