Method for Detecting an Object with a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Ranging System

A method for detecting an object with an frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) ranging system, comprising:

• transmitting a signal towards the object;
• receiving a reflected signal caused by reflections of the transmitted signal;
• calculating a frequency difference signal of the transmitted signal and the received reflected signal;
• and
• determining a frequency spectrum of the frequency difference signal and analyzing the frequency spectrum to determine a frequency related to the object to be detected, wherein analyzing the frequency spectrum comprises:
• determining a strongest sinusoidal component in the frequency spectrum and removing the determined component from the spectrum;
• repeating said prior determining step at least once;
• adding a component determined in the prior determining and repeating steps to the frequency spectrum, and re-determining the strongest sinusoidal component in the frequency spectrum and removing the re-determined component from the frequency spectrum;
• repeating the adding step for each of remaining determined sinusoidal component;
• and
• repeating the adding and repeated adding step for each of remaining determined sinusoidal component until a desired degree of convergence is reached.