Radar signal processor

In a radar system including a radar transceiver means for generating transmit signals and for receiving signals reflected by targets, and a mixer for combining the transmit signals and the reflected signals into a mixer signal, a radar signal processor comprising:

• sampling means, connected to said mixer, for sampling the mixer signal and for generating a sampled mixer signal;
• a spectrum estimator including
• time window means, connected to said sampling means, for generating windowed signals by multiplying said sampled mixer signal with a time window function to reduce spectral leakage,
• generating means, connected to said time window means, for generating frequency spectrum signals each including a series of spectral components,
• magnitude means, connected to said generating means, for generating magnitude range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins containing magnitudes of said spectral components, and
• equalization means, connected to said magnitude means, for generating equalized range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins having a noise floor substantially constant with respect to frequency;
• threshold means, connected to said spectrum estimator for generating a target space array from said equalized range profile signals;
• and
• target decision means, connected to said threshold means, for generating estimated range and speed signals for a closest target from said target space array.

In a radar system including a radar transceiver means for generating transmit signals and for receiving signals reflected by targets, and a mixer for combining the transmit signals and the reflected signals into a mixer signal, a radar signal processor comprising:

• sampling means, connected to said mixer, for sampling the mixer signal and for generating a sampled mixer signal;
• a spectrum estimator including
• time window means, connected to said sampling means, for generating windowed signals by multiplying said sampled mixer signal with a time window function to reduce spectral leakage,
• generating means, connected to said time window means, for generating frequency spectrum signals each including a series of spectral components,
• magnitude means, connected to said generating means, for generating magnitude range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins containing magnitudes of said spectral components,
• equalization means, connected to said magnitude means, for generating equalized range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins having a noise floor substantially constant with respect to frequency, and
• averaging means, connected to said equalization means, for integrating a current equalized range profile signal with at least one prior range profile signal to generate an integrated range profile signal and to increase signal to noise ratio thereof;
• threshold means, connected to said spectrum estimator for generating a target space array from a plurality of said integrated range profile signals;
• and
• target decision means, connected to said threshold means, for generating estimated range and speed signals for a closest target from said target space array.

In a radar system including a radar transceiver means for generating transmit signals and for receiving signals reflected by targets, and a mixer for combining the transmit signals and the reflected signals into a mixer signal, a radar signal processor comprising:

• sampling means, connected to said mixer, for sampling the mixer signal and for generating a sampled mixer signal;
• spectrum estimation means, connected to said sampling means, for generating a plurality of range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins containing a magnitude of a spectral component;
• threshold means, connected to said spectrum estimation means, for generating a target space array from said range profile signals, said threshold means including
• averaging means including a moving window for generating an average magnitude by averaging the magnitudes of a plurality of adjacent range bins in said range profile signal,
• multiplying means for multiplying said average magnitude by a threshold constant to generate a detection threshold value for one range bin in said threshold range profile signal,
• incrementing means for incrementing said moving window, and
• control means for repeatedly actuating said averaging means, said multiplying means, and said incrementing means to generate detection threshold values for each range bin of said threshold range profile signal;
• and
• target decision means, connected to said threshold means, for generating estimated range and speed signals for a closest target from said target space array.

In a radar system including a radar transceiver means for generating transmit signals and for receiving signals reflected by targets, and a mixer for combining the transmit signals and the reflected signals into a mixer signal, a radar signal processor comprising:

• sampling means, connected to said mixer, for sampling the mixer signal and for generating a sampled mixer signal;
• spectrum estimation means, connected to said sampling means, for generating a plurality of range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins containing a magnitude of a spectral component;
• threshold means, connected to said spectrum estimation means, for generating a target space array from said range profile signals;
• and
• target decision means, connected to said threshold means, for generating estimated range and speed signals for a closest target from said target space array, said target decision means including first estimation means for executing an acquisition mode by performing a Hough transform to derive target range and speed for at least one target using said target space array.

In a radar system including a radar transceiver means for generating transmit signals and for receiving signals reflected by targets, and a mixer for combining the transmit signals and the reflected signals into a mixer signal, a radar signal processor comprising:

• sampling means, connected to said mixer, for sampling the mixer signal and for generating a sampled mixer signal;
• spectrum estimation means, connected to said sampling means, for generating a plurality of range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins containing a magnitude of a spectral component;
• threshold means, connected to said spectrum estimation means, for generating a target space array from said range profile signal;
• and
• target decision means, connected to said threshold means, for generating estimated range and speed signals for a closest target from said target space array, said target decision means utilizing a prior estimated target range and speed to generate an approximated target range and speed for a subsequent sample period and compares the approximated target range and speed with an estimated range and speed for the subsequent sample period to reduce clutter and noise.

In a radar system including a radar transceiver means for generating transmit signals and for receiving signals reflected by targets, and a mixer for combining the transmit signals and the reflected signals into a mixer signal, a radar signal processor comprising:

• sampling means, connected to said mixer, for sampling the mixer signal and for generating a sampled mixer signal;
• spectrum estimation means, connected to said sampling means, for generating a plurality of range profile signals each including a plurality of range bins containing a magnitude of a spectral component;
• threshold means, connected to said spectrum estimation means, for generating a target space array from said range profile signal;
• target decision means, connected to said threshold means, for generating estimated range and speed signals for a closest target from said target space array;
• and
• gating means for momentarily interrupting power to an antenna connected to said radar transceiver while said radar signal processor computes said estimated target range and speed to reduce environment interference, environmental exposure to radiation, and average transmit power.