Abstract
In this study, the authors investigate the application of the Doppler beam sharpening (DBS) technique for angular refinement to the emerging area of low-terahertz (THz) radar sensing. Ultimately this is to improve radar image quality in the azimuth plane to complement the excellent range resolution and thus improve object classification in low-THz radar imaging systems for autonomous platforms. The study explains the fundamental theory behind the process of DBS and describes the applicability of DBS to automotive sensing, indicating the potential for synthetic beamwidths of a fraction of a degree. Low-THz DBS was experimentally tested under controlled laboratory conditions, not only to accurately localised target objects in Cartesian space but also to provide unique object imaging at low-THz frequencies with wide azimuthal beamwidth antennas. It was shown that a stationary (i.e. non-scanned) wide beam antenna mounted on a moving platform can deliver imagery at least comparable to that produced by physical beamforming, be that steering arrays or narrow beam scanning antennas as in the experimental case presented.
Highlights
There has been a surge in the requirement for the addition of increased autonomous features on vehicles, with the ultimate aim being full autonomy
We must start looking at the development of novel techniques and configurations, which will lead to the development of the new generation of automotive sensing for autonomy
This study focuses on the use of Doppler beam sharpening (DBS) [16] for azimuth refinement
Summary
There has been a surge in the requirement for the addition of increased autonomous features on vehicles, with the ultimate aim being full autonomy. Low-THz frequencies will provide a future automotive radar system with extended capabilities – a radar able to produce high-quality imagery from real physical apertures, as opposed to only the gross object detection and velocity measurement provided by current adaptive cruise control systems. This enables the creation of a multi-functional radar system for path planning/passable region determination, on and off road feature and object identification capabilities and surface identification [10] for all weather on and off road autonomy. This study looks at the fundamental application of the DBS technique at low-THz frequencies for radar image azimuth enhancement. Results of measurements of corner reflectors and target imaging are presented and discussed
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