Multifunctional Transceiver for Future Radar Sensing and Radio Communicating Data-Fusion Platform

Abstract

A unified and reconfigurable multifunctional transceiver for future integrated data-fusion services of radar sensing and radio communication (RadCom) is studied and developed in this paper. This proposed alternative of the state-of-the-art architectures presents an unprecedented integration of all radar sensing and RadCom functions together in a time-division platform. Furthermore, it is capable of offering a positioning function of both moving and static objects with an enhanced resolution in ranging in addition to providing a greater capability of data communication. The design and the performance incompatibilities between radar and radio systems are explored and investigated. A systematic top–bottom approach is presented, which involves the step-by-step methodology, building block design considerations, and the system level simulation. With the purpose of validating the proposed scheme, a low-frequency prototype around the FCC-commissioned dedicated short range communication (DSRC) band is developed, and its performance is evaluated. Since such a unified transceiver can find applications in intelligent transportation infrastructures, the system demonstrator is designed and examined according to the desired specifications of future automotive radar networks. Through various system level measurements, the proposed scheme has demonstrated attractive features in connection with both radar and radio functions. With the radar mode, the added ability of angle detection and the improved range resolution against the previously demonstrated version make the system suitable for driving assistance applications. With the radio mode, the system demonstrator has proved a great capability of communication at a data rate of 25 Mb/s.