Implementation and analysis of FMCW radar for target detection and SAR imaging
Date
2025
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar systems are compact, energy efficient, and cost-effective, making them highly suitable for both commercial and defense applications. Operating with continuous low-power transmission, these systems enable accurate detection of target range by measuring the time delay between transmitted and reflected signals and target velocity from the Doppler frequency or position change over time. ☐ To increase the spatial resolution of a radar system, which depends on the antenna aperture and signal bandwidth, without adding hardware complexity, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) techniques are integrated into the FMCW framework. This combination enables the development of a compact and lightweight imaging radar capable of achieving high-resolution imagery through motion. In this approach, measurements are collected at multiple spatial positions under the stop-and-go assumption, and image reconstruction is performed using the Range-Doppler and Backprojection algorithms. ☐ This thesis presents both theoretical and experimental investigations into FMCW radar signal generation, range–velocity measurement, and SAR-based imaging. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of FMCW-based SAR for multi-target localization and high-resolution imaging while maintaining a low-cost and power-efficient hardware design.
Description
Keywords
Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Backprojection