106 research outputs found
Cellular Base Station Imaging for UAV Detection
© 2022 IEEE. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/As the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is greatly increasing, there is an emerging threat of using UAVs in infrastructure/cyber-attacks and data-eavesdropping. From the safety and security perspective, it is a timely need to build an air surveillance system that enables a seamless detection function for low-and-middle altitude flying targets. However, it is unrealistic to widely deploy classical radar stations due to the astronomical cost. Rethinking the role of cellular mobile communication networks, we desire to add a 'vision-like' capability to the widely deployed outdoor cellular base stations (BSs) to realize joint imaging and communication (JIAC) simultaneously through sharing the existing cellular communication infrastructure and spectrum. In this work, it is for the first time to systematically study and demonstrate the concept of cellular base station imaging for UAV detection, which allows a cellular BS to work like an inverse synthetic-aperture radar (ISAR) besides communication. Firstly, we provide the JIAC transmission signalling and systematic operation mechanism. Secondly, the feasibility of JIAC is investigated and analysed to support the idea of cellular base station imaging. Finally, numerical simulation evaluates the imaging performance of three typical types of cellular BSs operating at 900 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz, respectively, which implies that cellular BS imaging works for UAV detection! Furthermore, the radar imaging function, as a new by-product, requires only a very little change to the current orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signalling and has nearly no influence on the current communication operation and performance.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio
Architectures and Algorithms for the Signal Processing of Advanced MIMO Radar Systems
This thesis focuses on the research, development and implementation of novel concepts, architectures, demonstrator systems and algorithms for the signal processing of advanced Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) radar systems. The key concept is to address compact system, which have high resolutions and are able to perform a fast radar signal processing, three-dimensional (3D), and four-dimensional (4D) beamforming for radar image generation and target estimation. The idea is to obtain a complete sensing of range, Azimuth and elevation (additionally Doppler as the fourth dimension) from the targets in the radar captures. The radar technology investigated, aims at addressing sev- eral civil and military applications, such as surveillance and detection of targets, both air and ground based, and situational awareness, both in cars and in flying platforms, from helicopters, to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and air-taxis.
Several major topics have been targeted. The development of complete systems and innovative FPGA, ARM and software based digital architectures for 3D imaging MIMO radars, which operate in both Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Frequency Divi- sion Multiplexing (FDM) modes, with Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals, respectively. The de- velopment of real-time radar signal processing, beamforming and Direction-Of-Arrival (DOA) algorithms for target detection, with particular focus on FFT based, hardware implementable techniques. The study and implementation of advanced system concepts, parametrisation and simulation of next generation real-time digital radars (e.g. OFDM based). The design and development of novel constant envelope orthogonal waveforms for real-time 3D OFDM MIMO radar systems.
The MIMO architectures presented in this thesis are a collection of system concepts, de- sign and simulations, as well as complete radar demonstrators systems, with indoor and outdoor measurements. Several of the results shown, come in the form of radar images which have been captured in field-test, in different scenarios, which aid in showing the proper functionality of the systems.
The research activities for this thesis, have been carried out on the premises of Air- bus, based in Munich (Germany), as part of a Ph.D. candidate joint program between Airbus and the Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture (Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura), of the University of Udine, based in Udine (Italy).Questa tesi si concentra sulla ricerca, lo sviluppo e l\u2019implementazione di nuovi concetti, architetture, sistemi dimostrativi e algoritmi per l\u2019elaborazione dei segnali in sistemi radar avanzati, basati su tecnologia Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). Il con- cetto chiave `e quello di ottenere sistemi compatti, dalle elevate risoluzioni e in grado di eseguire un\u2019elaborazione del segnale radar veloce, un beam-forming tri-dimensionale (3D) e quadri-dimensionale (4D) per la generazione di immagini radar e la stima delle informazioni dei bersagli, detti target. L\u2019idea `e di ottenere una stima completa, che includa la distanza, l\u2019Azimuth e l\u2019elevazione (addizionalmente Doppler come quarta di- mensione) dai target nelle acquisizioni radar. La tecnologia radar indagata ha lo scopo di affrontare diverse applicazioni civili e militari, come la sorveglianza e la rilevazione di targets, sia a livello aereo che a terra, e la consapevolezza situazionale, sia nelle auto che nelle piattaforme di volo, dagli elicotteri, ai Unmanned Aerial Vehicels (UAV) e taxi volanti (air-taxis).
Le tematiche affrontante sono molte. Lo sviluppo di sistemi completi e di architetture digitali innovative, basate su tecnologia FPGA, ARM e software, per radar 3D MIMO, che operano in modalit`a Multiplexing Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) e Multiplexing Frequency Diversion (FDM), con segnali di tipo FMCW (Frequency Modulated Contin- uous Wave) e Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), rispettivamente. Lo sviluppo di tecniche di elaborazione del segnale radar in tempo reale, algoritmi di beam-forming e di stima della direzione di arrivo, Direction-Of-Arrival (DOA), dei seg- nali radar, per il rilevamento dei target, con particolare attenzione a processi basati su trasformate di Fourier (FFT). Lo studio e l\u2019implementazione di concetti di sistema avan- zati, parametrizzazione e simulazione di radar digitali di prossima generazione, capaci di operare in tempo reale (ad esempio basati su architetture OFDM). Progettazione e sviluppo di nuove forme d\u2019onda ortogonali ad inviluppo costante per sistemi radar 3D di tipo OFDM MIMO, operanti in tempo reale.
Le attivit`a di ricerca di questa tesi sono state svolte presso la compagnia Airbus, con sede a Monaco di Baviera (Germania), nell\u2019ambito di un programma di dottorato, svoltosi in maniera congiunta tra Airbus ed il Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura dell\u2019Universit`a di Udine, con sede a Udine
Advanced signal processing solutions for ATR and spectrum sharing in distributed radar systems
Previously held under moratorium from 11 September 2017 until 16 February 2022This Thesis presents advanced signal processing solutions for Automatic
Target Recognition (ATR) operations and for spectrum sharing in distributed radar systems.
Two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) ATR algorithms are described for
full- and single-polarimetric images, and tested on the GOTCHA and the
MSTAR datasets. The first one exploits the Krogager polarimetric decomposition in order to enhance peculiar scattering mechanisms from manmade targets, used in combination with the pseudo-Zernike image moments. The second algorithm employs the Krawtchouk image moments,
that, being discrete defined, provide better representations of targets’ details. The proposed image moments based framework can be extended to
the availability of several images from multiple sensors through the implementation of a simple fusion rule.
A model-based micro-Doppler algorithm is developed for the identification of helicopters. The approach relies on the proposed sparse representation of the signal scattered from the helicopter’s rotor and received by
the radar. Such a sparse representation is obtained through the application of a greedy sparse recovery framework, with the goal of estimating
the number, the length and the rotation speed of the blades, parameters
that are peculiar for each helicopter’s model. The algorithm is extended to
deal with the identification of multiple helicopters flying in formation that
cannot be resolved in another domain. Moreover, a fusion rule is presented
to integrate the results of the identification performed from several sensors
in a distributed radar system. Tests performed both on simulated signals
and on real signals acquired from a scale model of a helicopter, confirm
the validity of the algorithm.
Finally, a waveform design framework for joint radar-communication systems is presented. The waveform is composed by quasi-orthogonal chirp
sub-carriers generated through the Fractional Fourier Transform (FrFT),
with the aim of preserving the radar performance of a typical Linear Frequency Modulated (LFM) pulse while embedding data to be sent to a
cooperative system. Techniques aimed at optimise the design parameters and mitigate the Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI) caused by the quasiorthogonality of the chirp sub-carriers are also described. The FrFT based
waveform is extensively tested and compared with Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and LFM waveforms, in order to assess
both its radar and communication performance.This Thesis presents advanced signal processing solutions for Automatic
Target Recognition (ATR) operations and for spectrum sharing in distributed radar systems.
Two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) ATR algorithms are described for
full- and single-polarimetric images, and tested on the GOTCHA and the
MSTAR datasets. The first one exploits the Krogager polarimetric decomposition in order to enhance peculiar scattering mechanisms from manmade targets, used in combination with the pseudo-Zernike image moments. The second algorithm employs the Krawtchouk image moments,
that, being discrete defined, provide better representations of targets’ details. The proposed image moments based framework can be extended to
the availability of several images from multiple sensors through the implementation of a simple fusion rule.
A model-based micro-Doppler algorithm is developed for the identification of helicopters. The approach relies on the proposed sparse representation of the signal scattered from the helicopter’s rotor and received by
the radar. Such a sparse representation is obtained through the application of a greedy sparse recovery framework, with the goal of estimating
the number, the length and the rotation speed of the blades, parameters
that are peculiar for each helicopter’s model. The algorithm is extended to
deal with the identification of multiple helicopters flying in formation that
cannot be resolved in another domain. Moreover, a fusion rule is presented
to integrate the results of the identification performed from several sensors
in a distributed radar system. Tests performed both on simulated signals
and on real signals acquired from a scale model of a helicopter, confirm
the validity of the algorithm.
Finally, a waveform design framework for joint radar-communication systems is presented. The waveform is composed by quasi-orthogonal chirp
sub-carriers generated through the Fractional Fourier Transform (FrFT),
with the aim of preserving the radar performance of a typical Linear Frequency Modulated (LFM) pulse while embedding data to be sent to a
cooperative system. Techniques aimed at optimise the design parameters and mitigate the Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI) caused by the quasiorthogonality of the chirp sub-carriers are also described. The FrFT based
waveform is extensively tested and compared with Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and LFM waveforms, in order to assess
both its radar and communication performance
Exploring the Synergy: A Review of Dual-Functional Radar Communication Systems
This review paper examines the concept and advancements in the evolving
landscape of Dual-functional Radar Communication (DFRC) systems. Traditionally,
radar and communication systems have functioned independently, but current
research is actively investigating the integration of these functionalities
into a unified platform. This paper discusses the motivations behind the
development of DFRC systems, the challenges involved, and the potential
benefits they offer. A discussion on the performance bounds for DFRC systems is
also presented. The paper encompasses a comprehensive analysis of various
techniques, architectures, and technologies used in the design and optimization
of DFRC systems, along with their performance and trade-offs. Additionally, we
explore potential application scenarios for these joint communication and
sensing systems, offering a comprehensive perspective on the multifaceted
landscape of DFRC technology.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure
Integrated Sensing and Communications: Towards Dual-functional Wireless Networks for 6G and Beyond
As the standardization of 5G solidifies, researchers are speculating what 6G will be. The integration of sensing functionality is emerging as a key feature of the 6G Radio Access Network (RAN), allowing for the exploitation of dense cell infrastructures to construct a perceptive network. In this IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Commmunications (JSAC) Special Issue overview, we provide a comprehensive review on the background, range of key applications and state-of-the-art approaches of Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC). We commence by discussing the interplay between sensing and communications (S&C) from a historical point of view, and then consider the multiple facets of ISAC and the resulting performance gains. By introducing both ongoing and potential use cases, we shed light on the industrial progress and standardization activities related to ISAC. We analyze a number of performance tradeoffs between S&C, spanning from information theoretical limits to physical layer performance tradeoffs, and the cross-layer design tradeoffs. Next, we discuss the signal processing aspects of ISAC, namely ISAC waveform design and receive signal processing. As a step further, we provide our vision on the deeper integration between S&C within the framework of perceptive networks, where the two functionalities are expected to mutually assist each other, i.e., via communication-assisted sensing and sensing-assisted communications. Finally, we identify the potential integration of ISAC with other emerging communication technologies, and their positive impacts on the future of wireless networks
Emerging Approaches for THz Array Imaging: A Tutorial Review and Software Tool
Accelerated by the increasing attention drawn by 5G, 6G, and Internet of
Things applications, communication and sensing technologies have rapidly
evolved from millimeter-wave (mmWave) to terahertz (THz) in recent years.
Enabled by significant advancements in electromagnetic (EM) hardware, mmWave
and THz frequency regimes spanning 30 GHz to 300 GHz and 300 GHz to 3000 GHz,
respectively, can be employed for a host of applications. The main feature of
THz systems is high-bandwidth transmission, enabling ultra-high-resolution
imaging and high-throughput communications; however, challenges in both the
hardware and algorithmic arenas remain for the ubiquitous adoption of THz
technology. Spectra comprising mmWave and THz frequencies are well-suited for
synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging at sub-millimeter resolutions for a wide
spectrum of tasks like material characterization and nondestructive testing
(NDT). This article provides a tutorial review of systems and algorithms for
THz SAR in the near-field with an emphasis on emerging algorithms that combine
signal processing and machine learning techniques. As part of this study, an
overview of classical and data-driven THz SAR algorithms is provided, focusing
on object detection for security applications and SAR image super-resolution.
We also discuss relevant issues, challenges, and future research directions for
emerging algorithms and THz SAR, including standardization of system and
algorithm benchmarking, adoption of state-of-the-art deep learning techniques,
signal processing-optimized machine learning, and hybrid data-driven signal
processing algorithms...Comment: Submitted to Proceedings of IEE
Integrated Sensing and Communication Signals Toward 5G-A and 6G: A Survey
Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has the advantages of efficient
spectrum utilization and low hardware cost. It is promising to be implemented
in the fifth-generation-advanced (5G-A) and sixth-generation (6G) mobile
communication systems, having the potential to be applied in intelligent
applications requiring both communication and high-accurate sensing
capabilities. As the fundamental technology of ISAC, ISAC signal directly
impacts the performance of sensing and communication. This article
systematically reviews the literature on ISAC signals from the perspective of
mobile communication systems, including ISAC signal design, ISAC signal
processing algorithms and ISAC signal optimization. We first review the ISAC
signal design based on 5G, 5G-A and 6G mobile communication systems. Then,
radar signal processing methods are reviewed for ISAC signals, mainly including
the channel information matrix method, spectrum lines estimator method and
super resolution method. In terms of signal optimization, we summarize
peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) optimization, interference management, and
adaptive signal optimization for ISAC signals. This article may provide the
guidelines for the research of ISAC signals in 5G-A and 6G mobile communication
systems.Comment: 25 pages, 13 figures, 8 tables. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 202
A Comprehensive Overview on 5G-and-Beyond Networks with UAVs: From Communications to Sensing and Intelligence
Due to the advancements in cellular technologies and the dense deployment of
cellular infrastructure, integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the
fifth-generation (5G) and beyond cellular networks is a promising solution to
achieve safe UAV operation as well as enabling diversified applications with
mission-specific payload data delivery. In particular, 5G networks need to
support three typical usage scenarios, namely, enhanced mobile broadband
(eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive
machine-type communications (mMTC). On the one hand, UAVs can be leveraged as
cost-effective aerial platforms to provide ground users with enhanced
communication services by exploiting their high cruising altitude and
controllable maneuverability in three-dimensional (3D) space. On the other
hand, providing such communication services simultaneously for both UAV and
ground users poses new challenges due to the need for ubiquitous 3D signal
coverage as well as the strong air-ground network interference. Besides the
requirement of high-performance wireless communications, the ability to support
effective and efficient sensing as well as network intelligence is also
essential for 5G-and-beyond 3D heterogeneous wireless networks with coexisting
aerial and ground users. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of
the latest research efforts on integrating UAVs into cellular networks, with an
emphasis on how to exploit advanced techniques (e.g., intelligent reflecting
surface, short packet transmission, energy harvesting, joint communication and
radar sensing, and edge intelligence) to meet the diversified service
requirements of next-generation wireless systems. Moreover, we highlight
important directions for further investigation in future work.Comment: Accepted by IEEE JSA
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