A novel mobile communication system using Pulse Position based Chirp Spread Spectrum modulation

The paper presents a new mobile communication system based on Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) transmission. The downlink modulation scheme is extended with Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) to carry data for multiple mobile terminals simultaneously. The described novel mechanism ensures reliable and robust communication between the parties, especially for terminals moving with high speeds or at long range. Furthermore, the proposed system take care of the uplink communication as well, where Closed-Loop Power Control (CLPC) is applied to handle the near-far problem and improve the performance of the system. Based on the attributes of the proposed system the application area covers sensor networks, IoT applications and Industry 4.0 as general field of LPWAN, however, mobility of terminals also considered.Analytical investigations for downlink communication are described focusing on the instantaneous symbol-error rate and average SER in Rayleigh fading channel. The results show that the proposed Pulse Position based Chirp Spread Spectrum technique for Multiple Access (shortly PP-CSS-MA) allows higher data rates that is used for the multiple access feature. In addition, numerical results are presented as well, and they point out the benefits of the applied CLPC mechanism. Finally, considerations regarding to the implementation of the proposed communication system are described

A novel mobile communication system using Pulse Position based Chirp Spread Spectrum modulation

The paper presents a new mobile communication system based on Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) transmission. The downlink modulation scheme is extended with Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) to carry data for multiple mobile terminals simultaneously. The described novel mechanism ensures reliable and robust communication between the parties, especially for terminals moving with high speeds or at long range. Furthermore, the proposed system take care of the uplink communication as well, where Closed-Loop Power Control (CLPC) is applied to handle the near-far problem and improve the performance of the system. Based on the attributes of the proposed system the application area covers sensor networks, IoT applications and Industry 4.0 as general field of LPWAN, however, mobility of terminals also considered.Analytical investigations for downlink communication are described focusing on the instantaneous symbol-error rate and average SER in Rayleigh fading channel. The results show that the proposed Pulse Position based Chirp Spread Spectrum technique for Multiple Access (shortly PP-CSS-MA) allows higher data rates that is used for the multiple access feature. In addition, numerical results are presented as well, and they point out the benefits of the applied CLPC mechanism. Finally, considerations regarding to the implementation of the proposed communication system are described

Simultaneous excitation systems for ultrasonic indoor positioning

The ultrasonic technology is a tool for indoor positioning systems (IPSs) and has been extensively used in many applications. In ultrasonic IPSs (UIPSs), the use of a chirp signal (in which the frequency varies with time) is widespread due to its capability to obtain high-range resolution through its time-frequency characteristic. It also provides an opportunity to design effective waveform diversity which has always been the key to mitigating multiple-access interference (MAI) in multi-user UIPSs. To explore this, we analyze the chirp signal from the signal design perspective, with the goal of developing a precise and efficient UIPS for multi-user environments. To achieve this, three waveform diversity design schemes are proposed in which all the benefits of the classical chirp, such as high-range resolution, are retained while all the transmitters can transmit chirp signals simultaneously. In each scheme, a linear chirp is divided into two linear sub-chirps with diverse durations and/or bandwidths. This process is optimized by selecting the concatenated sub-chirps that generate a waveform which has a high-range resolution and relatively low interference in the same scheme. Initially, the effectiveness of the proposed schemes is evaluated for five simultaneous excitation signals using several metrics and experimental results are then presented for the ultrasonic indoor positioning

The Discrete Linear Chirp Transform and its Applications

In many applications in signal processing, the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) plays a significant role in analyzing characteristics of stationary signals in the frequency domain. The DFT can be implemented in a very efficient way using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. However, many actual signals by their nature are non--stationary signals which make the choice of the DFT to deal with such signals not appropriate. Alternative tools for analyzing non--stationary signals come with the development of time--frequency distributions (TFD). The Wigner--Ville distribution is a time--frequency distribution that represents linear chirps in an ideal way, but it has the problem of cross--terms which makes the analysis of such tools unacceptable for multi--component signals. In this dissertation, we develop three definitions of linear chirp transforms which are: the continuous linear chirp transform (CLCT), the discrete linear chirp transform (DLCT), and the discrete cosine chirp transform (DCCT). Most of this work focuses on the discrete linear chirp transform (DLCT) which can be considered a generalization of the DFT to analyze non--stationary signals. The DLCT is a joint frequency chirp--rate transformation, capable of locally representing signals in terms of linear chirps. Important properties of this transform are discussed and explored. The efficient implementation of the DLCT is given by taking advantage of the FFT algorithm. Since this novel transform can be implemented in a fast and efficient way, this would make the proposed transform a candidate to be used for many applications, including chirp rate estimation, signal compression, filtering, signal separation, elimination of the cross--terms in the Wigner--Ville distribution, and in communication systems. In this dissertation, we will explore some of these applications

Multibeam radar system based on waveform diversity for RF seeker applications

Existing radiofrequency (RF) seekers use mechanically steerable antennas. In order to improve the robustness and performance of the missile seeker, current research is investigating the replacement of mechanical 2D antennas with active electronically controlled 3D antenna arrays capable of steering much faster and more accurately than existing solutions. 3D antenna arrays provide increased radar coverage, as a result of the conformal shape and flexible beam steering in all directions. Therefore, additional degrees of freedom can be exploited to develop a multifunctional seeker, a very sophisticated sensor that can perform multiple simultaneous tasks and meet spectral allocation requirements. This thesis presents a novel radar configuration, named multibeam radar (MBR), to generate multiple beams in transmission by means of waveform diversity. MBR systems based on waveform diversity require a set of orthogonal waveforms in order to generate multiple channels in transmission and extract them efficiently at the receiver with digital signal processing. The advantage is that MBR transmit differently designed waveforms in arbitrary directions so that waveforms can be selected to provide multiple radar functions and better manage the available resources. An analytical model of an MBR is derived to analyse the relationship between individual channels and their performance in terms of isolation and phase steering effects. Combinations of linear frequency modulated (LFM) waveforms are investigated and the analytical expressions of the isolation between adjacent channels are presented for rectangular and Gaussian amplitude modulated LFM signals with different bandwidths, slopes and frequency offsets. The theoretical results have been tested experimentally to corroborate the isolation properties of the proposed waveforms. In addition, the practical feasibility of the MBR concept has been proved with a radar test bed with two orthogonal channels simultaneously detecting a moving target

Compressive Sensing and Its Applications in Automotive Radar Systems

Die Entwicklung in Richtung zu autonomem Fahren verspricht, künftig einen sicheren Verkehr ohne tödliche Unfälle zu ermöglichen, indem menschliche Fahrer vollständig ersetzt werden. Dadurch entfällt der Faktor des menschlichen Fehlers, der aus Müdigkeit, Unachtsamkeit oder Alkoholeinfluss resultiert. Um jedoch eine breite Akzeptanz für autonome Fahrzeuge zu erreichen und es somit eines Tages vollständig umzusetzen, sind noch eine Vielzahl von Herausforderungen zu lösen. Da in einem autonomen Fahrzeug kein menschlicher Fahrer mehr in Notfällen eingreifen kann, müssen sich autonome Fahrzeuge auf leistungsfähige und robuste Sensorsysteme verlassen können, um in kritischen Situationen auch unter widrigen Bedingungen angemessen reagieren zu können. Daher ist die Entwicklung von Sensorsystemen erforderlich, die für Funktionalitäten jenseits der aktuellen advanced driver assistance systems eingesetzt werden können. Dies resultiert in neuen Anforderungen, die erfüllt werden müssen, um sichere und zuverlässige autonome Fahrzeuge zu realisieren, die weder Fahrzeuginsassen noch Passanten gefährden. Radarsysteme gehören zu den Schlüsselkomponenten unter der Vielzahl der verfügbaren Sensorsysteme, da sie im Gegensatz zu visuellen Sensoren von widrigen Wetter- und Umgebungsbedingungen kaum beeinträchtigt werden. Darüber hinaus liefern Radarsysteme zusätzliche Umgebungsinformationen wie Abstand, Winkel und relative Geschwindigkeit zwischen Sensor und reflektierenden Zielen. Die vorliegende Dissertation deckt im Wesentlichen zwei Hauptaspekte der Forschung und Entwicklung auf dem Gebiet der Radarsysteme im Automobilbereich ab. Ein Aspekt ist die Steigerung der Effizienz und Robustheit der Signalerfassung und -verarbeitung für die Radarperzeption. Der andere Aspekt ist die Beschleunigung der Validierung und Verifizierung von automated cyber-physical systems, die parallel zum Automatisierungsgrad auch eine höhere Komplexität aufweisen. Nach der Analyse zahlreicher möglicher Compressive Sensing Methoden, die im Bereich Fahrzeugradarsysteme angewendet werden können, wird ein rauschmoduliertes gepulstes Radarsystem vorgestellt, das kommerzielle Fahrzeugradarsysteme in seiner Robustheit gegenüber Rauschen übertrifft. Die Nachteile anderer gepulster Radarsysteme hinsichtlich des Signalerfassungsaufwands und der Laufzeit werden durch die Verwendung eines Compressive Sensing-Signalerfassungs- und Rekonstruktionsverfahrens in Kombination mit einer Rauschmodulation deutlich verringert. Mit Compressive Sensing konnte der Aufwand für die Signalerfassung um 70% reduziert werden, während gleichzeitig die Robustheit der Radarwahrnehmung auch für signal-to-noise-ratio-Pegel nahe oder unter Null erreicht wird. Mit einem validierten Radarsensormodell wurde das Rauschradarsystem emuliert und mit einem kommerziellen Fahrzeugradarsystem verglichen. Datengetriebene Wettermodelle wurden entwickelt und während der Simulation angewendet, um die Radarleistung unter widrigen Bedingungen zu bewerten. Während eine Besprühung mit Wasser die Radomdämpfung um 10 dB erhöht und Spritzwasser sogar um 20 dB, ergibt sich die eigentliche Begrenzung aus der Rauschzahl und Empfindlichkeit des Empfängers. Es konnte bewiesen werden, dass das vorgeschlagene Compressive Sensing Rauschradarsystem mit einer zusätzlichen Signaldämpfung von bis zu 60 dB umgehen kann und damit eine hohe Robustheit in ungünstigen Umwelt- und Wetterbedingungen aufweist. Neben der Robustheit wird auch die Interferenz berücksichtigt. Zum einen wird die erhöhte Störfestigkeit des Störradarsystems nachgewiesen. Auf der anderen Seite werden die Auswirkungen auf bestehende Fahrzeugradarsysteme bewertet und Strategien zur Minderung der Auswirkungen vorgestellt. Die Struktur der Arbeit ist folgende. Nach der Einführung der Grundlagen und Methoden für Fahrzeugradarsysteme werden die Theorie und Metriken hinter Compressive Sensing gezeigt. Darüber hinaus werden weitere Aspekte wie Umgebungsbedingungen, unterschiedliche Radararchitekturen und Interferenz erläutert. Der Stand der Technik gibt einen Überblick über Compressive Sensing-Ansätze und Implementierungen mit einem Fokus auf Radar. Darüber hinaus werden Aspekte von Fahrzeug- und Rauschradarsystemen behandelt. Der Hauptteil beginnt mit der Vorstellung verschiedener Ansätze zur Nutzung von Compressive Sensing für Fahrzeugradarsysteme, die in der Lage sind, die Erfassung und Wahrnehmung von Radarsignalen zu verbessern oder zu erweitern. Anschließend wird der Fokus auf ein Rauschradarsystem gelegt, das mit Compressive Sensing eine effiziente Signalerfassung und -rekonstruktion ermöglicht. Es wurde mit verschiedenen Compressive Sensing-Metriken analysiert und in einer Proof-of-Concept-Simulation bewertet. Mit einer Emulation des Rauschradarsystems wurde das Potential der Compressive Sensing Signalerfassung und -verarbeitung in einem realistischeren Szenario demonstriert. Die Entwicklung und Validierung des zugrunde liegenden Sensormodells wird ebenso dokumentiert wie die Entwicklung der datengetriebenen Wettermodelle. Nach der Betrachtung von Interferenz und der Koexistenz des Rauschradars mit kommerziellen Radarsystemen schließt ein letztes Kapitel mit Schlussfolgerungen und einem Ausblick die Arbeit ab.Developments towards autonomous driving promise to lead to safer traffic, where fatal accidents can be avoided after making human drivers obsolete and hence removing the factor of human error. However, to ensure the acceptance of automated driving and make it a reality one day, still a huge amount of challenges need to be solved. With having no human supervisors, automated vehicles have to rely on capable and robust sensor systems to ensure adequate reactions in critical situations, even during adverse conditions. Therefore, the development of sensor systems is required that can be applied for functionalities beyond current advanced driver assistance systems. New requirements need to be met in order to realize safe and reliable automated vehicles that do not harm passersby. Radar systems belong to the key components among the variety of sensor systems. Other than visual sensors, radar is less vulnerable towards adverse weather and environment conditions. In addition, radar provides complementary environment information such as target distance, angular position or relative velocity, too. The thesis ad hand covers basically two main aspects of research and development in the field of automotive radar systems. One aspect is to increase efficiency and robustness in signal acquisition and processing for radar perception. The other aspect is to accelerate validation and verification of automated cyber-physical systems that feature more complexity along with the level of automation. After analyzing a variety of possible Compressive Sensing methods for automotive radar systems, a noise modulated pulsed radar system is suggested in the thesis at hand, which outperforms commercial automotive radar systems in its robustness towards noise. Compared to other pulsed radar systems, their drawbacks regarding signal acquisition effort and computation run time are resolved by using noise modulation for implementing a Compressive Sensing signal acquisition and reconstruction method. Using Compressive Sensing, the effort in signal acquisition was reduced by 70%, while obtaining a radar perception robustness even for signal-to-noise-ratio levels close to or below zero. With a validated radar sensor model the noise radar was emulated and compared to a commercial automotive radar system. Data-driven weather models were developed and applied during simulation to evaluate radar performance in adverse conditions. While water sprinkles increase radome attenuation by 10 dB and splash water even by 20 dB, the actual limitation comes from noise figure and sensitivity of the receiver. The additional signal attenuation that can be handled by the proposed compressive sensing noise radar system proved to be even up to 60 dB, which ensures a high robustness of the receiver during adverse weather and environment conditions. Besides robustness, interference is also considered. On the one hand the increased robustness towards interference of the noise radar system is demonstrated. On the other hand, the impact on existing automotive radar systems is evaluated and strategies to mitigate the impact are presented. The structure of the thesis is the following. After introducing basic principles and methods for automotive radar systems, the theory and metrics of Compressive Sensing is presented. Furthermore some particular aspects are highlighted such as environmental conditions, different radar architectures and interference. The state of the art provides an overview on Compressive Sensing approaches and implementations with focus on radar. In addition, it covers automotive radar and noise radar related aspects. The main part starts with presenting different approaches on making use of Compressive Sensing for automotive radar systems, that are capable of either improving or extending radar signal acquisition and perception. Afterwards the focus is put on a noise radar system that uses Compressive Sensing for an efficient signal acquisition and reconstruction. It was analyzed using different Compressive Sensing metrics and evaluated in a proof-of-concept simulation. With an emulation of the noise radar system the feasibility of the Compressive Sensing signal acquisition and processing was demonstrated in a more realistic scenario. The development and validation of the underlying sensor model is documented as well as the development of the data-driven weather models. After considering interference and co-existence with commercial radar systems, a final chapter with conclusions and an outlook completes the work