157 research outputs found
Static Background Removal in Vehicular Radar: Filtering in Azimuth-Elevation-Doppler Domain
A significant challenge in autonomous driving systems lies in image
understanding within complex environments, particularly dense traffic
scenarios. An effective solution to this challenge involves removing the
background or static objects from the scene, so as to enhance the detection of
moving targets as key component of improving overall system performance. In
this paper, we present an efficient algorithm for background removal in
automotive radar applications, specifically utilizing a frequency-modulated
continuous wave (FMCW) radar. Our proposed algorithm follows a three-step
approach, encompassing radar signal preprocessing, three-dimensional (3D)
ego-motion estimation, and notch filter-based background removal in the
azimuth-elevation-Doppler domain. To begin, we model the received signal of the
FMCW multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar and develop a signal
processing framework for extracting four-dimensional (4D) point clouds.
Subsequently, we introduce a robust 3D ego-motion estimation algorithm that
accurately estimates radar ego-motion speed, accounting for Doppler ambiguity,
by processing the point clouds. Additionally, our algorithm leverages the
relationship between Doppler velocity, azimuth angle, elevation angle, and
radar ego-motion speed to identify the spectrum belonging to background
clutter. Subsequently, we employ notch filters to effectively filter out the
background clutter. The performance of our algorithm is evaluated using both
simulated data and extensive experiments with real-world data. The results
demonstrate its effectiveness in efficiently removing background clutter and
enhacing perception within complex environments. By offering a fast and
computationally efficient solution, our approach effectively addresses
challenges posed by non-homogeneous environments and real-time processing
requirements
Radars for Autonomous Driving: A Review of Deep Learning Methods and Challenges
Radar is a key component of the suite of perception sensors used for safe and
reliable navigation of autonomous vehicles. Its unique capabilities include
high-resolution velocity imaging, detection of agents in occlusion and over
long ranges, and robust performance in adverse weather conditions. However, the
usage of radar data presents some challenges: it is characterized by low
resolution, sparsity, clutter, high uncertainty, and lack of good datasets.
These challenges have limited radar deep learning research. As a result,
current radar models are often influenced by lidar and vision models, which are
focused on optical features that are relatively weak in radar data, thus
resulting in under-utilization of radar's capabilities and diminishing its
contribution to autonomous perception. This review seeks to encourage further
deep learning research on autonomous radar data by 1) identifying key research
themes, and 2) offering a comprehensive overview of current opportunities and
challenges in the field. Topics covered include early and late fusion,
occupancy flow estimation, uncertainty modeling, and multipath detection. The
paper also discusses radar fundamentals and data representation, presents a
curated list of recent radar datasets, and reviews state-of-the-art lidar and
vision models relevant for radar research. For a summary of the paper and more
results, visit the website: autonomous-radars.github.io
Motion Estimation and Compensation in Automotive MIMO SAR
With the advent of self-driving vehicles, autonomous driving systems will
have to rely on a vast number of heterogeneous sensors to perform dynamic
perception of the surrounding environment. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
systems increase the resolution of conventional mass-market radars by
exploiting the vehicle's ego-motion, requiring a very accurate knowledge of the
trajectory, usually not compatible with automotive-grade navigation systems. In
this regard, this paper deals with the analysis, estimation and compensation of
trajectory estimation errors in automotive SAR systems, proposing a complete
residual motion estimation and compensation workflow. We start by defining the
geometry of the acquisition and the basic processing steps of Multiple-Input
Multiple-Output (MIMO) SAR systems. Then, we analytically derive the effects of
typical motion errors in automotive SAR imaging. Based on the derived models,
the procedure is detailed, outlining the guidelines for its practical
implementation. We show the effectiveness of the proposed technique by means of
experimental data gathered by a 77 GHz radar mounted in a forward looking
configuration.Comment: 14 page
A New Wave in Robotics: Survey on Recent mmWave Radar Applications in Robotics
We survey the current state of millimeterwave (mmWave) radar applications in
robotics with a focus on unique capabilities, and discuss future opportunities
based on the state of the art. Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW)
mmWave radars operating in the 76--81GHz range are an appealing alternative to
lidars, cameras and other sensors operating in the near visual spectrum. Radar
has been made more widely available in new packaging classes, more convenient
for robotics and its longer wavelengths have the ability to bypass visual
clutter such as fog, dust, and smoke. We begin by covering radar principles as
they relate to robotics. We then review the relevant new research across a
broad spectrum of robotics applications beginning with motion estimation,
localization, and mapping. We then cover object detection and classification,
and then close with an analysis of current datasets and calibration techniques
that provide entry points into radar research.Comment: 19 Pages, 11 Figures, 2 Tables, TRO Submission pendin
Milli-RIO: Ego-Motion Estimation with Low-Cost Millimetre-Wave Radar
Robust indoor ego-motion estimation has attracted significant interest in the
last decades due to the fast-growing demand for location-based services in
indoor environments. Among various solutions, frequency-modulated
continuous-wave (FMCW) radar sensors in millimeter-wave (MMWave) spectrum are
gaining more prominence due to their intrinsic advantages such as penetration
capability and high accuracy. Single-chip low-cost MMWave radar as an emerging
technology provides an alternative and complementary solution for robust
ego-motion estimation, making it feasible in resource-constrained platforms
thanks to low-power consumption and easy system integration. In this paper, we
introduce Milli-RIO, an MMWave radar-based solution making use of a single-chip
low-cost radar and inertial measurement unit sensor to estimate
six-degrees-of-freedom ego-motion of a moving radar. Detailed quantitative and
qualitative evaluations prove that the proposed method achieves precisions on
the order of few centimeters for indoor localization tasks.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Sensors, 9page
Estudo de formas de onda e conceção de algoritmos para operação conjunta de sistemas de comunicação e radar
The focus of this thesis is the processing of signals and design of algorithms
that can be used to enable radar functions in communications systems.
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a popular multicarrier
modulation waveform in communication systems. As a wideband
signal, OFDM improves resolution and enables spectral efficiency in radar
systems, while also improving detection performance thanks to its inherent
frequency diversity. This thesis aims to use multicarrier waveforms for radar
systems, to enable the simultaneous operation of radar and communication
functions on the same device. The thesis is divided in two parts. The first
part, studies the adaptation and application of other multicarrier waveforms
to radar functions. At the present time many studies have been carried out
to jointly use the OFDM signal for communication and radar functions, but
other waveforms have shown to be possible candidates for communication
applications. Therefore, studies on the evaluation of the application of these
same signals to radar functions are necessary. In this thesis, to demonstrate
that other multicarrier waveforms can overcome the OFDM waveform
in radar/communication (RadCom) systems, we propose the adaptation of
the filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), generalized frequency division multiplexing
(GFDM) and universal filtering multicarrier (UFMC) waveforms for radar
functions. These alternative waveforms were compared performance-wise
regarding achievable target parameter estimation performance, amount of
residual background noise in the radar image, impact of intersystem interference
and flexibility of parameterization. In the second part of the thesis,
signal processing techniques are explored to solve some of the limitations
of the use of multicarrier waveforms for RadCom systems. Radar systems
based on OFDM are promising candidates for future intelligent transport networks.
Exploring the dual functionality enabled by OFDM, we presents cooperative
methods for high-resolution delay-Doppler and direction-of-arrival
estimation. High-resolution parameter estimation is an important requirement
for automotive radar systems, especially in multi-target scenarios that
require reliable target separation performance. By exploring the cooperation
between vehicles, the studies presented in this thesis also enable the distributed
tracking of targets. The result is a highly accurate multi-target tracking
across the entire cooperative vehicle network, leading to improvements
in transport reliability and safety.O foco desta tese é o processamento de sinais e desenvolvimento de algoritmos
que podem ser utilizados para a habilitar a função de radar nos sistemas
de comunicação. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
é uma forma de onda com modulação multi-portadora, popular em sistemas
de comunicação. Para sistemas de radar, O OFDM melhora a resolução e
fornece eficiência espectral, além disso sua diversidade de frequências melhora
o desempenho na detecção do radar. Essa tese tem como objetivo
utilizar formas de onda multi-portadoras para sistemas de radar, possibilitando
a operação simultânea de funções de radar e de comunicação num
mesmo dispositivo. A tese esta dividida em duas partes. Na primeira parte
da tese são realizados estudos da adaptabilidade de outras formas de onda
multi-portadora para funções de radar. Nos dias atuais, muitos estudos sobre
o uso do sinal OFDM para funções de comunicação e radar vêm sendo
realizados, no entanto, outras formas de onda mostram-se possíveis candidatas
a aplicações em sistemas de comunicação, e assim, avaliações para
funções de sistema de radar se tornam necessárias. Nesta tese, com a
intenção de demonstrar que formas de onda multi-portadoras alternativas
podem superar o OFDM nos sistemas de Radar/comunicação (RadCom),
propomos a adaptação das seguintes formas de onda: FBMC (Filter Bank
Multicarrier); GFDM (Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing); e UFMC
(Universal Filtering Multicarrier) para funções de radar. Também produzimos
uma análise de desempenho dessas formas de onda sobre o aspecto
da estimativa de parâmetros-alvo, ruído de fundo, interferência entre sistemas
e parametrização do sistema. Na segunda parte da tese serão explorados
técnicas de processamento de sinal de forma a solucionar algumas
das limitações do uso de formas de ondas multi-portadora para sistemas
RadCom. Os sistemas de radar baseados no OFDM são candidatos
promissores para futuras redes de transporte inteligentes, porque combinam
funções de estimativa de alvo com funções de rede de comunicação
em um único sistema. Explorando a funcionalidade dupla habilitada pelo
OFDM, nesta tese, apresentamos métodos cooperativos de alta resolução
para estimar o posição, velocidade e direção dos alvos. A estimativa de
parâmetros de alta resolução é um requisito importante para sistemas de
radar automotivo, especialmente em cenários de múltiplos alvos que exigem
melhor desempenho de separação de alvos. Ao explorar a cooperação entre
veículos, os estudos apresentados nesta tese também permitem o rastreamento
distribuído de alvos. O resultado é um rastreamento multi-alvo altamente
preciso em toda a rede de veículos cooperativos, levando a melhorias
na confiabilidade e segurança do transporte.Programa Doutoral em Telecomunicaçõe
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