An FPGA-based signal processing system for a 77 GHz MEMS tri-mode automotive radar

An FPGA implemented signal processing algorithm to determine the range and velocity of targets using a MEMS based tri-mode 77 GHz FMCW automotive radar has been presented. In the developed system, A Xilinx Virtex 5 FPGA based signal processing and control algorithm dynamically reconfigures a MEMS based FMCW radar to provide a short-range, mid-range, and long range coverage using the same hardware. The MEMS radar incorporates two MEMS SP3T RF switches, two microfabricated Rotman lenses, and two reconfigurable microstrip antenna arrays embedded with MEMS SPST switches in addition to other microelectronic components. By sequencing the FMCW signal through the 3 beamport of the Rotman lens, the radar beam can be steered ±4 degrees in a combined cycle time of 62 ms for all the 3 modes. A worst case range accuracy of ±0.21m and velocity accuracy of ±0.83 m/s has been achieved which is better than the state-of-the art Bosch LRR3 radar sensor.