Slow-time multi-frequency radar for target detection in multipath scenarios

We propose a method to detect a target in the presence of multipath reflections, employing sequential transmission of multiple frequencies in a slow-time (pulse-to-pulse) approach. First, we develop a parametric measurement model that accounts for the multipath components at multiple frequencies as well as Doppler shifts. Then, we develop a statistical detection test and analytically evaluate its performance characteristics. Based on the performance analysis, we propose an adaptive algorithm to select the best combination from a subset of frequencies that maximizes the detection performance. Our numerical examples show that the sequential approach requires more coherent pulses to match the performance of the simultaneous usage of multiple carriers in OFDM format. We also study the extent of performance degradation due to employing a subset of available frequencies.