Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for detecting a range and velocity of a target. In this method, an electromagnetic wave is transmitted over a frequency range, where a period of the wave comprises a number of consecutive ramps. A first ramp in the period is transmitted over a first portion of the frequency range, and a second ramp in the period is transmitted over a second portion of the frequency range that differs from the first portion. The second ramp is offset by a frequency shift relative to the first ramp. A scattered wave is received from the target and processed to determine the range and the velocity of the target. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for detecting a range and velocity of a target. In this method, an electromagnetic wave is transmitted over a frequency range, where a period of the wave comprises a number of consecutive ramps. A first ramp in the period is transmitted over a first portion of the frequency range, and a second ramp in the period is transmitted over a second portion of the frequency range that differs from the first portion. The second ramp is offset by a frequency shift relative to the first ramp. A scattered wave is received from the target and processed to determine the range and the velocity of the target. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a dual mode radar transceiver. The dual mode transceiver includes a plurality of transmit channels. Each of the plurality of transmit channels is adapted to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes a first combination of the plurality of transmit channels adapted to concurrently transmit outgoing signals. The second mode includes a plurality of different combinations of the plurality of transmit channels. Each of the plurality of different combinations has fewer transmit channels than the first combination. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an FMCW radar system and a method of operating an FMCW radar system to produce a linear frequency ramp. The FMCW radar system includes a VCO, a frequency divider coupled to the VCO output, followed by an A/D converter. A down-converter shifts the digitally converted signal to baseband samples, followed by a low-pass filter coupled to an output thereof. A VCO frequency estimator produces instantaneous VCO frequency estimates from phase differences determined from the filtered baseband samples. A D/A converter coupled to an output of the VCO frequency estimator produces an input signal for the VCO to produce therewith a linear VCO frequency ramp. A ?-? modulator is coupled between the VCO frequency estimator and the input of the D/A converter to produce a dithered VCO control signal, thereby increasing the effective number of bits of the D/A converter.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a dual mode radar transceiver. The dual mode transceiver includes a plurality of transmit channels. Each of the plurality of transmit channels is adapted to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes a first combination of the plurality of transmit channels adapted to concurrently transmit outgoing signals. The second mode includes a plurality of different combinations of the plurality of transmit channels. Each of the plurality of different combinations has fewer transmit channels than the first combination. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an FMCW radar system and a method of operating an FMCW radar system to produce a linear frequency ramp. The FMCW radar system includes a VCO, a frequency divider coupled to the VCO output, followed by an A/D converter. A down-converter shifts the digitally converted signal to baseband samples, followed by a low-pass filter coupled to an output thereof. A VCO frequency estimator produces instantaneous VCO frequency estimates from phase differences determined from the filtered baseband samples. A D/A converter coupled to an output of the VCO frequency estimator produces an input signal for the VCO to produce therewith a linear VCO frequency ramp. A ?-? modulator is coupled between the VCO frequency estimator and the input of the D/A converter to produce a dithered VCO control signal, thereby increasing the effective number of bits of the D/A converter.