/Modelling, Simulation and Algorithm Design for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging of Moving Targets

Modelling, Simulation and Algorithm Design for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging of Moving Targets

Leuven | More than two weeks ago

You will help creating high resolution radar images of moving targets

The usability of radars as imagers in modern autonomous vehicles has seen a significant increase in the past two decades towards achieving full autonomy. Mainly, millimeter-wave imagers are better than optical imagers when it comes to the all-weather operation capability as well as the ambient-light independence [1]. However, optical imagers come superior to millimeter-wave imagers in terms of angular resolution. The concept of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can be used in autonomous vehicles to achieve higher angular resolution [2],[3]. This is done by exploiting the motion of the platform on which the Radar is mounted.

IMEC has a vast on-going research project on automotive millimeter-wave radars. An initial tool has been developed to assess several imaging methods [4].

In this topic, the student will further develop the existing tool to support advanced SAR configurations and to include simulation compatibility with the case of 3D imaging of moving targets. Since conventional SAR techniques do not support non-cooperative moving targets, a priori knowledge of the motion parameters is normally assumed. The student will also develop SAR algorithms for handling the case of non-cooperative moving targets without a priori knowledge of their motion parameters.

Type of work: Modelling, simulation, and Radar signal processing.

The successful candidate will have the following skills:

- Ideally: knowledge of basic radar concepts and SAR imaging methods. Alternately, knowledge of wireless communications (physical layer) and beamforming.

- Proficiency with Matlab

- Basic signal processing

References:

[1] Patole, S. M., Torlak, M., Wang, D., & Ali, M. (2017). Automotive radars: A review of signal processing techniques. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, 34(2), 22-35.

[2] A. Albaba, A. Sakhnini, H. Sahli and A. Bourdoux, "Forward-Looking MIMO-SAR for Enhanced Angular Resolution," 2022 IEEE Radar Conference (RadarConf22), New York City, NY, USA, 2022, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/RadarConf2248738.2022.9764255.

[3] A. Albaba, S. Pollin, P. Wambacq, H. Sahli and A. Bourdoux, "Theoretical Angular Resolution of Forward-Looking MIMO-SAR Systems," 2022 19th European Radar Conference (EuRAD), Milan, Italy, 2022, pp. 53-56, doi: 10.23919/EuRAD54643.2022.9924641.

[4] Mohammadian, N., Furxhi, O., Short, R., & Driggers, R. (2019, May). SAR millimeter wave imaging systems. In Passive and Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging XXII (Vol. 10994, p. 109940A). International Society for Optics and Photonics.

Type of project: Thesis, Combination of internship and thesis

Duration: 6 months

Required degree: Master of Engineering Technology, Master of Engineering Science

Required background: Computer Science, Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering

Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact: Adnan Al baba (Adnan.Albaba@imec.be) and Hichem Sahli (Hichem.Sahli@imec.be) and Marc Bauduin (Marc.Bauduin@imec.be)

Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.