Simultaneous human detection and ranging using a millimeter-wave radar system transmitting wideband noise with an embedded tone

This paper describes a millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radar system that has been constructed to simultaneously range and detect humans at distances up to 82 meters. This is done by utilizing a composite signal consisting of two waveforms: a wideband noise waveform and a single tone. These waveforms are summed together and transmitted simultaneously. Matched filtering of the received and transmitted noise signals is performed to range targets with high resolution, while the received single tone signal is used for Doppler analysis. The Doppler measurements are used to distinguish between different human movements using characteristic micro-Doppler signals. Using hardware and software filters allows for simultaneous processing of both the noise and Doppler waveforms. Our measurements establish the mm-wave system's ability to detect humans up to and beyond 80 meters and distinguish between different human movements. In this paper, we describe the architecture of the multi-modal mm-wave radar system and present results on human target ranging and Doppler characterization of human movements. In addition, data are presented showing the differences in reflected signal strength between a human with and without a concealed metallic object.