Advanced Phase Estimation and Design for Next-Generation Radar Systems: A Digital Approach

Abstract

Recent advancements in radar technology necessitate the development of effective digital designs to enhance productivity and reliability, thereby accelerating radar-based applications. This study focuses on the integration of highly accurate phase degree estimation, taking into account the diverse wireless standards prevalent in space applications. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) in the semiconductor industry, known for their adaptability and scalability, play a pivotal role in advancing space design modeling. This paper presents an analysis of various design challenges encountered in implementing radar systems, introducing a novel approach for milli-degree phase approximation coupled with hardware optimization. The research introduces an enhanced floating-point arithmetic model with double precision, specifically designed to address minute phase errors in time-variant analog signals. The system under investigation examines fundamental signals, including amplitude, frequency, and phase measurements, in relation to the developed sample blocks. High-performance phase approximation design methods proposed herein address issues associated with conventional phase detection and synchronization. To overcome performance trade-offs in traditional phase-detection designs due to signal frequency variations, a CORDIC-based iterative phase computing system is developed. Additionally, a phase correction mechanism is designed for precise milli-degree phase estimation. This comprehensive approach not only refines phase estimation techniques but also contributes significantly to the field of radar applications, particularly in the context of digital system design and signal processing.