2D image fuzzy deconvolution and scattering centre detection: Model and real-time FPGA implementation for automotive application

A new non-conventional technique based on fuzzy deconvolution for scattering centre detection (F-SCD) is proposed together with its implementation in FPGA for real-time deployment in automotive collision avoidance application. F-SCD emulates the human being interpretation of radar images using fuzzy measurement of features of the radar Point Spread Function (PSF) differently from other classic detection techniques. The first stage of F-SCD detects signal from noise using image oversampling and binary integration technique. The second stage uses a fuzzy description of the radar PSF in order to discriminate among scatterers and side lobes in the radar image. The method/IP have been implemented in FPGA and tested with a FMCW 77 GHz radar prototype in real automotive benchmarks showing high POD, low FAR and high rejection of ambiguities even with poor time-space variant PSF.