Beyond FFT: Precision Vibration Tracking with FMCW Radar and Kalman Estimators

This paper introduces a novel approach to fast and precise vibration tracking using Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar augmented with Kalman estimators. The escalating demand for high-precision sensing across diverse applications underscores the need for radar systems capable of tracking dynamic targets with unprecedented accuracy. Traditional FFT-based FMCW radars often fall short in achieving the requisite speed and precision for real-time fine vibration tracking. Leveraging the inherent advantages of FMCW radar and Kalman estimators, an innovative solution is proposed to address this challenge. This paper details the state-space equations for FMCW radar, outlining the integration of FMCW radar with Kalman estimators and analyzing the lower and upper bounds of the trackability. Simulation results validate the efficacy of the approach, demonstrating significant advancements in tracking dynamic targets.