Integration of Backscatter Modulation in FMCW Radar Systems: Demonstration at 24 GHz with Slow and Fast Modulation Rates

Abstract:
This paper examines a cutting-edge approach that melds backscatter modulation principles with a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar system. Building upon radio-frequency identification (RFID) backscatter modulation techniques, we present a fusion of FMCW radar, a reflecting antenna and load modulation. This combination of backscatter communication with radar describes an alternative candidate to those being typically discussed within the field of joint communication and sensing. In this paper we describe the working principle by means of simulation and prove its feasibility by measurements with a radar operating at a frequency of 24 GHz. We thereby differentiate between a slow symbol rate, for which a data symbol spans one or more radar chirps, and a fast symbol rate with more than one symbol being modulated onto one radar chirp.