SISO-Radar-Only Vector Velocity Estimation Based on Clutter and Noise Analysis for Low-Cost Odometry and Self-Sustaining SAR Imaging

Reinecke M, Heidbrink M, Noegel T, Sura O, Vossiek M (2026)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2026

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Conference Proceedings Title: Proceedings of the IEEE Radar Conference

Event location: Phoenix, AZ

ISBN: 9798331560225

DOI: 10.1109/RadarConf2663773.2026.11674956

Abstract

High-resolution radar imaging is an essential capability in industrial and automotive environments, especially under harsh conditions such as smoke, dust, or adverse weather where vision-based systems fail. While Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) techniques can enhance angular resolution compared to stationary multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, they typically rely on ego-motion data from external sensors, which in turn often rely on GPS and highly precise time synchronization. This work introduces a novel approach that jointly estimates ego-motion and performs high-resolution imaging using only a low-cost, single-channel frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar. Unlike prior methods, this work exploits the different phase-structure of clutter and noise in the range-Doppler spectrum to recover the radar's two-dimensional velocity vector without the need for prior angle estimation or additional sensors, even in GPS-denied environments. The estimated motion enables Doppler beam sharpened imaging, effectively transforming a simple single-input single-output (SISO) radar into a dual-purpose system for both odometry estimation and imaging. Experimental results confirm that the method delivers precise velocity estimates and focused radar images though a compact, low-complexity sensor setup. This demonstrates the potential of SISO radar as a practical solution for environments where clutter is abundant and conventional odometry methods fail.

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How to cite

APA:

Reinecke, M., Heidbrink, M., Noegel, T., Sura, O., & Vossiek, M. (2026). SISO-Radar-Only Vector Velocity Estimation Based on Clutter and Noise Analysis for Low-Cost Odometry and Self-Sustaining SAR Imaging. In Proceedings of the IEEE Radar Conference. Phoenix, AZ, US: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

MLA:

Reinecke, Marc, et al. "SISO-Radar-Only Vector Velocity Estimation Based on Clutter and Noise Analysis for Low-Cost Odometry and Self-Sustaining SAR Imaging." Proceedings of the 2026 IEEE Radar Conference, RadarConf 2026, Phoenix, AZ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2026.

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