Radar-based Security System: Implementation for Cluttered Environment

We present an experimental implementation of the inexpensive microwave security sensor that can detect both static and slowly moving objects in cluttered environment. The prototype consists of a frequency-modulated continuous wave radar sensor, control board or computer and software. The prototype was tested in a cluttered indoor environment. In case of intrusion or change of environment the sensor will give an alarm, determine the location of new object, change in its location and can detect a slowly moving target. To make a low-cost unit we use commercially available automotive radar and own signal processing techniques for object detection and tracking. The intruder detection is based on a comparison between current 'image' in memory and 'no-intrusion' reference image. The main challenge is to develop a reliable technique for detection of a relatively low-magnitude object signals hidden in multipath clutter echo signals. Various experimental measurements and computations have shown the feasibility and performance of the system.