Impact of Phase Noise on Range Estimation Accuracy in Harmonic FMCW Radar Systems

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of phase noise on range estimation accuracy in harmonic Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar systems. Harmonic FMCW radars offer advantages in many applications due to their ability to suppress clutter. However, phase noise, particularly in harmonic systems, presents a significant challenge by degrading range accuracy and increasing frequency measurement errors. In this study, a comprehensive theoretical model is developed to quantify the effects of phase noise on range estimation errors, providing a foundation for understanding its implications on system performance. This model is rigorously validated through both extensive simulations and real-world measurements, offering a holistic assessment of phase noise behavior under practical operating conditions. The results demonstrate that phase noise severely impacts range estimation accuracy, with its effects becoming more pronounced at greater target distances. These findings are further substantiated by experimental evaluations using a practical harmonic radar system, where the system’s range accuracy is analyzed under realistic conditions. This study provides valuable insights and design guidelines for mitigating its impact in harmonic FMCW radar architectures. The results highlight the necessity of advanced phase noise suppression techniques, including optimized hardware configurations and adaptive signal processing methods, to enhance performance in high-precision applications such as industrial positioning and biomedical sensing.