According to the different WPs, the following work was performed in MAPS.
• WP1: The state of the art concerning arrays architectures was revised. In order to choose a possible candidate to accomplish the goal, we analyzed the impact of massive arrays side-lobes into detection performance for mapping and personal radars applications. In fact, the side-lobes of realistic radiation patterns might cause false target detection, or errors in the ranging procedure. Such output of WP1 was accounted for as an input for WP2.
• WP2: MM-wave backscattering channel measurement campaigns using massive arrays were performed and main multipaths components were retrieved and grouped in clusters through ad hoc algorithms. Then, we proposed a new channel model which put in relation the found parameters with the environment geometry.
Then, to counteract the side-lobe effect, the joint conception of a massive array mask and of a thresholding strategy robust to the presence of interferers in the side-lobes direction was investigated, accounting for the considerations in WP1. An example of map reconstruction using the proposed approach is reported in Fig-Loc. We also proposed an ad-hoc mapping algorithm accounting for massive arrays and capable to exploit all the raw measured data, and we investigated the impact of different design parameters into the environment reconstruction performance. An example of reconstructed scenario is shown in Fig-Map. Then, the theoretical position error bound (PEB) was derived for different beamforming strategies. We finally proposed a novel radar approach where the threshold is adaptive with the signals measured from the environment.
• WP3: We investigated the possibility to exploit mm-wave passive RFID by comparing its performance with that of UWB RFID and, successively, by showing the possibility to localize tags with a single reader operating beamsteering. To this purpose, we performed measurements by emulating the presence of a user who moves in an unknown environment and operates beamsteering to detect and localize the surrounding tags.
• WP4: Results and technologies previously found were then merged into a unique network in order to assess the possibility to have a user moving in an unknown scenario, capable to reconstruct the environment and localize tagged objects within it. A simulator performing off-line post-processing showed the feasibility of the proposed architecture.
● Dissemination
In the project proposal, a target of at least 3 journal papers submitted was indicated. At the end of the project, the target was achieved as 4 journal papers were published, 2 were under review and other 2 in preparation for submission. 8 conference papers with MAPS acknowledgment were accepted.
A contribution concerning the MAPS activity was also presented at the 1st technical IRACON COST meeting (
http://www.iracon.org/meeting/iracon-2nd-mc-meeting-and-1st-technical-meeting/(opens in new window)).
