A target detection and imaging system, comprising a RADAR unit and at least one ultra-low phase noise frequency synthesizer, is provided. The target detecting, and imaging system can assist other sensors such as LiDAR, camera to further detect and investigate objects on the road from distance. RADAR unit configured for detecting the presence and characteristics of one or more objects in various directions. The RADAR unit may include a transmitter for transmitting at least one radio signal; and a receiver for receiving the at least one radio signal returned from the one or more objects. signals. The ultra-low phase noise frequency synthesizer may utilize dual loop design comprising one main PLL and one sampling PLL, where the main PLL might include a DDS or Fractional-N PLL plus a variable divider, or the synthesizer may utilize a sampling PLL only, to reduce phase noise from the returned radio signal. This proposed system overcomes deficiencies of current generation state of the art RADAR Systems by providing much lower level of phase noise which would result in improved performance of the RADAR system in terms of target detection, characterization etc.

There is disclosed an apparatus comprising a first phase-locked loop comprising: a phase detector (302, 304), arranged to receive a reference clock signal (306) and a feedback clock signal (308) and to output a frequency control signal based on a phase difference between the reference clock signal (306) and the feedback clock signal (308); a variable-frequency oscillator (312, 314) arranged to output an oscillator signal having a frequency dependent on said frequency control signal; first divider circuitry (316) for generating said feedback clock signal (308) by frequency-dividing said oscillator signal; and second divider circuitry (320) for generating an output clock signal (3220 by frequency-dividing said oscillator signal; wherein a phase relation between said first divider circuitry (316) and said second divider circuitry (320) is adjustable to delay or advance said output clock signal (322) relative to said feedback clock signal (308). The apparatus may be a radar receiver or transceiver.

There is disclosed an apparatus comprising a first phase-locked loop comprising: a phase detector (302, 304), arranged to receive a reference clock signal (306) and a feedback clock signal (308) and to output a frequency control signal based on a phase difference between the reference clock signal (306) and the feedback clock signal (308); a variable-frequency oscillator (312, 314) arranged to output an oscillator signal having a frequency dependent on said frequency control signal; first divider circuitry (316) for generating said feedback clock signal (308) by frequency-dividing said oscillator signal; and second divider circuitry (320) for generating an output clock signal (3220 by frequency-dividing said oscillator signal; wherein a phase relation between said first divider circuitry (316) and said second divider circuitry (320) is adjustable to delay or advance said output clock signal (322) relative to said feedback clock signal (308). The apparatus may be a radar receiver or transceiver.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a very low intermediate frequency (VLIF) receiver with multi-decade contiguous radio frequency (RF) band coverage. Non-quadrature local oscillator (LO) signals drive mixers. The non-quadrature signals can be generated from low noise digital dividers having non-traditional division ratios. The non-traditional division ratios can be prime number ratios such as 5 and 7. The systematic non-quadrature nature of the LO/mixer can be subsequently corrected by a deterministic I-Q coupling network prior to complex signal processing.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a very low intermediate frequency (VLIF) receiver with multi-decade contiguous radio frequency (RF) band coverage. Non-quadrature local oscillator (LO) signals drive mixers. The non-quadrature signals can be generated from low noise digital dividers having non-traditional division ratios. The non-traditional division ratios can be prime number ratios such as 5 and 7. The systematic non-quadrature nature of the LO/mixer can be subsequently corrected by a deterministic I-Q coupling network prior to complex signal processing.

A non-integer divider for dividing the frequency of a signal is disclosed. A non-integer divider includes a first divider that divides the frequency of a first signal. A mixer is coupled to receive the first signal, and a second signal having a frequency equivalent to that output by the first divider. The mixer outputs a third signal having a frequency based on respective frequencies of the first and second signal. A second divider receives and frequency divides the third signal to produce a fourth signal. A ratio of the frequency of the first signal to the fourth signal is a non-integer value.

A non-integer divider for dividing the frequency of a signal is disclosed. A non-integer divider includes a first divider that divides the frequency of a first signal. A mixer is coupled to receive the first signal, and a second signal having a frequency equivalent to that output by the first divider. The mixer outputs a third signal having a frequency based on respective frequencies of the first and second signal. A second divider receives and frequency divides the third signal to produce a fourth signal. A ratio of the frequency of the first signal to the fourth signal is a non-integer value.

Clock circuits, components, systems and signal processing methods enabling digital communication are described. A phase locked loop device derives an output signal locked to a first reference clock signal in a feedback loop. A common phase detector is employed to obtain phase differences between a copy of the output signal and a second reference clock signal. The phase differences are employed in an integral phase control loop within the feedback loop to lock the phase locked loop device to the center frequency of the second reference signal. The phase differences are also employed in a proportional phase control loop within the feedback loop to reduce the effect of imperfect component operation. Cascading the integral and proportional phase control within the feedback loop enables an amount of phase error to be filtered out from the output signal.

A moving object detection circuit for detecting movement information of a measured object. The moving object detection circuit includes a mixing circuit, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, a mixing unit, and a distance detecting unit. The mixing circuit mixed the RF carrier signal and a first analog signal to generate a second analog signal. The first analog signal is generated by a signal reflected from the measured object. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit coupled to the mixing circuit for generating a digital signal according to the second analog signal. The mixing unit mixed an IF signal and a first/second IF carrier signal to generate a first/second signal. The distance detecting unit generated a detection result according to the first signal and the second signal. The detection result is corresponding to a distance between the measured object and the moving object detection circuit.

A moving object detection circuit for detecting movement information of a measured object. The moving object detection circuit includes a mixing circuit, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, a mixing unit, and a distance detecting unit. The mixing circuit mixed the RF carrier signal and a first analog signal to generate a second analog signal. The first analog signal is generated by a signal reflected from the measured object. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit coupled to the mixing circuit for generating a digital signal according to the second analog signal. The mixing unit mixed an IF signal and a first/second IF carrier signal to generate a first/second signal. The distance detecting unit generated a detection result according to the first signal and the second signal. The detection result is corresponding to a distance between the measured object and the moving object detection circuit.