Automated Hardware-in-the-Loop Modeling and Simulation in Active Sensor Imaging Using T16713 DSP Units

This paper presents a new methodology for the modeling and simulation of active sensor imaging systems using a hardware-in-the-loop technique based on TI6713 digital signal processor (DSP) units. The methodology centers on procedures to enhance the degree of automation in the modeling and simulation processes by taking the following actions: (1) improving the automated development of algorithms to compute the two dimensional (2D) discrete Fourier transform (DFT), (2) enhancing the use of 2D DFT algorithms in implementing active sensor image formation operations, and (3) estimating the ambiguity function as the impulse response function of active imaging systems using principles of time-frequency signal representation theory. These actions have produced significant results such as a 30% to 90% improvement in 2D DFT implementations over conventional techniques, enhancement on scalable techniques for computing the ambiguity function, fast implementation techniques for computing image formation operations using the 2D fast Fourier transform (FFT), and integrated MATLABcopy user's interfaces for the overall modeling and simulation processes.