Optimization of radar sensors through quantum algorithms

Faster data processing Quantum computers assist in processing radar data

2025-01-30 By Hendrik Härter| Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

With improved quantum algorithms, researchers aim to enhance the performance of future radar sensors and process data from radar systems more quickly. This also impacts radar remote sensing.

Improved quantum algorithms are intended to enhance the performance of future radar sensors and accelerate radar data processing.(Image: DLR) — Improved quantum algorithms are intended to enhance the performance of future radar sensors and accelerate radar data processing.
(Image: DLR)

Radar systems of the future are multi-platform and multi-sensor networks that must be operable in highly dynamic environments. An optimal distribution of tasks across sensors and sensor networks becomes a problem that can no longer be solved in real-time with classical computers. Quantum computers could provide a solution.

To make this possible, researchers in the QUA-SAR project (Quantum Computing for Radar Remote Sensing) are working to enhance the performance of future radar systems through the use of quantum computers. The main goals of the project are:

Enhancement of radar sensor performance,
Acceleration of radar data processing,
Optimization of the radar antenna,
Improved design of the transmission signal,
Suppression of ambiguities and
More efficient processing of large amounts of radar data.

In the QUA-SAR project, the DLR Institute for High Frequency Technology and Radar Systems is researching improved quantum algorithms to enhance the performance of future radar sensors and accelerate radar data processing. Alongside the DLR Institute for High Frequency Technology and Radar Systems, Hensoldt will support the project in developing realistic application and usage scenarios for interference suppression and quantum computer-supported resource management. It will contribute simulated and real data and present approaches to quantum machine learning (QML) that can be applied in both SAR and micro-Doppler-based classification and tracking.

Quantum computers are still limited in performance

At the first working meeting at the DLR site in Oberpfaffenhofen, Hensoldt, together with subcontractor Tensor AI Solutions and the DLR project team, presented the challenges and possible approaches for quantum computing: in quantum-optimized resource management and interference suppression, in tracking and micro-Doppler and SAR classification.

A central challenge discussed during the meeting is the currently still limited performance of the first quantum computers. To overcome this limitation, strategies were also discussed that enable achieving quantum advantage even with simple quantum hardware available in the near future.

More power for future radar systems

Quantum technologies are a dynamic research field for radar remote sensing. Both radar hardware and radar signal processing are being fundamentally advanced. In the QUA-SAR project, the potential of quantum computers is being researched and harnessed to solve complex processing and optimization tasks in radar remote sensing. Quantum computing, in particular, will allow for solving certain computationally intensive tasks in exponentially reduced time compared to classical computers in the foreseeable future. This is especially relevant for future radar systems that need to operate as multi-platform and multi-sensor networks in highly dynamic environments.

The QUA-SAR project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, promises a decisive advancement in radar resource management and could significantly influence the future of radar remote sensing. (heh)

The integration of artificial intelligence into satellites enables faster, autonomous decision-making processes and optimizes the use of data downlink bandwidths in space. (Image:AMD)

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.