High Resolution SAR Imaging Using a 240 GHz FMCW Radar System with Integrated On-Chip Antennas

Abstract

In this paper high resolution SAR imaging results are presented, recorded with a compact 240 GHz radar sensor. The sensor is based on a fully integrated SiGe MMIC including on-chip antennas, allowing an ultra-compact, lightweight, and low energy sensor solution. The use of modern high-speed SiGe technology allows a high operating frequency reaching from 198 GHz to 250 GHz. While the power consumption of the whole sensor is 3.5 W, the overall size is given by 58x46x18 mm³, resulting in an remarkable small and energy efficient sensor. Additionally, a calibration technique is used to compensate the frequency response of the system, allowing a range resolution close to the theoretical limit given by the modulation bandwidth of up to 52 GHz. Combined with the large antenna beam, which gives a high resolution in cross-range direction, an ultra fine image quality can be achieved.

A SiGe-Chip-Based D-Band FMCW-Radar Sensor With 53-GHz Tuning Range for High Resolution Measurements in Industrial Applications

“…As shown in Fig. 17(b) and (d), with a calibration [15] that characterizes the frontend, the resolution is improved to 3.84 mm. Without the window function, the radar achieves a resolution of 3.264 mm.…”

“…In addition to conventional ranging applications, 3-D radar imaging for non-destructive testing (NDT) has been getting more attention in a large variety of applications [10]- [15]. The investigation of fiber composite materials has shown to be challenging here, because of reflections inside the profiled material and the high demand of range resolution for layer separation.…”

Sensors and Sensor Fusion Methodologies for Indoor Odometry: A Review

“…For example, the InGaAs/InP Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) can detect the injection of a single photoexcited carrier. SiGe-based radar technology allows high-frequency operation, thus enabling better RF performances, and even high-resolution imaging is achievable with such sensors [ 15 ].…”

Broadband Antenna Design for Terahertz Communication Systems

“…As a result of simple design procedure, the rectangular patch, dipole, bow-tie and slot antennas are the most popular configurations employed in the design of OCA [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22]. The OCA patch antennas designed for a frequency above 300 GHz exhibits a gain of more than 2 dBi.…”