Experimental demonstration of a multi-target detection technique using an X-band optically steered phased array radar

Area of Science:

• Radar Systems Engineering
• Optical Engineering
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Phased array radars are crucial for advanced surveillance and tracking.
• Achieving high resolution and wide-angle beam steering simultaneously presents a significant engineering challenge.
• Optical beamforming offers potential advantages in bandwidth and speed for radar systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an X-band optically-steered phased array radar system.
• To demonstrate high-resolution detection capabilities for single and multiple targets.
• To evaluate the performance of wavelength-swept true time delay (TTD) beamforming.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of beamforming using the wavelength-swept true time delay (TTD) technique.
• Utilizing a linearly chirped X-band microwave signal for radar transmission.
• Employing signal compression at the receiver to enhance detection accuracy.

Main Results:

• Achieved a wide direction tuning range of ±54 degrees for the beam.
• Demonstrated a ranging resolution of up to 2 cm for multi-target detection over 4 m.
• Reported a small azimuth angle error of less than 4 degrees.
• Observed low magnitude ripple (±0.5 dB) and minimal delay error (0.13 ps/nm).

Conclusions:

• The developed optically-steered phased array radar effectively achieves high-resolution multi-target detection.
• The wavelength-swept TTD technique enables precise beam control with a wide steering range.
• The system shows promising performance for advanced radar applications requiring accurate tracking and imaging.