Radar for tracer particles

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetics and Wave Propagation
• Radar Systems Engineering
• Robotics and Control Systems

Background:

• Accurate three-dimensional tracking of small objects is crucial for various applications, including robotics, surveillance, and scientific research.
• Traditional tracking methods may face limitations in precision, speed, or the size of detectable targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel radar system for continuous, three-dimensional tracking of a 5 mm spherical target.
• To demonstrate the system's capability in reconstructing target trajectories based on electromagnetic wave phase shifts and antenna geometry.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a 10 GHz (X-band) radar system with 1 W transmission power, operating in the near field.
• Utilizing an IQ-mixer to compare phase shifts of electromagnetic waves for determining relative target movement.
• Reconstruction of target trajectory in a 3D Cartesian system using calibrated azimuth and inclination angles of receiving antennae.

Main Results:

• Successful continuous three-dimensional tracking of a 5 mm spherical target was achieved.
• The radar system demonstrated the ability to accurately reconstruct trajectories for targets exhibiting circular and pendulum motions.

Conclusions:

• The developed X-band radar system offers a viable solution for high-precision, continuous 3D tracking of small targets.
• The methodology provides a robust framework for trajectory reconstruction applicable to dynamic motion analysis.