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W-Band Through-Wall Radar Using a High-Gain Frequency-Scanning SSPP Antenna
Zhenfeng Tian1, Jinling Zhang1, Wang Yan1
1College of Electronic Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China.
Micromachines
|November 27, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel W-band antenna for through-wall radar (TWR), utilizing spoof surface plasmon polaritons for efficient electronic beam scanning. The design significantly enhances gain and reduces system complexity for practical TWR applications.
Area of Science:
- Electromagnetics and Antennas
- Radar Systems Engineering
- Materials Science for RF Applications
Background:
- Traditional through-wall radar (TWR) systems often rely on bulky mechanical components like rotators and phase shifters, increasing complexity and cost.
- The W band (75–110 GHz) offers potential for high-resolution radar imaging but requires specialized antenna designs for effective beam control.
- Spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) offer a promising mechanism for guiding and radiating electromagnetic waves at lower frequencies than traditional surface plasmons, enabling novel antenna designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-gain, frequency-controlled beam-scanning antenna for W-band through-wall radar (TWR) applications.
- To leverage spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) on sinusoidally modulated reactance surfaces (SMRS) for efficient beam steering without mechanical parts.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of an integrated W-band TWR system using the developed antenna for effective through-wall imaging.
Main Methods:
- Design and fabrication of a W-band antenna utilizing SSPPs on SMRS with quasi-H-shaped metallic cells for beam scanning.
- Integration of a flared structure to enhance antenna gain.
- Development of a vehicle-mounted W-band TWR system incorporating the SSPP antenna and linear frequency modulation (LFM) for electronic scanning.
Main Results:
- The designed SSPP antenna achieved a significant gain enhancement of approximately 10 dB due to the flared structure.
- The antenna demonstrated a wide operating frequency band (92.8–97.6 GHz) with a reflection coefficient below -10 dB.
- A high scanning rate of 4.05°/% and a realized gain of 20.9 dBi were achieved, along with successful through-wall imaging up to 10 m for both stationary and moving targets.
Conclusions:
- The developed frequency-controlled beam-scanning SSPP antenna offers a high-gain, low-complexity solution for W-band TWR systems.
- The elimination of mechanical rotators and phase shifters significantly reduces system cost and complexity.
- The integrated TWR system demonstrates effective through-wall imaging capabilities, paving the way for advanced surveillance and reconnaissance applications.
