Enhancing Angle Estimation Accuracy of Ultra Compact Two-Channel Radar MMICs at 160 GHz Using a Biomimetic Antenna Array

Gruner, Patrik; Chaloun, Tobias; Waldschmidt, Christian

doi:10.1109/mwsym.2019.8701007

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…5. The building blocks of the MMIC presented in this work are in parts based on the works in [11] and [26]. The MMIC incorporates an on-chip push-push-type voltagecontrolled oscillator (VCO) operating in the frequency range around 59 GHz and is stabilized by an on-chip integer-N phase-locked loop (PLL) (see the block "fixed-frequency PLL" in Fig.…”

Section: A Radar System Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The significantly narrower lobe of the ambiguity plot can also be noticed here, leading to a more accurate angle estimation. A statistical study on the angle estimation accuracy by performing 100 measurements with only one transmitter being active (SIMO case) was already presented in [26] showing an improvement in angular accuracy of around a factor of 2 for a phase gain of η = 4.…”

Section: B Radar Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultracompact Monostatic MIMO Radar With Nonredundant Aperture

Gruner¹,

Geiger²,

Waldschmidt³

2020

IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn.

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Monostatic multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar configurations using the same antenna array for transmission and reception inherently lead to redundant virtual antenna positions within the virtual MIMO aperture. This article presents a new method for designing monostatic MIMO radars where this disadvantage may be overcome and nonredundant virtual arrays are yielded by exploiting biomimetic antenna arrays (BMAAs). The new concept of biomimetic MIMO is introduced and thoroughly investigated in this article. Its working principle is compared with conventional monostatic MIMO and verified by radar measurements. The new approach is intended to improve the angle estimation capability of, in particular, small radar systems. Therefore, the concept is applied to an ultracompact twochannel radar monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) with fully integrated antennas for range and angle measurements in the 150-GHz range. The chip features two monostatic transmit-receive (TRX) channels with an antenna spacing of λ/4 and occupies less than 3 mm 2 of space. By applying biomimetic MIMO, a virtual aperture consisting of four unique antenna positions and an equivalent total size of around 1.5λ is achieved.

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Section: A Radar System Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: B Radar Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultracompact Monostatic MIMO Radar With Nonredundant Aperture

Gruner¹,

Geiger²,

Waldschmidt³

2020

IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn.

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“…2(a). The frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar signal is generated on a two-channel 160 GHz MMIC [23] and couples through a superstrate antenna and a self-aligning waveguide plug into the flexible dielectric waveguide. A Rohacell shell, fitting positively on the pin-shaped profile, is used to fix the flexible waveguide in the desired position.…”

Section: System Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The proposed radar system is based on a modified version of the two-channel silicon-germanium (SiGe) MMIC as presented in [23] (Fig. 2(b)).…”

Section: A 160 Ghz Radar Mmicmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multimodal Dielectric Waveguide-Based Monopulse Radar at 160 GHz

Geiger¹,

Gruner²,

Fischer³

et al. 2020

IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn.

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For highly integrated imaging systems above 100 GHz, the complexity and chip area increases significantly with increasing number of channels. In addition, bulky dielectric lenses prevent applications in spatially restricted surroundings. The presented concept of an imaging monopulse radar with a mechanically flexible front end reduces the required chip area and allows the antenna to be placed in any desired position apart from the sensitive electronics. The radar system is based on a two-channel 160 GHz microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) feeding a flexible dielectric waveguide. Depending on the angle of the incidence signal, a sum mode (HE11 mode) and a difference mode (HE21 mode) are excited in the dielectric waveguide. MMIC and waveguide are connected by a self-aligning transition reducing the requirements for packaging accuracy. The required chip area of the transition is only 0.022λ 2 with a spacing between the on-chip antennas of λ/4. The measured ambiguity-free region between −18 • and 15 • is defined by the modified elliptical lens antenna focusing in the E-plane only. A mechanical bending of the flexible waveguide is possible down to a radius of at least 2 cm without affecting the angle estimation capability.

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