Ultra-wideband signal generation and fusion algorithm for high-resolution terahertz FMCW radar imaging

Abstract

The terahertz frequency modulated continuous wave (THz FMCW) imaging has proved to be a novel nondestructive testing (NDT) technology for non-metal materials, and the large bandwidth is usually required to meet high range resolution demands in many applications such as multilayer sample under test (SUT). However, broadband THz hardware is difficult to design. In this paper, an ultra-wideband THz FMCW generation method is proposed, which provides frequency modulation bandwidths of up to 386 GHz by time-division multiplexing. Furthermore, an ultra-wideband signal fusion algorithm (USFA) is also proposed and significantly improves the range resolution to 0.46 mm in air. Results from the artificially constructed multilayer structure demonstrate the superiority and effectiveness of our method quantitatively.