A circular synthetic aperture radar for on-the-ground object detection

Abstract

Detecting an on-the-ground object is a subject of interest for use in some applications. Foreign Object Detection (FOD), which is an important issue in aviation safety, is a possible application. In this way, radar imaging, has several inherent advantages over other on-the-ground object detection techniques. This paper will introduce a ground-based Circular Synthetic Aperture Radar, which detects and localizes various objects, based on their reflection properties of microwaves. Here, wideband Linear Frequency Modulated (LFM) chirp pulses are employed for the transmission and reception of reflection pulses, both to and from the object under test. Once the pulses are received by the radar, a processing algorithm (proposed later in this paper) is executed to confirm detection. In order to verify the validity of the model, a prototype was developed and a series of field experiments was carried out. The results show that the proposed system has the ability to detect and localize on-the-ground objects with dimensions as small as 2 cm high and 1 cm diameter, located several metres away. Furthermore, the resolution of the system was analysed and results indicate that the system is capable of distinguishing multiple objects in close proximity to each other, which therefore, makes it suitable for FOD applications by some small modifications.