A Compact, Low Power Consumption, and Highly Sensitive 95 GHz Doppler Radar

Journal article (2020)

Authors

K.B. Cooper California Institute of Technology
Raquel Rodriguez-Monje California Institute of Technology
Robert Dengler California Institute of Technology
Corey J. Cochrane California Institute of Technology
M. Alonso Del Pino California Institute of Technology
Adrian Tang California Institute of Technology
Omkar Pradhan California Institute of Technology
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

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Abstract

We report on the architecture and performance of a highly sensitive 95 GHz Doppler radar instrument with 0.6Watt transmit power designed for low power consumption and small size. The radar's sensitivity is validated using a calibration target, and its remote sensing capabilities are demonstrated through the detection of clouds, rain, insects, and distant vehicles. The radar uses a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) waveform, a single antenna with ultra-high-isolation quasioptical transmit/receive duplexing, an InP low-noise amplifier for receiving, and a GaN power amplifier for transmitting. A DC power consumption of 22 W for the RF and digital subsystems is achieved, in part, by a combination of a power-efficient waveform generation/detection and signal processing board and a CMOS-based system-on-chip W-band oscillator. Excluding power supplies and a computer interface, the radar system mass is under 6 kg, making it attractive for future deployment from platforms with constrained accommodation resources.