FM-CW radar for imaging applications

FM-CW radars operating in the millimeter wave or upper microwave bands can provide low cost, low power solutions for many applications requiring the resolution of targets separated by one meter or less in range. Range resolution of this quality is obtained by sweeping the radar output frequency over several hundred megahertz of bandwidth using modern techniques to achieve extremely good linearity. Because of the short wavelengths at millimeter bands, relatively good angular resolution is achievable with moderately sized antennas. Applications for FM-CW radar sensors include automotive collision warning systems, traffic monitoring, height profiling, terrain profiling, autonomous vehicle navigation, surveillance and site security systems where high resolution is required.