Abstract
Abstract. In this contribution, the design of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar system in 77–81 GHz range with 18 transmitting antennas and 24 receiving antennas for measuring the height profile of bulk solids in silos, is presented and discussed. The antenna array topologies are optimized by utilizing space filling fractals in order to approximate a circular shaped antenna array on a hexagonal grid. The proposed MIMO radar system achieves an angular resolution of 3.1∘ for a maximum scanning angle of ±45∘ and a side lobe suppression of 12.6 dB. The performance of the system has been evaluated by test measurements on a sand heap, showing an improved measurement accuracy compared to conventional radar level systems.
Highlights
In the context of level measurement, determining the volume of bulk solids in silos by means of radar is a challenging task, due to the complex spatial structure of the bulk solid heap (Brooker et al, 2006; Nienhaus et al, 2009)
Since integrated radar chips are emerging in automotive applications, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems are appropriate to improve the accuracy of height profile measurements of bulk solids by realizing scanning radar systems using digital beam forming (Dahl et al, 2017a; Nienhaus et al, 2007; Zankl et al, 2015)
In the work presented here, fractal arrays have been adapted for realizing MIMO radar systems and the developed concept has been used and validated for radar level measurement applications
Summary
In the context of level measurement, determining the volume of bulk solids in silos by means of radar is a challenging task, due to the complex spatial structure of the bulk solid heap (Brooker et al, 2006; Nienhaus et al, 2009). Since integrated radar chips are emerging in automotive applications, MIMO radar systems are appropriate to improve the accuracy of height profile measurements of bulk solids by realizing scanning radar systems using digital beam forming (Dahl et al, 2017a; Nienhaus et al, 2007; Zankl et al, 2015). Fractal antenna arrays can advantageously be used to optimize the angular resolution and side lobe level of a MIMO radar system. This is achieved by combining sub arrays based on space-filling fractals in order to approximate circular shaped arrays on a hexagonal grid (Dahl et al, 2017b; Werner et al, 2004). In the work presented here, fractal arrays have been adapted for realizing MIMO radar systems and the developed concept has been used and validated for radar level measurement applications
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