A two-dimensional electronically-steerable array antenna for target detection on ground

Abstract

Target-detection with a proof-of-concept electronically-steerable array (ESA) antenna is demonstrated in this paper. First, the clutter level is investigated by using vertically- and horizontally-polarized electric fields. Two metallic cylinders with different sizes are subsequently used as targets and are characterized using standard 15-dBi horn antennas. The bigger cylinder reflects about 3 dB higher power than the smaller one. A 2×2 ESA antenna is designed, fabricated and tested for two-dimensional beam steering. Unlike standard horn antennas that exhibit no electronic steering, the 2×2 ESA is able to identify a target location by steering the beam angle from -40 to +40 degrees, when the target is placed at -25, 0, and +25 degrees. The reflected power from each target is 5 dB less when illuminated by the proof-of-concept 2×2 ESA than when illuminated by the standard horn antenna. This is due to the 5.2 dB gain difference between the two antennas. The findings of this work show the potential of ESAs in target detection technology.