Open AccessApplication of Doppler beam sharpening for azimuth refinement in prospective low‐THz automotive radars
Author(s) -
Daniel Liam,
Stove Andrew,
Hoare Edward,
Phippen Dominic,
Cherniakov Mike,
Mulgrew Bernie,
Gashinova Marina
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
iet radar, sonar and navigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.489
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1751-8792
pISSN - 1751-8784
DOI - 10.1049/iet-rsn.2018.5024
Subject(s) - azimuth , beamwidth , terahertz radiation , sharpening , beamforming , beam steering , radar , radar imaging , antenna (radio) , computer science , optics , beam (structure) , acoustics , remote sensing , physics , geology , telecommunications , computer vision
In this study, the authors investigate the application of the Doppler beam sharpening (DBS) technique for angular refinement to the emerging area of low‐terahertz (THz) radar sensing. Ultimately this is to improve radar image quality in the azimuth plane to complement the excellent range resolution and thus improve object classification in low‐THz radar imaging systems for autonomous platforms. The study explains the fundamental theory behind the process of DBS and describes the applicability of DBS to automotive sensing, indicating the potential for synthetic beamwidths of a fraction of a degree. Low‐THz DBS was experimentally tested under controlled laboratory conditions, not only to accurately localised target objects in Cartesian space but also to provide unique object imaging at low‐THz frequencies with wide azimuthal beamwidth antennas. It was shown that a stationary (i.e. non‐scanned) wide beam antenna mounted on a moving platform can deliver imagery at least comparable to that produced by physical beamforming, be that steering arrays or narrow beam scanning antennas as in the experimental case presented.