Integrated millimeter-wave polarimetric radar receivers

Integrated millimeter-wave polarimetric radar receivers are currently under development. The receivers are based on dual-polarized annular slot-ring antennas. These antennas are fed from two orthogonal ports using uniplanar CPW lines which are compatible with planar low-noise amplifiers and mixers. The measured isolation between the two ports of the slot-ring is better than 25 dB at the resonant frequency of the antenna. The antennas are placed on a silicon dielectric lens in order to achieve high-gain, high-efficiency patterns. Millimeter-wave (90-100 GHz) measurements of the dual-polarized slot-ring antenna on a silicon dielectric lens are presented and agree well with theoretical results. Polarization agility can be achieved with a simple IF processing network. A 94 GHz fully polarimetric receiver based on this technology is presented.