A Serial-Fed Antenna Implementation for 60GHz Millimeter-Wave Radar Altimetry on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has seen significant advancements, leading to its adoption across various sectors. In this paper, we present a radar antenna system designed around the Calterah-IE chip, which utilizes frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology and operates in the carrier frequency range of 61 GHz to 63 GHz. By employing a power divider, we have developed an 8×8 series-fed array antenna composed of eight elements arranged in eight columns, enhanced through specific feeding techniques and array configurations to bolster the antenna's gain and directivity for stable operation at 61 GHz to 63 GHz. Simulations have demonstrated the theoretical capability of an 8×8 Series-Fed Antenna Array system, with its narrow beamwidth, to provide accurate and stable altitude information for UAVs. Moreover, the antenna's compact size and lightweight design make it particularly suitable for integration into small UAV platforms.