Detection characteristic evaluations of optically-connected wideband 96 GHz millimeter-wave radar for airport surface foreign object debris detection

We have been developing a Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) connected wideband 96 GHz millimeter-wave radar system to detect small debris on the airport surface such as on runways. As the debris on the runway may cause damage to aircraft, they are required to be removed immediately. This paper discusses the detection characteristic evaluations of the developed 8 GHz frequency-modulated signal bandwidth 96 GHz radar system at an actual airport. The millimeter-wave radar transmission signals are transmitted by the RoF signal. In addition, the -20 dBsm metallic cylinder, which is located on the runway, is measured to investigate the detection characteristics. Then, the effects of the phase noise characteristics of the frequency-modulated continuous wave signal are investigated based on the measurement results.