Towards MIMO-Monopulse FMCW Radar for Automotive Applications using SIW Antennas

Substrate integrated waveguide slot antenna arrays are designed and employed for monopulse radar applications at microwave and millimetre-wave frequencies. This research shows the advantages of using 2x2 MIMO-monopulse radar processing opposed to a more conventional 2x2 MIMO radar. The developed technique, MIMO-monopulse is especially useful when resolving two targets positioned closely together as demonstrated in this research. Results show proof-of-concept for the developed radar system architecture, which operates at 24 GHz, but can easily be scaled to 77 GHz. Classical monopulse radar is commonly used for adaptive cruise control as it allows for a high angular resolution at long distances. Combining MIMO with monopulse can foster the many benefits of MIMO radar with the high angular resolution possibilities of monopulse processing.