Sub-THz RADAR Systems: Realistic Performance Trade-Offs Using Commercial Hardware

There's a growing need for high-bandwidth RADARs capable of high spatial resolution(better than 10 mm) over a wide span of target velocities. The bandwidth necessary to achieve these specifications requires operation in the terahertz or sub-terahertz bands. Widespread development of such RADAR systems would benefit defense, aerospace, imaging, and applications where LIDAR is not suitable(such as imaging through opaque media, turbid media such as fog, dust, and smoke, or where LIDAR presents eye safety concerns). However, sub-terahertz technology is just now maturing to the point where detection and ranging systems can be built piecewise from off-the-shelf components. This paper presents calculations, based on the capabilities of piecewise, commercially-available hardware, that estimate the capabilities of sub-terahertz detection and ranging systems. The results presented in this tutorial article will be valuable to the future design of sub-terahertz RADAR systems, including component design and evaluation of whether sub-terahertz systems can meet the requirements of various applications.