High Resolution SAR Imaging Using a 240 GHz FMCW Radar System with Integrated On-Chip Antennas

In this paper high resolution SAR imaging results are presented, recorded with a compact 240 GHz radar sensor. The sensor is based on a fully integrated SiGe MMIC including on-chip antennas, allowing an ultra-compact, lightweight, and low energy sensor solution. The use of modern high-speed SiGe technology allows a high operating frequency reaching from 198 GHz to 250 GHz. While the power consumption of the whole sensor is 3.5 W, the overall size is given by 58x46x18 mm
³
, resulting in an remarkable small and energy efficient sensor. Additionally, a calibration technique is used to compensate the frequency response of the system, allowing a range resolution close to the theoretical limit given by the modulation bandwidth of up to 52 GHz. Combined with the large antenna beam, which gives a high resolution in cross-range direction, an ultra fine image quality can be achieved.