2D mono detection spatially super-resolved microwave imaging for radar applications

In this paper, we present an advanced two-dimensional (2D) novel microwave photonic approach to super-resolved radar imaging. Unlike synthetic aperture radar that requires movement to improve resolution by synthetically increasing the antenna’s dimensions, our super-resolved imaging solution not only does not require movement to synthetically increase the antenna’s dimensions, it also allows this super-resolved sensing with only a single (mono) detector. The operation principle is based upon phased array antennas, which consist of four radiating horn antennas that generate a projected plane at the far field zone. The setting of an appropriate phase to each one of the antenna inputs causes scanning of the projected structured electromagnetic beam over the imaged object. The summing of each azimuth cut of the reflections received from the object at different frequencies can spatially reconstruct the high resolution image of the object despite the fact that the receiving was done with a small size antenna with only a mono detector. Following several CST simulations, experiments, and Matlab code-based simulations, we are able to demonstrate reconstruction results having a satisfying resolution enhancement factor.