2D Mono Detection Spatially Super-resolved Microwave Imaging for Radar Applications

In this paper we present an advanced 2D novel microwave photonic approach to super resolved Radar imaging. Unlike synthetic aperture Radars (SAR) that require movement to improve resolution by synthetically increasing the antennas dimensions, our super resolved imaging solution not only does not require movement to synthetically increase the antennas dimensions but 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 which generate a projected plane at the far field zone. Setting an appropriate phase to each one of the antennas inputs, causes scanning of projected structured electromagnetic beam over the imaged object. Summing each azimuth cut of the reflections, received from the object at different frequencies can spatially reconstruct high resolution image of the object despite the fact that the receiving was done with small size antenna and only with a mono detector. Following several CST simulations, experiments and Matlab code based simulations, we are able to demonstrate reconstruction results having satisfying resolution enhancement factor.