Artificial lens for third-generation automotive radar antenna at millimeter wave frequencies
Résumé
A focusing system based on low-cost foam printed technology is investigated. The design is based on artificial lenses consisting of stacked parallel-plate waveguides of various lengths. The foam technology allows a single block configuration with the primary source. As the dimensions of the lens are at least 10λ0, full-wave analysis is not appropriate for fast design. A theoretical model based on ray tracing, Goudet's formula and using an array factor is proposed and validated by experiment. Simulations and experimental results show that the model is sufficiently accurate for fast design and optimisation. The low-cost technological solution proposed can potentially meet specifications for collision avoidance radar at millimetre-wave frequencies.