Experimental feasibility study of 96 GHz FMCW millimeter-wave radar based upon radio-over-fiber technology-fundamental radar reflector detection test on the Sendai airport surface-

Based on radio-over-fiber (RoF) technology, we have proposed a novel architecture foreign object debris (FOD) detection system. The FODs on the airport surface may cause damage to aircraft and must be immediately removed. The optically-connected millimeter-wave radar with separated front-ends enables both low-cost and high-detection performance. In this paper, the feasibility and effectiveness of the 96 GHz optically-connected millimeter-wave radar is experimentally confirmed through the target detection test on the airport surface. The distributed millimeter-wave radar system, which is connected by the RoF converter, is fabricated. In addition, the radar reflectors, which are located on the apron of the Sendai airport, are successfully detected by the radar system.