New Technology and Applications on Millimeter-Wave Sensors

Some new technology and applications on millimeter-wave sensors are reviewed. A novel method of human presence detection using passive millimeter-wave (MMW) sensors is presented. The method focuses on detecting a standing human from a moving platform in a cluttered outdoor environment using MMW radiometry. Millimeter-wave stepped-frequency sensor and millimeter-wave interferometric sensor are completely realized using microwave integrated circuits (MICs) and microwave monolithic integrated circuits (MMICs). The millimeter-wave stepped-frequency sensor operates from 29.72 to 37.7GHz and has demonstrated abilities in surface and near-surface sensing, including profile mapping, liquid-level monitoring, and anti-personnel mine locating. The millimeter-wave interferometric sensor operates at 35.6GHz and has demonstrated its multi-functional capability for measurement of displacement and low velocity. A new radar sensor architecture comprising an array of transceiver modules. Target applications of the sensor are automotive driver assistance systems. Experimental results with an eight channel radar sensor in the 76-77GHz frequency band are presented, which demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed architecture and show the performance of the modulation sequence and signal processing. Finally the technical challenges of millimeter-wave sensor systems are discussed.