An experimental study of novel scanning system suitable for UWB radar application

In this paper, we present a novel electrical antenna scanning system suitable for short-range UWB radars. We have developed our previously proposed UWB impulse array antenna (IAA) and experimentally verified its usefulness. This antenna scanning system features two new technologies. First, each antenna element is equipped with an impulse generator. Second, the time control between the antenna elements is realized by using tapped delay lines and by transmitting trigger signals. An experimental UWB array antenna and a trial radar have been designed and fabricated. The measurement results show excellent performance of this antenna as a scanning antenna and as a short-range radar system. Thus, it is expected that this UWB antenna scanning system will contribute to the performance improvement, size and cost reductions of short-range radar systems such as obstacle detectors, anti-collision sensors and through-wall radars.