On the Leakage of FMCW Radar Front-End Receiver

As an accurate range measurement sensor, frequency-modulation continuous-wave (FMCW) radar receives wide research attention throughout years. One well-known challenges of the design of a high-performance FMCW radar is the well-recognized leakage problems associated with a homodyne receiver. In this study, the actual effect of free space leakage for a FMCW radar system-on-substrate is measured. The experiment principles and results are discussed in detail. Other sources of leakage within a FMCW radar receiver are also explained. The appropriate methods to reduce or remove these negative effects on the receiver performance are discussed as well.