Radar retro-reflective patch for vehicle convoying applications

Author

Cavello, C. ; Baertlein, B. ; Young, J.

Author_Institution

ElectroSci. Lab., Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH, USA

fYear

1997

fDate

9-12 Nov 1997

Firstpage

667

Lastpage

671

Abstract

A retro-reflective patch antenna has been developed for radar-based vehicle following. Radar scattering from vehicles is strongly angle dependent at frequencies of practical interest, which complicates tracking. The antenna described here provides a strong, angle independent return that can be used as a stable aiming point. The antenna is a planar Van Atta array of dipoles with a multilayer stripline feed. The antenna´s size is comparable to a license plate, and it can be directly attached to the back wall of a van or truck. A description of the antenna´s design issues and measurements of its RCS are presented. The antenna described here is a microwave analog of the optical retro-reflector, and we expect it to find applications in many areas

Keywords

dipole antenna arrays; microstrip antenna arrays; radar antennas; radar applications; radar cross-sections; road vehicles; angle-dependent radar scattering; dipole array; multilayer stripline feed; optical retro-reflector; planar Van Atta array; radar retro-reflective patch; radar-based vehicle following; retro-reflective patch antenna; strong angle-independent return; vehicle convoying; Antenna feeds; Dipole antennas; Frequency; Patch antennas; Radar antennas; Radar applications; Radar cross section; Radar scattering; Radar tracking; Vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Intelligent Transportation System, 1997. ITSC '97., IEEE Conference on

Conference_Location

Boston, MA

Print_ISBN

0-7803-4269-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ITSC.1997.660553

Filename

660553