Title :
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
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;
Conference_Titel :
Intelligent Transportation System, 1997. ITSC '97., IEEE Conference on
Conference_Location :
Boston, MA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-4269-0
DOI :
10.1109/ITSC.1997.660553
