Foreign objects debris detection (FOD) on airport runways using a broadband 78 GHz sensor

This paper describes a compact broadband (73-80 GHz) mm-Wave front-end used for FOD detection application. The design philosophy of our system is to have several low-profile, low-cost mm-Wave sensors placed along the runway. Tests were conducted on the small airport of Aix Les Milles (south of France). High sensitivity and simultaneous objects detection capabilities were shown. Even very small objects like nuts were seen. The extension of the actual detection range is needed in order to go from 110 m (in the most favourable case) to 500 m.