Extended range coverage of an imaging radar system with feed-mounted 94 GHz MIMIC HEMT low noise amplifier and external ILO

An airborne forward-looking radar has been developed and built to provide an image of an airport runway for a pilot who is landing his aircraft in zero- or low-visibility fog. The low transmitted power and the high noise figure of a homodyne FMCW front-end limit the range coverage of 94 GHz imaging radars to less than 1000 m. Using a combination of a 2-stage MIMIC, 94 GHz high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) low-noise amplifier and external ILO mounted at the feed locations, the improved imaging radar can produce visible runway images up to 3000 m away. The first FMCW runway images are shown to demonstrate the 94 GHz system resolution.<<ETX>>