Radar for tracer particles

TL;DR

This paper presents a 10GHz radar system capable of tracking a 5mm spherical target in three dimensions, using phase shift measurements and antenna calibration to reconstruct trajectories in real-time.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel radar-based tracking system for small spherical targets with 3D trajectory reconstruction capabilities.

Findings

Successfully tracked a 5mm target in 3D space

Demonstrated tracking of circular and pendulum motions

Discussed system's tracking accuracy and limitations

Abstract

We introduce a radar system capable of tracking a $5$mm spherical target continuously in three dimensions. The $10$GHz (X-band) radar system has a transmission power of $1$W and operates in the near field of the horn antennae. By comparing the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave traveling through the free space with an IQ-Mixer, we obtain the relative movement of the target with respect to the antennae. From the azimuth and inclination angles of the receiving antennae obtained in the calibration, we reconstruct the target trajectory in a three-dimensional Cartesian system. Finally, we test the tracking algorithm with target moving in circular as well as in pendulum motions, and discuss the capability of the radar system.