94 GHz 3D-imaging radar for sensor-based locomotion

A millimeter-wave pulse Doppler radar sensor at 94 GHz with full 360° × 40° field of vision and resolution of 25 cm in each dimension, which is suitable for sensor-based locomotion of autonomous vehicles, has been developed. Several near-field 3-D images of realistic indoor environments demonstrate the feasibility of real-time collision avoidance and navigation by such high-resolution 3-D radar imaging. A demonstrator vehicle equipped with a scanning laser camera for the very close range and a multitask millimeter-wave radar providing 3-D real-time information in the range from 1.4 m to 50 m is set up to perform autonomous sensor-based locomotion in industrial indoor environments. Results are discussed with respect to the visibility of typical millimeter-wave scattering phenomena as well as with respect to the potential identification of object contours and zones free of obstacles.