Implementation of a frequency-scanning antenna for a radar system for detecting highly mobile small objects

Аuthors

Egorova E. D.^*, Ishchenko E. A.^**, Medvedev A. E.^***, Pasternak Y. G.^****, Proskurin D. K.^*****, Fedorov S. M.^******

Voronezh State Technical University, VSTU, 14, Moskovsky prospect, Voronezh, 394026, Russia

*e-mail: 1evgenia_egorova23@mail.ru
**e-mail: kursk1998@yandex.ru
***e-mail: medvedev.vzlomhik1999@mail.ru
****e-mail: pasternakyg@mail.ru
*****e-mail: rector@cchgeu.ru
******e-mail: zar36@yandex.ru

Abstract

At present, one of the most important and urgent tasks in modern radio electronics is the detection of small, highly mobile objects such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The increasing use of drones in both civilian and military applications has created significant challenges for radar surveillance systems, particularly due to their low radar cross-section (RCS) and ability to operate at low altitudes. To address these challenges, advanced radar systems must be developed with high resolution and rapid scanning capabilities, where the antenna system plays a crucial role. This paper presents a novel radar antenna design capable of frequency scanning in the azimuthal plane. The proposed system offers significant advantages over traditional mechanically scanned or phased-array antennas by eliminating moving parts and complex phase shifters, thereby improving reliability and reducing mechanical wear. The antenna achieves electronic beam steering through frequency modulation using an echelette diffraction grating, while pyramidal horns excited by single-wire transmission lines serve as efficient radiating elements. Through rigorous modeling using the finite element method (FEM), we investigated two configurations: a disc-rod single-wire line and an echelette-echelette line. Our analysis focused on key performance parameters including impedance matching, radiation efficiency, and beamforming characteristics. The optimized design demonstrates exceptional performance with a directivity exceeding 20 dB, making it particularly suitable for long-range detection applications. Operating in the X-band, the antenna provides a narrow beamwidth that enables precise target localization even in challenging environments. The proposed antenna offers several key advantages. Its frequency scanning capability enables rapid electronic beam steering without requiring mechanical rotation, significantly improving system response time. The simplified architecture eliminates the need for phase shifters or complex beamforming networks, reducing both cost and potential failure points. Furthermore, the narrow radiation lobe provides high resolution, significantly enhancing detection capability for small UAVs with low radar cross-sections. Experimental validation through comprehensive simulations confirmed the antenna's performance characteristics. Return loss (S11) analysis demonstrated stable impedance matching across the operational bandwidth, while radiation pattern measurements showed consistent beam steering with minimal sidelobe levels. These features make the proposed antenna a promising solution for modern radar systems tasked with countering low-observable aerial threats. Future work will focus on experimental prototyping and field testing to further validate the design for practical deployment in real-world surveillance and defense applications.

Keywords:

radar antenna, frequency scanning, antenna array, diffraction grating

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