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Sub terahertz geodesic lens antenna for imaging system

Programme
Discovery
Programme Reference
ETD 2020-08-b
Contractor
Université de Bordeaux
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
France
Sub terahertz geodesic lens antenna for imaging  system
Description

THz waves are demonstrated as an efficient tool for non-destructive testing (NDT) but remain time-consuming and complex to use, particularly for curved parts. One solution is the multi-beam topology, using Luneburg lenses. However, this solution is generally unpractical above 40 GHz due to significant insertion losses caused by the materials used to produce the required graded-index profile. The idea is to use a near field focusing geodesic lens, or a variant, called the water drop lens, for performance enhancement, which is a novel concept first disclosed in the declaration of invention ESA-PAT-709 in 2016 and already tested at microwave frequencies. A system study, with the involvement of R&D Vision and Ariane Space, will be performed at the beginning of the activity to consolidate the system architecture and signal processing associated, to provide a system fully in line with the needs of the defined applications. In this project, we propose, first, to make a design and experimental validation of this near-field geodesic lens antenna in the sub-THz range. Then, a second step is to combine the lens with a terahertz frequency modulated continuous wave radar working in the 122 GHz ISM band, in order to build a demonstrator for sub-terahertz imaging. This development is of interest for NDT of launcher and aeronautic parts, including development and maintenance phases, aiming at a reduction of the control time and costs, while increasing safety.  Even if single-pixel radars TRL is high, this geodesic antenna at terahertz frequencies and the integration with FMCW radar is at TRL 2-3, and the goal is to move to TRL 4, with a preliminary functional verification of the proposed system. To carry out this activity we propose an 15-month project with a cost of 175 k€ (90 k€ IMS& 85 k€ KTH). Compact multi-axis collision avoidance system could also be a spin-off application. Support of Ariane & RDVision are detailed in background.

Technology Domain
6 - RF Subsystems, Payloads and Technologies
Executive summary