Publication

Revisiting 2D Frequency Scanning Arrays for Low-Complexity 3D Positioning in Spacecraft and IoT Applications

2026

Abstract

Determining the position of a target in 3D using a radar system provides several benefits over cameras, lidar and other sensors. Applications like spacecraft rendezvous rely on reliable target detection and 3D position, irrespective of light conditions. While phased array antennas and MIMO signal processing can be combined with radar architectures to provide 3D imaging information, they require additional hardware that increases system complexity and can become costly to verify. In this work, we propose a low-cost 3D radar positioning system based on a passive 2D frequency scanning antenna and low-cost PlutoSDR hardware. We establish the performance envelope of the PlutoSDR when used as a pulse compression radar. Finally, we validate the system through a 3D drone-based radar measurement campaign, demonstrating its attractiveness as a low-complexity solution for spaceborne or Internet-of-Things 3D imaging radars, as well as a low-cost radar technology demonstrator platform.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/411be50c-1471-47de-bafa-e3744b3c9d7a

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/411be50c-1471-47de-bafa-e3744b3c9d7a

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Phased array

In antenna theory, a phased array usually means an electronically scanned array, a computer-controlled array of antennas which creates a beam of radio waves that can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the antennas. In a simple array antenna, the radio frequency current from the transmitter is fed to multiple individual antenna elements with the proper phase relationship so that the radio waves from the separate elements combine (superpose) to form beams, to increase power radiated in desired directions and suppress radiation in undesired directions.

Radar

Radar is a radiolocation system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (ranging), angle (azimuth), and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It is used to detect and track aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, and motor vehicles, and map weather formations, and terrain. A radar system consists of a transmitter producing electromagnetic waves in the radio or microwaves domain, a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna (often the same antenna is used for transmitting and receiving) and a receiver and processor to determine properties of the objects.

3D scanning

3D scanner is the process of analyzing a real-world object or environment to collect three dimensional data of its shape and possibly its appearance (e.g. color). The collected data can then be used to construct digital 3D models. A 3D scanner can be based on many different technologies, each with its own limitations, advantages and costs. Many limitations in the kind of objects that can be digitised are still present. For example, optical technology may encounter many difficulties with dark, shiny, reflective or transparent objects.

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Revisiting 2D Frequency Scanning Arrays for Low-Complexity 3D Positioning in Spacecraft and IoT Applications

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