Validation of Quasi-Optical Antireflective Structures for Radar Lenses through Experimentation and Simulation

Abstract: This study focuses on designing, developing, and testing 3D-printed radar lenses with varying heights of Anti-Reflective (AR) structures (0.75mm, 1mm and 1.25mm). Radar lenses are essential to improve signal transmission and reception for radar systems. This study evaluates how effectively these lenses with AR structures perform in a 60 GHz radar system implemented on a printed circuit board to reduce losses and enhance accuracy, range, and resolution. The study also attempts to validate the reliability of the height-wavelength relationship theory. The lenses with various AR structures, heights and smooth surfaces were designed in SOLIDWORKS. The designed lenses were then imported to COMSOL software, and a simulation was performed. Then, the lens design was converted into a G-code with the printing instructions and printed in a 3D printer. The lenses were tested and measured alongside a radar source and reflector in the experimental setup. Tests and measurements in the Radar Fusion GUI software assessed the signal intensities of lenses with different heights, with caution to keep the experimental setup and the environment unaltered to get accurate results. The results of the COMSOL simulation and the experimental tests had similar outcomes, with the lens with an AR structure height of 1mm having the highest signal intensity. The findings also support the height and wavelength relationship theory, where the height of the AR structure and the wavelength depend on each other and emphasize the significance of lens design and height optimization to improve radar system performance and the efficiency of AR structures in boosting signal intensity.