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SUN Guanqun, ZHANG Fangzheng, and PAN Shilong. Research advances and applications of microwave photonic broadband vortex electromagnetic wave radar[J]. Journal of Radars, in press. doi: 10.12000/JR25263
Citation: SUN Guanqun, ZHANG Fangzheng, and PAN Shilong. Research advances and applications of microwave photonic broadband vortex electromagnetic wave radar[J]. Journal of Radars, in press. doi: 10.12000/JR25263
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Research Advances and Applications of Microwave Photonic Broadband Vortex Electromagnetic Wave Radar

DOI: 10.12000/JR25263 CSTR: 32380.14.JR25263
  • 1.

    College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, China

  • 2.

    School of Computer and Electronic Information, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China

Funds:  The National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant (62371446), The Shanghai Aerospace Science and Technology Innovation Foundation (SAST2024-023), The National Key Research and Development Program of China under Grant (2021YFB2800803), The Key Laboratory of Radar Imaging and Microwave Photonics (NUAA), Ministry of Education, under Grant (NJ20250001)
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    Abstract
  • Vortex electromagnetic (EM) wave radars utilize EM waves carrying orbital angular momentum to enrich target scattering information, thereby providing intrinsic in-beam azimuth resolution. Hence, this technology holds significant potential for advanced target detection and imaging. However, as sensing scenarios become more complex, conventional electronic vortex EM wave radars are increasingly limited by device bandwidth. Specifically, they encounter substantial challenges in broadband signal generation and control, making it difficult to achieve high range and azimuth resolutions simultaneously. Microwave photonics technology, with its inherent advantages of wide bandwidth, low transmission loss, and robustness against electromagnetic interference, is an effectivesolution to overcome these limitations. This paper reviews recent progress in microwave photonic broadband vortex EM wave radars, addressing the requirements for forward-looking imaging. The fundamental system architectures and imaging mechanisms are elucidated, followed by a critical analysis of the frequency-dependent characteristics of broadband vortex waves and their implications for imaging performance. Key microwave photonic enabling technologies, including broadband phase shifting, optical beamforming, and broadband signal generation, are summarized, and their advantages over traditional electronic schemes in terms of performance are highlighted. Based on these insights, typical system implementation schemes are described, and their high-resolution forward-looking imaging capabilities are demonstrated through proof-of-concept experiments. Finally, future development trends and research directions are discussed.

     

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