The human eye cannot see through wood, paper, or plastic. But a compact radar with a modular design now makes it possible to see the invisible: The millimeter wave sensor penetrates non-transparent material. It transmits signals at frequencies between 75 and 110 GHz and can be applied in a broad range of areas, from flight safety and logistics to industrial sensor technology and medical technology.
Fraunhofer researchers are presenting a prototype of the radar at this year's Hannover Messe. They will be located at Stand D18 in Hall 2. Whether in snow clouds, dust, or fog, the radar is capable of measuring exact heights and distances to the ground. This radar works with millimeter waves at frequencies of 75 to 110 GHz, usually known as the W-band.
Even in situations of difficult visibility, it can identify small objects at a range of up to 3 kilometers. In contrast to optical sensors, the millimeter wave sensor is capable of penetrating all dielectrical, non-metallic and non-transparent materials, such as clothing, plastic surfaces, paper, wood, or even snow and fog. This makes the W-band radar suitable for a broad range of applications, from traffic controls and medical technology to logistics and industrial sensor technology. This includes, for instance, the monitoring of container ports or manufacturing processes.
