Position estimation of thin, conducting plates at mm-Wave frequencies utilizing polarimetric effects

In this contribution, we address the position estimation of thin, conducting plates by means of a frequency-stepped continuous wave (FSCW) radar system. In particular, we focus on polarimetric scattering properties, introduced by an edge at the border of a conducting plate. To account for the edge's contribution to the overall FSCW radar signal, the method of equivalent currents is applied and finally the implemented scattering model is verified by measurements. Based on the scattering properties, a simplified signal model is deduced by the method of stationary phase. The proposed signal model can be used to precisely estimate the position of the edge if multiple measurements from spatially distributed positions are available.