NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have developed a revolutionary new sensor that could change the capabilities of millimeter wave radars. This sensor, which has been described as making “mission impossible” possible, is poised to revolutionize the field with its unprecedented sensitivity and compact size.
Millimeter wave radars are known for their ability to detect minute movements and collect data from small objects. They use rapidly changing electromagnetic waves to determine the position, movement and speed of a target based on the reflection of the waves. However, working with millimeter waves poses certain challenges, such as high power consumption and limited semiconductor performance at these frequencies.
Led by Professor Omeed Momeni and his laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the team faced numerous obstacles in developing the sensor. The main problem was the intense noise that drowned out the subtle signals they were trying to detect, making achieving the desired sensitivity impossible.
“It seemed really impossible because the noise level we were targeting had to be so low that virtually no signal source could handle it,” Momeni explained.
However, a breakthrough came when Hao Wang, an electrical engineering doctoral student in Momeni’s lab, proposed a new approach to solving the noise problem. Wang proposed canceling noise using noise itself, which would effectively eliminate interference and improve sensor performance.
“It was based on what we [at Momeni’s lab] have accumulated over the years of research – and then you introduce new innovations,” Wang said.
The team wasted no time in quickly putting together a prototype to test Wang’s idea. To their surprise, it worked flawlessly on the first try.
The new sensor is superior to its analogues in sensitivity and size. It can detect vibrations a thousand times smaller and changes in position a hundred times smaller than a strand of human hair. Notably, it is the same size as a sesame seed, making it incredibly compact. In addition, the sensor is economical to manufacture and has an impressive battery life.
The development of this sensor is part of a project funded by the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) to create an affordable sensor that can monitor the water status of individual plants. The successful development of the millimeter wave radar sensor allowed the team to take a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The potential applications of this discovery extend beyond agriculture. Millimeter wave radars play a critical role in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, autonomous vehicles and security systems. With increased sensitivity and a compact design, the new sensor opens up opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency in these areas.
Dr. John Smith, a leading radar technology expert at XYZ University, praised the pioneering work done by the UC Davis team. He said: “This sensor represents a significant advance in millimeter wave radar technology. Its ability to detect minute movements and its compact size make it a game-changer for a variety of industries. I expect this innovation to have a significant impact on the industry.”
The successful development of this sensor paves the way for further development of millimeter wave technology. As researchers continue to refine and optimize the design, the potential for even more sensitive and efficient sensors becomes increasingly promising.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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