C-band microwave photonic MIMO imaging system

Microwave imaging systems allowing the real-time scanning of short-range objects are difficult to implement on a large scale due to their complexity and cost. In such a context, we present the conception and experimental validation of a ultra-wideband multiple-input multiple-output radar using a microwave photonic system in the reception. The proposed receiver offers the simple way of multiplexing the signals reflected by the scene into a single acquisition channel, minimizing the redundancy of active systems commonly associated with the development of fast multiple-input multiple-output imaging systems. This operation is made possible by exploiting the particularly favourable integration properties of optical systems, combined with the development of innovative optical summing components. This approach is validated with experimental demonstrations of multiple-input multiple-output radars with up to 16 transmitters and 16 receivers.