Detection and Identification of Foreign Objects (Particles) in Aircraft Gas-Turbine Engines Using an OFDM–MIMO Radar System

Abstract

Gas-turbine engines of aircraft are highly sensitive to foreign objects entering the flow path, which can lead to severe engine damage or significant degradation of operational efficiency [1]. A promising approach for real-time detection and identification of such objects is the use of radar systems based on Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing and Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (OFDM–MIMO) technologies [4]. Developing such a radar requires achieving high range resolution, Doppler sensitivity, and robustness to multipath reflections, noise, and vibration. Moreover, extreme operational conditions—such as high air-flow velocity, temperature, and humidity may influence critical parameters, including the radar cross section (RCS) of detected particles.