High Resolution Radar Solution for Vessel Traffic Services

In the 21st century, the rise in marine traffic at ports and other waterways highlights the pressing need for the utilisation of high-resolution radars to improve Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) efficiency. 

The increased presence of both small boats and ever-faster vessels, coupled with the requirement to ensure accurate target separation and dynamic hazard spotting, is causing conventional radar systems (X-band & S-band radars) to struggle to keep pace.  As a result, situational awareness, and response efficacy within VTS operations are compromised. To overcome these challenges, there is a need to integrate high-resolution marine radars operating within the W-band (76-77 GHz), to complement the traditional marine radars and provide high-resolution detection in all weather conditions. 

Long range radar sensors have long been a staple in Vessel Traffic Services, providing crucial data for various applications ranging from traffic management to port security. Traditional radar systems often require dedicated installation and mounting structures, including towers and fixed positions, which can be both costly and time-consuming to deploy. W-band radars on the other hand are much smaller and would require much less infrastructure overhead. 

While X-band radars offer long-range detection capabilities, they often sacrifice resolution for this extensive reach. This compromise in resolution can limit its effectiveness in scenarios where fine detail is crucial, such as in congested waterways where target separation in cluttered spaces is essential. Consequently, this limitation can hinder its utility in applications like ports and inland waterways: there is a gap in sensing capabilities.