Development of frequency modulated continuous wave radar antenna to detect palm fruit ripeness

Oil palm fruits farmers in Indonesia have determined the ripeness of oil palm fruits in the traditional way, namely using human eye visuals, which have the weakness of inconsistent levels of accuracy and are prone to errors. The development of increasingly sophisticated technology will help oil palm fruits farmers recognize the characteristics of fruit maturity. Advanced technology, such as frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, can assist farmers in accurately identifying fruit maturity. To ensure high accuracy and sensitivity, an antenna with low side lobe level (SLL), high gain, and wide bandwidth in the 23-26 GHz range is required. Using CST Microwave Studio 2023, a designed and simulated antenna achieved an SLL of 24 dB, a gain of 15 dBi, and a bandwidth of 2.5 GHz. These results indicate that higher gain enhances energy directionality and overall antenna performance. Additionally, a smaller angular value improves the antenna’s radiation focus, making it more effective for precision sensing in oil palm fruit ripeness detection.