SDR based radar demonstrator

Abstract

Software defined radio (SDR) based radar is a new radar concept, which provides great flexibility in waveform diversity for various radar applications. Waveforms for SDR based radar is generated from computer adaptively in real-time based on the environment needs. Compared with conventional modern radar, simplicity and real time reaction are the great advantages. Its background information, concept and architecture are studied for a better understanding of this new radar concept.

Sparse frequency waveform consists of some narrow stopbands sparsely distributed over the spectrum band. Some spectrum congestion problems can be solved by sparse frequency waveform. Sparse frequency waveform theory study, waveform generation by Matlab, realization by SDR based radar and measurement by spectrum analyzer have been done in this project.

Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar is widely used for range measurement. A SDR based FMCW radar demonstrator is integrated and tested. Simulation and experiment have also been conducted to measure target distance.

In this project, both the software and hardware parts of SDR based radar are studied. The softwares are: Matlab for waveform generation and FMCW radar simulation; National Instrument (NI) receiver and transmitter program to control the NI test system. Hardwares used are: National Instrument (NI) test system and Rohde & Schwarz vector signal generator for waveform realization; Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) 801 for SDR based radar demonstrator integration and Agilent PSA Series Spectrum Analyzer for measurement.