Software Defined Radar Frequency Stacking Bandwidth Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar systems are highly specialized, expensive, and difficult to reconfigure, limiting their multipurpose capabilities and reconfigurability.
Innovation Solution
The development of Software Defined Radar (SDRadar) systems that utilize commercial SDR hardware, enabling dynamic reconfiguration and high-bandwidth operation through frequency stacking techniques and RF Network on Chip (RFNoC) infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radar systems use specialized application-specific hardware designs, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly, and adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal radar platform using software-defined radio (SDR) hardware that can perform multiple radar functions through software configuration. The field-programmable gate array (FPGA) enables the system to be reconfigured for different radar applications, replacing specialized application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) with a reusable universal hardware platform that maintains measurement precision while reducing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional hardware-based radar signal processing with software-based processing on general-purpose computers and FPGAs. By substituting dedicated hardware circuits with programmable software solutions, the system achieves the same measurement precision without requiring complex specialized hardware designs, thereby reducing device complexity and improving adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional radar systems are designed for specific applications, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability and ease of reconfiguration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability by using software to change radar operating parameters, waveforms, and processing algorithms in real-time. The FPGA allows hardware reconfiguration without physical changes, enabling the system to adapt to different detection scenarios while maintaining measurement precision through software-controlled parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves adaptability by changing software parameters such as frequency, pulse width, gain, and processing algorithms rather than modifying hardware. This allows the radar system to be reconfigured for different applications (airborne, ground-based, maritime surveillance) while maintaining detection accuracy through precise software-controlled parameter adjustment.
3Reliability
If specialized radar hardware is used, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and cost increase, and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses commercially available SDR hardware platforms as copies of specialized radar systems, achieving reliable radar performance through software implementation rather than custom hardware manufacturing. This approach leverages existing reliable commercial components while avoiding the high costs and complexities of designing and manufacturing specialized radar hardware from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
By using universal SDR hardware platforms that can be software-configured for different radar applications, the system achieves reliability through proven commercial hardware designs rather than untested specialized components. This universal platform reduces manufacturing costs and improves ease of deployment while maintaining system reliability through software-controlled performance optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for software defined radar are disclosed. Exemplary systems utilize a frequency stacking bandwidth reconstruction technique for a stepped frequency signal to create a synthetic wideband waveform. The methods enable low-cost, reconfigurable applications such as ground penetrating radar or small unmanned aerial vehicle synthetic aperture radar platforms.