Real-Time Circuit Reconfiguration for a Cognitive Software-Defined Radar Transmission: A New Paradigm in Spectrum Sharing

Abstract

Future radar systems will must adapt to dynamic frequency constraints while maximizing target detection range. However, the impedance termination providing optimum power changes significantly with frequency and array scan angle. To maintain good detection range over operating frequency and scan angle changes, we introduce the use of high-power reconfigurable circuitry between the transmitter power amplifier and transmit antenna. This tunable matching network and its fast tuning algorithms will be implemented under the control of a software-defined radio (SDR) platform to allow real-time optimization.