S-band radar based on Lyrtech Software Defined Radio

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on the development of Sband radar using the Lyrtech Small Form Factor (SFF) Software Defined Radio (SDR) for generating the Chirp-Z signal. The Lyrtech SDR platform has a high speed AD/DA conversion board and a tunable RF board, which enable a flexible radar design. To achieve a functional radar system, the development kids of the SFF SDR have to be fully utilized. This paper introduces the usage of both software and hardware resources of the SDR for converting the SDR into a waveform-programmable radar, which can benefit the study of radar systems using generic SDR platforms. Based on our approach, we develop an S-band radar which is used to transmit a Chirp-Z radar waveform modulated on a 2.2GHz carrier. The structure and the development kits of the SFF platform are introduced, and the development of the S-band radar by using the development kits discussed. Finally, both transmitted and received Chirp-Z signals using the developed radar system are demonstrated.