A 243 GHz Direct-Conversion FMCW Transceiver for Radar Moving Target Signature Measurements

A prototype single-channel V-transmit V-receive (VV) frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) instrumentation radar operating near a center frequency of 243 GHz has been developed. The primary motivation for development of the radar is to support micro-Doppler signature measurements of moving targets at millimeter-wave frequencies. The transceiver employs a commercially available synthesizer evaluation module that directly drives both the transmitter and receiver x24 frequency multiplier assemblies. The receiver is a simple direct conversion architecture feeding a modest 5 MS/s data acquisition card or fast oscilloscope (up to 2 GS/s). The design and operation of the transceiver is presented in this paper along with measurement results of a reconfigurable multi-blade rotor assembly used to demonstrate system performance.