Ultra wideband radar signal processor for electronically scanned arrays

U.S. Patent Number: 5351053

Abstract: A radar system that includes an ultra wideband radar signal processor for electronically scanned arrays that utilizes frequency offset generation (FOG) to achieve beam steering as compared with phase shift and time delay techniques of conventional radars. The device comprises a transmit antenna, a chirp generator connected to the transmit antenna and a first summing circuit, a receiver antenna connected to the first summing circuit, a Doppler de-ramping chirp circuit connected to a second summing circuit, the output of the second summing circuit connected to an amplitude and weighting circuit and the output of the amplitude circuit connected to a spectrum analyzer of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) circuit. The signal processing consists of mixing the target returns with the transmitted signal to obtain a video beat note signal. This video beat note signal is mixed with a Doppler de-ramping chirp waveform which is matched to the desired target velocity. The output is amplitude weighted and the FFT algorithm applied. To achieve beam steering for the detection of off boresight targets, a phased array with distributed receivers is required. Also, frequency offset generation must be incorporated into the Doppler de-ramping chirp generator.

Inventors: Wicks; Michael C. (Utica, NY), Brown; Russell D. (Holland Patent, NY)

Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air (Washington, DC)

Application Number: 08/100,649

Issued: 1994-09-27

Expired: 2006-09-27

Classes: 342/158 ; 342/140; 342/202; 342/372; 342/81

Field of search: 342/158,368,371,372,73,74,81,99,132,139,140,202

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