Wirelessly Networked Opportunistic Digital Phased Array: System Analysis and Development of a 2.4 GHz Demonstrator
Abstract
The concept of a wirelessly networked opportunistic digital phased array radar brings about the added advantages of stealth, enhanced survivability, and maximum maneuverability. The array elements are spread over a wide range of locations on the ship s hull and superstructure, and the Local Oscillator (LO) and data/control signals are wirelessly transmitted to and from a central computer processor, which also performs as the digital beamformer. As part of the ongoing research effort, this thesis focused on the hardware and software development of a 2.4 GHz two element array demonstrator. A system analysis of a generic distributed array radar was done and some key parameters pertaining to the Transmit/Receive (T/R) module and an eight-element array radar were calculated. In addition, the research analyzed the radar waveform properties, sampling and data rates, the digital beamformer concept and requirements, and assessed their impacts on the radar performance. Two Transmit/Receive (T/R) modules were built and a two-element array test bench developed using the various National Instruments Compact Reconfigurable Input and Output (cRIO) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) modules. The main software, written in LabVIEW, allowed the test bench to demonstrate the proper functionalities of transmission and reception of the T/R modules. The hardware and software code could be extended easily for an eight-element array radar. Lastly, a number of measurements to characterize the T/R module were done. No significant interference between the modulator and demodulator boards inside of the compact T/R module chassis was observed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA462570
Entities
People
- Eng C. Yeo
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School