Characteristics of the high-performance highly digitized multi-purpose radar system GigaRad

Abstract

In the past years DLR has developed and operates a very versatile and modular high-resolution radar system for manifold applications. The so called GigaRad instrument [1] is an experimental system operating in X and Ku band, and can provide spatial resolution of a few centimeters. The waveform generation and reception in the baseband is performed by IQ modulation and demodulation, based on full digitization of the baseband signals in transmit and receive path. The system concept providing two transmit and two receive channels allows quasi monostatic, bi-static, or MIMO (multiple input multiple output) operation. The normal transmit waveform is a chirp, but also any other waveforms like noise ore orthogonal coded signals are possible [6]. Based on coherent system architecture and the realized degree of automation the applications of the instrument vary from RCS measurements, UAV detection to the Imaging of Satellites in Space (IoSiS). In this paper the basic system concept, the calibration procedure, and some applications of the instrument are outlined.