Programmable ultrawideband signal generator for electromagnetic susceptibility testing

Under Phase I of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Networking in Extreme Environments (NETEX) initiative, Multispectral Solutions, Inc. (MSSI) was tasked with the development of a general-purpose, ultrawideband hardware simulator capable of reproducing a wide variety of ultrawideband (UWB) waveforms. The simulator, with UWB outputs from baseband through millimeter wave, was to be used for the purpose of electromagnetic susceptibility testing of legacy military radio, radar, and positioning systems. The ultimate goal of this portion of the Phase I program was the quantitative determination of those UWB parameters (e.g., frequency, power, pulse rate, pulse shape, dithering, etc.) which had the least impact on the operational performance of legacy designs. This describes the development of the MSSI NETEX UWB simulator (BFP1000).     

The UWB (impulse) radar caper or `punishment of the innocent'

The author describes his experiences chairing a panel to review ultrawideband (UWB), or impulse, radar. The panel's report pointed out the fallacies in the proposals of the extremists pushing the rapid development of such a radar, noted the very good work of the real contributors, and made several recommendations. Pressure from the extremists led to an investigation by the Inspector General of the US Department of Defense of the panel and its members. That investigation found no basis for the allegations and concluded that the panel's report was credible and the panel balanced     

Ultra-wideband impulse radar-an overview of the principles

Over the past decade, extensive research work has been carried out to develop the ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for radar applications, and to resolve the practical challenges in implementing an efficient UWB radar system. In this paper, we present an overview of the basic principles of UWB impulse radar. The focus is on the principles of UWB signal generation, impulse radiation, waveform design, pulse compression, range-velocity resolution (ambiguity function), array beamforming, and radar-target signature     

Ultrawideband microwave-radar conceptual design

This paper outlines the special considerations that characterize the design of an UWB radar for the detection of low-altitude missiles over the sea. It discusses the factors which enter into the choice of frequency, and the selection of the transmitter, antenna, and receiver. Reviewed are signal processing issues concerning detection of UWB signals in noise and clutter, nondoppler MTI based on the pulse-to-pulse change in range due to target motion, measurement of target height based on multipath time delay, and target recognition. As the investigation progressed, the authors became disappointed with the available UWB technology, but encouraged about the potential advantages of UWB for this application. The chief limitation of UWB radar that must be overcome before applications are viable is its poor electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)     

Short-distance ultra wideband radars

The possibility of ultrawideband (UWB) radar usage in various fields for remote measuring the object's motion at short distance is considered. Application of UWB radar in medicine for remote measuring of patient's heart activity and respiration is shown. The measuring method is described and practical results of tests are cited. The opportunity of radar application in other areas is described.     

Ultrawideband radar special features & terminology

UWB radar has evolved in the fifteen years since DARPA proposed the present frequency-based definition. We suggest the UWB radar definition should reflect the physical features and practical applications. We propose a revised definition: an ultra wideband radar is a radar set which has a range resolution (/spl Delta/r) much smaller than the target length L along the radiated direction.     

UWB radars in medicine

Applied research on biomedical applications of UWB radar is targeted to the identification of the possible new devices made possible by the technology, to the design and development of those devices, and to the clinical testing of the systems obtained. Applications can be divided into two main sectors according to the frequency range used. For the conventional UWB radar microwave region: cardiac biomechanics assessment; chest movements assessment OSA (obstructive sleep apnoea) monitors; soft-tissue biomechanics research; heart imaging ("Holter type" echocardiography); chest imaging. Together with systems for: cardiac monitoring; respiratory monitoring; SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) monitor; vocal tract studying. If an IR laser diode is used as the antenna, a more common radar is obtained (actually a hybrid between a narrow band and a wide band radar) which emits a short packet of electromagnetic waves whose echoes are sampled using conventional UWB receiver equipped with a PIN photodiode. Possibilities include: non-invasive biochemical study of soft tissues, non-invasive study of metabolic processes, and IR spectral imaging     

Multipath and ground clutter analysis for a UWB noise radar

An ultrawideband (UWB) random-noise radar operating in the 1-2 GHz frequency band has been developed and field-tested up to a 200 m range at the Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory (ERSL) of the University of Nebraska. A unique heterodyne correlation technique based on a delayed transmitted waveform using a photonic delay line has been used to inject coherence within this system. The performance of this radar in the presence of ground reflections is investigated analytically and experimentally, and the mitigating effects of UWB waveform on multipath-induced interference are analyzed. In addition, the ground clutter statistics, in a look-down mode, are theoretically established and experimentally verified. The performance of this radar in detecting clutter embedded targets with small radar cross section (RCS) is also experimentally examined.     

Ten questions on UWB [ultra wide band radar]

Most radars now in use are narrow band systems with frequency bands much less than the carrier frequency. The theory and practice of current radar systems are based of this specific feature. But as is known, it is the frequency band that determines the information content of radar systems, as the volume of information transmitted per time unit is directly proportional to the frequency band. To raise the information capability of a radar system, the widening of its frequency band is needed. The only alternative approach is an increase in information transmission time. The actuality of this problem has determined rapid development in the last years of technologies using ultra wide band (UWB) signals. This paper describes the principles and features of UWB radar.     

Proposed UWB radar terminology

The term ultra-wideband (UWB) [which was formally defined by DARPA in 1990], for classifying an emerging technology in the field of radar and radio communications is synonymous with the following terms: baseband; video pulse; nonsinusoidal; carrierfree (carrierless); impulse; time-domain; super-resolution; ultra-high resolution; stealthy; spread spectrum; Rayleigh spectrum. The paper lists the terminologies that may be used for the emerging technology of UWB radar.     

FOPEN SAR imaging using UWB step-frequency and random noisewaveforms

The detection and identification of targets obscured by foliage have been topics of great interest. Several synthetic aperture radar (SAR) experiments have demonstrated promising images of terrain and man-made objects obscured by dense foliage, by using either linear frequency modulation (LFM) or step-frequency waveforms. We present here the methodology and results of a comparative study on foliage penetration (FOPEN) SAR imaging using ultrawideband (UWB) step-frequency and random noise waveforms. A statistical-physical foliage transmission model is developed for simulation applications. The foliage obscuring pattern is analyzed by means of the technique of paired echoes. The results of the comparative study demonstrates the ability of a UHF band UWB random noise radar to be used as a FOPEN SAR. Advantages of the random noise radar system include covert detection and immunity to radio frequency interference (RFI)     

RFI suppression for ultra wideband radar

An estimate-and-subtract algorithm is presented for the real-time digital suppression of radio frequency interference (RFI) in ultrawideband (UWB) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems used for foliage- and ground-penetrating imaging. The algorithm separately processes fixed- and variable-frequency interferers. Excision of estimated targets greatly reduces bias in RFI estimates, thereby reducing target energy loss and sidelobe levels in SAR imagery. Performance is demonstrated on data collected with the Army Research Laboratory's UWB rail SAR.     

NETEX UWB test results

The goal of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Networking in Extreme Environments (NETEX) program is to create a wireless networking technology for the military user that enables robust connectivity in harsh environments and support its integration into new and emerging sensor and communication systems. Phase 1, resulted in a thorough understanding of the effects of ultra wide band (UWB) system operation on existing military spectrum users based on modeling, simulation, and measurements. In order to accomplish this task, the DARPA Advanced Technology Office (ATO) procured a set of UWB emitters and broadband antennas to use as interference sources and contracted with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWC AD) Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E/sup 3/) Division to provide candidate victim systems from the existing (legacy) US naval aircraft and shipboard inventory for testing. Testing was conducted on seventeen legacy systems during October 2002 through March 2003. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the results of these tests. This paper will provide a brief discussion of the UWB emissions as described by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and describe the generic UWB emitter used for these tests. It will then provide a discussion of the results as they apply to the purpose of the NETEX program.     

Defense radar development in Australia: 1939 to the present

Defense radar research and development in Australia is today largely, but not exclusively, confined within Australia's Defense Science and Technology Organization, DSTO, and its R&D collaborators in universities. Radar has a long history in Australia, dating back to World War II links with British defense radar development, and radar R&D continues to be an important focus within DSTO. It is impossible, in the context of a brief conference paper, to give other than the broadest-brush picture of Australian radar development over a half-century or more. So the approach taken is necessarily highly selective and focuses specifically on several illustrative development projects, in an attempt to convey the flavor of national radar research priorities, the way they drive R&D and likely future directions. Despite the escalating requirement for a national skills base in defense radar and allied technologies, there are currently legitimate concerns about the robustness of this base. Recruitment of high-caliber researchers into the field of radar and management of radar research careers are issues currently presenting major challenges. A number of initiatives are in place linking DSTO with university research; a recent effort to enhance the stature and visibility of radar research in Australia is the establishment of the Centre of Expertise in Microwave Radar as a joint venture between DSTO and Adelaide University.     

Airborne array aperture UWB UHF radar-motivation and systemconsiderations

This paper discusses the necessity, feasibility, and technology of FOPEN GMTI. It argues that this functionality may be one mode in a multi-function UWB UHF system, which jointly possesses the capabilities for air target MTI and high resolution FOPEN SAR. The radar platform may be a UAV or an aircraft, whereas, we propose to use the push boom type of antenna mounting previously adopted with the advantage for the CARABAS II UWB VHF SAR. Presently, the push booms will hold a set of UWB UHF antenna elements. This paper relates GMTI to SAR, extended from imaging stationary ground to the 4-parameter set of targets in linear and uniform motion relative to ground. It is recognised that this extended imaging problem depends on one new parameter, i.e., the SAR focusing velocity. The required signal processing may be tackled in an efficient manner by a hierarchical scheme based on iteratively merging subapertures and increasing the resolution. Rejection of stationary clutter and detection occurs on all levels of increasing resolution. This paper also provides a brief presentation of the Swedish FOA efforts to produce an experimental demonstrator of this multi-function radar system     

UWB radar for human being detection

UWB radar for detection and positioning of human beings in complex environment has been developed and manufactured. Novelty of the radar lies in its large operational bandwidth (11.7GHz at -10dB level) combined with high time stability. Detection of respiratory movement of a person in laboratory conditions has been demonstrated. Based on experimental results human being radar return has been analysed in the frequency band from 1 GHz to 12 GHz. Novel principle of human being detection is considered and verified experimentally.     

UWB Radar for Human Being Detection

UWB radar for detection and positioning of human beings in a complex environment has been developed and manufactured. The novelty of the radar lies in its large operational bandwidth (11.7 GHz at -10 dB level) combined with high time stability. Detection of respiratory movement of a person in laboratory conditions has been demonstrated. Based on experimental results, human being radar return has been analysed in the frequency band from 1 GHz to 12 GHz. The novel principle of human being detection is considered and verified experimentally.     

Prescreening during image formation for ultrawideband radar

Standard radar image formation techniques waste computational resources by full resolving all areas of the scene, even regions of benign clutter. We introduce a multiscale prescreener algorithm that runs as part of the image formation processing step for ultrawideband (UWB) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. The prescreener processes intermediate radar data generated by a quadtree backprojection image former. As the quadtree algorithm iterates, it is resolving increasingly finer subpatches of the scene. After each quadtree stage, the prescreener makes an estimate of the signal-to-background ratio of each subpatch and applies a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector to decide which ones might contain a target of interest. Whenever the prescreener determines that a subpatch is not near a detection, it cues the image former to terminate further processing of that subpatch. Using a small database of UWB radar field data, we demonstrate that the prescreener is able to decrease the overall computational load of the image formation process. We also show that the new multiscale prescreener method produces fewer false alarms than the conventional two-parameter CFAR prescreener applied to the completely formed image     

P-3 ultra-wideband SAR: description and examples

Under the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)/ASTO sponsorship, through a contract from the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM) has developed an ultrawideband (UWB) very high frequency (VHF)/ultrahigh frequency (UHF) fully polarimetric airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for studying the detection of foliage-obscured objects. The radar is installed in the NAWC P-3 testbed aircraft and takes advantage of existing ERIM-built multimode, fully-polarimetric X/L/C-band SAR hardware. This paper describes the radar and presents some examples of its capabilities including polarimetric imagery and two-pass interferometric surface height estimates     

Doppler visibility of coherent ultrawideband random noise radar systems

Random noise radar has recently been used in a variety of imaging and surveillance applications. These systems can be made phase coherent using the technique of heterodyne correlation. Phase coherence has been exploited to measure Doppler and thereby the velocity of moving targets. The Doppler visibility, i.e., the ability to extract Doppler information over the inherent clutter spectra, is constrained by system parameters, especially the phase noise generated by microwave components. Our paper proposes a new phase noise model for the heterodyne mixer as applicable for ultrawideband (UWB) random noise radar and for the local oscillator in the time domain. The Doppler spectra are simulated by including phase noise contamination effects and compared with our previous experimental results. A genetic algorithm (GA) optimization routine is applied to synthesize the effects of a variety of parameter combinations to derive a suitable empirical formula for estimating the Doppler visibility in dB. According to the phase noise analysis and the simulation results, the Doppler visibility of UWB random noise radar depends primarily on the following parameters: 1) the local oscillator (LO) drive level of the receiver heterodyne mixer, 2) the saturation current in the receiver heterodyne mixer, 3) the bandwidth of the transmit noise source, and 4) the target velocity. Other parameters such as the carrier frequency of the receiver LO and the loaded quality factor of the LO have a small effect over the range of applicability of the model and are therefore neglected in the model formulation. The Doppler visibility curves generated from this formula match the simulation results very well over the applicable parameter range within 1 dB. Our model may therefore be used to quickly estimate the Doppler visibility of random UWB noise radars for trade-off analysis