Software-Defined Modular Radio

Vadum will develop a novel Software-Defined Modular Radar (SDMR) that integrates a high-dynamic range receiver, broad frequency coverage (400 – 6000 MHz), and re-configurable transmit waveform capability to enable operation across a broad spectrum of current and emerging radar applications beyond existing multi-mode radars.  The radar architecture is adapted from an existing Vadum high dynamic range RF test instrument design that uses frequency-agile software-defined cancellers to achieve up to 120 dB of receiver dynamic range in high power, nonlinear testing.  The Vadum canceller enables the SDMR to use quadrature down-conversion to realize full amplitude and phase capture of the radar return.  A novel combined swept carrier and complex baseband transmitter based on an existing Vadum radar design enables a full range of radar waveform generation, including FMCW with swept bandwidth up to 1 GHz, nonlinear (two-tone) FMCW, stepped-frequency, and modulated techniques.  Both the transmit and receive capabilities are scalable to enable multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) operation for radar imaging applications and passive broadband spectrum monitoring applications.