Ultra-Wide Band Surveillance Radar

"This proposal seeks to investigate the feasibility of using a stepped frequency, wideband radar for the wide area surveillance of fixed and mobile assets. The proposed radar was developed with sponsorship from the National Institute of Justice forconcealed weapons detection, and is currently being used on an AFRL program to develop a wall penetrating, imaging sensor system.The proposed radar has a an operating frequency range of 250 to 3000 MHz giving it a range resolution of 5.5 cm. All of its waveform generation functions are under digital control allowing it to be used adaptively to enhance the information needed fordetection, classification, and tracking algorithms, and to avoid transmitting in critical operational frequency bands. It uses high volume, low cost, commercially available electronic components which will lead to low acquisition and lifecycle costs. Andits use of stepped frequency transmission provides simplified timing and control, enhanced jam immunity, and low probability of intercept. Successful completion of this program will result in a complete system simulation of our concept, identification ofcritical technology if any, and the design of a hardware experiment to demonstrate performance. This sensor concept is potentially extremely low cost, inherently survivable, and capitalizes on the rapid advances in computing technology made over the pasttwo decades. Potential applications include counter narcotic s