AMBER: An X-band FMCW digital beam forming synthetic aperture radar for a tactical UAV

Author

van der Graaf, M.W. ; Otten, M.P.G. ; Huizing, A.G. ; Tan, R.G. ; Cuenca, M. Caro ; Ruizenaar, M.G.A.

Author_Institution

Radar Technol. Dept., TNO, The Hague, Netherlands

fYear

2013

fDate

15-18 Oct. 2013

Firstpage

165

Lastpage

170

Abstract

An X-band Digital Array Synthetic Aperture Radar for a Short Range Tactical UAV is presented. This system is demonstrated on a manned helicopter and motor glider. The Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radar principle in combination with digital beam forming over 24 receive channels is used to meet the stringent payload requirements of Tactical UAVs with respect to Size, Weight, Power and Cost. The paper presents the concept, key parameters (15 cm resolution, 5 km maximum range, 6 kg, 7×30×40 cm³ and 50W dissipation), functional capabilities and experimental results.

Keywords

CW radar; FM radar; airborne radar; array signal processing; autonomous aerial vehicles; helicopters; military radar; radar imaging; synthetic aperture radar; AMBER; FMCW digital beamforming synthetic aperture radar; frequency modulated continuous wave radar; manned helicopter; motor glider; power 50 W; short range tactical UAV; unmanned aerial vehicles; Image resolution; Payloads; Radar imaging; Radar tracking; Synthetic aperture radar; Target tracking; Affordable Multi Beam Radar. Short Range Tactical UAV; Digital beam forming; DriftLess™; Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave; Ground Moving Target Indication; Maritime Moving Target Indication; Synthetic Aperture Radar;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Phased Array Systems & Technology, 2013 IEEE International Symposium on

Conference_Location

Waltham, MA

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ARRAY.2013.6731820

Filename

6731820