System Design of the Prototype Incoherent Scatter Radar at Nanchang University

Incoherent scatter radar (ISR) is the only ground-based instrument that can detect space plasma parameters from tens to thousands of kilometers above the earth. The Prototype Incoherent Scatter Radar System of Nanchang University, a versatile space detection radar, will be built at Nanchang University to detect the ionosphere over China in the end of 2013. Software-defined radio (SDR)-based and active phased antenna array are the two most significant features of this radar system. It can probe real time plasma parameters in the altitude range of the ionosphere (80-400 km) according to simulation. The novel ISR introduced in this letter has the advantages of low power, low cost, and modularization. When properly configurated, this system can also carry out coherent scatter detection and wind profile detection. Successful development of such an ISR will resolve the problem of continuous detection of ionospheric electric field and other parameters. This letter introduces the design of this software defined ISR prototype system.