Multi-Band Multi-Mode SDR Radar Platform

Young-Kil Kwag, Jung-Soo Jung, In-Sang Woo, *Myeong-Seok Park

School of Electronics and Information Engineering, * Radar Research Institute
Korea Aerospace University, Goyang-City, Korea
ykwag@kau.ac.kr, jsjung@kau.ac.kr, iswoo@kau.ac.kr, mspark@ kau.ac.kr

AbstractThis paper presents the design results of the most well-known SDR platforms [2]. The first application
multi-band, multi-mode software-defined radar (SDR) of USRP was applied to perform target detection.
system. The SDR platform consists of a multi-band RF
modules of S, X, K-bands, and a multi-mode digital modules However the USB interface between the host PC and
with a waveform generator for CW, Pulse, FMCW, and processor module limit the system performance [3]. The
LFM Chirp as well as reconfigurable SDR-GUI software most problems in development of SDR platform are
module for user interface. This platform can be used for
related to narrow bandwidth and low speed interface.
various applications such as security monitoring, collision
avoidance, traffic monitoring, and a radar imaging. This paper presents a broad overview of software defined
radars. The SDR concept and its technology are presented
Index TermsSoftware Defined Radar (SDR), radar in section II. The SDR system which is designed by Korea
system design, multi-band, multi-mode radar.
Aerospace University (KAU) is introduced in section III.
The applications of SDR are explained in section IV, and
I. INTRODUCTION
finally, conclusions are provided in section V.
Recently, radar is closing to our living urban
environment since its inherent capability is in all-weather II. OVERVIEW OF SOFTWARE DEFINED RADAR
and day or night operation such as urban radar for security,
safety, and medical imaging as well. Radar system is
The SDR system consists of a general RF module,
becoming feasible to be easily implemented for the
digital signal processing modules and a reconfigurable
multifunctional and high performance radar due to the
software module. Radar RF components, such as mixer,
recent matured growth of the core radar technology.
filter, modulator, demodulators, and detectors, typically
However, conventional fixed purpose radar system
have been constructed in the hardware. The components
development still requires long development cycle and
are implemented using software on a PC, DSP or FPGA in
high cost because of the dedicated application in a certain
SDR. The basic concept of SDR is presented in Figure 1.
radar environments. This makes the radar development
Technology trend of SDR is being wide spreading and
difficult to the users applications for multi-purpose, high
giving an impact to the existing radar market because of
performance, small size, and low cost. In order to
low cost, small and light, and reconfigurable multi-
overcome these constraints, software defined radar (SDR)
purpose applications. A technology trend of the SDR
was introduced for the multifunctional system where most
system in each country is summarized in Table 1.
of the hardware processing, like waveform generation and
up and down conversion are performed by software [1].
Software defined radar has many advantages such as a
multipurpose system, the ability to re-using the hardware,
ease of implementation of signal processing algorithms,
faster development and cost reduction. Early SDR was
developed using field programmable gate array (FPGA)
and a digital signal processor (DSP) for target distance
detection. The Universal Software Radio Peripheral
(USRP) which is developed at a low cost is one of the
Fig. 1. Concept of SDR System

978-1-4673-7297-8/15/$31.00 2015
c IEEE 46
TABLE 1. TECHNOLOGY TREND OF SDR
CountryG Research TrendG
- Joint radar-communication system
USAG
- MIMO and adaptive waveform techniques
- OFDM based multifunction radar
- Analysis of micro-Doppler signatures between
USRP-based and FPGA-based SDR.
- USRP based L-band SDR system
EUG
- Airborne SDR system
- Multi-purpose SDR system
- USRP based SAR, OFDM radar system
- Passive radar in a Wi-Fi network
- Prototypes of ground penetrating radar (GPR)
Other
- Human movement parameters using USRP
countriesG
- Study of USRP based weather radar
- Multi-band multi-beam passive radar
- USRP based SAR, OFDM, Passive Radar
U MULIT-BAND AND MULTI-MODE SDR RADAR
The project, SDR Radar Sensor Platform Development,
is in progress at Korea Aerospace University (KAU). The
main goal is the development of the multiband and
multimode SDR platform in ISM (industrial, scientific and
medical) bands. The KAU-SDR Model consists of
replaceable antenna and RF modules at multiband of S,
X, and K band, signal processor module, and software
module as shown in Figure 2.
The RF modules are developed to enable the
replacement of each operation frequency. RF modules
modulate analog signals and radiate the RF signals
through the antennas. The received echoes are transferred
to a signal processor module through an RF module. The
processor module generates various waveforms such as,
continuous waves (CW), frequency modulated wave
(FMCW), pulse, and linear frequency modulation (LFM)
pulse. These waves are transferred from the computer
module and sent to the RF module through a digital-
analog converter (DAC). The selection functions of
waveforms lead to perform multimode SDR. The host PC
performs the post processing, such as detection and
tracking, and displays results after data are processed in
the signal processor module. The host PC can be used to
Fig. 2. Multi-band, Multi-mode KAU-SDR model
2015 IEEE 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar(APSAR)
control the hardware system and waveform settings. The
software library provides support for pushing and pulling
data to and from the signal processor, for changing the
waveform and/or parameters of the SDR and for
performing radar signal processing. The key specification
of the system is presented in Table 2.
TABLE 2. KEY SPECIFICATION OF KAU-SDR
Parameter S-band X-band K-band
Frequency 2.4GHz 10.5GHz 24.05GHz
E.I.R.P 10 mW 25 mW 100 mW
Bandwidth 25 MHz 50 MHz 150 MHz
Resolution 6m 3m 1m
Range 30 m 40 m 100 m
Waveform CW/FMCW/Pulse/LFM Pulse
Interface Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi
(1) ANTENNA
KAU-SDR is used for a mono-static or bi-static radar
system. The various types of antennas such as micro-strip
patch array and a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW)
are designed for the multi-band of S, X, and K band.
(2) RF MODULE
The RF module consists of a transmitter and a receiver
and three models will be developed to operation in S, X,
and K bands. The transmitter converts a waveform from
intermediate frequency (IF) to RF, and transfers to the
antenna through the power amplifier. The low noise
receiver amplifies the echo signal from the antenna, and
performs down-conversion. Figure 3 shows a block
diagram of the RF module in the SDR system. Local
frequencies use the same reference clock because of
system coherence. The controllable parameters of the
software module are transmitting power, receiver gain,
and pulse repetition frequency (PRF).
(3) DIGITAL PROCESSOR MODULE
The key functions of the processor module as shown in
Figure 4 are waveform generation, signal processing, and
data transmission. Waveform generation is performed by
FPGA and DAC. FPGA and DSP process the digital
converted signals by analog-to- digital convertor (ADC).
Digital down conversion (DDC) and Hilbert
transformation are the basic procedure. Also, Pre-
processing of pulse compression and de-chirp is
performed according to the generated waveform. The
various types of data are generated in the processor
module. Raw data can be stored for algorithm evaluation,
and display data can be transferred to the host computer.
The data in the processing steps can be delivered by the
system controller as well. The processor module is
connected to the host computer via Gigabit Ethernet
interface.
47
 L2 library is for the pulse compression algorithm
using LFM code. Figure 5 shows a compression
output with various weighting window functions. L3
library provides a various CFAR detection algorithm
as shown in Figure 6. There are three Doppler
processing algorithms of L4, L5, and L6. L5 is a
clutter suppression MTI filter as shown in Figure 7.
L4 library suppresses the ground clutter using
Doppler filter bank. L6 library detects the Doppler
Fig.3. RF Transceiver module of SDR
spectrum for target detection. Finally L7 provides a
range/Doppler compression for a radar imaging.
These algorithms can be selected as a module
depending on the multi-mode operational scenarios.
Fig.4. Digital Processor module of SDR
:DYHIRUP*HQHUDWRUG

7[G
5[G

'LVSOD\DQG6WRUDJH
6LJQDO3URFHVVLQJ%RDUGG

Fig.5. Pulse compression with window function

Fig.4. Signal processor module of SDR

(4) RSP ALGORITHMS

The KAU-SDR system is capable of multi-mode operation
by selecting the various radar signal processing algorithms
depending on the user applications and radar environments.
There are key 7-libraries which work in the SDR platform
shown in Table 3. Each library algorithm is implemented
in Matlab code for the user development. L1 library has a
function of waveform generation such as CW, FMCW,
Pulse, LFM Chirp for the multi-mode applications

TABLE 3. RADAR ALGORITHMS OF SDR

Library Algorithm Application Fig.6. CFAR algorithms
L1 Waveform CW, FMCW, Multi-mode
Pulse, LFM
Chirp
L2 Pulse LFM code Surveillance
Compression
L3 CFAR Time- Detection
Processing Frequency
L4 Doppler Filter Spectral Estimation Traffic
Bank
L5 Clutter MTI Moving
Suppression Target
L6 Doppler Range-Velocity Security
Processing
L7 Range Doppler 2D Range/Doppler Imaging
Fig.7. Clutter suppression filtering algorithm
Compression

48 2015 IEEE 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar(APSAR)

 (5) SOFTWARE MODULE From the viewpoint of low cost and high flexibility, SDR
The software module is developed based on the open systems can be used as a practice tool in radar engineering
architecture application programming interface (API) by curriculums.
applying MATLAB and LabVIEW as shown in Figure 8. In an aerial surveillance area, SAR system can be
The open software module consists of a hardware developed through the SDR technology. In a military
interface, service interface, library connection daemon, equipment area, SDR enables the multifunction RF
and four software applications. The HW interface is used payload to be installed in limited-space aircrafts,
for data acquisition and processing of the control signal. especially UAVs [5].
The service interface provides information of application V. CONCLUSION
software and HW interface, control, and displays API
function. Library server connects commercial tool like as This paper describes the overall design concept and its
MATLAB and LabVIEW with processor module. The software defined radar technology. For the advancement
application software such as education, traffic, security, concept, the KAU-SDR Model is presented with the multi-
and monitoring software are a separate software platform band and multi-mode system, replaceable RF hardware, a
for application of SDR. Since the signal processing common digital processor, radar processing algorithm
simulates algorithms, the software libraries support results library and open software platform. This multiband and
in a test on which algorithms for raw data can be multimode SDR radar can be applicable to various
evaluated. The processed results can be used to enhance applications such as radar training education, traffic
the performance of the signal processing algorithms. monitoring and safety, security, and surveillance.

U APPLICATION OF SDR SYSTEM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work was partly supported by the ICT R&D program
A SDR radar system has many advantages such as of MSIP/IITP. [14911-01004, SDR Radar Sensor
multipurpose radar, the re-using of the same hardware, an Platform Development]G
easier implementation of advanced signal processing
algorithms, faster development and a reduced price. For REFERENCES
near-range applications, human motion detection,
automotive navigation, GPR, and educational tools are [1] D. Garmatyuk, J. Schuerger, and K. Kauffman,
considered for a low transmitting power. For far-range Multifunctional software-defined radar sensor and
applications, military multi-function radar, a passive data communication system, IEEE Sensors Journal,
coherent location (PCL), an aerial observation using SAR, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 99-106, Jan. 2011.
and weather surveillance radar can be considered for a [2] V. Fernandes, Implementation of a RADAR System
high transmitting power and large antenna. using MATLAB and the USRP, CSUN
In a human motion detection area, SDR can be ScholarWorks, 2012
exploited as the micro-Doppler radar system for detecting [3] M. Muller, M. Braun, M. Fuhr, and F. K. Jondral, A
and analyzing the various human gestures [4]. This system USRP-based testbed for OFDM-based radar and
is used to check the health conditions of the elderly and communication systems, Proceedings of the
prevent falls and other accidents by analyzing their Virginia Tech Symposium on Wireless
activity profile in the healthcare and wellness domain. Communications, Blacksburg, Va, USA, 2012
In an automotive application, SDR can realize a hybrid [4] J. Park, J. T. Johnson, and N. Majurec et al.,
radar scheme by the combination of radar and "Software defined radar studies of human motion
communication function. In an educational tool area, SDR signatures," IEEE Radar Conference 2012, pp. 596-
can be utilized as an effective teaching tool for students. 601, 2012.
[5] A. G. Huizing, M. P. G. Otten, and W. L. Rossum et
Application Software al., "Compact scalable multifunction RF payload for
Education SW Traffic SW Security SW Monitoring SW
Library Server UAVs with FMCW radar and ESM functionality,"
HTTP TCP
Connection
Daemon IEEE Radar Conference-Surveillance for a Safer
Service Interface
System controller Display
Upload World, pp .1-6, 2009.
Download
Directory
System Control Hardware Interface Hardware Drive Data

Controller Data Processed Data Acquisitioned Data

Generation
Processor Module Modification
Registration
Library Server

Fig.8. SDR GUI software module

2015 IEEE 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar(APSAR) 49