Performance evaluation of a software defined multi-channel transceiver for radar systems

Abstract: Radar systems are becoming more and more digital. This allows for lighter and more affordable systems on the market. This degree project is about performance evaluation of a digital transceiver for radar systems. The evaluated transceiver consist of multiple analog-to-digital converters(ADC), digital-to-analog converters(DAC) and sampling clocks for the converters. The report deals with the difficulties and problematics of measuring the sampling and reconstruction progress of radar signals. The methodologies to measure non-trivial quantities in radio frequency systems are presented along with results and possible improvements for future systems. The results show that the ADCs of the evaluated system have a SNR at a 240 MHz bandwith of -64 dBFS and a channel isolation between the ADCs of 61 dB. The DACs of the evaluated system have a SNR at a 1 Hz bandwith of -163 dBFS and a channel isolation between the DACs of 60 dB. These results conclude that data converters are a matured technology suitable for use as a key component in a modern radar systems. Some problems with the system are pointed out and discussed, and ideas for improvements are proposed.