Arbitrary radar target synthesizer (arts)
View Patent ↗A system for generating a simulated radar return signal. The novel system includes a processor adapted to receive target and waveform parameters and in accordance therewith generate a composite digital signal, and a digital to analog converter adapted to convert the digital signal to an analog signal. The system also includes an upconverter adapted to convert the analog signal to radio frequency. The processor calculates time-domain digital data samples representing a composite radar return waveform based on the target and waveform parameters. These data samples are output at each time interval that the digital to analog converter samples data. The composite waveform can include returns from a large number of targets and from targets embedded in clutter. The system can also be adapted to test a radar system having multiple antenna ports by replicating the basic design for each port.
1. A target simulator for testing a radar system having n antenna ports comprising:
a processor adapted to receive target and waveform parameters and in accordance therewith calculate time-domain digital data samples representing a composite radar return waveform;
a digital to analog converter adapted to convert said digital samples to an analog signal
an converter adapted to convert said analog signal to a radio frequency signal; and
a radio frequency splitter adapted to split said radio frequency signal into n output signals.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said target simulator further includes first means for applying a delay to each of said n output signals.
3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said first means includes n radio frequency time delays, each delay adapted to delay one of said n output signals.
4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said target simulator further includes second means for applying a Doppler frequency to each of said n output signals.
5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said second means includes n frequency generators, each frequency generator adapted to apply a Doppler frequency to one of said n output signals.