Compact synthetic aperture radar test range
View Patent ↗A system for testing radar in accordance with one embodiment comprising a target motion platform; a target motion platform controller for controlling motion of the platform; a radar responsive tag and a delay line located on the target motion platform; the radar which is being tested; and a motion measurement simulator for inputting data to the radar electronics assembly to simulate movement of the radar. In some embodiments the system further comprises a radar motion platform, wherein the radar electronics assembly is positioned on the radar motion platform; a radar motion platform controller for controlling the movement of the radar motion platform; and a master controller coupled to the radar motion platform controller and the target motion platform controller.
1. A compact radar test range comprising:
a radar; and
a platform located in the far field of the radar having a tag, the tag adapted to receive a radar pulse from the radar and retransmit the pulse after a delay.
2. The compact radar test range of claim 1 further comprising an optical delay line coupled to the tag for delaying the pulse.
3. A compact radar test range comprising:
a radar;
a platform located in the far field of the radar having a tag, the tag adapted to receive a radar pulse from the radar and retransmit the pulse after a delay; and
an electronic delay unit coupled to the tag for modifying the pulse.
4. The compact radar test range of claim 3 wherein the electronic delay unit includes a digital receiver and an agile waveform generator, the digital receiver and the agile waveform generator adapted to receive the pulse and modify the pulse to include a radar scene having a target.
5. The compact radar test range of claim 4 wherein the digital receiver and the agile waveform generator are adapted to modify the pulse to include a clutter return in the radar scene.
6. The compact radar test range of claim 3 wherein the platform is a stationary platform.
7. The compact radar test range of claim 3 further comprising an inertial measurement unit coupled to the radar for measuring a movement of the radar.
8. The compact radar test range of claim 3 further comprising a motion measurement simulator coupled to the radar.
9. The compact radar test range of claim 8 further comprising a global positioning system coupled to the motion measurement simulator.
10. A compact radar test range comprising:
a radar;
a stationary target platform located in a far field of the radar; and
an electronic delay unit coupled to the stationary platform, the electronic delay unit including:
an antenna,
a digital receiver connected with the antenna for receiving a radar pulse, and
an agile waveform generator coupled with the digital receiver for generating a radar scene having a target and a clutter return.
11. The compact radar test range of claim 10 further comprising an inertial measurement unit for measuring a movement of the radar.
12. The compact radar test range of claim 10 further comprising a global positioning system and a motion measurement simulator coupled to the radar.
13. A compact radar test range comprising:
a tag; and
an electronic delay unit coupled to the tag for generating a radar scene.
14. The compact radar test range of claim 13 wherein the radar scene includes a target.
15. The compact radar test range of claim 14 wherein the target is a moving target.
16. The compact radar test range of claim 13 wherein the radar scene includes a clutter return.
17. The compact radar test range of claim 13 further comprising a radar having a far field that embraces the tag.
18. The compact radar test range of claim 13 wherein the electronic delay unit includes a digital receiver and an agile waveform generator for generating the radar scene.
19. The compact radar test range of claim 13 further comprising a quarter wave stub antenna connected with the tag.
20. The compact radar test range of claim 13 wherein the electronic delay unit is mounted on a stationary platform.