Product Description:

RADAR pulses are often very high frequency, so it’s important to have an extremely fast sampling and processing abilities. All RFDM modules have fast ADCs with high dynamic range which feed directly into a large, fast FPGA like a Virtex-5 [2]. To actually receive and retransmit the RADAR signal, an RF frontend is necessary. A typical RF frontend will contain an antenna, filter or filter bank, amplifier, and if the design is superheterodyne, a mixer and LO [8]. DRFM for more advanced RADARs that use techniques like pulse compression involves detecting any additional modulation imparted to the incident waveform and accurately recreating it using Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) in real time [9]. Handling advanced RADAR signals like pulse compression is active area of research, almost all of which is classified.

RADAR is a ubiquitous technology used for everything from weather mapping to catching speeders on the highway. In the military, RADAR is one of the primary technologies used for engaging targets with missiles or anti-aircraft fire. The ability to deceive target locking RADAR can keep friendly pilots safe and allow them to carry out their mission. Techniques like “dumb jamming” are useful for taking a RADAR installation out of commission, but more sophisticated electronic warfare attacks can make the enemy think their RADAR is still working when it is actually reporting incorrect target range and velocity information. This paper reviews a particular technique of that variety called digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) and discusses available systems that use it, its operating principals, and methods for implementation.