Implementation of a coherent real-time noise radar system

The utilisation of continuous random waveforms for radar, that is, noise radar, has been extensively studied as a candidate for low probability of intercept operation. However, compared with the more traditional pulse-Doppler radar, noise radar systems are significantly more complicated to implement, which is likely why few systems exist. If noise radar systems are to see the light of day, system design, implementation, limitations etc., must be investigated. Therefore, the authors examine and detail the implementation of a real-time noise radar system on a field programmable gate array. The system is capable of operating with 100% duty cycle, 200 MHz bandwidth, and 268 ms integration time while processing a range of about 8.5 km. Additionally, the system can perform real-time moving target compensation to reduce cell migration. System performance is primarily limited by the memory bandwidth of the off-chip dynamic random access memory. A real-time noise radar system is implemented, and relevant hardware and system aspects of noise radar implementation are presented. The constructed system processes data continuously with 100 % duty cycle, and it can do so indefinitely while operating with 200 MHz bandwidth, processing a range of up to 8.5 km, and integrating each coherent processing interval for 268 ms. Additionally, the system performs moving target compensation.image