Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorInggs, Michaelen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorO'Hagan, Daniel Wen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorDu Plessis, Daneen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-25T13:19:36Z
dc.date.available2017-01-25T13:19:36Z
dc.date.issued2016en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation focuses on the development of a digital transceiver system for a dual-band, polarimetric radar, which is to form part of the NeXtRAD multistatic radar. NeXtRAD is being developed as an instrument for research into the behaviour of clutter and targets as observed by multistatic radars. The Pentek Cobalt model 71621 software defined radio interface was procured for use as the digital transceiver in the system. The goal was to develop the software needed to use this product as the digital transceiver in a prototype version of the NeXtRAD active node, and to ensure that it could be readily integrated with other subsystems in the final system. The active node is essentially a monostatic pulse-doppler radar. Laboratory tests of the transceiver showed that it was possible to generate and digitize pulsed waveforms at a 125 MHz intermediate frequency which is used by the existing receiver exciter in the system. After extensive laboratory testing and development, phase coherent waveform generation and multichannel digitization was achieved. A low transmit power version of the active node was constructed and tested at both operating frequencies. Equipment used in the testing and development of the digital transceiver included laboratory signal generators, spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes. The digital transceiver was able to function at pulse repetition rates exceeding 2 kHz, with a single transmit channel and three receive channels active. The lowpowered monostatic prototype system was constructed to test the digital transceiver using a receiver exciter subsystem, RF amplifiers and antennas. This prototype radar was used to take measurements of targets at ranges below 300 m and successfully detected reflections from large structures. Cars and pedestrian traffic were detected by their doppler shifts at both L- and X-band frequencies. The detection of moving and stationary targets confirmed the suitability of the digital transceiver for use in the envisioned multistatic radar system.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationDu Plessis, D. (2016). <i>Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Department of Electrical Engineering. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23015en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationDu Plessis, Dane. <i>"Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Department of Electrical Engineering, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23015en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDu Plessis, D. 2016. Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Du Plessis, Dane AB - This dissertation focuses on the development of a digital transceiver system for a dual-band, polarimetric radar, which is to form part of the NeXtRAD multistatic radar. NeXtRAD is being developed as an instrument for research into the behaviour of clutter and targets as observed by multistatic radars. The Pentek Cobalt model 71621 software defined radio interface was procured for use as the digital transceiver in the system. The goal was to develop the software needed to use this product as the digital transceiver in a prototype version of the NeXtRAD active node, and to ensure that it could be readily integrated with other subsystems in the final system. The active node is essentially a monostatic pulse-doppler radar. Laboratory tests of the transceiver showed that it was possible to generate and digitize pulsed waveforms at a 125 MHz intermediate frequency which is used by the existing receiver exciter in the system. After extensive laboratory testing and development, phase coherent waveform generation and multichannel digitization was achieved. A low transmit power version of the active node was constructed and tested at both operating frequencies. Equipment used in the testing and development of the digital transceiver included laboratory signal generators, spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes. The digital transceiver was able to function at pulse repetition rates exceeding 2 kHz, with a single transmit channel and three receive channels active. The lowpowered monostatic prototype system was constructed to test the digital transceiver using a receiver exciter subsystem, RF amplifiers and antennas. This prototype radar was used to take measurements of targets at ranges below 300 m and successfully detected reflections from large structures. Cars and pedestrian traffic were detected by their doppler shifts at both L- and X-band frequencies. The detection of moving and stationary targets confirmed the suitability of the digital transceiver for use in the envisioned multistatic radar system. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2016 T1 - Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar TI - Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23015 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/23015
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationDu Plessis D. Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Department of Electrical Engineering, 2016 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23015en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Electrical Engineeringen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherElectrical Engineeringen_ZA
dc.subject.otherRadar and Remote Sensingen_ZA
dc.titleIntegration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radaren_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMSc (Eng)en_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_ebe_2016_du_plessis_dane (1).pdf
Size:
1.71 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters