A modular FMCW radar RF front end design: Simulation and implementation

In this work, simulations and preliminary measurement results of an S-band FMCW radar is presented. A commercial simulation tool (AWR-VSS) has been used at system level design stage of the radar. The simulation tool provides all functions regarding with transmitter, target and receiving blocks, and it finally feeds echo signals to the digital processing block implemented in MATLAB. The target range and velocity have been derived for simple target scenario in MATLAB. Then, a modular RF front end of the radar has been designed using commercial of the shelf (COTS) components. The radar system has been proved to be working in indoor environment using measurement equipment. Moreover, design of horn antennas for transmitting and reception blocks have been demonstrated. Real time signal processing functions will be developed at the next stage.