Ultra-Low Phase Noise, Digital Transceiver for High Range Resolution Pulsed Agile Radar

In the modern age, highly sensitive advanced radar systems require very stable and accurate radar waveforms for micro-Doppler signature analysis and smaller Radar Cross section (RCS) detection. Also, to combat RADARjammers and in naval applications, wideband radars operate at multiple spot frequencies in pulse agility mode. This paper discusses designing a wide-band digital transceiver using RF DAC and ADC with ultra-low phase noise and High-speed switching for pulsed agile radar. Two methods using RF DAC are being discussed and compared for low-phase noise waveform generation. Switching times of less than 500ns have been achieved for the transmit pulse in the agility mode.