Development of a Portable COTS-Based CW Radar System at 2.4 GHz

As smart radar sensors become increasingly integrated into modern life, this article provides a comprehensive tutorial for the design and implementation of a portable radar module, offering valuable design guidelines. The module operates in continuous wave (CW) modes, with selectable frequencies ranging from 2.25 to 2.50 GHz and a resolution of 100 kHz. A notable feature is its provision of both In-phase (I) and Quadrature (Q) components, which eliminates null points and enhances detection accuracy. The radar module integrates all necessary hardware components into a compact and efficient design, making it suitable for various security applications as well as non-contact monitoring and detection in the Internet-of-things (IoT) era.

The design considerations outlined in this article highlight the module’s versatility for various signal processing techniques, demonstrating its potential use in various applications for contactless sensing. Additionally, the discussion on utilizing in-house facilities to design and conduct simple experiments underscores the educational value of this module. It provides students with a practical, hands-on opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of radar systems, thereby advancing educational initiatives in the field of radar technology.