A highly capable arbitrary waveform generator for next generation radar systems

We are developing an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) to provide enhanced capability for radar applications. The current design accommodates two waveform generators on a single unit for dual frequency operation. The basic architecture of this unit employs a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a high speed and high precision digital to analog converter (DAC) for direct digital synthesis. This AWG is capable of up to 450 MHz bandwidth with ability for frequency notching. Phase fidelity of better than 1.2deg deviation RMS is also achievable. This AWG operates with lower power consumption as compared with other waveform generators, which is advantageous for future spaceborne applications. This will enable radars to return higher precision data, to be reduced in complexity, and to operate in any band without interfering with dedicated bandwidths