Looking for partners for a 16-channel digital array radar at 10 GHz

1

Hello all,

My current project is focused on building an active radar system using a digital antenna array (DAA) in the 10–10.5 GHz band. The primary applications are short-range radar and experiments with ultra-weak reflected signals.

What has already been built and is working:

  1. A transmitter with an output power of approximately 100 mW has been assembled.

  2. In single-channel mode (using a modified LNB), reliable detection of a reflected signal from a hovering drone (with unknown RCS) has been achieved at a range of 200 meters.

  3. A mechanical scanning platform has been developed for recording digitized signals at array grid points (up to 128×32 elements with practically arbitrary step size), which allows calibration of digital beamforming algorithms.

  • Software simulation confirms the viability of digital processing methods that provide high energy potential even at low output power. Where cooperation is needed: I am currently moving to the most challenging stage — modifying the hardware to achieve: increased dynamic range of the transmitted signal (suppression of carrier leakage during the pause);

  • reduction of the phase jitter RMS of the received signal at the IF2 frequency to below 1 degree;

  • and then — building a 16-channel (4×4) receive digital antenna array using modified LNB converters. The theoretical part (signal processing algorithms that provide high SNR) has already been developed and verified in simulation, and I am willing to share this material in private correspondence with those who are genuinely interested in the hardware side of the project.

If you have worked on similar projects or are simply interested in building a low-cost digital antenna array from satellite converters — please reply in this thread or send me a private message. I am primarily interested in exchanging practical experience in hardware development, rather than general theoretical discussions.

I am also very interested in exchanging components. Specifically, I am looking for:

  • clock distribution amplifiers (100 MHz, 4–5 outputs, 10 dBm);

  • linear power amplifiers, 2W or more (9–12 GHz);

  • microwave filters.

On my side, I can offer AD/Hittite synthesizer boards, FPGAs, and many other components — specific exchange options can be discussed in private messages.

Best regards,
Viktor
pulsarvictor2003@gmail.com

1 Like
2

You are designing a phased array that is larger than the Analog Devices CN0566, ADALM-PHASER (CN0566) Phased Array Exploration Platform [Analog Devices Wiki]. This radar is unable to do simple Direction of Arrival, DoA, calculations, and is limited to a 3 Hz refresh rate due to the USB-2 port on the Puto SDR. I spent a lot of time working with the CN0566, so do you plan to circumvent then limitations with your design?

3

Scott, thank you for your interest and for mentioning the CN0566. From your message, I understand that this platform has limitations related to USB 2.0 bandwidth, fixed beamforming, and a 3 Hz update rate. However, I have not worked with this platform directly, so I cannot offer any meaningful comments about it for the forum.

I would like to emphasize one point: my project is not a phased array (Phased Array) in the classical sense. I am building a Digital Antenna Array (DAA), not a Phased Array with digital-analog phase shifters. Both architectures have their advantages and disadvantages, but I have only worked within the DAA framework.

My current hardware and software status:

1. Single-channel prototype (operational):

  • Modified LNB → downconversion to IF1 → IF2 → digitization.

  • Signal processing is performed offline on a standard PC (not real-time yet).

2. Mechanical scanner (operational):

  • Allows moving a single LNB and recording signal matrices for virtual M×N arrays (up to 128×32 elements with arbitrary step size).

  • This enables testing of beamforming algorithms even with step sizes smaller than 2λ (which is not physically realizable with horn antennas).

3. C++ simulation software (completed):

  • Models the transmitted signal.

  • Models reflected signals from targets received by an M×N array, including additive and phase noise.

  • Computes coordinates of up to 8 targets after a single sounding pulse.

4. Transmitter modification (in progress):

  • Adding phase modulation capability (M-sequence and other codes) for both radar and communication applications, including amateur radio.

5. Future 16-channel platform (planned):

  • FPGA-based high-speed data acquisition using a commercial FPGA/OpenVPX board.

  • Custom-designed ADC/FMC boards: 2×8 channels, 14-bit, 50 Msps per channel.

  • FPGA will handle: 16-channel ADC support, multi-channel signal compression, quadrature generation, and FFT for beamforming and velocity estimation.

  • Target update rate: ~100 times per second for the full target list.

  • Higher-level tasks (range determination, target tracking) will be handled by a fast SBC/OpenVPX board.

Current challenges and needs:

  1. Power amplifier: My HMC487-based amplifier has failed. I need a 2W linear PA (9–12 GHz) — either a complete module with power supply or at least the HMC487LP5E chip.

  2. Clock distribution: To improve coherent synchronization between the receiver, transmitter, ADC, and FPGA timing generator, I need a clock distribution amplifier (100 MHz, 4–5 outputs, 10 dBm) with low phase noise (e.g., DA100-4P-SS RevB or similar).

Due to my limited budget, I am currently unable to purchase these components. Therefore, I am relying on exchange (barter). I have a list of components available for exchange (AD/Hittite synthesizer boards, FPGAs, microwave components, etc.) and I am happy to share it with anyone interested.

Additional notes:

  • The modified LNB approach has clear limitations: no calibration input for automatic beamforming, and the physical antenna spacing cannot be less than 2λ (which limits the unambiguous angular range — see attached photo).

  • However, the main advantage is the low cost, making it accessible for small budgets and amateur radio experiments. If anyone is interested in modified LNBs, I am willing to share the ones I have.

  • Some algorithm ideas used for target localization are described in a recently published book (now openly available). I can send the PDF to those who are interested.

I hope this clarifies my project status. If you have experience with multi-channel synchronization, high-speed data capture, or LNB modifications, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts. Feel free to DM me.

Best regards,
Viktor