Design of Ultrawideband Stepped-Frequency Radar for Imaging of Obscured Targets

A stepped-frequency radar that allows for adaptability in the radiated spectrum while maintaining high-resolution radar imagery has been developed. The spectrally agile frequency-incrementing reconfigurable (SAFIRE) radar system is a vehicle-mounted, ground-penetrating radar that is capable of producing high-resolution radar imagery for the detection of obscured targets (either buried or concealed surface targets). It can be easily transitioned between forward- and side-looking orientations. The SAFIRE system is capable of precisely excising subbands within its operating bandwidth, thus making the system “spectrally agile.” It is also highly reconfigurable thereby allowing for on-the-fly adjustment of many of the system parameters. The spectrally agile and reconfigurable aspects of the SAFIRE radar together with its enhanced IF processing scheme represent a novel contribution to the state of the art. This paper discusses the system design, implementation, and performance characteristics, and also presents preliminary high-resolution imagery.