which kind of waveform is the best choice for X-band radar platform?

I think maybe there are two ways to achieve FMCW radar using X-band radar platform:

1. Since we have a up/down converter, we can mix Tx and Rx signal on the software side. But how can we know the time difference between Tx and Rx? Is the TDD engine necessary to control the time of transmitter and receiver? But it seems impossible to achieve the loop of Rx and Tx using TDD engine on MATLAB at the current stage, right?

2. Using a mixer to mix Tx and Rx signal on the hardware side. Then we can directly get the beat frequency, right?

We are wondering whether the above thinking is right. Could anyone give us any suggestions?

Thanks!

Hi Dongyu, 

This system platform was architecturally designed for pulsed radar applications. A pulsed continuous wave would be a good first waveform to implement. If additional range resolution is needed, then a linear frequency modulated chirp would be another waveform to investigate.   

Regarding the FMCW questions.. The XUD1A mixer is common to all channels and was designed with a high side LO and fixed IF frequency plan. A different up/down converter architecture would be needed for to implement a FMCW radar and the respective IF beat frequency.

Regards, 
Sam 

Hi Sam,

Thanks so much for your reply! We will try pulsed continuous wave later. I think the main block for us now is to control the start time of the Tx and Rx. Whatever the waveform is, we always need to know the time difference between Tx and Rx. Could you give us some suggestions on this? Thanks!

Best,

Dongyu

This question has been addressed in another thread.