Is CN0566 the best starting point to learn beamforming radar?

My recommendation would be to start with doing simple beamforming and radar with the $200 Pluto SDR.  Then apply what you've learned to the $2500 CN0566 (Phaser).  Then move on to the professional system "X Band Dev Kit".  They all use the same programming, and very similar methodologies, so you can start small and apply what you learn to the next step.  Links below:

https://www.analog.com/en/resources/evaluation-hardware-and-software/evaluation-boards-kits/adalm-pluto.html

https://www.analog.com/en/resources/reference-designs/circuits-from-the-lab/cn0566.html

https://www.analog.com/en/resources/evaluation-hardware-and-software/evaluation-boards-kits/x-band-development-platform.html

My recommendation would be to start with doing simple beamforming and radar with the $200 Pluto SDR.  Then apply what you've learned to the $2500 CN0566 (Phaser).  Then move on to the professional system "X Band Dev Kit".  They all use the same programming, and very similar methodologies, so you can start small and apply what you learn to the next step.  Links below:

https://www.analog.com/en/resources/evaluation-hardware-and-software/evaluation-boards-kits/adalm-pluto.html

https://www.analog.com/en/resources/reference-designs/circuits-from-the-lab/cn0566.html

https://www.analog.com/en/resources/evaluation-hardware-and-software/evaluation-boards-kits/x-band-development-platform.html

Very good day Jon,

Very thanks for the fast response from you regarding my inquiry (And change the title as well - Thanks). For your info, I'm already experimenting a simpler Doppler radar by using LimeSDR USB and Cantenna with 2.4GHz TX frequency, below are my humble setup video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11cf8jX_-It-Tbp_75KC0AlOLBQUL7ZJh/view?usp=sharing

The LimeSDR USB have 2 channel RX and TX, and as my understanding are sufficient enough for to developing the concept of beamforming and radar.

I'm already suggested CN0566 to my management for further development process and they agree to purchased it. But my concern is, it is sufficient enough for development until finished products, at least on software/DSP part? Or do I need to purchase the third option as you suggested?

For the end product hardware benchmark design, can I refer to CN0566 or the third option (X-Band development platform) design? For your info my design TX/RX frequency are within X-Band / Ku Band.

As the third option (X-Band development platform), from my reading on the product info page, MATLAB are mainly used on the development and testing process. My question is, can the same Python approach as the CN0566 adapt and use for the third option (X-Band development platform)? What I mean is the same Python example porting from CN0566 to the third option (X-Band development platform) , can it be implemented?. Or can I used GNU Radio for the third option instead using MATLAB? Or can I used Python as my full development process instead using MATLAB?

Below are my roughly design block for your reference:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fPmno_Najn3A3FhnEthKv1VxnGlPGs4x/view?usp=sharing

I hope and really appreciate if you can explain and guide me regarding the above matters. Thanks again Jon.

Very good day Jon,

Any info Jon?, I'm very appreciate if you can consult me regarding my previous inquiries.

Yes the Phaser CN0566 platform seems like a good next step in your development.  You can use either MATLAB or Python and that will port nicely to our other development platforms, if you would ike to do that.