A stepped frequency radar system is disclosed. The system includes components for performing stepped frequency scanning across a frequency range using frequency steps of a step size, the stepped frequency scanning performed using at least one transmit antenna and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas, changing at least one of the step size and the frequency range, and performing stepped frequency scanning using the at least one transmit antenna and the two-dimensional array of receive antennas and using the changed at least one of the step size and the frequency range.

A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system has a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal with a wavelength between 1290 nm and 1310 nm. The LIDAR chip is also configured to receive a LIDAR input signal from off of the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR input signal including light from the LIDAR output signal after reflection of the LIDAR output signal by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR chip is configured to generate a composite signal that includes light from a comparative light signal and light from a reference signal. The comparative signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal but the reference signal does not include light from the LIDAR output signal.

A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system has a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal with a wavelength between 1290 nm and 1310 nm. The LIDAR chip is also configured to receive a LIDAR input signal from off of the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR input signal including light from the LIDAR output signal after reflection of the LIDAR output signal by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR chip is configured to generate a composite signal that includes light from a comparative light signal and light from a reference signal. The comparative signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal but the reference signal does not include light from the LIDAR output signal.

A radar, flying device including such a radar, processing method in a radar embedded in a flying device and associated computer program are disclosed. In one aspect, the radar includes a transceiver antenna including a plurality of radiating elements configured to transmit and receive an electromagnetic wave. The radar includes an antenna gain control unit, by activating/inhibiting radiating elements, in transmission and/or reception configured to keep the reception level of an electromagnetic wave below a determined threshold below the saturation zone of the antenna, as well as by activating/inhibiting radiating elements in reception, configured to compensate the amplitude variation of the ground/sea clutter, over the duration of the reception.

A radar, flying device including such a radar, processing method in a radar embedded in a flying device and associated computer program are disclosed. In one aspect, the radar includes a transceiver antenna including a plurality of radiating elements configured to transmit and receive an electromagnetic wave. The radar includes an antenna gain control unit, by activating/inhibiting radiating elements, in transmission and/or reception configured to keep the reception level of an electromagnetic wave below a determined threshold below the saturation zone of the antenna, as well as by activating/inhibiting radiating elements in reception, configured to compensate the amplitude variation of the ground/sea clutter, over the duration of the reception.

Implementation of radio frequency applications in satellite environments can be constrained by size, mass, cost, and power limitations. These applications can include radar, communications, radio astronomy, or other scientific or industrial applications. A variety of systems are provided to facilitate recording of baseband radio frequency signals at high bandwidth and low power using low-cost components. These systems include field-programmable gate arrays or other programmable logic devices integrating between high-frequency ADCs and two or more multiplexed non-volatile storage mediums. Also provided are systems for providing calibration and self-test functionality in a low-cost, flexible, low-power radio frequency frontend. These systems include high-frequency switches configured to allow a calibration and/or self-test pulse to be acquired for each radar pulse generated by the system.

Operating a stepped frequency radar system involves performing stepped frequency scanning across a frequency range using at least one transmit antenna and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas and using frequency steps of a fixed step size, processing a first portion of digital data that is generated from the stepped frequency scanning to produce a first digital output, wherein the first portion of the digital data is derived from frequency pulses that are separated by a first step size that is a multiple of the fixed step size, and processing a second portion of digital data that is generated from the stepped frequency scanning to produce a second digital output, wherein the second portion of the digital data is derived from frequency pulses that are separated by a second step size that is a multiple of the fixed step size, wherein the first multiple is different from the second multiple.

Operating a stepped frequency radar system involves performing stepped frequency scanning across a frequency range using at least one transmit antenna and a two-dimensional array of receive antennas and using frequency steps of a fixed step size, processing a first portion of digital data that is generated from the stepped frequency scanning to produce a first digital output, wherein the first portion of the digital data is derived from frequency pulses that are separated by a first step size that is a multiple of the fixed step size, and processing a second portion of digital data that is generated from the stepped frequency scanning to produce a second digital output, wherein the second portion of the digital data is derived from frequency pulses that are separated by a second step size that is a multiple of the fixed step size, wherein the first multiple is different from the second multiple.

A radar device (1) includes a frequency conversion part (12) which converts a frequency of an echo signal obtained by reflecting a detection signal and receiving the reflected detection signal by an antenna (10), and amplifies a signal level thereof. The radar device (1) includes a path switching part (20) which outputs, as a calibration signal, to the frequency conversion part (12), the transmission signal output by the transmission signal generation part (11) at a timing while the transmission signal is output to the antenna (10). A gain adjustment part (23) changes an amplification gain of the frequency conversion part (12) on the basis of a signal level of the calibration signal input to the frequency conversion part (12) and a signal level of the calibration signal having been amplified by the frequency conversion part (12).

A radar device (1) includes a frequency conversion part (12) which converts a frequency of an echo signal obtained by reflecting a detection signal and receiving the reflected detection signal by an antenna (10), and amplifies a signal level thereof. The radar device (1) includes a path switching part (20) which outputs, as a calibration signal, to the frequency conversion part (12), the transmission signal output by the transmission signal generation part (11) at a timing while the transmission signal is output to the antenna (10). A gain adjustment part (23) changes an amplification gain of the frequency conversion part (12) on the basis of a signal level of the calibration signal input to the frequency conversion part (12) and a signal level of the calibration signal having been amplified by the frequency conversion part (12).