Reconfigurable L-band Radar Transceiver using Digital Signal Synthesis

This Phase II proposal, builds upon the extensive research and digital radar design that has been successfully completed during the Phase I contract. Key innovations of the proposed Phase II work will be High update rate software configurable Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) design. The state-of-the-art DDS ICs can operate at 1 GHz update rates. IAI proposes to achieve the same or higher update rates, with increased flexibility (in frequency/ phase tuning) which arises from the software defined nature of the DDS implementation. High-sampling rate (400 MHz and above), multi-channel digital receiver design. On-board signal processing capabilities will be integrated in the receiver. This includes digital implementation of commonly used radar receiver architectures (Digital down-up conversion, Digital filtering, Correlation, SAR imaging). Digital implementation of direct RF generation techniques for L-Band frequencies. Flexible and scalable analog up-conversion techniques would be implemented to generate frequencies in the S-Band, X-Band, going up to the Ku band. Scalable and modular hardware architecture to support multiple radar missions. Such a design approach would also address the issue of portability between different reconfigurable logic device families/ vendors. Technology transition to adapt the radar design to meet space qualified standards.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.