Underground Target Objects Detection Simulation Using FMCW Radar with SDR Platform

摘要

In this paper, the implementation of Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radar in Software Defined Radio (SDR) Platform is presented mainly for the purpose of detecting underground targets. The SDR platform used in this research is the National Instruments' (NI) Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP?). For the interfacing of the USRP, the software development environment NI LabVIEW^{? is used. This approach takes advantage of the SDR system's versatility, like changing the waveform characteristics (frequency, transmit and receive gain) on the fly. In the FMCW Radar technique, a ramp signal is frequency modulated which results to a chirp waveform. The researchers developed a signal processing program in LabVIEW to analyze the received chirp signal and correlate it to the reference transmit signal which can then be analyzed and studied the received signal characteristics and behavior on the LabVIEW platform. This implementation can be a platform for designing low cost alternatives to the expensive commercial electromagnetic techniques like Ground Penetrating Radars, Time Domain reflectometers, Electrical resistivity devices, etc. The method presented in this paper is a precursory step of the researchers for developing and modeling cost effective, robust and marketable Underground Target Detection Radar system. Moreover, this paper presents the successful implementation of FMCW using the USRP and proves that target detection of buried objects is plausible using the said device.}