FPGA Implementation of Linear Frequency Modulation (LFM) Waveforms for Radar

Abstract

The last few years have seen advances in radar signal generation and processing techniques
with the development of powerful hardware and software. The key objective in designing a
pulsed radar system is to attain a good range resolution and achieve maximum range
detection. Pulse compression is a technique of signal processing that offers the advantages of
greater range resolution capability as in case of short duration pulse and larger range
detection capability of long duration pulse. Pulse compression using Linear Frequency
Modulation (LFM) is a prevalent method in modern radar. In this proposed design, the LFM
waveforms are generated using Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) technique. A carry save
adder is used to optimize adder operations. The high speed adder architecture provides a
greater system performance. This approach has been implemented on a Field Programmable
Gate Array (FPGA) for the Radar application.