Design, simulation, and implementation of a digital quadrature demodulator for a stepped frequency radar

The scope of this thesis project is the design and implementation of a digital quadrature demodulator for a stepped frequency ground penetrating radar. This dissertation presents a theoretical model of the demodulator, simulations characterising the demodulator performance as well as the design, construction, and measurement of the prototype demodulator. The demodulator estimates the amplitude and phase of the intermediate frequency signal of a time-interleaved dual-channel heterodyne radar receiver. A demodulator model is developed from a survey of the relevant literature, paying particular attention to errors introduced in sampling. Simulations predict the demodulator performance in the radar system, suggesting coherent integration improves accuracy by reducing the effect of random sampling errors. The design of the prototype and characterisation of its performance are briefly reported.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Cope, Michael K

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Inggs, Michael

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10291

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10291