Patent ID: 8098193
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. An ultra wide band (UWB) millimeter (mm) wave radar system, comprising: a signal source having a control input, a Giga Hertz (GHz) signal output and a frequency controlled output that provides a plurality of frequency controlled signals: a control loop coupled between said GHz signal output and said control input comprising (i) a frequency divider coupled to said GHz signal output for generating a frequency divided signal and (ii) a phase locked loop (PLL) having a first input coupled to an output of said frequency divider, a second input for receiving digital control signals, a third input for receiving a reference frequency signal, and a locked output coupled to said control input of said signal source that provides frequency locked output signals that are frequency swept or hopped by said digital control signals; a control unit for providing said digital control signals to said second input of said PLL; a frequency multiplier coupled to said frequency controlled output of said signal source, said frequency multiplier outputting a plurality of mm-wave frequencies; at least one antenna for transmitting said plurality of mm-wave frequencies to a surface to be interrogated and for receiving reflected signals from said surface; a mixer for mixing said reflected mm-wave signals from said surface and said plurality of mm-wave frequencies, said mixer providing a mixing output; and signal processing circuitry coupled to an output of said mixer for determining at least one parameter relating to said surface from said mixing output.