ABSTRACT

Multifunctional radio frequency (RF) sensors are a natural evolution of radar. The interest in multifunctional systems can be traced back to a 1978 paper on the Ku-band NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter subsystem, which combined the radar and communication functionalities. Conceptual design of a multifunctional RF system test bed developed for the Advanced Multifunction Radio Frequency Concept Program is summarized in Tavik et al. The chapter summarizes the current state of the art in multifunctional ultra-wideband (UWB)-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) software-defined radar sensor (SDRS). OFDM lends itself very well to implementation in software—from spectrum allocation and signal construction to frequency-domain signal processing upon reception. The UWB-OFDM radar system was simulated to measure its performance as an integrated sensor in a navigation system. The chapter suggests that using UWB-OFDM SDRS for ranging, communications, adaptive imaging, detection, and navigation. The radar as a navigational tool was also explored, primarily for airborne and seaborne navigation.