Radar apparatus

Tender description

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of 2 radar systems capable of forming a coherent network. The radars may be scanning but must be capable of operating in a staring mode with overlapped coverage. The radar systems will form part of a physical demonstrator, i.e. facilities created as part of a quantum hub project, which will be used to facilitate and support the demonstration of advanced quantum oscillators and their impact on achievable monostatic and networked radar performance. The radar systems will be used to develop methods to enhance traditional radar performance as well as researching new advanced radar modalities and applications in the broad areas of distributed, coherent, cognitive, high resolution radar sensing. Therefore, it will be required, as part of the project, to build a strong partnership with the technology provider and, ideally, define a joint co-funded R&D programme. This project is funded by the EPSRC and the procurement is dependent on the final funding agreement. The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of 2 radar systems capable of forming a coherent network. The radars may be scanning but must be capable of operating in a staring mode with overlapped coverage. The radar systems will form part of a physical demonstrator, i.e. facilities created as part of a quantum hub project, which will be used to facilitate and support the demonstration of advanced quantum oscillators and their impact on achievable monostatic and networked radar performance. The radar systems will be used to develop methods to enhance traditional radar performance as well as researching new advanced radar modalities and applications in the broad areas of distributed, coherent, cognitive, high resolution radar sensing. Therefore, it will be required, as part of the project, to build a strong partnership with the technology provider and, ideally, define a joint co-funded R&D programme. The 2 radar systems are to enable a 2-node radar network to be developed such that it can be used to demonstrate fundamental improvements in RF sensing that come with improved timing. This RF sensor network will serve 2 main purposes. Firstly, it provides an application-oriented test-bed for the full evaluation of ultra-low phase noise quantum timing sources. Secondly, it will allow development and evaluation of a novel networked radar sensing system in which a highly stable distributed clock signal is central to system coherency, performance and the resulting capability. The following requirements provide guidance but vendors are free to make alternative suggestions where they feel they can match. The 2 radar systems should operate at the same frequency with the same bandwidth. The 2 radar systems should be capable of functioning in a staring mode whereby, ideally, the transmitted signal illuminates the whole of the field of regard and multiple receive beams, preferably formed by digital means, can collectively match the same field of regard. However, it is recognised that a single transmit and receive beam system will be sufficient to enable all requirements to be met. Each radar should have a detection range of at least 3 km as evidenced by an adequate signal to noise ratio against a target with a radar cross-section of -20 dBsm. The radar field of view should be no less than plus and minus 45 degrees from the radar boresight line. In the horizontal (azimuth) plane and up to an angle of 30 degrees from the ground plane, vertically (i.e. in elevation). Individual beam widths should be no more than 22,5 degrees in the horizontal (azimuthal) plane and 6,5 degrees in the vertical (elevation) plane. Radar range resolution should be no coarser than 150 m. The radar systems are to have a processing capacity together with processing algorithms able to detect, track and classify multiple targets. The radar systems must be capable of being installed on rooftop locations at the University of Birmingham. It is preferable that the transmitter and receiver are physically separable, allowing remote location of one from the other. The systems should have a data recorder for storing I and Q of all range gates for each pulse at the maximum PRF and in all receiver channels. The recording systems, ideally, should be capable of recording for up to 6 hours. The radar should also provide a means for calibration of any phase and/or amplitude imbalance.