Scalable Digital Beam-Former (DBF)
• Type
Three types of DBF product are developed in NCSIST.
TYPE Ⅰ: Fixed 32-input-channels DBF.
TYPE Ⅱ: Scalable input-channel DBF which can be 16, 32, 48, 64…
TYPE Ⅲ: Large 2D DBF which includes 32 X 32 Input channels.
• Development
The fixed 32-intput channel DBF was first developed in 2006. This type of product consists of a 32
ADC board and a FPGA board with a single Xilinx chip. The beam formed data is transmitted out by
the Rocket IO bus which was developed by Xilinx. This DBF product was equipped into a radar
system and completed a verification and demonstration test in 2011.
The scalable DBF product was developed by the need of scalable input channels and using the
COTS parts. This product was completed and verified in 2013.
The large 2D 32x32 DBF is under developed in NCSIST now. This product was constructed by
128 8X1 sub-arrays. The prototype of the 8x1 sub-array is almost completed through one year
development. The full 32 x32 array DBF will be finished in the next year.
• Description
1. The DBF was designed to deliver capabilities rapidly and affordably. Built on a scalable and
reconfigurable architecture, it contains self verification and channel data monitoring functions,
making this DBF a high performance and reliable product.
2. The DBF was designed with COTS modules. The product can be kept updated with available
components. The scalable and module architecture make this product be flexible with various
antenna configurations.
3. The self verification and input channel data monitoring functions make this product more reliable.
4. The multiple beams capability of DBF supports the multi-static radar function.
• Specifications
• Features
| Approach |
Benefits
|
|
Module Based
|
• Incorporation of high speed FPGA components
• Ease of software reconfiguration
|
|
Open Architecture
|
• Portable, COTS-based
• Easily customized by the user
|
|
Commonality
|
• Affordable cost
• Supportability
|
|
Proven Performance
|
• Simultaneous 8-beam operation
• Bi-static Radar
|
|
Scalable
|
• Input channels can be scalable
• Can be 1-D or 2-D configuration
|
• Status
Type Ⅰ DBF is not available now because of the obsolete FPGA chip.
Type Ⅱ DBF is available and used in radar application.
Type Ⅲ DBF is under developed and may be available in the near future.