A DESIGN OF A DIGITALLY CONTROLLABLE WIDEBAND MICROWAVE RECEIVER

Abstract

Radar echo sounders provide a safe, inexpensive and effective means of obtaining ice sheet thickness. As the roughness of ice surface/subsurface depends on the radio wavelength, wideband radar sensors can provide flexibility for ice thickness measurement under areas with various surface conditions. This paper presents the design of a digitally controllable wideband microwave receiver for a potential radar sounding system. Its radio frequency (RF) frequency ranges from 50 to 500 MHz, while the intermediate frequency (IF) bandwidth is 20 MHz. The receiver provides eight channels for different RF band choices, as well as a number of convenient gain settings. Testing measurements have also been conducted to verify the design requirements.