DRDO Makes Significant Progress in Photonic Radar Development

Date:

New Delhi: DRDO has made significant progress in Photonic Radar development and would soon realise the integrated Photonic Transmit Receive modules along with Photonic Distribution Network. Photonic Radar can detect stealth objects with better accuracy than traditional radars.

Photonic Radars uses a photonic system to generate much higher bandwidth signals, enabling radar that can detect smaller objects more precisely, and even be used to monitor patient vital signs in hospitals. Radar works by beaming radio frequency signals out and analysing how they bounce back, revealing the location, shape and speed of an object of interest, like a plane. Frequencies of a few hundred megahertz are most commonly used, which return images with a resolution on the scale of meters.

ads

Using higher frequencies could allow radar to capture finer detail, but that also widens the bandwidth. This requires far more powerful signal processing, in turn blowing out the cost and complexity of the system.

Photonic radar can help solve that problem. This technology still beams out microwaves, but the signals are generated and processed using lasers instead, giving them a much higher frequency over a wider bandwidth

In the new study, the researchers developed an advanced photonic radar system that produced signals with a bandwidth of 11 GHz, centred on the frequency of 34 GHz. Importantly, the electronic components driving this operate at frequencies of just 40 to 80 MHz, keeping the system’s requirements simple. The resulting radar images have a much finer resolution, down to just 1.3 cm (0.5 in).

In tests, the photonic radar was able to image small objects, measuring just 3 x 4 cm (1.2 x 1.6 in), as they moved on a rotating plate. In another, the researchers imaged a commercial drone, and were even able to see the blades as they spun. In addition to the usual object detection that radar is used for, the team says that the new photonic radar could also be used as a non-invasive way to monitor patient vital signs, such as breathing and heart rate. Ultimately, the device could fit onto a photonic chip that’s small enough to incorporate into electronic devices like a smartphone.

big bang

Next up, the team plans to test the new system on cane toads and eventually humans.

More like this

India Considering Acquistion of Air Launched Ballistic Missile Air LORA

Tel Aviv: India is actively considering the acquisition of...

Norway’s Maritime-Surveillance Drone Business Intensifies Competition Between US Vendors

New Delhi: Competition is heating up for Norway’s envisioned...

Baykar to Produce Military Dronesa at Piaggio Aerospace in Italy

Rome: Turkish drone firm Baykar has said it will...

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and India’s Lack of Strategic Vision – Both Military and Political

“ ……………… I, Shriman Inder Mahendra Rajrajeshwar Maharajadhiraj, Shri...

EDGE Obtains ISO 10015 Compliance for Its Technical Affairs School

Abu Dhabi, UAE: AL TAIF, the leading provider of maintenance,...

Boosting Ship Manufacturing: Pentagon Awards $5 Billion Contract to Six Businesses

Washington: The Defence Logistics Agency Maritime Mechanicsburg awarded a...

Missile Defence Agency’s FY26 Budget Focuses on Homeland Missile Defence

Washington: The Missile Defence Agency’s budget request for fiscal...

Australia, UK Conduct Freedom of Navigation Activity in South China Sea

Singapore: Australia and the United Kingdom have conducted a...
Indian Navy Special EditionLatest Issue