Optimizing two-tone spurious-free dynamic range for polarimetric agile radar receivers

Polarimetric agile radar is able to transmit and receive two dual-orthogonal signals simultaneously. Some special requirements for the receivers of such radar should be seriously taken into account. This paper focuses on the simulation, verification and validation of the RF receiverpsilas two-tone Spurious-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) for an S-band radar with an IF sampling digital receiver. The models of every component and the non-linear components in the receiver chain in particular, are investigated in detail by using Agilent Advanced Design System (ADS) software. The measurement results of the components are used in this study to verify our initial models and they allow us to build up realistic models at component level. Furthermore simulation results of the receiver by using such realistic models are presented. Finally, the measurement results of the developed receiver are given to demonstrate the validity of our design approach for the two-tone SFDR optimization.