US Patent 7994969 OFDM frequency scanning radar

A radar system is disclosed, which comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modem and a frequency scanning antenna. In transmit, the OFDM modem modulates radar waveforms and the frequency scanning antenna radiates the OFDM modulated radio frequency (RF) energy. In receive mode, the frequency scanning antenna captures the echoes and the OFDM modem demodulates the echoes. Directionality of the frequency scanning antenna is dependent upon RF carrier frequency. In other features, the radar system further comprises a transmit/receive (T/R) module that up-converts and amplifies the OFDM modulation, and outputs the amplified signal to the frequency scanning antenna. The T/R module amplifies and down-converts a received RF echo from the frequency scanning antenna and outputs the down-converted echo to the OFDM modem. A plurality of scanning angles are measured simultaneously.