Building an Electronics Project: Radar Device Ideas

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around ideas for building a radar device as part of an applied electronics class project. Participants explore various types of radar systems, including phased array radars and speed detectors, while considering the feasibility of constructing these devices from scratch using accessible components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests building a radar device but notes the high cost of standalone parts required for advanced systems.
  • Another participant questions whether the device must operate at typical radar frequencies, proposing that HF frequencies could be used instead.
  • Concerns are raised about the need for an FCC license for microwave band operation, with suggestions to consider unlicensed bands like the 2.4GHz band.
  • Some participants propose building a sonar or sonic ranging device as a simpler alternative to radar, citing existing commercial devices as references.
  • Links to ultrasonic range finder kits and DIY radar projects are shared, indicating the availability of components for such projects.
  • Discussion includes the possibility of using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth components to create a radar system, with references to various online resources for DIY projects.
  • There is mention of legal considerations regarding frequency bands, particularly in the context of the UK and the reallocation of certain frequencies for mobile use.
  • One participant suggests considering LIDAR technology using high-power LEDs as an alternative to traditional radar systems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of ideas and suggestions, but there is no consensus on a specific approach or solution for the radar project. Multiple competing views on frequency usage, device complexity, and alternative technologies remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations related to licensing requirements for RF spectrum use and the complexity of building radar systems from scratch. There is uncertainty regarding the availability of truly unregistered frequency bands and the implications of using certain frequencies for the project.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in electronics or engineering courses, hobbyists interested in DIY electronics projects, and individuals exploring radar and sonar technologies may find this discussion beneficial.

guss
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Hi all,
For an applied electronics class I'm currently taking, we have to come up with and build an electronics project of our choosing from scratch. I think it would be cool to build some sort of radar device. I have been looking into phased array radars, radar speed detectors, etc., but a lot of it seems to require the purchase of expensive standalone parts. Is there anything I could build in this area that I could make mostly from scratch? Generally, these projects fill up a 9"x9" or so breadboard, just to give a general idea of the scale (although there are no limits). Looking for ideas.

Thanks!
 
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Is there any reason it has to operate at the typical radar frequencies? It is pretty easy to build stuff that operates at HF, and you can make antennas out of wire.
 
guss said:
Hi all,
For an applied electronics class I'm currently taking, we have to come up with and build an electronics project of our choosing from scratch. I think it would be cool to build some sort of radar device. I have been looking into phased array radars, radar speed detectors, etc., but a lot of it seems to require the purchase of expensive standalone parts. Is there anything I could build in this area that I could make mostly from scratch? Generally, these projects fill up a 9"x9" or so breadboard, just to give a general idea of the scale (although there are no limits). Looking for ideas.

Thanks!

To build a working radar, you would need to get an FCC license for the microwave band used by speed gun radar systems.

If you are in the US, you could probably use the unlicensed 2.4GHz "microwave oven" band, but you still are going to have to deal with some pretty sophisticated RF circuitry in order to get it to work.

You could build a sonar / sonic ranging device much more easily. Have you thought about that instead? There are sound-based distance measuring devices on the market (like for home builders and home improvement) -- you could look at them and their specifications to see if you can build something similar from scratch.

You might also brainstorm project ideas that can link up with your smartphone or tablet, and maybe write an app to go along with it. That would be a pretty cool synergy...
 
tfr000 said:
Is there any reason it has to operate at the typical radar frequencies? It is pretty easy to build stuff that operates at HF, and you can make antennas out of wire.

Same problem with requiring an FCC license, and ensuring no interference with other licensed users of bands around where you are wanting to transmit.
 
berkeman said:
You could build a sonar / sonic ranging device much more easily. Have you thought about that instead?
Much better than my laser idea; which has legal aspects, albeit different than RF and microwave band use.
 
tfr000 said:
Is there any reason it has to operate at the typical radar frequencies? It is pretty easy to build stuff that operates at HF, and you can make antennas out of wire.
No, I should have been more careful with my words, I'm not thinking about a specific frequency.

berkeman said:
Same problem with requiring an FCC license, and ensuring no interference with other licensed users of bands around where you are wanting to transmit.
I was thinking I could use some unregistered bands.

I'm also open to making a receiver and transmitter from scratch just to do something simple like turn on an LED, etc.

I found some circuits here, but with little documentation: http://www.qsl.net/va3iul/Homebrew_RF_Circuit_Design_Ideas/Homebrew_RF_Circuit_Design_Ideas.htm

I assume I will become familiar with this stuff as I move on with my class. Particularly, the one one titled "Short Range Wireless Data Communication" looks interesting. So the antennas would just be pieces of wire? And I assume the frequency is controlled by some component of the circuit, but I have no idea about that.
 
guss said:
No, I should have been more careful with my words, I'm not thinking about a specific frequency.


I was thinking I could use some unregistered bands.

If you are in the US or Europe, there aren't really any practical "unregistered" bands. The airwaves are pretty full. There are some bands that do not require a license, like the 2.4GHz "microwave oven band" that I mentioned earlier.

I'm also open to making a receiver and transmitter from scratch just to do something simple like turn on an LED, etc.

I found some circuits here, but with little documentation: http://www.qsl.net/va3iul/Homebrew_RF_Circuit_Design_Ideas/Homebrew_RF_Circuit_Design_Ideas.htm

That link is to HAM radio transceivers. You will need to get your HAM license before you can start building those projects. It's very easy to get your HAM license (see my signature below), but you may not have enough time to do that in time for this project.

I assume I will become familiar with this stuff as I move on with my class. Particularly, the one one titled "Short Range Wireless Data Communication" looks interesting. So the antennas would just be pieces of wire? And I assume the frequency is controlled by some component of the circuit, but I have no idea about that.

All good things to learn, but probably not in time for this project.
 
berkeman said:
If you are in the US or Europe, there aren't really any practical "unregistered" bands. The airwaves are pretty full. There are some bands that do not require a license, like the 2.4GHz "microwave oven band" that I mentioned earlier.
That link is to HAM radio transceivers. You will need to get your HAM license before you can start building those projects. It's very easy to get your HAM license (see my signature below), but you may not have enough time to do that in time for this project.
All good things to learn, but probably not in time for this project.

Thanks for all the info. This project isn't due for a while, so I may have time. Going to spend more time looking into this stuff.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/Speedy-Personal-Radar-Gun-Kit/dp/B0002NRL7K
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
skeptic2 said:
http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/Speedy-Personal-Radar-Gun-Kit/dp/B0002NRL7K

Interesting! I wonder if they are using the 2.4GHz band...?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #14
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
  • #15
Licensing in the RF spectrum will get you every time because the EIRP needed for pulse or chirp radar will get you every time.

I would suggest you consider LIDAR, using a cheap high power LED.
 
  • #17
  • #18
I'd be inclined to look at an optical approach - or even to use ultrasound signals. The nice thing about sound signals is that the circuitry is a lot easier (a simple oscilloscope as an output display) and the test range could be in metres rather than in hundreds of metres. Is there any reason not to use models for this exercise?
 

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