The DRFM Advantage_ How Digilogic’s Radar Target Echo Simulator is Revolutionizing Radar Test & Evaluation

Digilogic's state-of-the-art Radar Target Echo Simulator (RTES) bridges the gap between lab and real-world operations, delivering realistic, scalable, and customizable radar echo simulation in a safe, controlled environment.

Powered by DRFM and high-speed FPGAs, it accurately simulates range, Doppler, RCS, clutter and advanced ECM scenarios.

Covering L through Ka bands with scalable architecture, RTES is available in both benchtop and portable forms, delivering realistic multi-target echo simulation with intuitive GUI control and MIL-STD-1553B data streaming.

Click the link below to learn more about our RTES.
https://bit.ly/4639GAZ

Let’s connect. Our team is ready to support your radar testing with our Radar Target Echo Simulator.
Phone: [phone]
Website: www.digilogicsystems.com
Email: [email protected]

1. The DRFM Advantage: How Digilogic’s Radar Target
Echo Simulator is Revolutionizing Radar Test &
Evaluation
The Real-World Challenges in Radar Evaluation
Apart from operating in rugged environment conditions such as high-altitude
locations, extreme heat/cold environments, storm/rain conditions, which tend to
introduce variables such as clutter, multipath effects, and working in a hostile
environment where electronic countermeasures (ECM) like jamming, spoofing can
degrade radar performance. Testing radar systems in such conditions is logistically
Introduction:
In modern warfare, radar technology is the backbone of situational awareness,
enabling the detection, tracking, and identification of targets in complex and dynamic
environments. However, the various research & production organizations face
significant challenges in ensuring the evaluation and operational readiness of radar
systems on the battlefield.

2. Why Advanced Simulation is Vital
With such issues looming in the atmosphere, agencies that design, develop, and
produce such complex systems are constantly on the lookout to find solutions that
can help reduce their turnaround time, increase productivity, and help in rapid
complex, expensive, and often impossible to replicate consistently. Real-world testing
requires access to aircraft, ships, or other targets, which are often exorbitant in cost,
require coordination with multiple agencies, and pose safety risks. Moreover,
replicating specific testing scenarios, such as multiple targets moving at varying
speeds or heavy rain/storm conditions, is not often possible.
Another pressing issue is the rapid evolution of radar technology itself. Modern
radars, operating across L, S, C, X, and Ku bands, incorporate advanced signal
processing algorithms and high-bandwidth capabilities to detect low-observable
targets and counter sophisticated ECM. However, validating these systems under
realistic conditions before deployment is a daunting task. The inability to
thoroughly test radars and other RF Systems in diverse scenarios can lead to
undetected vulnerabilities, potentially compromising the systems functionality in
the field. For instance, a radar system that fails to distinguish a target from clutter
or succumbs to ECM, such as range gate pull-off (RGPO), could result in
catastrophic consequences.

3. Radar Target Echo Simulators (RTES) work by digitally capturing and retransmitting
RF signals to mimic the behaviour of targets, clutter, and ECM in a laboratory or
controlled field environment. Unlike live testing, RTES allows engineers to simulate a
wide range of scenarios, including multiple targets with varying radar cross-sections
(RCS), Doppler shifts, and jamming techniques. This capability ensures that radar
systems are rigorously tested against realistic
prototyping and development of their systems and algorithms. This is where the
need to create a testing method which could simulate, re-create real-world
conditions, and provide a method to evaluate the system from the comfort of the
lab was needed. For radar and RF systems, Digital Radio Frequency Memory
(DRFM)-based simulation provided this breakthrough, fundamentally changing
how these technologies are developed and tested.
The limitations of live testing underscore the need for advanced simulation
technologies that can replicate real-world battlefield conditions in a controlled,
repeatable, and cost-effective manner. DRFM-enabled Echo Simulators offer a
transformative solution to these challenges, enabling organizations to evaluate and
optimize radar systems without the logistical and financial burdens of live tests.
The Power of DRFM-Enabled Radar Target Echo Simulators

4. DRFM also addresses the issue of repeatability. In field tests, environmental
conditions like weather, terrain, or target behaviour make it difficult to repeat the
test. A DRFM-enabled Simulator, however, provides precise control over parameters
such as target range, speed, altitude, and RCS, allowing engineers to fine-tune
algorithms and validate performance on demand. This enables designers to identify
and resolve issues in their radar signal processing algorithms, ensuring that systems
are reliable before deployment.
Moreover, RTES significantly reduces costs and risks associated with testing. They
also enable designers to test their units in a controlled environment without
endangering personnel or equipment. For radar operators, simulators provide a
practical training platform, enabling them to gain hands-on experience with realistic
radar displays and controls, preparing them for complex battlefield scenarios.
The use of DRFM based simulation further enhances the realism of an Echo Simulator.
DRFM technology digitally captures RF signals, processes them on an FPGA, and
retransmits them with precise modifications to simulate target echoes, clutter, and
ECM. This approach ensures high-fidelity simulation, replicating the exact signal
characteristics that a radar would encounter in the field. By integrating advanced
signal processing algorithms, RTES can simulate complex phenomena like Clutter,
Chaff, micro-Doppler signatures, and ECM techniques such as RGPO and velocity
gate pull-off (VGPO), providing a comprehensive testing environment.
Digilogic Systems: State-Of-the-Art Simulation for Next-Gen Radars
Digilogic has developed a versatile, scalable, and user-friendly RTES that is
revolutionizing radar testing and training for the defence and aerospace sectors
conditions, such as high-speed targets, low-observable drones, or deceptive ECM,
without the need for repeated field trials.

5. Key Features of Digilogic’s RTES
1. Realistic Target Simulation: Digilogic’s RTES delivers accuracy in replicating
radar echoes, allowing users to simulate a wide range of targets like aircraft, ships,
ground vehicles, and drones, under diverse environmental conditions. The system
supports high-fidelity modelling of RCS, Doppler shifts, and clutter, ensuring that
radar systems are tested against scenarios that mirror real-world complexities.
2. Comprehensive Scenario Control: The RTES features a user-friendly scenario
generator that enables precise control over target parameters, including range,
speed, altitude, and RCS. Users can create customized scenarios to test radar
performance under specific conditions, such as dense clutter, multipath effects, or
ECM like RGPO and VGPO, making it an ideal tool for both development and
validation.
3. Variants Offered: Digilogic offers two variants of its RTES: a standard model,
which is rack-mounted for testing high-performance radars with various features
such as communication protocols, Analog and Digital Resources, etc., and a
portable model for enabling testing applications on the go. Both variants cover L,
S, C, X, and Ku frequency bands, offering options with Instantaneous Bandwidths
up to 2 GHz, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of radar systems.
4. Scalable Architecture: Built on a modular PXI Express platform and powered by
LabVIEW software, Digilogic’s RTES is highly scalable. The system can be
expanded to include additional channels or upgraded to support Ku/Ka bands
with minimal R&D effort, making it future-proof and adaptable to evolving radar
technologies.
5. MIL-STD-1553B Integration: The RTES supports streaming of target parameters
over the MIL-STD-1553B protocol, enabling seamless communication with radar
systems under test. This feature ensures real-time feedback and integration with
existing defence infrastructure.

6. 6. Portable and Field-Deployable: Digilogic’s portable RTES is designed for field
deployment, with compact dimensions and a 2.4” display for local operation or
remote control. This portability makes it an ideal solution for on-site testing and
training, reducing the need for laboratory-based setups.
DRFM-Based Technology: Leveraging DRFM, the RTES digitally captures and
processes RF signals with high precision, retransmitting them to simulate realistic
target echoes. This technology supports real-time signal processing on an FPGA,
ensuring low latency and accurate simulation of complex radar scenarios.
What Sets Digilogic’s RTES Apart?

7. Digilogic’s RTES offers a range of advantages that redefine the radar testing and
training process, aligning with India’s defence modernization goals:
Cost Efficiency: By eliminating the need for live targets and extensive field
tests, the RTES significantly reduces testing costs. This is particularly critical
for India’s defence sector, where budget constraints often limit the scope of
live exercises. The simulator provides a cost-effective alternative without
compromising on testing rigor.
Enhanced Safety: Testing in a controlled laboratory or field environment
eliminates the risks associated with live testing, such as accidents involving
aircraft or personnel. This ensures safer validation and training processes.
Training Excellence: The RTES serves as a powerful training tool, enabling
radar operators to practice with realistic scenarios, including multiple targets,
ECM, and varying environmental conditions. Features like detailed
explanations, self-testing, and unlimited practice enhance operator
proficiency, ensuring readiness for real-world operations.
Accelerated Development Cycles: With its scalable architecture and rapid
development capabilities, the RTES allows radar designers to test and optimize
systems in as little as six months, as demonstrated by Digilogic’s development
timeline using PXI Express and LabVIEW. Upgrades, such as adding ECM
features like RGPO and VGPO, can be implemented in just one month,
minimizing R&D time.
Multi-Platform Compatibility: The RTES integrates seamlessly with a wide
range of radar systems, making it a versatile solution for defence contractors,
research institutions, and training facilities. Its compatibility with existing
infrastructure ensures ease of adoption.
Support for Emerging Technologies: The RTES is equipped to handle the
demands of next-generation radar systems, including those used in
autonomous vehicles, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and advanced driver
assistance systems (ADAS). This forward-looking design ensures relevance in a
rapidly evolving technological landscape.

8. Conclusion: Leading the Future of Radar Test and Measurement
As the world continues to strengthen its defence capabilities, Digilogic Systems
stands as a trusted partner, delivering innovative solutions that empower radar
designers, engineers, and operators. With its RTES, Digilogic is not only
revolutionizing radar testing but also contributing to a safer, more self-reliant
future for the test & measurement domain.
Let’s connect. Our team is ready to support your radar testing with our Radar
Target Echo Simulator.
Phone: [phone]
Website: www.digilogicsystems.com
Email: [email protected]
Locations
Head Office
#102, 1st floor, DSL Abacus Tech Park, beside DSL Virtue Mall,
Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana-500039.
Branch Office
#216, 3rd Floor, Zareen Heights, Varthur Road, Nagavarapalya,
C. V. Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560093.