RUGRA: Design and implementation of a cost-effective radar processor for early warning radar

Surveillance radars remain a cornerstone in applications such as air traffic control, unauthorized flight detection, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle monitoring, which are critical tasks for ensuring national security. However, the high cost and reliance on specialized hardware significantly hinder the development and deployment of such systems, particularly in developing countries. This paper presents the design and implementation of a radar processor for an early warning radar, leveraging Commercial Off-The-Shelf components and custom software capable of executing advanced detection algorithms in real time. A novel detection algorithm is introduced, incorporating innovations such as pulse compression using the transmitted waveform and pulse integration per block. The proposed processor enables reliable detection of low Radar Cross Section targets within a 300 km range in real-world tests, achieving a detection probability of 90% with a Signal to Noise Ratio of 0.9 dB and false alarm probability of (Formula presented) with reduced system complexity and cost.