Coherent radar digital data collector and sampling technique for noncoherent transmitter radars

Claim 1

A processor for extracting Doppler data from a noncoherent radar system having a return signal receiver producing an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, the processor comprising: one analog to digital (A/D) converter means for converting samples obtained from the IF signal to digital values; one sample and hold circuit means connected to said A/D converter means and the return signal receiver, wherein said sample and hold circuit means in response to timing signals precisely phased locked to a transmitted pulse of the radar system samples the IF signal at two points separated by 90 electrical degrees in order to obtain an in-phase (I) data sample and quadrature (Q) data sample, said sample and hold circuit means temporarily holds the I and Q samples and provides the I and Q samples to said A/D converter means; moving target indication (MTI) filtering means connected to the A/D converter means for receiving and filtering the digital values representing the I and Q samples output by the A/D converter means; timing means connected to the sample and hold circuit means and the A/D converter means and the MTI filtering means, wherein said system timing means provides timing signals precisely phase locked to a transmitted pulse of the radar system to said sample and hold circuit means and said A/D converter means for controlling the sampling and A/D conversion of the IF signal and said timing means provides timing signals precisely phase locked to a transmitted pulse of the radar system to said MTI filtering means for regulating the filtering of the I and Q samples; and detector means connected to said timing means for precisely phase locking said timing means to a transmitted pulse of the radar system.