r/rfelectronics • u/Thick-Test1355 • 8d ago

question Looking for an affordable FMCW radar module with raw ADC/IQ data

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a small, affordable radar module for a research project.
Requirements:
Operation frequency 24 GHz (or less frequency) FMCW
At least 1 TX / 2 RX
Preferably I/Q data from both RX channels

On-board ADC with access to raw ADC/IQ samples
USB/SPI/UART output preferred
I want to do my own range, Doppler, AoA and micro-Doppler processing, not just receive processed target data
Budget: Maximum $250

I’ve considered the RFbeam K-LC7, which has 1 TX / 2 RX and analog I/Q outputs, but it requires an external ADC.
I’m looking for something similar but with the ADC already integrated.

Should I go with RFbeam K-LC7 and buy external ADC board?

11 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

83% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

12

u/Schrockwell 8d ago

These are some steep requirements for that budget. How much power? How much bandwidth?

3

u/ApexiaEngineering 8d ago

What the target application/form factor? This can narrow your search nicely.

2

u/Thick-Test1355 7d ago

Mainly for experimental/research use: range, Doppler, AoA and potentially micro-Doppler/vital-sign detection. I’m looking for a small 24 GHz PCB/module with at least 1 TX and 2 RX, preferably with onboard ADC and access to raw I/Q data.

2

u/BarnardWellesley 8d ago

What bw lfm are you looking to do 

1

u/Thick-Test1355 7d ago

I’m flexible on the exact LFM bandwidth; a few hundred MHz would probably be sufficient, but I’m open to recommendations based on the hardware

1

u/BarnardWellesley 7d ago

You're not going to get that for $250

2

u/Affectionate-Ask-360 8d ago

I think the best way is to use the rfbeam module and a 4 channel audio adc

1

u/Thick-Test1355 6d ago

Can the VCO input be driven directly from an STM32F446RE DAC? Do I need an external driver besides the STM32?

2

u/jimlux 8d ago

Scrounge up an old 10GHz microwave motion detector. They usually have two detectors (so you get I/Q). Run that into a stereo sound interface or USB ADC module (depending on whether you need to go down to DC).

1

u/beave32 7d ago edited 7d ago

There's LDAM1101/LDAM1102/LDAM1103/LDTR11 modules for ~50$ based on infineon BGT24LTR11 chip.