Characterization and Synchronization of a Netted Software Defined Radio Radar

– The increasing demand for flexible and reconfigurable radar systems has driven the development of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) platforms in netted radar configurations. This paper presents the characterisation and synchronisation methodology for a netted SDR-based radar system, focusing on its performance in distributed sensing and cooperative target tracking scenarios. The system comprises multiple spatially separated SDR nodes operating in a synchronized network to achieve coherent radar operation. We detail the hardware and software architecture, including timing and frequency alignment techniques using GPS-disciplined oscillators and network time protocols. Experimental characterisation includes measurements of range resolution, timing jitter, phase coherence, and inter-node latency under various operational conditions. The results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving tight synchronisation (sub-microsecond accuracy) across SDR nodes, enabling robust multi-static radar performance. This work lays the groundwork for scalable, adaptive radar networks capable of dynamic spectrum access and real-time reconfiguration, critical for modern defence, surveillance, and civilian applications. ·