Research on the Waveform Generator Technology for the SAR Payload

Digital waveform generation technology for SAR payload can be divided into DDS(Direct Digital Synthesizer) method and Memory Mapped(M/M) method. DDS is the single chip which consists of the Sine Table, NCO(Numerically Controlled Oscillator), DAC, and so on. DDS method is a very simple method because the circuit configuration is not complex but has a disadvantage that can not control phase and amplitude easily by using NCO. M/M method has the complexity of the circuit configuration because it requires the memories which stores the waveforms, the control circuits, and DAC. And this method should apply the high interface technology for being compatible with the wide bandwidth of the digital signal and has the difficulty for PCB design because the number of the signal lines should be increased according to the number of the data bits for DAC. Although it has several disadvantages, this method has the capability of pre-distortion function which can compensate the phase and amplitude characteristics of the system and also has an excellent advantage to make any arbitrary waveform, so this method is considered as an important technology with DDS method. This research describes the technological trends of the waveform generator for the SAR payload and analyzes the characteristics of the technology.