SkyRadar's NextGen radar reaches a remarkable maximum range exceeding 20 meters—all while operating with a beaming power below 5 mW, making it completely safe for human exposure.
The following videos showcase live experiments exploring the radar’s maximum range capabilities. We conducted tests ranging from 10 to 20 meters and 16 to 26 meters without applying any filters or removing the source reflection, demonstrating the radar’s natural performance under these conditions.
We present the videos raw, as we measured. There is no post processing or beautification. We would like to present the performance of the radars, and the parameters we need to consider to get good or better results (like the PRF). And we want to show that it is a great experience to work with practical equipment.
Despite this setup, the results are impressive.
We look at the set up. Minimum range is 16 m, maximum range is 26 m. We have in-between a range interval of 10 m. The source reflection is repeated at approximately 20 m (the position where we placed the ladder). We will explain this effect below.
You will see that the horizonal axis shows a scale from 1 to 180. This scale corresponds to the radar's range cells. We chose this for our set up. In order to measure the distances, we need to choose a meter scale.
Nice clean setting from 10 to 20 m. My movements are clearly visible. And the repeated source noise appears between 10 and 11 m just as expected. The ladder indicates the distance of 20 m.
We look at a range interval between 16 m and 26 m.
Having set the x-axis on range cells, we were not able to measure the distance on the x-axis. The maximum range measured was 26 m.
In the center of the A-scope you see a strong noise. I falsely identified this as the reflection of a metal ladder standing there. However, the central noise visible in the videos is due to the Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF). In this experiment, the PRF is set too high, causing each radar frame to capture two pulses. As a result, the second pulse—caused by the source noise — appears displaced, as the radar mistakenly interprets it as a later, more distant reflection.
Depending on the selected range interval the source appears at around 0 to 1 m (range interval 0 to 10 m), 10 m to 11 m (range interval 10 to 20 m), 20 m to 21 m (range interval 20 to 30 m), ...
In our setting in the video above, we measured from approximately 16 to 26 m. Therefore the repeated reflection of the noise appears in the middle.
To avoid this effect, the PRF should be reduced, allowing sufficient time for the pulse to travel to and return from the target range. And only having one pulse per frame. We plan to share further experiments where we adjust the PRF to optimize clarity at longer ranges.
What’s notable in these videos is the impressive range achieved with such low beaming power. With additional filtering, we expect the NextGen radar to reach beyond 30 meters, while maintaining clear target detection. And imagine, what happens when we train our AI models to reduce the noise ...
There is a lot to come.
Stay connected with our ongoing publications on more updates and demonstrations as we discuss these capabilities further.