Ballistic measurement systems: Measuring small bullets with a Continuous Wave (CW) Doppler homodyne radar (1980)

Measuring small bullets with a Continuous Wave (CW) Doppler homodyne radar (1980)

In 1980, the TNO Prince Maurits Laboratory (PML) asked LEOK to develop a measuring system to measure the speed of small bullets and shards with cross-sections of 3 to 20 mm and speeds between 50 and 2500 m/s over the first 20 meters of their flight. These measurements must take place in a tunnel with a diameter of 2.25 meters with the firing track height at 720 mm above ground level. With the previously used photobeam system, these new requirements could not be realised.
The solution chosen was to use a Continuous Wave (CW) Doppler homodyne radar. This consists of a generator that feeds the antenna via a circulator. The signal emitted by the antenna is partially reflected by the passing bullet and is fed to the mixer via the antenna and the circulator. Another part of the generator signal is supplied to the mixer. The Doppler signal is obtained by mixing both signals.
The transceiver operates at a frequency of 24 GHz, has a transmit power of 69 mW and a detector sensitivity of -90 dBm.
To prevent the used parabolic antenna from being hit by the fired bullets, a periscope set-up has been chosen. The reflector, which is placed in the firing path, is provided with a hole in the centre. This solved this problem.

Antenne en schootsbaan midden door spiegel — Antenna location and ammunition flight path through the middle of the reflector

The first trials to prove the principle on the rooftop of LEOK, Oegstgeest

The measuring device with robust height adjusters — The heavy measuring device with robust height adjusters

The 45 degrees periscope mirror with shooting hole in the centre; the microwave antenna is visible at the lower end — The 45 degrees periscope reflector with the ammunition flight path hole in the centre of the reflector; the microwave antenna is visible at the bottom

Another device with lid and heating device — Multiple devices were produced. This photo shows the lid and heating device

The measuring system consists of a measuring section and a processing part. An electronic chronograph measures the time a bullet needs to pass a distance of five half wavelengths (about 3.25 cm). During the time that the projectile (ball) travels the next five half wavelengths, the content of the counter is stored in the Random Access Memory (RAM), and the counter is reset to zero.
The result can be visualised on an oscilloscope as speed variation along the length of the flight. The meter readings can also be sent to punch tape for computer processing and analysis afterwards.

De teller — The electronic chronograph (time counter)