DCR

System Overview

The Dual-Channel Radar (DCR) represents the most compact Ka-band radar system in the Goleta Star product line. Developed under a government research and development program, the DCR pushes the boundaries of what is achievable in millimeter-wave radar miniaturization — weighing approximately 2 pounds in a 3×4×5-inch package, with a development target of reaching the sub-1-pound threshold.

Despite its extremely small footprint, the DCR delivers a 3-kilometer detection range at 40 watts of RF power. This makes it a viable sensor for micro-UAV platforms and other highly size-constrained applications where conventional radar integration is not feasible. The dual-channel processing architecture enhances target discrimination and image quality relative to single-channel designs of comparable size.

Government Development Heritage

The DCR's design maturity stems directly from a competitively awarded government research and development program. This heritage provides a level of design verification and environmental qualification not typically available in commercial off-the-shelf radar components. The resulting system serves as a proven, production-ready starting point for custom programs requiring ultra-compact millimeter-wave sensing.

Dual-Channel Architecture

The dual-channel design provides several technical advantages over equivalent single-channel systems: improved clutter rejection through interferometric processing, enhanced moving target detection, and the ability to generate three-dimensional terrain data from a single pass. These capabilities, previously available only in much larger and more expensive systems, are now accessible in a micro-UAV-compatible form factor.

Capabilities

• Dual-channel Ka-band (35 GHz) radar architecture
• 3 km operational range
• 40 W RF output
• Ultra-compact 3×4×5-inch form factor
• Under 2 pounds — compatible with micro-UAV payloads
• Interferometric processing capability
• Government R&D program heritage