Welcome to Dynamic Sensor Systems

We produce solutions for those whose missions involve personnel detection or EM characterization of components and systems they design and produce.

To learn more about us, please feel free to email us for more information.

Who We Are

Established in 2010, Dynamic Sensor Systems leverages decades of experience in radar system design to provide solutions to our customers’ needs. Paul Swetnam (President of Dynamic Sensor Systems) provides technical and program leadership for the company. Dave Swetnam (CFO) provides business infrastructure and corporate administrative leadership. In addition to our company leaders, DSS has numerous associates with expertise in software, digital and PCB design, mechanical design, RF and microwave engineering, and signal processing. Together we are able to provide solutions to a wide range of customer problems and needs.

Our Specialties

Dynamic Sensor Systems specializes in turn-key systems which employ sensors that operate over a wide range of frequencies, with the greatest emphasis on those that operate from a few MHz to 100 GHz. Many sensors, such as instrumentation radar systems, are purpose built for particular applications by DSS, then installed in customer facilities or integrated into larger, more complex systems. DSS associates have provided radar systems that operate in a multitude of environments, frequencies, and power levels. The first radar system developed by DSS is the MacroSensor, ultra-portable radar with 1 inch resolution. Please refer to the company website for more information.

Other systems our associates have developed include radar systems for indoor and outdoor test ranges, used to measure Radar Cross Section (RCS), identify target defects (using various imaging approaches), and to locate and characterize airborne vehicles. Frequency coverage for these radars is from ~80 MHz to nearly 100 GHz.

Beyond radar systems, DSS associates have produced several high performance ATE systems for characterization of satellite payloads and T/R modules, with frequency coverage from 10 MHz to 32 GHz.

Currently we are interested in systems with a network of sensors to meet customer needs. Likely projects will involve a network of very low-cost radar systems for border defense, and integration of multi-spectral and MIMO based sensors to provide more robust performance in challenging environments.

We look forward to hearing about your challenging problems, to determine how we can help you define the best solution.

Download Company Brochure (PDF)

Products

The MacroSensor

The MacroSensor is a compact radar system (dimensions 10 x 10 x 8 inches, weight 14 lbs. excluding antennas) with an operating frequency range from 8 to 14 GHz. The radar system can be used to generate down-range profiles with up to 1 inch resolution, allowing it to be used to create high resolution images of targets along with the measurement of radar cross section (RCS). The MacroSensor is also well suited to implement a network of radar systems where multiple fields of view are of interest.

The intended market for this system is low cost, portable RCS and image measurements on targets up to 50 m in range from the radar and personnel detection applications.

The general characteristics of the MacroSensor are as follows:

- The radar uses a swept frequency CW (continuous wave) waveform, no pulse capability exists. A YIG oscillator is used to create the transmit waveform. The typical chirp time for the MacroSensor is 20 mS, however this is programmable over a range of 1 to 100 mS.
- Transmit power is guaranteed to be greater than +10 dBm, and does not exceed +20 dBm at any frequency.
- Instantaneous IF bandwidth is 100 Hz to 75 KHz.
- Various antennas may be used with the MacroSensor, depending on the application. Initial deliveries of the system use a ridge-horn antenna with a maximum gain of +17 dB.
- Application specific data processing software is available separately.
- Increased antenna gain and transmit power is available.

MacroSensor Datasheet (PDF)