The ADF4351 software allows to set the frequency (in MHz) and steps (in KHz) per time, i.e. to make the device send at 1400MHz at t=0, and 10 milliseconds later change to 1399.9MHz. I guess the calculation of voltages is invisible to the end user. But the steps and times are linear. I'm perfectly fine with calculating the exponential time/frequency curve myself (I do this every day), but I would need to feed the curve into the software.
Be assured that I do NOT plan to do anything illegal! I'm in astrophysics research, and we will only perform experiments in a lab environment, after it has been authorized by the authorities. This is to find out possible locations of interference. In radio observations at Parkes Radio Telescope (Australia), Effelsberg (Germany) and Arecibo (Puerto Rico), bursts like the one in my picture are regularly received. We want to understand possible locations of man-made interference. This is to find out if the signals are in fact man-made or come from space.
For example, the microwave oven at the visitor centre of the Parkes radio telescope caused similar signals which were received in the telescope, through reflection of the metal strut structure. We like to explore other sources and their origins.
My problem is that I'm more of a software guy, although I have done some basic electronics and soldering before. So I'd love the adventure of doing this with my own hands, instead of transfering the idea to some "proper" research group which would probably have no time at the moment.
Is this HackRF stuff useful for my purpose?