RS140RS140SYNOPSIS
The "Radar Signal Processing" course is designed for radarsystems engineers and signal processing programmers who wish to understandthe theory and applications of analog and digital signal processing techniquesused in modern radar systems. It is assumed that the student taking thecourse has a general familiarity with radar systems, how they operate andare knowledgeable in the various techniques used by radar systems to measurerange, angle, range rate, and angle rate.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Senior professionals who have had an introductory radar course or whohave a strong background in radar systems.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The principle objectives of this course is to update practicing engineersand other technologists in the new and evolving techniques of signal processingas applied to modern radar systems.
The learning objectives of this course are:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Radar Signal Processing Course begins with a review of radar systemsand radar measurements. The components of a radar signal are identifiedand distinguished by their statistical, temporal, spatial, and spectralcharacteristics. The differences between coherent and incoherent processinggains and the reasons each is used is described. Range and Range rate resolutionrelationships related to signal bandwidth and signal duration are introduced.Similar relationships are developed for beamforming or spatial resolutionconsiderations.
A more detailed look at the range processing techniques follows. Thematched filter is introduced and the coupling between range resolution andsignal bandwidth is made clear. The concept of pulse compression is introduced.Linear FM pulse compression (with chirp waveforms) is described along withclassical one step (dispersive) and two step (Stretch) compression techniques.Structured, pseudo-random, and stepped frequency FM waveform compressionperformance is described. Phase coded waveforms and their compression characteristicsare also described. Enhanced resolution range tracking techniques are discussed.
Doppler processing techniques are the next topic to be examined. We startwith a review of the concepts of narrowband and I-Q processing to resolvefrequency and doppler differences between similar signals. Filter modelsare identified and the classic tapped delay line filter is closely examined.Design techniques to convert filter specifications to filter parametersare reviewed. The Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) is derived as a bankof narrowband filters, a simple extension of the channelized doppler filterbank. The algorithms to implement the DFT are decomposed to the efficientforms known as the Fast Fourier Transform. Computational comparisons betweenthe direct and fast forms of the algorithm are shown. The FFT is then castas a general signal processing tool, first as a doppler filter bank withindependently selectable spectral resolution and spectral filter shape.Applications of the FFT to the matched filtering requirements for rangecompression is also discussed.
Spatial processing methods are next topic. This topic starts with a simplereview of antenna theory. The relationships between frequency, antenna dimensions,beamwidth, and sidelobe control are shown to be the spatial equivalent ofthose established for the FIR filter designs. Scanning techniques are introducedand signal processing of the scan varying (hence time varying) signals arediscussed. Resolution limits in measurements of angle are identified. Bi-staticand monopulse methods of higher resolution measurements are the next topic.Synthetic aperture methods are presented and adaptive beam forming techniquesare introduced.
Finally, we discuss hardware related constraints such as finite arithmeticeffects, analog to digital speed and resolution limits. Also presented arearithmetic element and memory speed limitations of existing technologies.
COURSE OUTLINE
OVERVIEW OF RADAR SIGNAL PROCESSING
Use of Signal Processing computers in radar
Typical functional block diagrams
Typical radar signal processing hardware
Signal Processing tasks in radar systems
Introduction to radar measurements
Signals, Noise, Clutter & Interference
Coherent and Incoherent processing
Range and Range rate resolution
Spatial resolution (Beamforming)
RANGE PROCESSING
Matched Filters
Time-Bandwidth Relationships
Pulse Compression
Linear FM Signals
Passive Analog Signal Processing
Stretch Processing
Stepped Frequency Synthesized FM
Discrete Phase Coded Waveforms
Discrete Correlation function
Sidelobe Suppression Techniques
Direct and Indirect Matched Filters
Range Tracking
Alpha-Beta Tracker
DOPPLER PROCESSING
Frequency Selective Filtering
Tapped Delay Line Digital Filters
Finite Impulse Response (FIR) Filter Design
Discrete Fourier Transform
Fast Fourier Transform
Time Domain Processing Techniques with FFT
Doppler Tracking