Radar/Sonar Signal Design for Bounded Doppler Shifts

In many detection and estimation problems, Doppler frequency shifts are bounded. For clutter or multipath that is uniformly distributed in range and symmetrically distributed in Doppler shift relative to the signal, detectability of a point target or a communication signal is improved by minimizing the weighted volume of the magnitude-squared autoambiguity function. When clutter Doppler shifts are bounded, this volume is in a strip containing the range axis on the range-Doppler plane. For scattering function estimation, e.g., for weather radar, Doppler flow meters, and distributed target classifiers, it is again relevant to minimize ambiguity volume in a strip. Strip volume is minimized by using a pulse train, but such a signal has unacceptably large range sidelobes for most applications. Other waveforms that have relatively small sidelobe level within a strip on the range-Doppler plane, as well as small ambiguity volume in the strip, are obtained. The waveforms are composed of pulse pairs that are phase modulated with Golay complementary codes.     

Volume Properties for the Wideband Ambiguity Function

It is shown that the volume under the wideband ambiguity function is close to the square of the signal energy. The ambiguity volume is asymptotically conserved as the signal approaches the narrowband case. The narrowband ambiguity volume is a lower bound for the volume of the wideband ambiguity function.     

On the Mean Frequency Measurement System Using Correlation Detection

This paper is concerned with the problem of measuring the mean frequency of the power spectrum of a zero-mean, stationary, narrowband Gaussian random signal in the presence of additive Gaussian noise. Signal-to-noise ratios at the output of the mean frequency measurement system using correlation detection are analyzed in terms of input signal-to-noise ratio, input signal and noise bandwidths, and integration time. The results obtained are verified experimentally, and a comparison with a conventional zero-crossing detector is also made.     

Pseudorandom Frequency Modulation in Range-Doppler Radar

In many radar systems, efficient use of transmitter power requires the transmission of a constant-amplitude signal for a substantial fraction of time; for a monotonic transmission, however, the range resolution is restricted by the length of the transmitted pulse. Linear frequency modulation removes this constraint for targets with negligible, or known, radial velocities; it is not suitable, however, for simultaneous observations of range and radial velocity (Doppler shift). This paper describes a class of waveforms suitable for simultaneous measurement of range and Doppler shift. These waveforms are characterized by a uniform distribution in frequency and by pseudorandom frequency changes. Uniform frequency distribution is attained by a uniform spacing of frequencies with each frequency present for an identical length of time. Frequency changes are effected by sequencing the frequencies with a pseudorandom number generator. Ambiguity functions are computed for pseudorandom frequencymodulated waveforms designed for ionospheric backscatter studies. By suitable choice of parameters, the ambiguity function becomes a narrow central peak surrounded by a plateau whose height varies randomly between zero and approximately twice its average. Waveform generation by means of a digital frequency synthesizer and data reconstruction considerations are described.     

欠采样条件下的频率估计技术研究

为了在欠采样条件下实现信号真实频率的估计,文章阐述了在对信号采样过程产生频率模糊机理进行分析的基础上,根据频谱位置模糊与采样频率的特定关系,提出了利用两个欠采样频率进行采样来实现解模糊的算法,仿真验证了算法的有效性.     

Robust SVA method for every sampling rate condition

Linear apodization, or data weighting, is the traditional procedure to improve sidelobe levels in a finite sampled signal at the expense of resolution. New apodization methods, such as spatially variant apodization (SVA), apply nonlinear filtering to the signal in order to completely remove sidelobes without any loss of resolution. However, the results are strongly influenced by signal sampling rate. Some variations which improve results have been previously published, but sidelobe cancellation gets worse since sampling frequency is not settled at Nyquist (or a multiple). This paper presents a new and efficient technique based on SVA that drastically reduces sidelobe levels for every sampling rate condition. The algorithm is, essentially, a parameter optimization of a variant filter for each pixel of the image. A one-dimensional case and a two-dimensional generalization are presented, as well as some applications to target detection capability in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system.     

Improving performance in pulse radar detection using neuralnetworks

A new approach using a multilayered feed forward neural network for pulse compression is presented. The 13 element Barker code was used as the signal code. In training this network, the extended Kalman filtering (EKF)-based learning algorithm which has faster convergence speed than the conventional backpropagation (BP) algorithm was used. This approach has yielded output peak signal to sidelobe ratios which are much superior to those obtained with the BP algorithm. Further, for use of this neural network for real time processing, parallel implementation of the EKF-based learning algorithm is indispensable. Therefore, parallel implementation has also been developed     

EMD的频带滤波筛分方法

Hilbert—Huang（HHT）变换方法由经验模态分解（EMD）及Hilbert变换两部分组成,能在时频域上正确地描述非平稳非线性信号的局部特征。但由于模态混淆,当信号组合分量的频率太接近时,HHT常不能正确分解窄带信号。针对这一情况,提出了EMD筛分过程的一种新的改进方法——频带滤波HHT方法,并运用此方法成功分解了双自由度线性体系反应的窄带信号。     

Instantaneous Frequency Estimation Using Adaptive Linear Predictor Weights

A computationally efficient scheme for estimating the digital instantaneous frequencies of narrowband inputs is introduced. The frequency estimates are obtained by searching for minima of the inverse input power spectrum. This spectrum is estimated at each input sample from the weights of an adaptive linear predictor which uses the LMS (least mean square) algorithm to update its weights. The related minima are sought via an iterative search algorithm, referred to as the iterative frequency estimator. This algorithm is computationally more efficient than available methods, and also provides a higher resolution. Simulation results are included; these include tracking of random message sequences in FM signals, and the formant frequency estimation of speech.     

Staggered Costas Signals

A radar signal, based on coherent processing of a train of staggered Costas bursts, is suggested and investigated. The selection of sequences of each burst is based on a minimum number of collocation of their individual ambiguity function sidelobe peaks. The resulting ambiguity function combines qualities of both "thumbtack" and "bed of nails" signals. Comparison with linear-FM, V-FM, and complementary phase coded (CPC) signals is given, as well as comparison with hybrid signals consisting of both phase and frequency coding.     

Coherent Doppler tomography-a technique for narrow band SAR

Some concerns regarding a technique of narrowband synthetic aperture radar (N-SAR) imaging called coherent Doppler tomography (CDT), which may be a good candidate for spaceborne applications, are addressed. Using a single-frequency signal, are addressed. Using a single-frequency signal, resolution of two tenths of a wavelength can be achieved in the point spread function if the radar platform circles the ground path to be imaged. However, the high sidelobe level of -8-dB in the point spread function results in an unacceptable dynamic range. To reduce the sidelobe level, two approaches are presented: coherent processing using multiple discrete frequencies and noncoherent subaperture processing. Simulation results demonstrate that the sidelobe level is substantially reduced by both methods. However, the resolution is degraded and the computational overhead is greatly increased for noncoherent subaperture processing. Also presented is a possible satellite geometry configuration that could utilize N-SAR processing to provide high-resolution global mapping capability     

一种稀疏阵列下的二维DOA估计方法

研究了稀疏阵列下二维波达方向（DOA）的估计问题,提出一种基于不动点迭代的空间谱估计（FPC-MUSIC）算法。首先建立基于矩阵填充的DOA估计信号模型,并验证该信号模型满足零空间性质（NSP）,其次通过不动点迭代算法将稀疏阵列信号恢复为完整信号,最后利用恢复信号估计二维DOA。该算法可在稀疏阵列下大幅度降低谱估计平均副瓣,在大幅度降低阵元数的同时具有较高的估计精度。计算机仿真表明：FPC-MUSIC算法可在稀疏阵列下准确估计二维DOA,验证了该算法的有效性和优越性。     

Poly-phase codes and optimal filters for multiple user ranging

A technique is introduced to select poly-phase codes and optimal filters of a pulse compression system that have specific temporal and frequency characteristics. In the particular problem under study, multiple vehicles are assigned unique codes and receiver filters that have nearly orthogonal signatures. Narrowband users, that act as interference, are also present within the system. A code selection algorithm is used to select codes which have low autocorrelation sidelobes and low cross correlation peaks. Optimal mismatched filters are designed for these codes which minimize the peak values in the autocorrelation and the cross correlation functions. An adjustment to the filter design technique produces filters with nulls in their frequency response, in addition to having low correlation peaks. The method produces good codes and filters for a four-user system with length 34 four-phase codes. There is considerable improvement in cross and autocorrelation sidelobe levels over the matched filter case with only a slight decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the system. The mismatched filter design also allows the design of frequency nulls at any frequency with arbitrary null attenuation, null width, and sidelobe level, at the cost of a slight decrease in processing gain     

High-Resolution Frequency Measurement by Linear Prediction

The efficacy of linear prediction spectrum analysis (LPSA) (also called autoregressive or maximum entrophy spectrum analysis) for problems concerning narrowband signals in noise is examined by means of Monte Carlo simulation. For the case of pure tones (sinusoids) in white noise, both frequency estimation accuracy and resolution of two closely spaced tones with the linear prediction approach are discussed. In addition, estimation of the carrier frequency of a narrowband random (fading) Gaussian signal in noise is considered. The results are compared with standard fast Fourier transform (FFT) methods. These comparisons indicate that there is no significant advantage to using the linear prediction approach with real (bandpass) data. It is concluded that these experiments should be repeated with complex (baseband) data before a complete assessment of the LPS approach can be made.     

A New Class of Polyphase Pulse Compression Codes and Techniques

A new class of symmetric radar pulse compression polyphase codes is introduced which is compatible with digital signal processing. These codes share many of the useful properties of the Frank polyphase code. In contrast with the Frank code, the new codes are not subject to mainlobe to sidelobe ratio degradation caused by bandlimiting prior to sampling and digital pulse compression. It is shown that bandlimiting the new codes prior to pulse compression acts as a waveform amplitude weighting which has the effect of increasing the mainlobe to sidelobe ratios.     

Matched-Filter Responses of the Linear FM Waveform

Although the properties of the linear FM signal have been studied previously in considerable detail, such studies have involved rather narrow aspects of the theory. This paper extends the work in several respects. By presenting three-dimensional projections of the conventional ambiguity function of the linear FM signal in more detail than was available before, we can study the sidelobe behavior off as well as on the axes, without weighting, with unilateral weighting in the receiver, and with bilateral weighting. These plots reveal interesting properties related to the signal symmetry in time and frequency. The matched-filter response is then extended to include Doppler distortions of the modulation function. The results show that Woodward's ambiguity function is valid only for signals with relatively modest sophistication, even though in most practical situations one is interested only in those undistorted parts of the matched-filter response in the vicinity of the delay axis. Plots of the response are presented for various degrees of distortion, for signals with and without weighting. Lastly, we consider the effects of a mismatch in range acceleration, again for the various cases of interest. The results convey a thorough insight into the properties of chirp radar under a broad range of operational conditions.     

An Ideal Digital Frequency Translator

Many digital techniques are available for providing a desired shift in frequency of a given carrier signal, but the resulting output usually contains spurious harmonic content due to the digital means employed. This correspondence discusses a digital device which provides a variable shift in frequency of a given carrier signal, with the feature that no spurious harmonic content exists in the output.     

Doppler ambiguity resolution using multiple PRF

An algorithm for velocity ambiguity resolution in coherent pulsed Doppler radar using multiple pulse repetition frequencies (PRF) is presented. It relies on the choice of particular values for the PRFs. The folded frequency of the target signal is obtained by averaging the folded frequency estimates for each PRF, and a quasi maximum likelihood criterion is maximized for ambiguity order estimation. The fast implementation of this nonambiguous estimation procedure is based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT), The proposed waveform allows full exploitation of any (even) number of PRFs, which appears to be important for estimation improvement. The effects of the waveform parameters and the folded frequency estimation variance on the performance of the ambiguity order estimation procedure are evaluated theoretically and through computer simulations. Mean square error (MSE) curves are given to assess the Doppler frequency estimation accuracy. Finally, the new method is compared with a classical technique and the implementation of the algorithm in a clutter environment is addressed.     

一种新颖的超高分辨率SAR频率域反投影成像算法

超高分辨率条件下,机载合成孔径雷达（SAR）发射信号带宽大,合成孔径时间比较长,对成像处理算法的精度和效率要求较高。现有近似频率域处理和时间域滤波反投影（FBP）算法聚焦SAR数据时均存在诸多问题。基于微局部分析方法,提出了一种新颖的频率域滤波反投影（FD-FBP）成像处理方案。首先,利用Keystone变换简化了数据距离多普勒（RD）域徙动表达式。然后,在RD域进行反投影操作,对参考位置处反投影数据进行移位、相位补偿和FFT等操作即可以得到图像,从而在保证算法精确性的前提下有效降低了运算效率,实现了频率域方法的高效率和时间域方法的精确性特点的结合。最后,点目标仿真和实测数据处理以及与FBP等算法的对比验证了该方法的有效性。     

一种适合单频GPS动态求解整周模糊度的方法

对于高精度测量和导航,GPS载波相位整周模糊度的快速求解仍然是一个难点,尤其对于单频接收机。本文提出一种动态快速求解整周模糊度的方法,其基本思想先对系数阵进行QR分解,然后通过矩阵变换使模糊度参数和位置参数分离,从而降低矩阵的维数,满足实时动态求解的要求,最后应用LAMBDA方法搜索模糊度。为验证该算法,我们用单频GPS接收机进行了两种实验(静态和动态),利用本文方法解算,静态误差小于1．5cm,动态误差小于4cm。实验结果表明：对于动态用户,该方法是快速和有效的。该方法可应用于高精度的导航和定位。